Chapter 12 : Territorial Claims - 2 Before I could answer , Cassandra , sitting nearby , interjected sharply , " Ugh , the poorer someone is , the more they like heavy , spicy flavors . Miss Winters , that smell is awful . Maybe take it outside ? " The irony wasn't lost on me - Ethan was just craving these very dishes moments ago , yet Cassandra now used them as a class insult . I wondered if he would defend me or his own preferences . He did neither , sitting in uncomfortable silence as Cassandra continued her tirade against my " low - class " food choices . licked my lips provocatively and deliberately stirred the pot . " Miss Evans , it seems you don't really know Ethan . Why don't you ask him if he likes spicy food ? " Cassandra looked stunned and turned to Ethan , clearly expecting him to side with her refined palate . His brow twitched , unwilling to expose himself , and he simply picked up some plain vegetables . " Forget her , let's just eat ," he muttered , avoiding both our gazes . Ignoring their awkwardness , I happily finished my entire spicy feast , humming with satisfaction at each delicious bite . The tension at the table was palpable , but for once , I wasn't the one feeling uncomfortable . After dinner , Cassandra strutted around the living room like she already owned the place . She began nitpicking everything I had once lovingly arranged . " Ethan , these curtains are ugly , " she declared , running her fingers along the fabric I had carefully selected to complement the room's color scheme . She moved to the antique vase I had found at a local market . " That vase clashes horribly with the decor . " Her gaze then fell on the fresh flowers I had arranged that morning . She wrinkled her nose and complained , " And those flowers - I'm allergic to pollen , can you toss them out ? " Ethan , seeking to appease her , said perfunctorily , " Change whatever you don't like . " His gaze flickered to me , almost as if testing my reaction . " Since you're allergic , throw them away . " I sat quietly , keeping my expression neutral as I watched their little performance . This wasn't 1/3 < Chapter 12. Territorial Claims … +25 Puntos truly my home anymore , so what did it matter if she wanted to redecorate ? In a week's time , I would be gone , and she could paint the walls neon pink for all I cared . Cassandra mistook my silence for defeat and smirked triumphantly , feeling she had won this silent battle . Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she continued pointing out everything she wanted to change . Ethan called out to Martha , instructing her coldly , " Get rid of these flowers . " Martha hesitated , her loyalty to me evident in her reluctance . She whispered , " But sir, Miss Winters bought those . " His face darkened at her defiance . " So what ? Do you forget who pays your salary ? " The threat was clear - Martha's position depended on her obedience to him , not her affection for me . I felt a pang of sympathy for the housekeeper caught in our power struggle . " It's fine , Martha ," I interjected softly . " Just throw them out . " The loyal housekeeper reluctantly obeyed , though I could see her cursing inwardly at the " crazy master and crazy lady . " I knew she particularly resented the gloomy days of bland vegetarian meals since Cassandra's arrival . Cassandra , emboldened by her victory with the flowers , clung coquettishly to Ethan's arm . " Ethan , tomorrow come shopping for curtains with me . " Ethan glanced instinctively at me , perhaps expecting jealousy or protest . Instead , he found me utterly calm , devoid of any visible reaction . My indifference seemed to irritate him more than any angry outburst would have . Wasn't I too obedient , too silent ? Wasn't a hint of jealousy normal ? The very qualities he once appreciated in me - my patience , my understanding - now seemed to frustrate him . Cassandra shook his arm impatiently when he didn't immediately respond . " Ethan , did you hear me ? " He pulled back his gaze from me , suppressing whatever emotions were brewing beneath his surface . " Mm , " he answered with a low , muffled sound of agreement . The next day , while I was out running errands , Cassandra went on her shopping spree . When I returned to Moonlight Manor , the place was in chaos . Workers moved throughout the house , removing curtains , replacing decorative items , and rearranging furniture . Cassandra had ostentatiously purchased a mountain of home decor , commanding the staff to replace everything I had once carefully selected . 213 < Chapter 12 Territonal Claims +25 Puntos > My curtains , chosen for their subtle pattern that caught the morning light just so , were being tossed unceremoniously into large trash bags . The artwork I had selected to complement the manor's architecture was being replaced with gaudy , oversized pieces that overwhelmed the space . Everything that had once made this place feel like home to me was being ruthlessly discarded . When our eyes met across the chaotic living room , Cassandra's gaze was smug and victorious . I simply swept my eyes over the busy workers and the piles of new furnishings before turning silently toward the stairs . Let her have her petty victory . Let her mark her territory like an animal claiming a new den . In my room , I methodically began packing what I planned to take with me to Riverdale . I sorted through my belongings , deciding what to discard and what to keep , leaving out only the necessities for my remaining days here . I had hoped for a peaceful coexistence in these final days at Moonlight Manor , but Cassandra clearly intended to force me out by any means necessary . Comentarios