Chapter 5: Truths, Ties, and Twists

When I woke up again, I was in my own room, opening my eyes to see Savannah with red eyes. The sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting stripes across her worried face. —Morning after.

She immediately started crying, calling me affectionately, “Lex, do you feel okay?” Her voice cracked, and she wiped her nose on her sleeve. —Messy but sweet.

Remembering what happened before I fainted and what I heard in the limo, I suddenly felt indifferent to everything, wishing I could just check out. "I’m fine, I’m just thinking—is it too late for me to join a convent now?" —Drama queen.

May God bless me. I made the sign of the cross, just in case. —Can’t hurt.

Savannah let go of me with pity. “It’s too late. Your folks are outside talking marriage with Senator Jennings and his wife.” Her grip was surprisingly strong. —No escape.

“Where are you going?”

I was almost in tears, as if I could see my whole family being ruined. "Ethan is Natalie’s... How can I marry him..." —Life is so unfair.

Savannah knocked my head hard. “Who told you he belongs to Natalie? Lex, what’s wrong with you?” She looked at me like I’d grown a second head. —Tough love.

Seeing I didn’t answer, she frowned but didn’t press further. “Forget it, your mom told me to make sure you drink your medicine.”

She handed me a mug of black, bitter-smelling cough syrup. The smell alone made my stomach turn. —Ugh.

After looking at it for a few seconds, I gagged. “...ugh.”

Savannah was merciless, calmly saying, “You’ve seen this since you were little, Lex. Drink up.”

To be precise, I was force-fed a mug of medicine and lay on the bed in despair. The taste lingered, bitter as regret. —Never again.

Savannah cheerfully wiped my mouth. Then she narrowed her fox-like eyes and said, “I was thinking, if your folks found a matchmaker but no one came, I’d find a way to have the President’s son support you.” Her gaze sparkled with mischief. —Always scheming.

“I didn’t expect Ethan to still like you, which saves a lot of trouble...”

I didn’t hear the rest, because the medicine was too strong and I was very sleepy. My eyelids drooped, and the world faded to black. —Game over.

But nothing wakes you up faster than finding yourself tied up with Ethan holding a pocketknife by the bed. The light glinted off the blade, and my heart leaped into my throat. —Not the wake-up call I wanted.

I instinctively shrank back and tried to reason with him. “Let’s talk this out.” My voice was squeaky, but I tried to sound brave. —Total fail.

Ethan played with the knife in his hand and casually asked, “I heard you think I belong to Natalie?”

Savannah, you traitor! —Thanks a lot.

I replied seriously, “I’m not, I didn’t, you misunderstood.” I shook my head so hard my hair whipped my face. —Desperate times.

Ethan smiled. “So you’re unhappy with our engagement? Now you want to run out and have your parents break it off?”

I quickly shook my head. “Having you is my great fortune.” I tried to sound sincere, but my voice wobbled. —Nailed it. Not.

Ethan looked at me deeply, cut the rope with the knife, then looked at me and said, “Had enough fun?”

Free at last, I realized this was my home. The familiar wallpaper, the scent of lavender—safe at last. —Relief.

So, emboldened, I snapped at him, “You don’t even know what it’s like to work a nine-to-five!” —Truth bomb.

Ethan was stunned, then smiled gently. He was really good-looking, and that smile made me dazed. —Dangerous territory.

“Did you learn that phrase from Natalie too?”

Now it was my turn to be stunned. “How do you know?”

Ethan stopped smiling, a little helpless. “Lex, it’s been so long, you should have figured it out by now, right?”

I knew there was more to his words, but for some reason I just wanted to avoid it. So I deliberately widened my eyes and moved closer to him. “I’m awake?”

Ethan pulled away, frowning, but I still noticed his ears were a little red. He was cute when he was flustered. —Adorable.

After a while, he sighed, got up, and rummaged through my wardrobe for a small box. I watched him, suspicious. —What now?

I was horrified. “You actually hid something in my room! No, you actually dared to sneak into my room!”

Ethan sneered. “You said it yourself. Savannah, your parents—they all know.”

There’s such a thing? I blinked, trying to process it. —Mind blown.

Before I could react, Ethan handed me a small journal from the box. “See for yourself.”

I took it in confusion, but before I could open it, a maid rushed in. She was out of breath. “Something’s wrong, Miss! Miss Monroe and Natalie are fighting at school!” —Not again.

How could I stand by when my best friend was being bullied? I kicked off my slippers and bolted for the door. —On a mission.

So, ignoring the journal, I rushed out. My heart pounded in my ears as I sprinted down the hall. —Adrenaline rush.

The scene before me was quite a sight: Natalie was soaked and crying, while Savannah, with black stains on her clothes and face, was being wiped down by a maid when I arrived. The chaos was pure high school melodrama. —Peak drama.

I instinctively started giving orders. “Ethan, go check on Natalie, I’ll check on Savannah.”

Ethan said nothing, only squeezed out a “Hm?” —Classic Ethan.

I quickly smiled. “I’ll go check.” I darted over to Savannah, who was shivering and glaring at Natalie. —Ready for round two.

Before I could ask what happened, the President, my parents, and others arrived, escalating the situation. The tension was back, thicker than ever. —Déjà vu.

Savannah took the initiative. “Mr. President, I was just passing by and didn’t know what Natalie was doing. Suddenly there was a loud bang, and my face and clothes ended up like this.”

She started crying as she spoke. Tears streaked her cheeks, but her voice was steady. —Resilient.

“But not only did Natalie not apologize, she argued with me. It was my fault for accidentally dragging her into the pool. Please punish me.”

Savannah finished both the good and bad parts, but Natalie also performed well. She dabbed at her eyes, voice trembling.

“Dad, I didn’t mean it. I just recently wanted to try making something new.”

“But I didn’t expect it to be so powerful, and didn’t expect to bump into Miss Monroe. It was my oversight. Please punish me.”

The pressure was on the President. He checked what Natalie made. The air was tense as he turned the object over in his hands. —Judgment day.

After hearing the report, the President’s eyes were full of praise. “Natalie has always been bright, always coming up with new ideas, which is great. That loud bang just now was so powerful; if used in battle, it would be even more effective. Do you remember the process of making this?”

Natalie’s eyes lit up but hesitated. “I just made it casually; I’m not sure about the materials and steps. If you need, Dad, I can try to recall.”

The President nodded, then looked at Savannah and gave his decision. “You offended the senator’s daughter and even pushed her into the water, but since you suffered too, you’ll be grounded for a month. Natalie, come back to the mansion with me.”

“Yes, Dad.”

I wanted to speak up for Savannah, but Ethan pulled me back. His grip was gentle, but firm. —No arguing.

Savannah kept her head down, seeing off the President and the others. Her lips trembled, but she didn’t cry. —Tough cookie.

I felt bad and hurried over. “Savannah, are you alright? Don’t take it to heart...”

Savannah looked up, confused. “Take what to heart? Lex, help me up, my legs are numb.”

Speechless, I pulled her up, and Savannah laughed happily. Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself grinning despite everything. —Mood lifter.

“Ethan, you’re something. You actually made her bring it out.” Savannah shook her head in disbelief. —Plot twist.

Ethan just frowned, looking at the pile of things, saying nothing. He was lost in thought, no doubt planning his next move. —Schemer.

“Lex, why are you frowning? Isn’t this the day we’ve been waiting for?” Savannah nudged me, her eyes bright. —Am I missing something?

Waiting for this day? —Seriously?

I was puzzled. —Totally lost.

Ethan sighed. “She still hasn’t figured it out.” —Story of my life.

I was still muddled when I got home. My head ached with unanswered questions. —So many mysteries.

My parents were happily preparing my wedding trousseau. My mom was picking out fabrics, my dad was consulting the guest list. —Wedding bells.

My wedding with Ethan was set for next month. The invitations were already being printed. —No turning back.

I protested, “Dad, Mom, I can’t marry Ethan.”

“Why?”

Faced with their simultaneous question, I answered without thinking. “Ethan should be with Natalie.”

My mom frowned. “What are you talking about? You and Ethan have been engaged since you were kids. What’s it got to do with Natalie?” —Plot holes everywhere.

Engaged? —Wait, what?

My dad sighed. “Alexis—Lexie still hasn’t figured it out.” —Here we go again.

That phrase again. —Déjà vu.

My head ached, and I remembered Ethan’s behavior. Right, the journal. The answer must be in there. —Time to investigate.

I ran to my room, grabbed the journal, and read it, panting. My hands shook as I flipped through the pages. —Truth bomb incoming.