Chapter 5 A Gift for the Princess

Hey, princess."

My fingers froze instantly around the edge of my blanket. The room was suddenly too warm.Too warm for comfort.

"Who's this?" I asked, though I already knew.

A low chuckle rumbled through the speaker. "Don't you want to guess."

I sat up straighter. My voice was dry. "How did you even get my number?"

"Oh princess,that wasn't much of a hassle," he said smoothly. "But I'm not here to freak you out. I just wanted to check in. See if you're okay."

I smirked, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach. "Hmm. Or maybe you wanted to know if I've thought about your offer."

"Don't put words in my mouth, princess." His voice dipped. "How are you doing ?Really?"

"Well, i'm still alive so i guess that's a plus or at least counts for something .You're sure this isn't about the offer?"

"Now... that's the kind of conversation I'd prefer to have over dinner."

There was a pause.

Then he added, "Tomorrow night. I'll send you the details."

Before I could respond, the call ended. Just like that. No goodbye. Just his smoky voice lingering in my ear like intoxicating perfume on skin.

My phone buzzed again almost instantly with a message:

Restaurant: Maison Leclair. 8 PM. -A.

I stared at the message.

My stomach twisted.

This was insane.

But instead of talking myself out of it, I stood, got dressed, and grabbed the grocery bags I'd packed earlier.

I had a promise to keep.

⸻

The drive to Nana's house was long and uneven. I didn't even listen to music I just let the wind fill the silence while my thoughts spun around like leaves in a storm.

The wind helped me remember how to breathe and looking around helped me appreciate the life i still have although I wished things were easier.

How i wished our parents were still here.

Nana's house always smelled like lavender and memories. When she opened the door and pulled me into her arms, everything else faded for a moment.

We talked while I stocked the kitchen. She made tea. Ella peeked out shyly from her room and hugged me like I hadn't abandoned her. My heart cracked open. I gave her the fruit, the candy she liked, even the silly magazines with princess stickers.

"You're glowing," Nana said as I hugged her goodbye.

I blinked. "I am?"

"Mmm-hmm. You've got that look. Like trouble's found you, and you're not sure if you want to run... or dive headfirst."

I smiled faintly. "Maybe I tripped and fell already."

She laughed, kissed my forehead, and told me to drive safe.

⸻

By the time I got home, the sun was setting. My feet ached, and my back hurt from carrying bags up stairs that hated me.

I just wanted to sleep.

But there was someone leaning against my front door.

Jamal.

His eyes were bloodshot. He looked tired, like guilt was chewing him from the inside out.

"Ivy-"

"No," I said flatly. "You don't get to do this."

"I really messed up, okay?" he stepped forward. "I just panicked, I-"

"You were inside her," I snapped. "Not just panicking. Enjoying."

He flinched. "I was drunk. I thought you were pulling away from me-"

"You're not entitled to me just because we were struggling. I pulled away because I was drowning."

"Ivy, I still love you."

"Well, I don't." I shoved the key into the lock and opened the door. "Leave."

He tried to speak again, but I slammed the door shut and pressed my back to it, breathing hard , tears flowing down my eyes.

I never imagined we'd ever come to this .

A minute passed.

Then another knock.

My body tensed. "I said get out, Jamal!"

Another knock.

More insistent this time.

"I swear to God, if you don't leave-"

I yanked the door open, ready to scream-

And froze.

It was a delivery guy. Tall. Quiet. Holding a large, black parcel.

"For Ivy Ellory?"

"Uh... yeah. That's me."

He handed it to me and walked off without a word.

I shut the door and carried the box to my couch, heart thudding.

No return address. No label.

Just a white envelope on top with my name in gold script.

Hands trembling slightly, I opened the box.

Inside...

A stunning red satin dress. Strapless. Fitted bodice. A slit up the thigh that screamed danger.

Beneath it, a jewelry box. Diamond choker necklace and earrings that sparkled like frost.

And below that... silver stilettos, delicate as glass but fierce in shape.

I opened the envelope with a nervous flick.

A single card.

We'd love to see you in these,

Princess.

-A, L & K.

My breath caught.

It was real.

All of it.

And tomorrow... I had a date with the devil.

Correction-Devils all three of them.