Chapter 12%
I played my role perfectly. Every touch Every glance Every soft spoken word Jason Romano didn’t even realize I was sinking my claws deeper into him every single day
It started with simple things. Passing comments, Innocent questions. A feeding touch on his arm when we talked. A knowing smile when Lily snapped at me and Jason for once in his life didn’t immediately panp to be defense
idn’t post. I didn’t mish Het him come to me. And he did faster ilun Texpected
At first, it was sittall–cassial conversations, business meetings where he lingered just a little longer than necessary. Then it escalated. Late night calls. Drinks alter meetings, Jason Romano was falling into my trap, pince by piece. Tecudid see it in his eyes the
the growing doubts about Lily, the way he started to confide in me like I was someone he could that i
Fool. He didn’t even realize I was leading him exactly whann Ewanted files to ball
It started subtly. A carefully placed word hoe, a thoughtful silence time Hat him verit, Lily’s sudden mood swings, the way she kept pressing him about me E
him talk about the things that bothered him
“She’s been acting paranoid fately,” Jason admitted one night over dunks, his fingers running over the rim of his glass. “Like she’s hiding something
I tilted my head, feigning curiosity. “Why would she?
Glason exhaleit sharply, shaking his head. “I don’t fucking know. But every time I mention you, sisi loses her shit“)
Llummet, sowating the wine in my glass. “Maybe she’s alonid of losing youTM)
Jason scoffed, but something flickered in his gaze. Doubt
Good Flet the silence stretch, watching him struggle with his own thoughts |
“You remind me of someone,” he finally admitted
My lips cloud slightly. “Oh
His jaw lensed Emma”
Heaned back, my expression unreadable. “Your wife!
Jason nodded slowly, ryes dark. “You look like ben/20
I smiled, soft anil mysterious. “Thit for not her
Jason’s gaze darkened. His fingers flexed, his breath uneven. He was sinking. And now? He was inviting me to his fucking birthday li
The invitation came two days before his party. A black mivelope. Elegant gold lettering, Jason Romano’s Private Birthday Celebration:
The moment I saw it, my lips cuiled. Of course, he wanted me there. Of course. I let the invitation sit on my desk for hours, pretending | was debating whether to accept. But in reality? I had been waiting for this, I had already planned exactly what I was going to wears
The Romano estate was grand, elegant, and filled with people who didn’t give a damn about Jason but wanted to be seen at his event. I arved late On purpose:
The moment I stepped inside, conversations slowed. Eyes turned. A hush fall over the c crowd. Because I didn’t just dress for the occasion
I dressed to haunt
A black silk dress clung to my frame, the name shade Emma used to wear. My hall styled in soft waves, cascaded down my back exactly like hers had years ago. Even my perfume–the one scent Jason always associated with Emma–wrapped around me like a ghostly whisper
st until someone gasped, whispering-
Jason didn’t notice me at first. Not until the murmurs started. Not until people tumed to store. Not
“Emma”
His head snopped up. And when his eyes landed on me–he fucking froze. The reaction was immediate. His drink halted midair. His jaw clenched so tight I thought it might shatter.
But he wasn’t the only one
Across the room, they stood Edward and Isabella Moretti. My parents.
And their golden fucking child–Lily”
My breath hitched, but I forced my expression to remain cold. Indifferent. They were nothing to me now)
But that didn’t mean I didn’t remember. Didn’t ache, Didn’t burn.
I saw the shock in my mother’s eyes, the way her fingers tightened around her champagne glass. My father’s expression remained unteadable, but there was tension in his stance.
Lily, however. Her face twisted into something ugly Like she’d seen a ghost PILK
Good
I let my gaze sweep over them slowly, deliberately, before turning away, as if they were beneath my notice. I walked straight to Jason. He was still staing, still gripping his glass like he wanted to crush it.
“Happy birthday, Mr Romano, I murmured, voice smooth as silk
Jason swallowed hand, his throat bobbing “Emma_“%
12:35 PM
glass with my fingertip. “I’m hurt. You always forget my name.”
His breath hitched.
“You called me that at the airport too,” I whispered, watching him carefully. I’m a little hurt,” I tilted my head, voice teasing, but my eyes- oh, my eyes told another story.
Jason’s grip tightened on his drink, his knuckles white. He was unraveling. Perfect. Let him drown in his own ghosts!!
I sipped my wine, never breaking eye contact !
But even as I stood there, wrapped in my little game, the past clawed its way back.
I could still remember. Every fucking thing.
I stared at them, especially my parents but all I saw was my childhood. The countless times Lily took everything from me. Everything
I could still hear her voice. “I want it!” she would scream whenever I got something new. And just like that–it was hers. My toys? Gone. My dresses? Taken. Even my diaries. The words I wrote in secret, my private thoughts, were stolen and read aloud for everyone to laugh at And when she got bored of them? She’d ruin them. Rip my dresses. Throw my books in the mud.
And my parents? They let her. No. They encouraged it. “You’re the older sister,” my mother would say with a sigh. “You should give in to Lily. She’s younger. Don’t be so selfish, Emma.”
Selfish? I was selfish for wanting something for myself? For wanting to be seen? For wanting to exist outside of Lily’s fucking shadow? But the worst part? The absolute worst part? It wasn’t the stolen gifts. It wasn’t the dresses thrown in the trash. It was the way they made me feel like I was worth nothing.”
Chapter 13%
