The Stained Omega by Elle T Jefferson

Chapter 0296

The next morning at breakfast, Elva and I sat beside Susie and across from Veronica and Tiffany. The excitement with Terry's capture seemed to be the popular topic for everyone else at the table, except for us. None of us seemed overly thrilled to ever mention Terry's name ever again.

At least, I knew I wasn't. I could take a guess about Susie, too. Tiffany and Veronica were likely being respectful of us.

We were half-way through eating, when Lilliana stumbled into the dining room. She was put together well enough, in a very simple sundress with matching cardigan. Though the buttons of the cardigan were fastened incorrectly, making it longer on one side.

She rubbed at her forehead with one hand, half covering her eyes. She shunned the bright lights, keeping her gaze firmly down.

All of the girls stopped to look at her as she stood there, miserable and oblivious. When she noticed, she blushed and hurried forward toward her usual empty seat near Olivia. The moment she sat down, Olivia stood up.

"I'll eat the rest in my room," she said. A servant quickly went behind her, grabbed her plate and followed Olivia out the door.

Lilliana sunk further down into her chair.

Elva was staring. I tapped at her plate. "Eat your food, honey. Be polite.'

Mommy," she said and lifted

did the same, trying to ignore Lilliana myself. It was difficult. Knowing what I knew, I wanted to make sure she was okay, at least health-wise, but staring would only

stare too.

Everyone was looking at Lilliana.

whispered to

replied, "She

again. I tapped

her head.

and Tiffany returned to their own meals as

sad sort of smile. I wondered how much she knew, if Nicholas had told Mark and Mark had told

+15 BONUS

there too. Susie was smart. She could surely piece together what I had

wanted to forget the previous night had happened entirely. After breakfast, Elva and I returned

Nicholas.

a few more