Chapter 17

This world that I had been forced into was still beyond my understanding, but I was making an effort every day to learn a little bit more about it. I paid attention to other, while also keeping my head down and ignoring the whispers around me.

I found myself trapped in a web of misunderstandings, my intentions twisted and distorted in the eyes of the triplets. Their perception of me as an ambitious woman, vying for the affection of their father to become their stepmother, only fueled their growing animosity towards me.

The rumors intensified, and they turned more malicious, beginning to include my assumed associations with other older men. I knew that those rumors had to have come from the brothers.

One Friday afternoon though, I learned the real reason behind Armand’s feelings about me. I had returned home from school before the brothers, a rare occurrence. “Good day, Beryl?” Armand was home early from work as well.

“Hi, I didn’t expect you to be here so early. Special day?” Sometimes he came in early if he was going to be going out of town for a period of time. I assumed this was one of those days.

“No, I was just done for the day, and didn’t want to be there any longer.” He seemed more tired than usual, and I wondered if it was work or if it was the tension in the house that was upsetting him.

He was looking at with strangely, almost wistfully, a look that seemed familiar to me. “Everything ok?” I asked, figuring I would get some nonchalant answer. “Has anyone ever told you how very much you look like your mother?” He shocked me with the question.

“Oh, I, um, actually, yes. My father used to say it often.” It was something that my father had repeated to me on multiple occasions, and I suddenly remembered where I had seen that wistful look. My dad had worn the same look when he said the same thing about my mother.

“You really do. It’s uncanny, you even sound like her sometimes. We were close, your mother and I. I even thought I could marry her, if she had not been a human. But then she met your father, and I became the king alpha.” He looked sad, like this was a regret for him.

“Wow, I had no idea.” I was truly shocked by this admission. “Well, things happen for a reason, and they worked out well in the end.” He forcibly shook himself and stood up to leave the room. “I’ll see you at dinner, have a good afternoon dear.”

Still surprised by the conversation, I was at least relieved to know the reason behind his strange treatment of me.

The worsening attitude of the triplets towards me weighed heavily on my heart. Even Brain, who had once shown me kindness, grew colder with each passing day.

I confided in Lily, seeking solace in her understanding presence. “Wow, that’s crazy. Did you have any idea they had been so close?” She asked me after I had explained the conversation with Armand.

“I knew my father had worked for him, and they he and Armand were close, but I had no idea that he had known my mother as well.” I was still shook up that my mother had been romantic with both my father and Armand.

In a bittersweet turn, she began showering compliments on Brain, expressing her admiration and confessing her crush on him.

“Hmm, well that’s weird. Sorry to change the subject, but did you hear about Brian’s school art exhibit? I’m so excited to see what amazing work he puts in it. He really is the most talented of the brothers.”

She had even purchased Brain’s album of work, a gesture that baffled me. “I thought you were more interested in Nicholas? Isn’t the hockey hunk more your type?”

“Well, of course, but I can’t stop thinking about Brian helping me the other day. He was so kind, and his eyes… Up close, they’re just as beautiful as his artwork. I’d love to get an autograph from him in the book I bought. How cool would that be?”

She also asked whether my own fascination with Brain grew stronger due to our close proximity under the same roof. “You like him don’t you? I mean how can you not, living right there in the same hallway.”

I shook my head in denial, affirming that my interest in Brain was nothing more than a desire to help Lily obtain his signature on her album. I don’t want my feelings for Brian to come between me and the only friend I had in this scary world.

That night, determined to carry out my promise, I approached Brain's door, intending ask him to sign Lily’s book.

However, as I stood outside his door, I was surprised to hear sounds of intimacy coming from within. “Mmm, yes, right there. God yes, that feels amazing!” Disappointment and shock washed over me, and I escaped back to my room in haste.

The next day, Lily and I decided to get out of the house, and away from the brothers. We wanted to explore Armand's vast orchard to pick some delicious fruit. “Yum, this place smells wonderful.” It was a beautiful day and I could tell Lily was happy, swinging her basket as she walked.

Her joy was infections, and in no time we were laughing. I had to admit, I was happier than I’d been in a while. As we strolled through the sprawling expanse, though, our awe at its beauty over came us and we accidentally got separated.

“Lily? Where are you?” I figured that she had gotten distracted by a particularly pretty tree and wandered off.

I found myself alone in the apple orchard, the familiar scent enveloping me. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. Apples had always held a special place in my heart, their aroma reminiscent of cherished memories.

I remembered summer afternoons peeling apples with my mother so we could make warm apple pie. The memory was bittersweet, and I became lost in it for a moment.

Passing beneath one of the the largest apple trees, an apple tumbled from the branches above, striking me on the head. It startled me out of my thoughts.

The impact was accompanied by a sharp, crisp click. Curious, I turned to investigate the source of the sound.