Tasting

244–Such A Little Kitten

Nora:

Natalya was finally brought to the mansion and given a room on the ground floor, right next to Lord Atwood’s room. The maids were. instructed to take special care of her, but I hadn’t seen the brothers visit her. I assumed they were occupied with matters concerning Daphne and April. I hadn’t left my room, fearful of facing Natalya and the possibility of her plotting against me.

As evening approached, a gnawing pain in my stomach became impossible to ignore. I had been starving, and no one had come to offer me any food. That’s when I decided to leave my damned room and see if I could find something to eat.

Leaving the room felt like a thief sneaking into someone’s home. I despised that feeling. But it was my own fault—I hadn’t been careful and had taken everything for granted. Now, I was just lonely. Sometimes, it felt like I wasn’t even welcome here anymore, that my mother’s words had forced them to let me stay. I felt like a burden.

Once in the kitchen, I sighed as I looked through the refrigerator. They must have had a huge breakfast party in the morning; otherwise, why was so much leftover food crammed in there? Before I could grab something, the sound of footsteps approaching the kitchen alarmed me. I pulled my head out of the fridge to see who it was.

It was Natalya, being supported by Cain. He was holding her hand, guiding her carefully. She had multiple bandages on her body, along with a broken leg and arm. The moment she saw me, she stopped and let out a gasp. It was dramatic, but she did it so convincingly that I

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244 Such A Little Kitten

instinctively stepped back to give her space.

“What are you doing here?” Cain asked me.

“I was starving so-,” I replied, no emotions displayed on my face. I felt so empty. And watching her stand beside him reminded me of how it used to be my spot.

“Why? I heard you are skipping meals. What has food done to you?” His voice carried a hint of unexplainable emotions. The emotions he could be showing just because his precious and sweet mate was standing beside him.

“That’s not true,” I uttered. I had to quickly look away because seeing them stand together was like standing under a knife for me.

“I haven’t eaten in just–” I had just begun to speak when Natalya started trembling, feigning fear.

“Are

you okay?” Cain turned his attention to her.

“I’m just-,” the gulp that she forced down her throat was so dramatic. But he looked concerned for her.

“I’ll go back to my room. Please take me back,” she insisted to Cain, who immediately stopped listening to me and focused entirely on her.

“But you wanted to eat something,” Cain reminded her, staring at me quickly before looking back at her.

“Not now. I have lost my appetite now. I cannot eat, not with her in the same room,” she glanced around at the walls as if they were closing in on her. She was once punished in the woods and I had fought with the brothers for her. Now she didn’t even want me to stand under the same. roof as her?

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244–Such A Little Kitten

Her reaction was exaggerated. I had never harmed her—not

intentionally. The only reason I shoved her was because she was attacking me. I did it in self defense.

Being seen as a monster was the last thing I wanted to face, but my fear was slowly becoming a reality.

A very nasty reality.

“It’s fine. She won’t say anything to you, Natalya,” Cain nearly rolled his eyes, making me think that deep down, he must know she was being dramatic. But why didn’t he tell her outright that I wasn’t someone who would harm her?

“You have me,” he added quickly, and whatever hope I had left died in that instant.

“I know, but her presence–,” she closed her eyes and turned her face to the side.

Upset and heartbroken, I folded my hands over my abdomen and muttered, “It’s alright. I’ll leave. She can eat something first.” With that, I didn’t even lift my head and walked straight past them.

“Nora! You can stay too-,” Cain attempted to speak but I sped up. I didn’t want him to give me any sympathy.

However, as I passed by them, I noticed her body flinch slightly. It almost caused me to stumble, but I quickly sprinted upstairs.

I hadn’t raised my head, so when someone stepped in my way, I didn’t see them and bumped into them. The impact sent me sprawling to the ground, forcing me to look up.

“Are you okay?” Nash asked, almost sounding concerned before he

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stopped himself and straightened his posture.

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