Wish you were mine

57. Death God

PENELOPE

The tension in the room was suffocating-thick, heavy, and electric, like a storm trapped within four walls. The silence between Sean and Madeline felt sharp enough to draw blood. Even Arthur's usual calm seemed strained, his posture rigid, eyes trained on nothing and everything at once.

Then, amidst that charged quiet, a soft purr rippled through the air-delicate, melodic, and disarmingly innocent. My lips curved before I could stop them. I knew that sound.

Right on cue, a plume of white fur appeared in the doorway, sauntering into the living room like she owned it. Cupcake. Madeline's cat. Her royal highness in feline form-elegant, proud, and entirely unbothered by the tension that gripped the humans in her domain.

"Cupcake..." I whispered, my voice barely above a breath as she stretched lazily, her back arching in the most graceful defiance of the chaos around her.

She padded toward me, each step measured, tail flicking with quiet arrogance. I lowered myself to the floor, my ivory dress pooling around me like spilled moonlight, and reached out to her. The moment my fingers brushed her soft fur, something inside me eased. Her purr deepened, vibrating against my palm-a small, living reminder that not everything in this house was cold or cruel.

Sean's gaze lingered on me; I could feel it like a touch. Maybe it was curiosity-or maybe it was something darker, a strange amusement at the sight of me finding solace in a creature that gave affection only on her own terms.

Cupcake rolled onto her back, exposing her belly, and I couldn't help but laugh quietly. Just like that, the storm cracked. The tension loosened its grip, replaced by the soft sound of purring and the fragile illusion of peace.

"I'll... get some refreshments," Madeline said, her voice softer now, almost human again. She disappeared into the kitchen, leaving me alone with the cat-and with the feeling that, for once, I had managed to tame something in this room.

But as Cupcake's blue eyes blinked up at me, calm and knowing, I wondered which one of us was really doing the taming.

The atmosphere had shifted again, but this time, it wasn't heavy-it was laced with an almost wicked amusement.

"Cupcake? That's an interesting name," Sean murmured, his tone smooth, curious, laced with the faintest edge of mockery.

I straightened, brushing invisible wrinkles from my dress before replying softly, "Yes, I know. But it's cute." My voice carried a small hint of defiance, the kind that dared him to argue.

I moved back to the sofa, crossing my legs elegantly, pretending not to notice his eyes trailing after me. From the corner of my vision, I caught Cupcake making her way-of all people-toward Arthur. She circled him once, her tail flicking like a tease before curling herself gracefully at his feet.

The sight made me bite back a laugh. The infamous Arthur-cold, composed, and terrifying to most-being seduced by a cat. How poetic. Madeline would have a coronary if she saw her precious Cupcake flirting with him of all people.

"I think she wants you to take her in your arms," I murmured, tilting my head toward him, my lips curving into a knowing smile.

Arthur didn't speak. He simply leaned down, his movements careful, deliberate, and then lifted her. Cupcake melted into his hold, purring in approval as if she'd found her throne. For a brief second, the corner of Arthur's lips twitched upward-a ghost of a smile. A rare sight.

The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps-heels clicking against marble. Madeline reappeared, balancing a silver tray with the grace of a hostess trained to impress. No wine, no whiskey-just crystal glasses filled with a pale green liquid that shimmered under the light.