Chapter 7 Faking It
Astra spun around in shock, panic flashing across her face.
“Goddamn it!” she hissed, bolting away. “I can’t let anyone find out I’m Krystal.”
She ran fast but quietly, trying to disappear before the servants came rushing up. Thankfully, the house was massive.
Footsteps thundered up the stairs.
No time.
She ducked into a familiar room before the sound of footsteps grew too close.
It was her old bedroom.
The one she used to share with Lorenzo.
Her pulse raced as she ran straight for the closet, grabbing a long-sleeved, high-neck dress and throwing it on over her jeans and t-shirt. The cap she tucked into her jeans waistband, the mask shoved deep into her pocket.
But as she moved, her hand smacked into a glass bottle on the dresser—Lorenzo’s expensive cologne.
Crash.
Glass shattered everywhere.
Footsteps pounded closer.
Within seconds, the door burst open.
Seconds later, Esther barged in with two servants at her side. Her eyes wild and searching.
They landed on Krystal.
She was on her knees, reaching for the broken perfume bottle scattered across the hardwood floor.
“What the hell is this?” Esther barked, turning to the guards. “Who let the maids into Lorenzo’s bedroom?” Her eyes narrowed at Krystal, oozing disdain. “When I take over this house, I’m tripling security around our room.”
She turned to the servants. “Throw this maid out. We don’t need trash like this working here.”
“You’re not the owner of this house yet, Esther.”
The calm but firm voice made Esther freeze. She spun around, her face twisting in rage, eyes narrowing at Krystal.
“How dare you? You’re just a fucking maid! Who do you think you’re talking to?”
Krystal slowly stood, eyes locked on her. “Who are you to call this your bedroom, or this house yours, when I haven’t even divorced my husband yet?”
Esther went pale. Her jaw slackened as realization sank in.
“So... you’re Krystal,” she muttered.
Krystal gave a slow shrug, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Took you long enough.”
Esther crossed her arms, regaining her arrogance. “You already signed the divorce papers. It’s final, whether it’s today or tomorrow. You’re just dragging this out, clinging to a man who doesn’t love you.”
Krystal laughed softly, the sound sharp and taunting. “Yeah, I’m stalling. Want to know why?” She stepped closer. “Because I’m waiting for him to come to me.”
Esther’s face turned ghost-white.
Krystal tilted her head and added with a sweet, mocking tone, “He’s rich. He’s handsome. Why would I divorce a man like that so easily?”
Esther’s anger exploded, her voice rising. “Stay in your lane, you peasant bitch. He only married you to please his grandpa, nothing more!”
Krystal tilted her head, her smirk deepened. “And he loves you?”
She didn’t wait for an answer.
“He’s only with you because you keep pestering him with your illness. If not for that, why would any man even look at you? Honestly, have you even looked in the mirror lately?”
“You goddamn—!” Esther lunged, hand raised to slap her.
But before her palm could connect, Krystal’s entire demeanor changed. Her eyes turned soft, her voice small and trembling, and she sank back down in the same position that Esther had found her in next to the broken bottle.
“I’m sorry, Esther,” she whispered. “If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave. I won’t step into this house again.”
Esther froze mid-swing, completely thrown off by the sudden shift. Her expression twisted with confusion and more fury.
“Who the hell are you acting like this for?!” she snapped, taking a step forward again.
Krystal flinched as Esther raised her hand to slap her. But before the strike could land, a firm hand gripped Esther’s wrist mid-air.
Lorenzo stood beside her, his eyes blazing. Without a word, he shoved Esther’s wrist away and immediately turned to Krystal. He crouched in front of her, gently helping her up.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low and controlled, his gaze scanning her hands. Then his eyes dropped to the shards of broken glass on the floor. “Did you hurt yourself? Show me.” His brows furrowed, worry etched across his sharp features as he inspected her hands closely.
“Lorenzo…” Esther’s voice suddenly softened, her expression switching into one of pitiful innocence.
She let out a sob. “I was just scared. I thought she was stealing something from your room. You let her stay in our house for two years before you divorced her. And now look. She’s sneaking around your house. ”
A flicker of a smug smile curved Esther’s lips.
‘What are you compared to me?’ she thought to herself. ‘I’ve got him wrapped around my finger, day and night. What can a poor orphan like you ever do? He always picks me.’
Krystal’s eyes lifted slowly to Lorenzo’s face, filled with hesitation and anxiety. Then she looked at Esther and whispered, “I’m sorry, Esther. You’re right. I shouldn’t have come into this house without permission.”
Esther’s smirk widened, now too satisfied to hide.
“That’s right,” she barked. “Apologize properly! You’re the one—”
“You’re right, I’m not worthy of Lorenzo,” Krystal interrupted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m poor, and he’s a CEO. I could never be good enough.”
Lorenzo’s jaw clenched. His head snapped toward Esther, his voice like steel. “You called her poor? Unworthy of me?”
His anger was barely contained. “Why the hell would you say that to her? We’ve already divorced—wasn’t that enough for you? You still felt the need to insult her?”
Esther’s face froze. “No, Lorenzo, that’s not what I—she’s acting! You should’ve seen her before you walked in—so arrogant—”
Krystal gently touched his arm. “Please… don’t get involved,” she whispered.
“I only came to get a few of my clothes. I didn’t have anything left to wear.
I was cleaning up a little before leaving, and I broke…
” She glanced at the shattered remains of the expensive perfume bottle, swallowing hard.
“I’ll pay for it. Don’t worry. And I’ll leave now.
I don’t want to be in your way. Just let me clean this so you don’t step on glass. ”
Esther stood frozen in disbelief, staring at Krystal in shock.
Krystal bent down to pick up the broken glass.
But Lorenzo instantly grabbed her hands, pulling them away. “Don’t be stupid,” he snapped. “You’re not touching this. You could hurt yourself. What the hell are you doing?”
Esther exploded. “Lorenzo! She’s faking it! Don’t fall for her act! She’s pretending to be this innocent thing in front of you, but before you came in, she was smug and full of herself!”
“Shut up, Esther!” Lorenzo’s voice boomed like thunder. His head whipped toward her, fury tightening his jaw. “I know exactly what kind of person she is.”
Esther flinched, visibly shaken by his anger.
Lorenzo exhaled sharply and muttered with clenched teeth, “Get out of this room. Now. I’ll take care of everything here. Just get out.”
Esther stared at him, stunned.
“For her?” she shrieked, her voice shaking with rage. “You’re telling me to leave because of her ?!”
Krystal’s eyes flicked toward Esther for a brief second—calm, almost victorious. That small, subtle look only made Esther lose her mind further.
“You bitch!” Esther shrieked, grabbing a heavy glass vase from the table and hurling it straight at Krystal.
Krystal’s body reacted instinctively, moving in front of Lorenzo to protect him.
But he was faster.
He pulled her into his arms, turning his back to the attack and covering her completely.
The vase shattered against his back with a loud crash, glass raining down like a storm. Even though he’d covered Krystal completely, one sharp shard flew past and sliced her cheek before hitting the floor.
Blood trickled down Krystal’s face.
Lorenzo pulled back and stared at the cut on her face. The fury that stormed across his expression was unlike anything Krystal had ever seen from him.
He stood up in a flash, pulling her protectively against his chest, his arms wrapped around her tightly.
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?!” he roared at Esther, his voice echoing through the room. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”
Then he turned back to Krystal, his expression softening instantly. He cupped her face in his hands, eyes filled with worry.
“Are you okay? Does it hurt?” he asked, voice low and tense.
Krystal met his eyes and gave a small shake of her head. “No… as long as you’re alright, I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt.”
Then, glancing nervously between him and Esther, she gently pulled his hands from her face.
“I should go. I’m sorry for disturbing you,” she whispered.
She turned to leave, but Lorenzo immediately grabbed her hand, stopping her. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“No, it’s fine,” she protested softly, trying to pull away. “It’s just a scratch. Nothing serious.”
He turned toward her, eyes flashing. “You’re not a damn doctor,” he cut in sharply. His jaw clenched, frustration flashing in his eyes. “Stop acting like you know what’s serious.”
Without another word, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her toward the door.
“There’s too much blood,” he muttered, anxiety thick in his voice. “I’m not taking chances.”
Esther stepped in front of him, trying to block his way.
“Lorenzo, she’s faking it! Can’t you see that? She’s playing you, and you’re just believing everything she says. Why?”
“You don’t have a say in this matter!” he barked, his voice laced with fury as he shot her a scathing glare. “Don’t come between me and my wife. Look at how badly you’ve hurt her—and you still have the nerve to say she’s faking it?”
Krystal lifted her head off his shoulder and turned to Esther with a smug grin, laughing under her breath.
‘I acted twenty-four hours a day for two damn years,’ she scoffed secretly. ‘You want to challenge me? You’re just a brat throwing tantrums in front of me.’
Lorenzo didn’t spare Esther another glance. He stormed out of the room, Krystal cradled securely in his arms.