Alina entered the east wing carrying a week's worth of chaos in her chest. She suddenly had a lot going on in her life: the poisoning, Austin and Audrey's broken friendship, Dorian leaving and the meeting with blood ink pact.
And in the middle of it all: LOVE.
Everything had happened too fast that she hardly has the time to sit with any of it properly.
Cecily looked up the moment Alina stepped inside.
"It looks like a lot is happening in your life right now," she said, reading her face.
Alina didn't deny it. She walked over and sat on the sofa as usual.
"Austin confronted Audrey about everything she has done to me," she began immediately.
Cecily's hand froze over the dress she was folding.
"He ended their friendship, and…had earlier told me that he won't marry her."
Cecily froze completely this time.
"He will not marry Audrey?" she repeated.
Alina nodded. For a moment, she didn't react. Then she laughed.
Alina frowned.
"Why are you laughing?"
