SWNOVELS Chapter 5
Chapter 5 At the end of Odalyss life back then , depression had consumed her like a monster in the dark , robbing her of sleep and hope , Now , as she gripped her phone , her fingers clenched so tightly it felt like the device might shatter , her mind was a storm of thoughts .
Its just one damni month as a stand in bride ! Nobodys asking you to lay down your life for her ! Why the hell did you have to go that far ? because shes adopted and got in your way ? Finnlans voice was sharp , his frustration slicing though the air , completely shattering his usual calm and collected facade I already told you once you stand in and get this done , and hes gone , Ill be your boyfriend .
What the hell else do you want ? he snapped , his teeth practically grinding together .
P A derisive laugh escaped her lips .
His words were were so ridiculous it was almost entertaining , like watching a poorly scripted drama .
She couldnt help but wonder how shed ever fallen for his second rate charm and manipulative games in the past .
What the hell are you laughing at ? Finnian barked , clearly pissed .
Odalys didnt answer right away .
She stood slowly , walking to the window .
Her gaze swept over potted plant by the sill over the manicured garden below , fingers brushing a Her tone , when she finally spoke , was cold enough to freeze .
Who do you think you are ? What makes you think I stood in for this marriage because of you ? Where do you even get the balls to believe that ? Youre harassing me right now .
Got it ? And let me quess , she continued , her voice dripping with sarcasm .
You thought , after my husband dies , Id crawl back to your What kind of delusional world are you living int Newsflashi Im the Stewart familys young madam now You ! Youre just a nobody .
Or wait , let me guess youre hoping Ill inherit some of my husbands wealth after hes gone, and then you can swoop in and mooch off me ? Honestly .
I have to admire the audacity .
Youre so full of shit , Finnian shot back , his voice shaking with barely contained rage .
Do you really think Im that shallow ? Odalys , youre out of line .
If you keep spewing this garbage , were done .
No ties .
Nothing She smirked , her tone mockingly sweet Done ? Oh , thank God .
Do me a favor and stop calling .
Co play white knight for Sophia .
Maybe shell even agree to marry you .
Youre such a pathetic simp cryman She couldnt help but laugh at the thought .
Sophia , with her sickly sweet innocent act , probably wanted to please every man on earth but a guy like Finndant Not a chance To famibes like the Stewarts , celebrities like him were nothing more than entertainment , disposable and forgettable .
For a moment , Finnian was silent , clearly stunned by her words .
When he finally spoke , his voice was trembling .
Odalys , Ill give you one last chance Dont bother .
Her tone was icy .
Even if you were gift wrapped and delivered to my door , I wouldnt take you .
Keep harassing me , and Ill spill all your dirty little secrets for the world to see Without waiting for his response , she ended the call with a sharp click She glanced at her phone , checking the recording shed started at the beginning of the call .
Satisfied , she quickly uploaded it to the cloud and backed it up to her email .
Hah A bitter laugh escaped her as she rubbed her temples .
Thinking about how naive and weak she had been before , manipulated by people she shouldve seen through , made her blood boil , The sound snapped her out of her thoughts .
Taking a breath , she composed herself and walked to the door .
Standing there was Percival Fresh from a shower , hed traded his earlier bloodied look for casual black loungewear , the fabric fating him in all the right places .
The faint scent of mint lingered around him , masking the memory of blood and pain .
Percival towered over her , his eyes scanning her face with quiet intensity .
For a moment , Odalys blinked , surprised to see him there .
Then , tilting her chin up slightly , she met his gaze head on .
Percival ? Do you need something Her voice was calm , her posture steady .
She wasnt intimidated by his presence if anything .
she seemned almost bored .
Chapter 3 Percivals 1 slips curved into the faintest of smirks .
Most people stammered , bowed , or outright avoided his gaze .
But she stared right back .
unapologetic and unafraid .
You took one look at me and knew I was poisoned .
How ? His voice was low , gravelly , and unyielding .
And how did you know how to suppress it ? Odalys nacked her hands behind her back , studying him as she replied .
The directness of his question told her hed already tested the medicine shed prepareil and probably had someone analyze it , too .
Thats simple she said with a light smile .
Tve studied traditional medicine .
Her tone was breezy , almost playful , as she stepped aside and motioned for him to come in Percival hesitated for a moment , his tall frame casting a long shadow into the room .
Then , without a word , he stepped inside , his movements slow and deliberate .
His presence seemed to fill the space , the air around him thick with an understated but magnetic energy Odalys stood there , calm as ever , her every move deliberate , With an almost lazy grace , she tied her long hair back , her tone steady but unged with quiet confidence .
My mentors one of the best in holistic medicine and alternative therapies , she said , her tone rastral .
A legit mentor of metaphysics and traditional medicine .
Ive been learning from him since I was three seventeen years in total She didnt wait for his response before continung , her voice dropping just slightly .
You reek of blood .
Even if your blood vessels havent burst yet , its written all over you .
I can sense it through your skin .
And your blood ! Its got an odd , unnatural smell .
Thats how I knew you were poisoned .
There was no hesitation , no need to hide anything .
She spoke about her Toist roots like it was her badge of honor , not something to downplay .
Percivals eyes flickered with something unreadable , a small crack in his usual impassive mask .
Seventeen years ? That was mexpected .
You can treat it ? he asked , turning to fully face her .
His sharp gaze locked onto hers , unblinking , demanding answers Her eyes met his head on calm and unwavering .
There was a depth to them , like looking into still water that somehow felt bottomless .
No fear , no besitation ust that same unshakable compostire .
Treat !! She repeated , her lips curling into a faint smile .
Lets not get ahead of ourselves .
What I can do is suppress it for now .
I can buy you another month maybe six The casual way she said it made his brow furrow .
The best doctors in the world couldnt even promise him another week .
Yet here she was , tossing out timelines like it was nothing .
If he hadnt seen her suppress the poison earlier with his own eyes , he wouldve walked out right then But he had seen it .
Her words landed hard , like the first breath of fresh air after being suffocated .
For someone who had already made peace with death , her calm certainty hit him in a way he hadnt anticipated .
It wasnt hope not yet .
But it was close .
His hands curled into fists at his sides , the tension so strong his knuckles turned white , But his face stayed calm , his body radiating that same powerful aura that made people think twice before challenging him .
If there was any crack in his armor , it wasnt visible not yet .
Whats your price ? he asked , his voice low and steady , cutting straight to the point .
Odalys leaned back , her tall frame resting casually against the edge of a nearby table .
She crossed her arms , her sharp gaze never leaving his as she tited her head slightly , a faint smile tugging at her lips For now ? Lets just say you owe me a favor , she said , her voice light bur laced with something unspoken .
Bot 17l need something specific .
Herbs .
Old one .
At least a hundred years old .
The older , the better .
She turned and walked to her bag , pulling out a small notebook and pen .
Siming down , she began to write quickly , the pen moving with an almost effortless precision .
Once done .
she tore the page out and handed is to him Percival took it , glancing down at the paper .
Her handwriting was bold and precise , every stroke sharp and deliberate .
It wasnt just neat it þad a kind of energy , a power that made it stand out Fine he said , his voice slightly hoarse but firm .
His grip on the paper tightened , the list feeling heavier than it should have .
She was more than hed expected .
The ease with which shed rattled off the list , her calm certainty it all pointed to a level of knowledge far beyond what he had anticipated .
Whether she was the real deal or just an exceptionally good luar , hed find out soon enough .
All he had to do was venly the herbs on her list .