Chapter 89
Third Person POV
Irina was panicking.
Lionel was pulling away from her. Taking comfort in that thief by his side. It was heartbreaking.
Irina never thought it was fair that Katya had gotten to marry Lionel. Katya did not even like him growing up. To busy flirting with her precious gardener.
Irina had noticed Lionel from a young age. She would not call it love at first sight. She had been only a small child when she met the older boy.
She hadn’t cared much for him at first. Katya never paid attention to her when he was around. Irina had guarded her older sister’s kinder attentions like a dragon at that age.
But they kept getting older. Katya became crueler as she came into her own power. Becoming meaner to her little sister.
Only Lionel ever tried to stop it.
Katya did not dare torment Irina when Lionel was around. She could not afford their parent’s disapproval if he spoke up about it. Lionel was always outspoken about his opinion on Katya’s nastier habits.
Irina fell in love with Lionel’s kindness and chivalry at the tender age of 10.
But she never let on. Knowing it was hopeless. A child’s dream.
Lionel was destined for Katya. Katya may not want him…but she was notoriously possessive of her things. And there was a 10 years age difference between them.
It would never work.
But Irina could not stop her love for Lionel. So she used excuses to be around him. Just wanting to bask in his presence whenever she could.
Irina hated the way Katya treated Lionel. They thought Irina an oblivious child. Completely unaware of the dark happenings under the mansion roof.
Lionel deserved better. Better than her selfish sister. Irina knew she would give Lionel everything if she only had the time…if she was only a little older.
She had not been happy when the pregnancy was announced. It was stab in her young heart. More proof of her doomed affections.
A child that would take away more of Lionel’s attention from her.
The only bright spot had been Katya’s death. She was free from her sister’s cruelty. Lionel was free from her abuse.
Lionel was free to pursue happiness.
Irina wanted to be that happiness. She knew she was still a child. But she would grow.
She planned to intertwine herself in Lionel’s life. To bring him comfort. And show him her potential.
It was not to be. Lionel did not let her in. He pushed her as far away as possible.
And now this.
Irina could do nothing about the union of Lionel and her sister. She would not accept this commoner taking her place. No inferior woman would get in her way.
Nan Lupa needed to go.
Irina was only 15.
Unable to properly command her family’s funds. But she was resourceful. Irina had a plan.
She need only wait.
Her chance came quickly.
Irina had put on a friendly face for her nieces. Making sure to appear ‘excited’ when Lionel or that commoner were watching. Never letting her guard slip.
She felt an intense dislike for the little brats. Vera had that same cat-like shape of her sister’s eyes. The one men found entrancing.
The other…the one raised by the commoner seemed unbearably stupid to Irina. Too open. Yet it worked to her advantage when Irina finally got some useful information from the brat’s blabbering.
Irina smiled widely at the bright-eyed girl. Carefully concealing her fangs. Infusing feigned sweetness in her tone.
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Nan sounds like a wonderful mother.” She gives the commoner a ‘good-hearted’ look.
The woman smiles back at her. A sickeningly affable attitude about her. “Thank you, Irina.”
“Would you like to join us for lunch?” She offers Irina.
“I would love that. But are you sure that would be alright?” Irina checks.
Nan nods. Irina thinks about slapping her. As if she needed her permission to have a meal with children of her blood.
She does not allow her animosity to show. Thankfully, her ‘medications’ prevented any scent reaching the little brats’ noses. Better not to tip them off.
Irina follow dutifully behind them. The sharp eyes of her nurse trained on her. But Irina was not worried.
Lunch undergoes calmly. Irina is left with a headache from the grating laughter of her sister’s spawn. Irina is all the more convinced to follow through with her plan.
It is nearly one o clock when she spots the other nurse arriving for the shift change.
The nurse behind her shifts. Irina resists a smirk. Knowing that all the nurse is concerned about is just how far away their car is parked from the main mansion.
“You could go.” Irina tells them. “The next one on shift will be here soon.”
“I can’t leave you alone.” They say. But Irina hears the waver in their tone.
“I won’t be alone!” Irina says cheerfully. “I’ll be with my nieces.”
Irina does not mention the woman. She does not have too. She see the moment the nurse takes in the fact that another ‘responsible’ adult is in the room.
“Go ahead. I’m sure you will have to let the other nurse know where we are anyway. I got this.”
It vaguely annoys Irina that the nurse takes that woman’s word over her own. But it plays into her plan. ‘Just a little more,’ Irina thinks.
So the nurse nods and takes off. Irina is left alone with the children and Nan. Exactly as she wanted.
The phone rings right on cue.
Conflict plays on the commoner’s face as she eyes the girls and Irina. Not comfortable with leaving them alone. Or the food still cooking on the stove.
“Go ahead.” She reassures her. “I can look after the girls.”
A complicated look comes across her face. “But I’m not supposed to…” She trails off.
“Leave me alone?” Irina finishes. “But I won’t be…I can hardly do any harm to myself while they are watching.”
The loud ringing of the phone clearly makes her decision. “Okay. Just make sure to turn the soup off before it boils over…and would you mind throwing the leeks in?”
‘She couldn’t have given me a better opportunity if she tried,’ Irina thought disbelievingly. ‘Stupid, trusting fool.’
Irina only nods. The woman takes off. Irina is left with the girls.
So she begins talking to them. Asking them about movies and their favorite toys. It completely leaves them distracted from her actions.
Enough for her to quietly slip in a dash of soy sauce. Stirring it carefully as she adds in the leeks. Making sure it dissolves well so as not to attract attention.
Lupa returns from her phone call. “Alright, looks like lunch is ready. Who’s hungry?”
Patti leans forward. “I’m starving.” She says as though she has never eaten in her life.
Vera follows her sister’s example. “My tommy is grumbling like a big bear!”
Lupa laughs. “I guess I better feed my hungry little bear cubs then.”
She scoops out small portions into some child sized bowls. Katya’s offspring devour the soup greedily. ‘No manners,’ Irina thinks ironically.
She turns to Irina. “Here, have some.” Irina takes the offered soup.
“Delicious. You are a great cook.” She proclaims.
The commoner blushes. “It’s nothing. Besides, you helped.”
Irina shakes her head. “No, all I did was throw in a few leeks. Following your instructions.”
‘Best not encourage any unnecessary attention.’ Irina muses. ‘I don’t want my role to be considered at all.’
“A meal is only so great as the hands that prepare it. I have no skill at all in the kitchen. It’s the fate of most rich people I fear…we’re all lazy.”
Lupa chuckles. “Before I got here, Lionel did not even know how to work the oven.”
‘Why should he lower himself into manual labor?’ Irina thought scornfully.
It was at this point that the other nurse arrived. Saving Irina from answering that woman’s ridiculous notion. There was only quiet chatter.
But then the coughing began.
It started with Vera. She coughed intermittently a few times. But then her coughing increased.
Lupa leaned over. “Are you okay? Do you have something stuck in your throat?”
She rubbed soothing circles on the girl’s back. Opening the girl’s throat. Seeing nothing lodged there.
Then Patti began coughing.
That was when the choking began and Vera her throat began to rapidly swell.
