Chapter 42
I'm Not Jealous
The next morning...
I stepped into the dining room expecting the usual tension, Lilith's glare, my mother's hovering. Instead, the atmosphere felt… altered.
My father was already seated at the head of the table, coffee in hand. Beside his plate sat a small, elegantly wrapped box, dark blue paper, crisp corners, a silken ribbon that looked unmistakably expensive. My mother sat nearby, nervously buttering toast she had no intention of eating. Lilith's chair was empty.
"Alayna," Father said.
"Yes, Father?"
"Sit."
I obeyed, wary. He pushed the small box toward me.
"Open it."
My fingers trembled slightly as I pulled at the ribbon. Inside the velvet case lay a pen. It was sleek, heavy, brushed platinum, crafted with the kind of elegance that whispered more about the owner than the object itself.
"A Montblanc," Father said simply. "For your interview. And your career. Professionals use proper tools."
