The Stained Omega by Elle T Jefferson

Chapter 0296

The next morning at breakfast, Elva and I sat beside Susie and across from Veronica and Tiffany. The excitement with Terry's capture seemed to be the popular topic for everyone else at the table, except for us. None of us seemed overly thrilled to ever mention Terry's name ever again.

At least, I knew I wasn't. I could take a guess about Susie, too. Tiffany and Veronica were likely being respectful of us.

We were half-way through eating, when Lilliana stumbled into the dining room. She was put together well enough, in a very simple sundress with matching cardigan. Though the buttons of the cardigan were fastened incorrectly, making it longer on one side.

She rubbed at her forehead with one hand, half covering her eyes. She shunned the bright lights, keeping her gaze firmly down.

All of the girls stopped to look at her as she stood there, miserable and oblivious. When she noticed, she blushed and hurried forward toward her usual empty seat near Olivia. The moment she sat down, Olivia stood up.

"I'll eat the rest in my room," she said. A servant quickly went behind her, grabbed her plate and followed Olivia out the door.

Lilliana sunk further down into her chair.

Elva was staring. I tapped at her plate. "Eat your food, honey. Be polite.'

"Sorry, Mommy," she said and lifted her fork.

I did the same, trying to ignore Lilliana myself. It was difficult. Knowing what I knew, I wanted to make sure she was okay, at least health-wise, but staring would only make others

stare too.

Unfortunately, the damage had seemed to already been done. Everyone was looking at Lilliana. Whispers were beginning to sound.

Even Tiffany whispered to Veronica, "She looks hungover."

Veronica replied, "She is hungover."

Elva was staring again. I tapped her plate.

She lowered her head. "Sorry, Mommy."

Veronica and Tiffany returned to their own meals as if scolded too.

Susie gave me a sad sort of smile. I wondered how much she knew, if Nicholas had told Mark and Mark had told her. Whatever knowledge she had, she was keeping it to herself, so for that,

1/2

+15 BONUS

Though her pitying looks made my heart hurt. If Susie knew Lilliana went to Nicholas's room last night, then she probably knew I had gone there too. Susie was smart. She could surely piece together what I had been doing there and how it had turned out, thanks to Lilliana's

presence

I returned Susie's smile as best I could. Her worry came from a place of friendship, I knew, not mockery. I had no reason to be rude, even if I wanted to forget the previous night had happened entirely. After breakfast, Elva and I returned to our room. Elva took a small nap and then played with her toys. Charlotte and I chatted over coffee until a visitor walked through the door.

Nicholas.

I had known that I couldn't avoid him forever, certainly, but I had hoped for at least a few more hours before we would have to face the embarrassment that had happened last night. "Piper. Charlotte. Elva."

"Nick-lass!" Elva bounced up from her spot on the floor and rushed toward him. He bent down and lifted her up into his arms. Her noodle arms threaded around his neck and they held each other in a tight hug.

"I missed you!" she said.

Nicholas teased a little. "I spent time with you two days ago."

"Not enough. I want to see Nick-lass every day."

He smiled as he leaned in and softly k*ssed her cheek.

Elva beamed with happiness.

My own heart melted at the sight. This wasn't the first time they had displayed such familial affection for each other, but every time it occurred felt like it was the first.

I hated that these moments couldn't last forever. But I would enjoy them for what they were

while they lasted.