chapter 2: shadows of doubt

Lisa sat at the breakfast table, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. The mansion's dining room, with its opulent crystal chandeliers and marble floors, felt suffocating this mning. Normally, she found comfort in the familiarity of her family's wealth, but today, it only reminded her of the gilded cage she was trapped in.

Across from her, her mother, Clarissa West, scanned the day's agenda on her tablet, her face a mask of stern efficiency. "We need to finalize the seating arrangements today," she said, not looking up. "And the caterers need confirmation on the menu by this afternoon. We can't afford any delays, Lisa. This wedding has to be perfect."

"Of course, Mom," Lisa murmured, forcing herself to take a sip of her coffee, though the taste was bitter and unappealing. Her thoughts were still tangled in the events of the previous night—the kiss, Sara's confession, the promises left unspoken on that lonely pier.

Clarissa finally looked up, her sharp eyes studying Lisa's face. "You seem distracted," she noted, a hint of concern slipping through her usual icy demeanor. "Is something wrong?"

Lisa hesitated, the words bubbling up inside her, begging to be released. But what could she say? That she had kissed another woman? That she was having second thoughts about marrying Devon? Her mother would never understand. Clarissa had spent her entire life grooming Lisa for this moment, ensuring that she would make the 'right' choices—the choices that would secure the West family's legacy and their place at the top of society.

"No, I'm just tired," Lisa lied, offering a small, strained smile. "It's been a lot to handle, with the wedding and everything."

Clarissa's expression softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "Weddings are stressful, but you can't afford to be distracted. This marriage is more than just a union between you and Devon; it's a strategic alliance between two powerful families. You understand that, don't you?"

"Of course," Lisa replied automatically, the words tasting hollow in her mouth. She had been told this so many times that it was practically a mantra by now. Her marriage to Devon was supposed to be the culmination of everything her family had worked for—the perfect merger of wealth, power, and social standing. But now, with Sara's kiss still lingering on her lips, it all felt like a charade.

Clarissa gave a curt nod, satisfied with Lisa's answer. "Good. We need you focused. The wedding planner will be here in an hour to go over the final details. Be ready."

With that, Clarissa rose from the table, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor as she left the room. Lisa watched her go, feeling a mix of resentment and guilt churning in her stomach. She knew her mother only wanted what was best for her—or at least, what she believed was best. But Lisa was beginning to realize that what her mother wanted and what she needed were two very different things.

Lisa pushed her untouched breakfast aside and stood up, feeling the walls of the mansion closing in around her. She needed air, space to think. Without another thought, she grabbed her phone and slipped out of the house, heading for the garden.

The West family estate was vast, with sprawling lawns, meticulously trimmed hedges, and fountains that sparkled in the morning sunlight. Normally, Lisa found the gardens peaceful, but today, even the vibrant flowers seemed to mock her, their beauty a reminder of the perfect life she was expected to live.

As she wandered down the stone path, her phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced down, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Sara's name on the screen.

**Sara:** *Are you okay? I've been thinking about you.*

Lisa hesitated before replying, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed out a response.

**Lisa:** *I don't know. I'm so confused, Sara. I don't know what to do.*

She hit send and immediately regretted it. What was she doing, confiding in Sara like this? But she couldn't help it. Sara was the only person who seemed to understand the storm of emotions raging inside her, the only one who made her feel like it was okay to question everything she had been taught to believe.

The reply came quickly, as if Sara had been waiting for her message.

**Sara:** *It's okay to be confused, Lisa. You don't have to have all the answers right now. Just… follow your heart. Do what feels right for you, not what everyone else expects.*

Lisa leaned against a stone bench, closing her eyes as she let Sara's words wash over her. Follow her heart. It sounded so simple, but her heart was pulling her in too many directions at once. Toward Devon, who represented safety and stability; toward her family, who expected her to uphold their legacy; and now, toward Sara, who had ignited a passion in her that she hadn't even realized she was missing.

**Lisa:** *I wish it were that simple.*

She didn't expect a response right away, but her phone buzzed again almost immediately.

**Sara:** *Maybe it is. You just need to figure out what you really want. And when you do, I'll be here, whatever you decide.*

Lisa's throat tightened as she read the message, her emotions a tangled knot in her chest. She wished she could just take Sara's advice, make a choice, and move forward. But the stakes were too high, and she couldn't shake the feeling that no matter what she decided, someone would end up hurt.

"Lisa?"

She jumped at the sound of Devon's voice, quickly slipping her phone into her pocket as she turned to see him walking toward her. He was dressed impeccably, as always, his smile warm and genuine as he approached. "I thought I'd find you out here," he said, slipping an arm around her waist and kissing her cheek. "You seemed a little off this morning. Is everything okay?"

Lisa forced herself to smile, hoping it didn't look as strained as it felt. "Yeah, I just needed some fresh air."

"Good," Devon said, his concern easing into a smile. "I'm glad you're taking care of yourself. You've been under so much pressure lately."

Lisa nodded, but the weight of her secret pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe. Here was Devon, the man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with, the man who had done nothing but love and support her, and yet all she could think about was the woman she had kissed in the dark.

"Devon…" she began, but the words caught in her throat. What could she say? How could she explain the turmoil inside her without shattering the fragile peace they had built?

He looked at her, his expression gentle and patient. "What is it?"

Lisa opened her mouth to speak, but at that moment, her phone buzzed again in her pocket, reminding her of the conversation she had been having with Sara. The reminder of her divided heart was enough to silence her.

"Nothing," she said finally, forcing another smile. "It's nothing. Let's just go to lunch."

Devon studied her for a moment longer, as if sensing there was more she wasn't saying, but then he nodded, taking her hand in his. "Okay. Let's go."

As they walked back toward the house, Lisa couldn't help but wonder how much longer she could keep this up. How much longer she could pretend that everything was fine when her heart was being pulled in two completely different directions.

And deep down, she knew that eventually, she would have to make a choice.

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