Vampire's Veil Of Obsession-Chapter 40: Cold Silence

A soft yet bitter smile graced Lilia's lips. 'These are just gossip, Lilia. Don't let them get to you. she told herself. Besides, did it even matter if Zethan had a child with another woman?'After all, she wasn't his. He wasn't hers. And soon, they would be getting a divorce... right?

She forced herself to believe it as she walked past, unnoticed by those gossiping about the very person who had once been beside them. Turning a corner, she found herself alone.

The soft wind blew, lifting her coily strands to the side. She inhaled deeply, feeling a fleeting sense of freedom. Her eyes stung as if tears threatened to fall—but she held them back.

'No, this isn't worth crying over....know your worth'

"Dont be weak, Lilia. You are a strong, independent, responsible... woman," her voice cracked on the last word.

She stood there for what felt like hours, the cold seeping into her bones. Yet it was nothing compared to the chill settling deep within her heart.

She had to be strong. She had to be cold. The vulnerability that wanted to break through was too dangerous.

She didn't know how long she had been standing there, lost in thought, when she suddenly felt it—a warm, weighty coat draped over her shoulders. No one was there to tell her who had placed it on her, but then she heard his voice.

"Why are you here? It's freezing outside. It seems like you don't mind catching a cold, huh?" Zethan's tone was calm, almost distant.

This man lacked warmth. If she did not know better, the coldness in his tone would make her think he did not mean those words.

Lilia remained silent for a moment before turning to face him, her expression calm, as if nothing had happened after a pause, she finally spoke.

"Mr. Zethan, many people will be looking for you inside. Please go ahead—I'd like to get some fresh air."

Zethan raised an eyebrow, studying her intently before responding. There was something in the way she spoke that made him pause.

"They wouldn't only be looking for me. They'd be looking for you too—my fiancée."

Fiancée, he says. A slow, painful smile formed on her lips.

Lilia wasn't sure if her thoughts were just tangled by this point. Was it because of what she had heard? The rumors? But she knew rumors were just that—rumors. And even if they were true, it shouldn't matter. She didn't love him. He didn't love her. She needed to get that through her head.

Still, her voice came quiet and steady. "Fine then, let's go."

Something about the way she spoke—so detached, so indifferent—made Zethan silent.

There was something off about her, but what? He studied her again, his sharp eyes trying to catch a glimpse of what lay behind her calm demeanor, but she gave nothing away.

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Then, as if confirming his own thoughts, he finally said, "The engagement will be over soon, so we are leaving now."

Lilia didn't react at first. Then, she simply nodded. "If that's fine with you, then great. Let's leave."

Zethan had expected some kind of response—perhaps a retort, a sarcastic remark, something. But she had just... accepted it. And that made things feel even more off.

As they stepped back into the grand hallway, making their way toward the ballroom, every pair of eyes turned toward them. Whispers rippled through the crowd, gazes shifting between them. But what caught everyone's attention most was the coat draped over Lilia's shoulders—Zethan's coat.

Soft smiles spread across some lips, quiet giggles escaping as people observed the unfolding scene. Some couldn't help but wonder if the rumors they'd heard were true—if Zethan had come to a decision after all.

This act alone already began to quell some of the rumors.

One thing they knew about Zethan was that he didn't pretend. He never did things to fit expectations. If he acted, it was because he meant it. He wouldn't give a woman his coat unless there was something deeper—something genuine—behind the gesture.

But in the far corner of the ballroom, a woman stood, her grip tightening around a delicate wine glass. An annoyed frown tugged at her lips, anger flashing in her eyes. She didn't speak, but the fury in her gaze was palpable.

Then, in a whisper laced with quiet fury, she muttered, "Lilia Winslow."

Zethan led Lilia toward the main entrance, and all eyes followed them. People shifted aside to let them pass, their whispers a mix of surprise and speculation. The cold Mr. Zethan had given his coat to his fiancée. The news was sure to spread by morning. There were already speculations—had Zethan changed his mind? Was he finally showing affection for the woman he was supposed to marry?

Lilia's eyes turned, and her gaze met her sister, who stood beside Lowell. Her glare was undeniable.

Their father was all smiles as he chatted with his fellow dealers—just what he wanted: allies.

Her mother stood among the ladies, their eyes fixed on Lilia with knowing smiles. There was no doubt—her mother was already bragging about her engagement to Zethan.

They all did this for their own benefit.

As the massive doors opened, Lilia caught sight of the car parked just outside the building. It seemed everything had been planned down to the last detail. The chauffeur opened the door, and Lilia slipped inside, followed by Zethan. The door clicked shut behind them, and the chauffeur entered before the car sped off into the night.

Throughout the drive, Lilia remained silent. She didn't make a sound, didn't glance at Zethan, didn't say a word. She was simply silent. The absence of sound was deafening. All she wanted was to leave, to be anywhere but here. Anywhere but in this suffocating car with Zethan beside her.

Wasn't it better if the rumors were true? If Zethan had a child with another woman, it would give her more reasons to end things with him. But why does she keep thinking about it? She could just ask him. 'No, Lilia, don't.' It would make her seem... too desperate.

Finally, Zethan broke the quiet.

"Loris, you seem unusually quiet tonight. Or are you simply tired?" He leaned in slightly, his voice a touch softer, though it was still filled with its usual briefness.

Lilia gave him a quick glance before turning away, her eyes distant. "You're correct, Mr. Zethan. I'm quite tired. The party seemed to drain me. I'd like to rest." Her smile was there, but it didn't reach her eyes—not even a little.

Zethan leaned in closer, his voice a little more inquisitive. "Mr. Zethan, hmm..from what I recall, you've called me by my name before. What changed?"

Lilia finally turned to him, her gaze cool and steady. She was quiet for a moment before speaking, her voice devoid of warmth.

"If that's what you want, then I'll call you by your name."

Zethan didn't like this—something about the way Lilia was reacting was getting under his skin. He was supposed to feel unbothered, indifferent even, but the fact that she was simply following along, agreeing to everything he said, made something uneasy stir inside him.

He wanted to provoke a reaction from her, something... anything that would make her show emotion. He enjoyed those reactions from her for some unknown reason

But she just sat there, as cold and distant as ever.

The car moved forward, cutting through the silence, and Zethan couldn't quite place what had happened.

The drive felt endless, the quiet stretching between them. He turned toward Lilia, only to find her staring blankly out the window, her gaze fixed on something—or nothing at all—outside. She looked so far away, lost in her own thoughts. And yet, there was a stillness to her that he couldn't quite understand.

He wasn't the kind to disturb or care. In fact, he preferred silence over noise or words. But he didn't know why; he just wanted her to say anything—just anything

Eventually, the car came to a stop in front of the mansion. The chauffeur immediately stepped out to open the door, but Zethan gave him a subtle signal to leave. No one dared challenge it. The chauffeur bowed respectfully before stepping away.

Zethan broke the silence once more.

"Loris, tell me, what's on your mind?" he asked, his voice more deliberate now, laced with a trace of curiosity.

He paused, his face darkening as he spoke again. "Did someone say something to you earlier?"

Earlier, he had expected her to come back earlier, as she had said she was going to the washroom. He had actually been surprised to find her in the cold.

Lilia turned toward him, her expression still calm, almost detached. It was like she was a stranger to him now. She had always been calm, but this—this coldness, this distance—was different.

"There's really nothing on my mind," she replied softly, her tone unwavering. "I'm just wondering..."

Her smile appeared for a split second before fading back into her usual neutral expression. She continued, her voice steady, "Why did you cut off the engagement?"

Zethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued, as if expecting more from her. But she didn't give him anything more—nothing that would give him the answer he was searching for.

She didn't wait long before continuing, her tone still composed but with a hint of curiosity. "Why did you cut off the engagement with your ex-fiancée, Miss Ava?"