Chapter 128

LILY

I applied gloss to my lips, then returned it to the drawer. Studying my reflection in the mirror, the corner of my lips curled in disdain.

My brown strands, now a lustrous red, were pretty; the charming copper color turned me into another person, someone I hated being. It was this part of me that he had wounded—the glamorous and fiery part of me.

Stomped down until it was quenched just the way he liked. I repaired the thin sleeve of my white evening dress. This was the aesthetic he wanted, and he turned me into it. The redhead without her fire—wasn't it just comfortable?

I ran my fingers along my sides covered by the silk gown, then jerked around to a faint rap on the door. I waited, peeking at the clock overhead the door, even when I knew what I was being called for. I swallowed and walked over to the door.

Slowly drawing it open with shaky fingers, I was met with a girl's frame, probably the same age as Eva; she genuflected and announced, "Master