CHAPTER :17.6 Between Jealousy and Shadows

The air in the room bristled with tension. Haru's hands were clenched at his hips, his jaw a hard line. His voice trembled—not with weakness, but with rage and hurt mixed together.

"Veronica… why did you tell about us?" His gaze flickered to Elizabeth, seated awkwardly in the corner, and then back to hers. "About her. About everything."

Veronica was frozen, words caught in her throat. "H-Haru, it's not that she is with me from childhood"

His voice was shaking with raw emotion. "Then why… why did I walk in and catch her kissing you?"

Veronica's mouth opened, but nothing came out. Elizabeth did not speak; she just sat there, paralyzed, red eyes staring at the two of them, oppressive, smothering, her presence.Then Veronica quickly said girls do these kind of stuff.

Haru's gaze stabbed into Veronica, praying for the truth. "Is that what's actually been going on behind my back?"

Veronica swallowed a knot. She touched her fingers to Haru's cheek, covering it lightly, her thumb smoothing over it. "You don't understand, Haru… you don't have any siblings. That's why it feels wrong to you. But Elizabeth and I love each other in the way that only we can.".

Elizabeth's silence increased, but her eyes never broke from Veronica, never faltered.

Haru's shoulders tightened. His chest pumped in harsh respirations. "So… what are you saying, Veronica?"

Veronica forced a smile, though her heart ached. "Yes, indeed. We're… going out, you said."

Haru was bunched up, but Veronica approached, her laugh strained, too exaggerated for the stifling atmosphere. "Let's gooooooo!"

Dinner that evening was warm, with lots of laughter and talk. The two families shared dinner, dinnerware, and tales. To everyone else, it was a usual dinner. But Haru's smile never reached his eyes. He watched Veronica warily, every gesture accompanied by Elizabeth's unspoken, possessive presence beside her.

Later that night, Veronica returned home, tired but comforted by the warmth of her parents’ laughter. She slipped into her room, exhaling in relief, and dropped onto her bed.

But she wasn’t alone.

Elizabeth was already there, lying across the sheets, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Veronica blinked, startled, then sighed softly. “Eliz… you’re here again.”

Elizabeth said not a word. She merely leaned forward, sending a brief kiss against Veronica's brow. Her voice was a gentle whisper, on the verge of tender.

"Good night, Veronica."

Veronica closed her eyes, clutches her doll tight. But her heart beat uncomfortably, between Haru's covert jealousy… and Elizabeth's unspoken, unyielding claim.