Chapter 148
KATYA POV
Steam still clung to the edges of the bathroom when I finally stepped out, wrapped in the soft, comforting warmth of clean skin.
My hair fell in loose waves around my shoulders, still damp enough to glint in the golden light of my room.
And then my eyes landed on it.
The sunflower dress Nonna had gifted weeks ago. Bright yellow with delicate sunflowers dancing across the fabric, light enough to float around with every step.
I just stared at it, I didn’t know why I chose it tonight. The engagent party was hours away—or maybe already underway—and I wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near it.
Not with him. Not with Marina. Not with any of it. And yet... there it was. Hanging in my closet like it knew sothing I didn’t.
My fingers brushed over the silky fabric, and before I could stop myself, I slipped it on.
It fit perfectly, almost like it had been made for . I patted the dress down, smoothing out the folds, watching the sunlight—or maybe the hallway light—catch the golden tones.
"What the fuck is wrong with ?" I muttered under my breath, twirling once in front of the mirror, just slightly, and the skirt swished around my knees.
Why did it feel... good? Why did it make feel like I wasn’t just Katya, the invisible maid, the girl who didn’t belong?
And then, almost against my own will, another thought slithered in. Do I... want to see it? The engagent?
I shook my head so hard it hurt. "No. No, don’t even think like that."But I couldn’t stop my eyes from lingering on myself in the mirror.
Sunflower dress, clean skin, soft hair... I looked almost normal. Almost like soone who had a right to exist in the sa house, in the sa world as everyone else.
I swallowed hard and stepped back. My mind was a ss of questions I didn’t want to answer.
Why did I even care about so stupid engagent? Why did I even want to linger near it?
The dress. The dress made feel bold, and boldness was dangerous when it ca to the world I didn’t belong in.
But still... I couldn’t stop myself from looking at the door, imagining the ballroom, the chaos, the glimring gold and white, the perfect Marina, and him, standing beside her.
And sowhere deep down, I knew I wanted to see it. Not to be part of it. Not really. But... to watch at least.
I adjusted the straps of the dress again, heart thumping, and whispered to no one, "What the hell are you doing, Katya?"
But I didn’t move to change. Infact I smooth my hair down. Hair I normally tied up in a ssy bun.
Smoothing my hair down one more ti—because apparently tonight I’d lost control over my own hands—and forced myself toward the door before I changed my mind.
The hallway outside was quiet, soft lights casting long shadows across the floor. I took a breath, then turned the handle and slipped out, peeking left... then right.
No one.
Good.
I stepped out, closing the door gently behind but I froze mid-movent. A soft chi echoed from the elevator just a few feet down the hall.
My heartbeat stuttered.The doors slid open and Roo stepped out.
Or... maybe floated out, because the man didn’t walk like a normal human being. He moved like soone who owned every tile the light touched.
He wore a perfectly tailored black suit—sharp lines, crisp collar, dark dress shirt underneath. Not a hair out of place.
Not a wrinkle. Not a single sign that he was breathing the sa air as the rest of us. He looked like himself, mostly. Calm. Masked. Serious. Focused.
But sohow also... elevated. Like he was carved out of night and shadows and authority. My stomach dropped.
Why was he up here?
Stupid question, why was he still here? Going to his room? Coming from his room?
Or was he going to the engagent? I didn’t get a chance to see his expression properly.
Because the mont I saw him turn slightly—as if he might look in my direction—my body reacted before my brain could.
I ducked back behind the corner fast. My back pressed to the wall, breath lodged sowhere in my throat.
I held still, hearing the faint click of his shoes against the polished floor. A slow, steady rhythm.
The kind of footsteps that made the whole hallway seem straighter. More alert. Then the quiet shift of fabric as he moved. Then the sharp ding as he stepped into the elevator again.
Wait— He hadn’t even walked down the hall.
He’d stepped OUT... and then stepped BACK IN?
My brow furrowed. What? Why? The elevator doors glided shut before I could peek, and the soft chanical hum signaled the descent.
He was gone. I didn’t breathe until the hum faded completely.
My hands lifted to my chest, feeling my heartbeat racing as if I’d sprinted.
"Holy shit," I whispered, pressing my palm harder. "He didn’t see ."
Good....good...good.
Because what would I have even said? Hi, yes, I’m wearing a sunflower dress for absolutely no reason at all even though I’m supposed to be invisible tonight?
Yeah. No. Never.
I let out a shaky breath.
What the hell was I actually doing today? Hiding behind walls like a criminal.
Wearing a dress like I’m going anywhere but the laundry room. Avoiding staring at the elevator doors because I’d definitely be caught looking like an idiot.
And worst of all—
That tiny traitor feeling in my chest earlier?
The one that made want to see the engagent?
It twitched again. Alive.Annoying. And refusing to die. I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Get it together, Katya," I muttered. "This is exactly why you should’ve stayed in your room."
But I didn’t go back inside.
My feet stayed planted outside my door... facing the elevator... and the direction that led to the party floor.
And I hated that I didn’t imdiately turn around.
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