Chapter 213
Ellie's POV
Dominic's words hung between us.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Like a noose dangling right in front of me.
"If you can prove yourself, then maybe I'll consider letting you have the job back."
Consider.
The word alone made my jaw tighten.
Like I was some desperate applicant begging for a chance.
Like I needed to earn the right to be Luna.
Like I needed to compete for my own position.
I stared at him.
For a moment, I genuinely didn't know what to say.
His blue eyes caught the light, but there was nothing warm in them.
He was challenging me.
I knew that look.
He wanted a reaction.
He wanted to see me get angry.
And unfortunately...
I knew exactly why.
Because I had seen this before.
In my past life.
Again and again.
Vivian is replacing me.
Vivian is stepping into roles that were supposed to be mine.
And then both of them were watching as I scrambled to prove myself.
They loved it.
They loved seeing me fight for Dominic's approval.
They loved watching me exhaust myself trying to become someone worthy of standing beside him.
And the worst part?
I had done exactly what they wanted.
I had tried.
Gods, had I tried.
I bent over backward to prove I was a good Luna.
I studied.
I worked.
I sacrificed.
I did everything I could to show Dominic that I was better than Vivian.
That I deserved to be chosen.
That I deserved his love.
And what did it get me?
Nothing.
Except for a grave.
A lifetime of pain.
A knife through my chest.
Literally.
Now, standing here, watching history repeat itself, I could see the pattern.
It was almost laughable.
No matter how hard I tried to change things...
Vivian still found her way back into my life.
She was slipping into this house exactly like before.
Taking up space.
Taking my place.
And Dominic...
Dominic was holding the door open for her.
Slowly closing it on my fingers.
But this time was different.
I was different.
I wasn't the same foolish girl who would destroy herself for a scrap of praise.
I wasn't going to compete.
Not anymore.
Even though I felt that familiar sting of jealousy when Vivian accepted Dominic's approval.
Even though some small, angry part of me wanted to prove that I was better.
I pushed it down.
I refused to play their game.
"I'm good."
My voice came out calmer than I felt.
I lifted my chin and forced a smile.
Although it felt fake.
Like a mask pulled too tightly over my face.
"I'm actually glad someone else is handling it."
I glanced between them.
"Because I definitely don't want to."
Then I turned.
And walked away.
I didn't wait for a response.
By the time I reached the stairs, Vivian's voice floated after me.
"Now, we should probably pick out centerpieces..."
My grip tightened around the railing.
Every sound of her voice echoed through the house.
Sweet.
Pleasant.
Perfect.
And somehow, it made my irritation grow.
Because no matter how much I wanted to convince myself that I didn't care...
I did.
Not because I wanted the festival.
Not because I wanted the responsibility.
But because this felt exactly like before.
Vivian was becoming part of this house again.
Part of Dominic's life again.
And I could already see the future.
Her wearing the Luna crown.
Her bearing Dominic's mark.
Her standing over my grave with that same satisfied smile.
The image made my stomach twist.
I shook my head.
No.
I wouldn't let her do that.
Not this time.
I went to my room and locked the door.
Then I made another promise.
I would not let Vivian get inside my head.
If she wanted Dominic...
If she wanted this position...
Then she could have it.
I wasn't going to fight for something that had destroyed me once already.
Besides...
Maybe this was actually a good thing.
Maybe Dominic bringing Vivian here meant he was closer to considering divorce than I thought.
Maybe this was the sign I'd been waiting for.
By the next morning, I felt slightly better.
Not great.
But better.
Unfortunately, the weather seemed determined to make everything miserable.
Dark clouds covered the sky.
Rain hammered against the windows.
The wind howled outside, shaking the trees.
Thunder rolled in the distance.
I stared out my window and shivered.
The streets were probably flooded.
Going to the academy was impossible.
So I decided to stay out of everyone's way.
Especially Vivian's.
Let her enjoy planning her precious festival.
Let her have all the praise she wanted.
I wasn't interested.
Unfortunately...
I was hungry.
Which meant I eventually had to leave my room.
I headed downstairs toward the kitchen.
And, of course...
Vivian was there.
At this point, I was convinced she was haunting me.
"Ah! Ellie!"
She smiled brightly.
"There you are."
She held up two candle holders.
One brass with an ornate clawfoot base.
The other iron with a simple twisted design.
"Which one do you think would look better on the tables?"
I ignored her and walked toward the bread cupboard.
"I thought you had everything handled."
I grabbed two slices of bread and put them into the toaster.
I heard her sigh.
"Well, excuse me for trying to include you."
Her voice became slightly sharper.
"But I suppose if you'd rather sit around and do nothing, that's your choice."
My fingers tightened around the butter knife.
The irritation came instantly.
That familiar competitive anger.
The same feeling I had promised myself I wouldn't fall into.
But Vivian knew exactly where to press.
I turned toward her.
"You're not actually trying to help Dominic, are you?"
Her eyebrows lifted.
"What?"
"You're not doing this for the pack."
I stared at her.
"You're doing this because you want my position."
Her expression remained calm.
Almost amused.
"What makes you say that?"
I stepped closer.
"I know what you're doing, Vivian."
I pointed the knife slightly.
"Maybe no one else sees it, but I do."
Her smile remained.
"You don't care about helping."
My voice lowered.
"You care about yourself."
For a moment, silence filled the kitchen.
Her eyes dropped briefly to the knife.
Her throat moved.
But her expression never cracked.
Then the toaster popped.
I turned away.
Grabbed my toast.
Spread butter across it.
When I turned back around...
Vivian was gone.
The candle holders were gone too.
But something remained on the table.
A notepad.
Curious, I walked over and picked it up.
A checklist.
Most of it had already been completed.
The next item caught my attention.
Create a trial menu for the festival.
Besides, it was a handwritten note.
"Figure out Dominic's favorite foods."
I stared at the words.
And an idea slowly formed.
I hated it.
I hated that part of me was even considering it.
I had just decided I didn't care.
I had just promised myself I wouldn't compete.
But Vivian's words still bothered me.
Her smug little implication that I was doing nothing.
That she was the only one capable of helping.
Fine.
If she wanted to take responsibility...
If she wanted all the credit...
Then she could have it.
But nothing was saying she had to do a good job.
And maybe...
Just maybe...
I could make sure of that.