Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

1. | quarter past midnight

RAINE KING LOVED THE SUN. She felt a certain connection to it ever since she was a little kid, running around the family garden in the fanciest of dresses. It was deep, powerful, almost as if the sun itself was constantly wrapping her in a delicate embrace. She adored that feeling, always smiling when she felt the warm rays on her skin — a reminder of the unusual bond that she was unable to explain. The sun made her feel safe, comforted and even when she got older and more mature, the bond never faltered in the slightest.

She never really understood it and, frankly, never had the chance to. Her childhood wasn't exactly long, so the freedom in doing whatever she wanted lasted just for a few years. She never blamed it on her parents, who she loved dearly, but rather on the society's need of control and the constantly rising expectations. She was born into a prestigious family, the richest one in all of Rochester, as people loved to say, which meant there was always someone watching her every move. Especially given the fact that she was the only daughter of the Kings, with her other sibling being an older brother Royce.

Raine was grateful for her life and thrived in it, thanks to the teachings of her mother, but there were times where she had to take a moment for herself. She'd slip away, even if just for a second, from her duties and expectations towering over her, to find peace in the warm embrace of the sun. Only then she felt unburdened, as if it was the only thing that managed to keep her grounded. Occasionally she saw her mother's gaze trail after her, her eyes full of doubt and wonder, as she disappeared in the back of the estate, but she never said anything. After all, it was the only thing she had of her own.

As the years passed, her affinity for the sun only grew stronger, even despite her spending less time outside, forced to participate in social activities arranged by her parents. Sometimes she could feel the sun responding to her, the warmth intensifying and wrapping her in an invisible embrace when her mind felt too heavy. She knew it was irrational but deep in her heart she believed it was right and couldn't shake the feeling that it was more than just a coincidence.

Her brother, Royce, often teased her about the strange connection. "You're not a flower, Raine," he'd say with a chuckle. "You don't need the sun to survive."

"Perhaps not," she'd reply with a sly smile. "But maybe it needs me."

He'd just shake his head in response, amused by his sister's almost whimsical and dreamy thoughts, but never really discouraged them. If anything, he envied her ability to find peace in something so simple.

Unfortunately life had a way of testing even the strongest bonds. As she slowly neared her twentieth birthday, whispers of an arranged marriage and ways to strengthen social alliances grew louder, reaching even the most oblivious of people. Her father, ever the strategist, saw her not just as his beloved daughter, but also as a crucial piece in his grand plan of maintaining his status as the wealthiest person in the area. Owning a bank was one thing, but social standing and reputation was the other. Raine understood her duty, she knew about it since she was a little kid, but the thought of being bound to a stranger, someone she didn't love, filled her with dread.

She never heard a final decision however. There were rumors about Vincent Dwyer's son, a young man with a golden heart and a knack for economics, who was bound to return to Rochester in a few weeks and apparently an eligible bachelor, but the words usually meant nothing. The uncertainty should have been comforting. The lack of a final decision meant there was still time to push back against the inevitable. But instead, it gnawed at her, constantly tormenting her in moments during which she was supposed to feel peaceful, comfortable.

Raine knew what was expected of her. She had been raised for this, prepared for it in every way possible. She learned how to reply with wit and grace, but with care to not offend anyone and never say more than the man, how to smile even when she didn't feel like it and how to pose under pressure of gazes and rising expectations. She had watched her mother, watched the wives of her father's associates, and understood what would be required of her.

But understanding did not make it easier.

Perhaps this is why she found herself spending even more time outside, strolling around the gardens and just enjoying the presence of the sun. It eased her nerves, helped her organize her thoughts, but the looming feeling that something was about to happen still lingered.

And even the sun was unable to help.

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Her parents thrived in social situations, so it wasn't a surprise that they loved regularly throwing gatherings for the elite to talk, drink and dance. It was also a perfect occasion for them to flaunt their wealth and showcase the superiority they felt, while acting that every single guest is a close friend of theirs. There was a small ball at the end of every month, usually at the beginning of the last week, and during that time the King estate always became more lively. There were people everywhere — if not attending the party then just preparing it, hanging decorations and moving tables around.

Over the years Raine learned to like those events, but still considered them to be a bit too much. Neither her parents, nor the guests, however, seemed to think the same, so was forced to stay silent and just smile. Only her brother seemed to sometimes share the sentiment, but exactly just like her, would never talk about it out loud. They just went with it, acting as if those evenings were their favourite in the world.

As yet another month came to an end, Raine found herself in a dark green gown picked by her mother just a day before. She always said it matched her eyes, but King knew it was because she just liked the colour. Her ginger hair was tied with a decorative clip and let loose over her back, blending perfectly with the entire outfit. She always looked like this, especially during spring, and yet she never got tired of it.

And it made her mother proud.

She and Royce met in the hallway right as the event started, as usual. It was their tradition — they always showed up together, hand in hand, talked for a while and only then went their own ways. Their parents approved of it and it made them free from greeting people at the entrance, so it continued even as they both got older. Besides, the company of a siblings was a much better start to something as grand.

"You look wonderful, Raine. As ever," Royce said with a smile.

"You don't look too bad yourself."

Royce offered her his arm, which she gladly took, and moved towards the main door. With a pleasant, trained smile on both of their faces, they entered the dining room that got turned into a ballroom. A string quartet was already playing in the corner, the sweet notes inviting nearby people to dance. She caught a glimpse of her parents greeting a group of possibly important guests and nodded towards them, but she got pulled by Royce towards the food tables before she could do anything else.

They answered polite greetings from people they passed, bowing their heads and sending them fake smiles. She recognized most of them, as the social circle that was being invited to these kinds of events rarely changed, and yet the amount of guests present still surprised her. The ballroom was alive with movement and Raine could feel the weight of it all slowly pressing against her. It was yet another night where every single interaction held its own purpose, full of unspoken rules and rising expectations. She was used to it, practically trained for moments like these, but that didn't change the fact that it felt slightly overwhelming. Her brother felt it too, she knew he did, but they both were able to perfectly mask it.

Not from each other, however.

Royce moved away but leaned down slightly when they finally reached the tables, so that only she could hear him. "Father's outdone himself this time," he started, picking up two glasses of champagne from a passing tray. "I don't think I've ever seen this many people who pretend to like each other in one place."

"Wait for your wedding then. I'm pretty sure mother has already invited the entire town,'' a chuckle escaped her lips. Everything about her brother's engagement and upcoming wedding seemed to be extremely rushed, but it didn't stop Mrs. King from giving her all when it came to details and planning.

"You have a point," he replied, offering her one of the glasses. "I don't think I've ever seen those invites in person. Mother sent them all herself, didn't she?" Raine only nodded her head, happily accepting the champagne. "Can you blame her, though? She thrives in situations like these," she said after taking a small sip.

From the corner of her eye she saw an unfamiliar figure approaching them, which made her turn around from the table to face the newcomer. Royce was faster than her, however, immediately recognizing the woman, who greeted him eagerly as she got closer.

"Rose," Royce nodded his head and snaked his arm around the blonde's waist, pulling her closer. She smiled brightly at him, making herself more comfortable in his embrace. "Have you met my sister before, darling?"

It was a question that didn't need its answer. Raine would definitely remember someone like her if they ever crossed paths, Royce's darling fiancée seemed to be way too remarkable. Her blonde hair was tied into a sleek, braided updo, complimenting the light dress she chose to wear. King could immediately sense a kind of effortless grace around her which, frankly, made her even more intrigued.

"No," Raine finally said, her voice steady. "I don't believe we've met. It's a pleasure to officially meet you, Rosalie." The smile on her face never faltered, but it was only a matter of time before any hint of how conflicted she felt started showing up.

Because, in reality, it was hard for Raine to even find the right words. Her eyes traveled across Hale's face, taking in her beauty as her grip on the glass tightened. Rosalie Hale was beyond breathtaking. She couldn't however say it out loud, not in front of her brother, the fiancé, or anyone in the room. Even an innocent compliment could be easily turned into something much more.

It took her a minute to finally extend a hand towards the blonde. "Raine King. But, I suppose, you already know that."

"Perhaps," she chuckled. "It's an honor to meet you at last, Raine." She added, tilting her head just slightly, as if she was studying Raine in return. A trained, polite smile appeared on her lips and she looked up to match the ginger's eyes.

Royce, oblivious to the silent exchange between the two women, only murmured something under his breath, and reached for a flute of champagne from a passing tray. "I figured you two would get along splendidly. My sister has always had a knack for recognizing true elegance, you know." His grip around Rosalie's waist tightened, almost possessively.

Her heart was pounding. Not from nerves, definitely not, but from something else entirely. There was something captivating about Rosalie that she hadn't expected, something that both unsettled and excited her. It wasn't just the otherworldly beauty and the way she carried herself, but also the intriguing look in her blue eyes, so similar to the moon, and yet entirely unreadable.

Rosalie finally released her hand, letting the man pull her closer to him. "Your brother speaks very highly of you."

"Does he now?" Raine asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's quite rare coming from him,' A hint of amusement could be heard in her voice as she looked towards Royce, resting her free hand on her left hip.

He scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Now, now, don't go tarnishing my reputation in front of my future wife."

Her fingers flexed around the stem of her glass as she studied the woman in front of her. Before she could say anything else, however, Royce set down his glass and clasped his hands together. "That's enough talking, don't you think? Rosalie, would you do me the honor of a dance?"

The blonde agreed almost immediately. As Royce led her towards the dance floor, Raine remained rooted to her spot, but could swear that Hale's gaze lingered for a while too long.

She took a big sip from her glass feeling conflicted.

Looking at how happy Royce was with Rosalie was painful. It was a weird kind of pain, unexplainable and utterly confusing, but a strong one nonetheless. She didn't even know her beyond that short introduction, and everything she had ever heard about Hale was vague. Her brother wasn't a storyteller, as his stories always seemed to contain the least amount of details possible, but that could be expected from a person who preferred to get straight to the point.

Perhaps it was the mysterious aura around Rosalie's persona that made her feel like this. All this time she knew her either as the fiancée, or, as her parents used to say, the younger blonde who managed to get Royce to finally settle down. She always considered it a hilarious term, quite controversial and not exactly true, but never really questioned it — she didn't feel the need for it.

What she felt was unexplainable, or so she thought. The answer was right in front of her and yet she really didn't want to look at it, deciding to fight against it instead.

She was too proud to admit that she was jealous of her older brother.

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Her mother seemed pleased to see her socialize with guests scattered all across the floor. The interactions were just mere formalities, simple greetings with trained, fake smiles, but it was enough to keep the meddlesome Mrs. King away. Some people stayed by her side for a while longer, engaging her in a conversation without any further meaning, some even offering a dance when their true partners weren't looking in their direction. She accepted one of them, joining the only man who wasn't half her age on the dance floor, but was quickly left alone after the song changed, the band deciding on playing something much less upbeat.

It was typical for nights like these, really. But she'd have to lie if she said that she didn't enjoy it.

And yet, despite the grandeur of it all and the champagne in her hand, Raine couldn't shake the lingering distraction that had settled in her chest. Her eyes kept drifting back towards the dance floor, where Royce and Rosalie still moved to the soft tunes coming from the makeshift stage. His hand rested on the curve of her waist, guiding her effortlessly and shielding her from others around them, while Rosalie gracefully followed, a faint smile on her lips.

"Enjoying yourself?" A voice to her left startled her slightly.

King looked back to see Jolene Coleman, a long-time friend and, to be completely honest, the closest one she had, grinning at her. The sight of her was soothing, successfully aiding her in taking her eyes off of the dancefloor.

Jolene tilted her head slightly, amusement visible in her golden eyes. "You looked absolutely enthralled a moment ago," she teased, lowering her voice just enough to make it clear she wasn't referring to the party.

Raine just rolled her eyes in response, setting her empty glass down at the edge of the closest table. A new one quickly appeared in her hand as a server with a tray full of freshly poured drinks passed by her. "Hardly."

Jolene hummed, completely unconvinced by her friend's words. She turned her eyes towards the dancefloor, focusing attention on the exact same spot Raine's gaze had been moments ago and, after a longer moment, smirked. "She's beautiful, isn't she?"

"I suppose."

"Careful, darling. That almost sounded like admiration."

There was a moment of hesitation and Raine looked like she wanted to say something, but her lips closed after a short second as if she drastically changed her mind. She just shot Jolene an aggravated look instead.

"You do realize I can read you like an open book, right?" Jolene chuckled in response, taking a step forward to match her friend's position. She wasn't wrong and Raine knew that, but in that moment she really wished they weren't as close. No one had to, and should, know about that conflicted attraction she felt. "That little furrow between your brows? The way you were gripping your glass like it personally offended you?" Coleman continued with a teasing smile. "And let's not forget the way you didn't notice me approaching until I spoke."

Raine sighed. She hated the fact that Jolene was right. "It's nothing," she insisted, taking a sip. "Just... an observation."

"Observation," Jolene echoed mockingly. "Interesting choice of words. Most people don't look at something, someone, so intensely when they're simply 'observing'".

King exhaled sharply as she felt heat slowly creeping up her neck. The last thing she needed at that moment was her friend's relentless prodding, no matter how justified it was. Especially given the fact that she had no idea why she felt that way. She and Rosalie had just officially met and yet she already felt weirdly attracted to her. This shouldn't happen and, what was more important, wasn't proper or normal according to societal standards.

"It's nothing, Jo," she repeated, much firmer this time. "And even if it was something, which it isn't, it would hardly matter."

"Ah, so you mean that it would matter, but just not in a way you'd care to admit?"

If a glare could kill, Jolene probably wouldn't be standing next to her anymore. "Must you be so insufferable?"

"It's my charm. You knew about it when you agreed to become my friend, darling" she grinned, completely unbothered by Raine's slightly hostile attitude.

Before she could say something, however, a sudden burst of laughter rose from the dance floor. It wasn't too loud and almost no one noticed it, but Raine was standing a bit too close — hence her sudden reaction that made her turn her head towards the noise. Royce was leaning in, murmuring something to Rosalie. Whatever he said must have amused her, as a delighted smile appeared on her face to cover the sudden outburst.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to look away as Jolene hummed thoughtfully at the sight. "Funny. I don't think I've ever seen you look at some that way."

"That's because I don't," Raine set her glass down on the table, a little too forcefully. "You're reading too much into things."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

Jolene studied her for a long moment, then merely shrugged, as if conceding. But the satisfied smile tugging at the corner of her lips told an entirely different story. "Fine, darling. Whatever you say."

There was a short silence between the two women, during which Raine managed to relax and, once again, focus on something entirely different as Jolene finally broke through the quietness.

"You know," she drawled, tilting her head. "I was actually looking for you earlier. There's someone I want to introduce you to."

Raine lifted a brow. "Someone? Who is it this time?"

"Yes, darling. A real friend of mine," A smirk appeared on Jolene's lips. "He's recently arrived in town, and I have a feeling you two might get along."

"Are you trying to set me up again?"

Jolene gasped, placing a hand over her heart in a feigned offence. "Me? Matchmaking? Perish the thought!" She laughed. "Especially now that I've seen some things."

Raine rolled her eyes, taking another sip of champagne after picking it up from the table again. "Right. Because you're always so selfless."

"Well, if you want to stay here and brood then just say so."

She so didn't.

Jolene looped her arm through Raine's with ease, steering her towards the other end of the ballroom. They weaved through the crowd, passing mindlessly chattering guests and even her father, who just nodded in her direction. It was only a matter of time until he found her to introduce to someone she probably already knew, claiming that the person was knowledgeable and a perfect match. He always did.

It took them a while to reach a tall, well-dressed man standing near the windows. He was alone but seemed to enjoy his own company nonetheless, his gaze stuck on the old painting on the wall.

"Carlisle," Jolene greeted, making the man focus their attention on both of them. Her hand hasn't moved however, almost as if she was trying to keep King's by her side to prevent her from escaping.

Carlisle was tall, almost towering over both her and Jolene, and there was a certain sharpness to his features that only complimented his elegant facade, just like the white suit he was wearing. His blonde hair was neatly combed back, revealing a very familiar eye colour — the same golden shade that Jolene had and one she was so jealous of. She never saw it in anyone else but her friend which made her sure that it was undeniably rare. Perhaps her and Carlisle were related to some extent?

"Hello Jolene," he replied with a smile, greeting her with a side hug that finally made Jolene release Raine's arm. "Ah, and you must be Raine King," he said, turning to her direction. His voice blended with the music around them, but she could easily understand him. "I've heard quite a bit about you."

Surprised by Carlisle's words, Raine shot a sideways glance at Jolene, who merely offered her an innocent smile. "Have you now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Should I be concerned about what's been said?

Carlisle chuckled. "Only if you find flattery concerning." He extended a hand towards her. "Carlisle Cullen. A pleasure to finally meet you."

It was yet another introduction this evening, but at least this time she felt somewhat at peace. Definitely much different than before.

Raine hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in Carlisle's. His grip was firm but not overpowering, the coldness of his skin making her shiver ever so slightly. "The pleasure's all mine."

"So what brings you here, Carlisle? If you're looking for excitement, you've come to the wrong place," She was pretty sure she had never seen him around, so the curiosity was understandable.

"Nothing quite so dramatic, believe me. I move around now and then and Jolene was kind enough to introduce me to the city," he replied almost immediately, his gaze moving towards Coleman for a second. It made her wonder if they knew each other before his arrival — Jolene never really mentioned him in their conversations but then again, she also loved to keep her secrets.

"That's very charitable of her."

Jolene placed a hand over her heart, trying to look offended. "I'm a beacon of generosity."

Raine snorted, shaking her head in disbelief. "That's one word for it."

Carlisle's smile remained, a hint of amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "Jolene speaks highly of you," he admitted. "And given the company she keeps, I had to see for myself."

"And what do you see, then?" Raine couldn't help but be intrigued by his words. Jolene always kept interesting company but Carlisle must've been the most fascinating of them all. He took his time, as if measuring his words with care, before finally speaking.

"I see someone who carries herself with quiet confidence," he said quietly. "Someone who knows how to easily hold her own."

Jolene smirked. "Careful, Carlisle. If you start throwing compliments around like that, she might actually start believing them."

Raine shot Jolene a look but couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her. "I'd argue that's not the worst thing to happen."

The ginger tilted her head slightly, trying to gauge whether there was deeper meaning behind his words or if he was merely playing the part of a well-mannered guest. He wasn't wrong, but the accuracy of his words and the tone he used made her think that it wasn't something that was said purely out of politeness.

Jolene, as she always did, broke the short silence with a clap of her hands. "Well, now that you've properly met, I'm afraid I must leave you for a moment. I haven't had a chance to taste the colorful pastries yet." She pointed towards the tables full of food, as if to confirm her words. "Don't have too much fun without me." She winked at Raine before disappearing back into the crowd.

King suddenly felt aware of how quiet it really was between the two of them. Without the company of Jolene, who always managed to throw in some kind of a witty remark, it was completely silent. Even the sound of the music seemed to be toned down, the delicate sounds of violin no longer echoing in her ears.

She was the first one to speak.

"You don't seem like the type to attend parties just for the company," she mused, crossing her arms. "Or am I mistaken?"

Carlisle regarded her for a long moment before glancing past her, as if scanning the room. "You're not. I find these gatherings useful," he admitted. "You can learn a great deal about people by simply watching them."

"Observant, are you?"

"A necessity, in my case." His tone remained light, but there was a slight hint of something deeper. Something Raine couldn't quite put her finger on.

She didn't want to press into the matter, however. She wasn't a terribly curious person, couldn't be, so she knew exactly when to stop talking about something. It was a courtesy of her mother's teachings and a necessity in times like these.

That didn't stop her from continuing the conversation, however.

"And what exactly had your attention before we interrupted?"

Carlisle's gaze returned to the painting behind them. "A rather remarkable piece. It looked like it was painted centuries ago, but the woman that's portrayed has an expression that feels almost... modern. As if she knows something the rest of the world doesn't."

Raine turned to look at the painting properly for the first time. It was an old portrait of a woman with oddly piercing eyes looking straight ahead who, upon further inspection, looked very much like a blonde version of Jolene. The woman from the painting might have been a distant relative of her family, but someone also could've just hung it here because they liked it a bit too much.

"She doesn't seem like she's keeping a secret," Raine murmured.

Carlisle hummed in agreement. "Some secrets are worth keeping, you know. It's easier when you hide it."

She looked back at him then, catching the flicker of something unreadable in his gaze but decided to ignore it. "You know, if it makes it any better, it's probably a grandmother I don't know about. Maybe the wicked one no one ever mentions?" She laughed quietly, slightly changing the topic.

Carlisle only shook his head at her words, but she could see a smile that was tugging at the corners of his lips.

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The conversation between her and Carlisle seemed to flow effortlessly, almost as if they knew each other for a much longer time. Even when Jolene joined them again, carrying a small plate of food to give to Raine, who due to an occupied mind haven't really eaten that evening, the topics weren't even close to running out. Raine found Carlisle extremely intriguing and if it only was possible, she'd probably talk to him until the banquet ended — especially given the fact that it made her forget about Rosalie.

Her father, however, had much different plans and somewhere during a conversation about Cullen's travels, approached her only to pull her towards a circle of people who worked for him at the bank. He introduced her to them, claiming that they wanted to meet the daughter of the respected Royce King, despite them already knowing exactly who they were. She didn't say anything, though, and only smiled politely at them, letting one of them drag her towards the dance floor.

The man she was forced to dance with, Vincent Dwyer, was constantly juggling between two topics as if he had nothing else to talk about. His movement extremely sluggish, he kept unsuccessfully complimenting her while also talking about his son, Ezra who, as she already knew, was considered to be a good match for her husband. It wasn't a pleasant experience at all and rather annoying, but out of good manners she never moved away from him, letting him twirl her to the sound of violins.

When she finally managed to excuse herself, saying that she needed to sit for a moment and have a drink, she tried looking for Jolene and Carlisle, but they were nowhere in sight. Perhaps they left already, or just moved to a different side of the ballroom — no matter what it was, she wasn't planning on running around the room just to find them. She went outside instead, passing through a rarely used balcony door. It was one of the very few places that guests rarely went to, so she knew she'd be able to breathe easily here.

Raine leaned against the balcony, closing her eyes for a short moment. She let the wind tug at her hair, enjoying the comforting silence and the feeling of a refreshing coldness. It was quite a difference from the small ballroom, where the air was thick with strong, floral perfume and whispered conversations. She let herself sink into the quiet, listening to the rustling of colorful leaves that just fell from the trees, the occasional chirps of birds who were just flying by and the soft, almost unheard hum of the wind. Her eyes opened and she looked up towards the moon, that was trying to hide behind the tall trees at the back of the estate.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" A familiar, yet unexpected voice rang out behind her, making her look down from the starry sky.

She didn't turn around, however, her grip tightening on the uncomfortably cold railing. There was no need, she knew exactly who decided to join her. And yet she couldn't quite figure out as to why Rosalie Hale, the blonde beauty she currently couldn't stop thinking about, was there and not inside socializing with all the people her parents invited to the gathering. It was a perfect opportunity to make a name for oneself, after all.

"Stunning. Although I've always preferred the sun," her voice was smooth and quiet, but she knew that, despite her tone, Rosalie could hear her perfectly fine. It was never too loud out on the balcony, apart from occasional giggles and footsteps right below it when guests got too tired of the 'party', and a faint melody played by a string quartet.

She heard Rosalie move. Her heels were clicking against the white stone, slowly, cautiously.

"May I?" She finally asked, breaking the silence. Raine looked to the side, locking her eyes with the ones that belonged to Rosalie. A friendly smile appeared on her lips as she moved her hands closer together. "Be my guest."

For a while, neither of them spoke.

"Did anyone ever tell you that your eyes resemble the moon?" She was yet again the first one to break the slightly awkward, but pleasant silence. She turned her gaze away from her, however. "I thought about it earlier when we met."

It took Rosalie a while to answer. "No," she said truthfully. "Royce always says they're more violet. He always gives me violets when we meet."

"Well, personally, I think they look much more blue. My brother never was good at naming colors," she joked, looking towards the trees under her. She didn't really want to look at Rosalie, not yet.

Hale chuckled at her words. "Maybe you're right," she admitted and then, when Raine thought she wouldn't say anything else, she heard a faint thank you. The appreciation of her compliment made her heart flutter, but she didn't let it show.

Raine finally allowed herself to glance at her, stealing a proper look now that they weren't surrounded by expectant eyes and obligations. Rosalie looked ethereal in the moonlight, the glow casting soft shadows over her face and making her blue eyes shine even brighter.

"Are you enjoying yourself tonight?" Rosalie asked suddenly, shifting the conversation.

Raine scoffed, shaking her head. "You could say so. I could use less dancing with strangers."

Rosalie let out a small, knowing laugh, the sound surprisingly warm.

"Are you?" Raine raised an eyebrow, daring to meet her gaze again. "You look like you enjoy the attention." She knew it was supposed to be teasing, but she really felt like Rosalie thrived under the gaze of people. Almost like she and her family usually did.

Rosalie smirked, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Attention isn't the same as admiration," she said, her voice softer now, almost wistful.

The silence came back, making Raine wonder. Rosalie's presence felt both unnerving and soothing at the same time, making the thoughts from earlier come back to her at a fast pace. Royce wasn't here this time so she could let herself say more, get to know the person that managed to capture her attention so easily, but in the end she knew that nothing else could happen.

And, besides, she knew that the weird feeling tugging at her chest every time she looked at Rosalie was bound to disappear the next day. It had to.

Because she never felt this weird kind of attraction, so sudden and out of place. And, if that wasn't enough, also very much forbidden.

Raine never considered herself to be shallow. She had no experience when it came to love or attraction, but she was wise enough to know that looks were not the only thing that mattered. It felt silly, considering Hale otherworldly beautiful and subtly longing for her without even knowing her for longer than five minutes, she knew that. But there were some things she couldn't stop.

And even if she wanted to get to know her better, she had to remember that she was about to become Royce's wife and thus, her sister in law.

As if that wasn't enough, she was also a woman. Society would never approve of them two acting as something more than regular acquaintances or friends — she knew it all too well. The people were cruel and they considered reputation to be something important, almost sacred. Therefore, the fact that she even felt this way towards Rosalie, a person of the same sex, had to stay hidden, unknown.

She always could hide it so well, even when her father constantly kept talking about arranging her marriage with a man, introducing her to potential candidates. It wasn't just the fact that she didn't want to tie herself to a stranger — she also couldn't see herself next to any man at all, even a best friend.

That feeling had to disappear. Quickly.

Raine exhaled slowly, willing herself to push down the strange and unwelcome feelings clawing at her chest. The air between them was thick with something unspoken, something neither of them could afford to acknowledge.

Rosalie was watching her. She could feel it.

"I should be inside," Rosalie finally said, though she made no move to leave.

"Yes, you should."

A flicker of something passed through Rosalie's eyes. Amusement? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it was gone too quickly for Raine to decipher.

"And yet, here I am," Rosalie murmured, stepping closer.

Raine could feel her breath hitch, making her unable to breathe properly for a split second. Just enough that she knew she had to force herself to look away. If she kept staring, if she let herself imagine even for a moment that this could be anything but fleeting, she'd only make things harder.

So she turned her gaze back toward the trees. "Maybe you just needed fresh air," she said quietly.

"Maybe," Rosalie said. "Or maybe I just needed a moment away from all of them."

The way she said it made Raine look back at her. Rosalie wasn't just speaking about the guests. It was clear in the way her lips parted as if she had more to say but thought better of it.

She didn't want to overthink it. She couldn't.

"Dance with me?"

It was almost as if the time suddenly stopped. Raine hesitated, her breath turning shallow and quick. Rosalie's words were completely unexpected, almost insane, but hearing something also never felt so good.

It felt improper, unthinkable, and yet at that moment all she wanted to do was to take Rosalie's hand and forget about the connection she had with her brother. Her mind screamed at her, trying to make her say no, but her instincts said otherwise.

And this time she really wanted to follow them.

So she did.

Rosalie pulled her closer, placing a firm yet delicate hand on her waist. There still was a healthy distance between them and Raine really wanted to close it, but she knew she couldn't. They swayed to the faint sound of music, completely invisible to people inside because of the annoyingly thick, blue curtains she was finally thankful for. "I was actually looking for you earlier. We didn't get the chance to properly talk," she heard Rosalie say.

A soft smile appeared on her face. "Well, you found me. I wouldn't really call this talking, though"

Rosalie only chuckled at her words, turning her around when the tempo changed.

Raine wasn't sure how long they danced together, but when they finally stopped and Rosalie moved away, she knew it made her want more. Her touch, so delicate and unexpected, felt wonderful on her skin, and the close proximity made her feel like nothing ever before. She could feel the heat flushing to her cheeks, but that could be easily blamed on the cold air if anyone tried asking her about it.

No. This shouldn't have happened.

She needed to go back inside. She needed to walk away before she did something she couldn't take back.

"I should -"

But before she could finish, Rosalie reached for her wrist. A light touch. Barely there.

But it sent a jolt through Raine's entire body, freezing her in place. She looked down at where Rosalie's fingers rested against her skin, and then, slowly, she looked back up.

Rosalie wasn't smiling anymore.

There was something in her eyes, something hesitant, almost questioning.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved.

And then, just as quickly as it happened, Rosalie pulled away, taking a step back.

"I should go," she said softly.

Raine nodded, forcing herself to take a slow breath. "Yes."

Rosalie hesitated, lingering just a second too long before finally turning away. She walked back toward the balcony doors, slipping inside without another word.

Raine stayed behind, blankly staring at the door and wondering if she should also head inside, but quickly decided against it. This was the only place where now, especially after Rosalie had left, she could be alone with her thoughts. So improper and forbidden, but thoughts nonetheless.

She released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

Raine had always belonged to the sun. But maybe, just maybe, she was beginning to crave the moon.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

Chapter Text

2. | picket fence dreams

The next few days following the banquet passed in a blur. Both Raine and her family had no real time to rest, as the aftermath usually took a lot of their time — everyone was already very much used to it, however. While both her and Royce took on replying to the incoming mail full of thankful notes and appreciation of the small gathering, the people who earlier only roamed the corridors with hands full of decorations now switched to attempting to turn the makeshift ballroom back into a regular dining room. Multiple servants worked tirelessly to return everything into its proper place, rolling up oddly extravagant and colorful carpets, and moving tables that had been put together in an effort to fit all the food in one place. What once had been a space full of glee and fake smiles now stood empty, echoing with the sounds of clinking silverware instead of idle chatter and soft sounds of violin.

The silence was heavy. Even more than she expected.

But it was, or was supposed to be, normal. She was used to her life looking like this after every bigger event.

And yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. There was something weird lingering in the air, a change that was just beyond her reach. No one else could feel it and she knew it — because if anyone apart from her did, then the effort to put everything back in place would go to waste. The world kept turning and the people around her carried on as if nothing happened, nothing changed. Perhaps it was the first impression she had of Rosalie and the intimate moment they shared on the balcony, or the look her mother kept giving her while talking in a hushed voice to her father, probably about something she dreaded for the past few months.

Whatever it was, she sure as hell didn’t like it.

And the fact that her mind was almost constantly spinning didn’t help at all. She tried so hard to push away vile thoughts but her efforts proved to be futile pretty much immediately, sending her into a slight spiral. It was almost as if she, every single morning since that one evening, was reliving the inner turmoil that started when she first locked eyes with Hale. The feeling unfortunately refused to dissipate and clung to her like an annoying shadow, a memory that just didn’t want to leave her head no matter what. Even now, when she had something to focus on, meaning the huge pile of letters to reply to, she still found herself absently tracing the coarse edges of the envelopes with her fingers, her mind in a completely different place. All she could see, all she could feel was Rosalie’s warm breath on her skin when she pulled her closer during the dance and the soft touch of her cold fingers. It was excruciating and yet also somehow addicting in a way she was unable to explain.

However the letters in front of her still provided a welcome distraction. Maybe she wasn’t completely focused on them, thanks to the blonde haunting her mind, but it worked at least to some extent. She really could care less for the forced gratitude penned by people who had likely already forgotten half of the night, the hosts included, but as long as her mind could rest, even for a few minutes, when reading the mail and laughing about the sycophantic words, all of her reluctance seemed to ease up.

Royce sat beside her in the study, barely glancing at the contents before drafting quick, efficient responses. Sometimes he stopped for a while, letting his gaze hover over the paper and the corners of his mouth to curl up in a mischievous smile, in disbelief. He often shared the contents of the letters with her, especially the more absurd ones. One of them came from an elderly lady she saw maybe once during the banquet and who, with a straight face, called her a ‘delightful young lady with a pretty face and the gaze of a hawk”, which was also mentioned also in the letter her brother showed her as, apparently, she had no idea her name was Raine.

“She meant it as a compliment,” Royce had said, eyes dancing with amusement. “Although I’m not sure if she thinks you’ll hunt or waltz your way through marriage.”

Raine had smirked, a little too tired to fully commit to the banter. “Maybe both. Depends on the day.”

And, somehow, the presence of her brother also seemed to soothe her nerves. They were siblings after all, merely one year apart, so they knew each other better than anyone, perhaps excluding Jolene. Even despite the fact that it felt weird sitting here with him when her thoughts were full of a person so dear to him. It did make something inside her twist with guilt, however, because she loved and respected her brother, so while she was hopeful that the attraction she felt might turn into something more, she also couldn’t imagine doing it to him. To someone from the outside, just like her, who knew nothing about the nature of his brother’s relationship with Rosalie, it looked like he loved her and strived to make her feel like the most gorgeous and cared person in the entirety of their town.

“The banquet was a success,” he said then, breaking the silence. “More or less. People are still talking about that disastrous waltz the Hawthorne’s did.” There was a smile on his face and he looked like he really was trying not to laugh at the memory people kept bringing up. Especially that he, too, was there when the couple graced the dance floor with their presence.

“Are they now?” she chuckled. The performance, if one could even call it that, really was a one to remember. She might’ve even called it, jokingly, the highlight of the evening if it wasn’t for that one moment she shared on the balcony with the girl she called a moon.

“You know it.”

But she really wanted to do something about it. Push away her duties and formalites, all the expectations weighing on her shoulders, and all the increasing rumours about her engagement, just to chase her own happiness. She wondered what it could’ve been if not for the fact that Rosalie’s hands lingered on his waist and not on hers. If not for the whispers and the laughs they shared while nobody was looking, and that electric connection between them. She wondered what it would be like to be loved, to be cared for. She knew her for a few days, yes, but she couldn’t push it away so easily. Rosalie Hale to her felt like the exact person she was looking for, the soulmate she read in books about.

She knew that this thought should never get out of her head and reach someone else. No one could guess at it and she had to try to hide it from everyone, no matter what. Especially from poor, completely clueless Royce. So she let him joke, let him read the letters aloud and exist beside her in this small bubble of half-lies because it was easier. Easier than confronting reality and easier than what she really wanted to do. Acknowledging it would make it real. Would make it cruel.

Suddenly Royce nudged another letter her way with a smirk.

“Dear lord, please do read this one,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “From Lord Danford. I think he might be trying to convince us he invented wine.”

And so she forced herself to push the vile thoughts away once again.

They didn’t matter. They couldn’t.

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ♡ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

The ornate, old clock in the corner of the room striked four when Raine’s family sat down on four ends of the way too long table, decorated with a pristine white tablecloth and an elaborate centerpiece, which in theory was just a vase of fresh, red roses. The chime of the clock echoed off the tall walls, eventually fading into a silence so brittle that Raine feared even the soft clink of a fork might shatter it. Food was already served, placed strategically so that no one had to be forced to ask for something, as every bowl was at one's fingertips. This weird, almost eerie atmosphere was a standard element of their daily dinners, but this time something really seemed to be off. 

She couldn’t quite place it, however. Not yet.

Her mother sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, focusing her gaze on her husband and, at the same time, carefully averting it from Raine’s, while Royce, uncharacteristically silent, examined the contests of his plate with far too much interest, as if the mere sight of roasted turkey could spare him from the conversations that loomed ahead. It wasn’t that bad of an idea, however, considering the fact that it didn’t really involve him, but he knew , which was almost bound to fuel Raine’s rage afterwards. Only the head of the house, Mr. King, seemed to be in an unnaturally good mood. Unlike everyone else at the table, he was cutting into his portion with deliberate ease and measured movements, which added a¹0n odd theatricality to the otherwise stale routine. One could say that he just enjoyed the food, but it was more like he was savouring the anticipation that everyone, even the servants, could feel in the air. 

Something was about to happen, to be said , and Raine wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear it.

Maybe she knew her father a bit too well, or his actions turned predictable after many years. She wasn’t sure, but she could sense it just from watching him carefully from her seat. The odd shift in energy, the small, almost missable prelude before an announcement made with the tone of a business proposal, so common in her father’s actions lately, instead of the one of a concerned parent, or just a d a d.

Finally, after what felt like ages, he laid his silverware down with a soft, deliberate clink against the porcelain plate. Her stomach twisted, not with fear, exactly, but with the heavy certainty that whatever was coming next was either already decided long before this dinner, or something that she was not going to like. 

And she was starting to get an idea of what it might be.

“Ezra Dwyer is expected to return by the end of the month,” he said at last, lifting his wine glass. “His father believes an engagement between you two would be beneficial for both families.” 

There it was. The heavy silence that lingered in the air finally found its true reason.

Raine did everything she could to keep her expression neutral, even though her mind already started to race. She had expected this, of course she did. Hints of the upcoming alliance coming from both her parents and, at the same time, most of her father’s friends who knew Mr. Dwyer, weren’t as subtle as they thought. And yet she was hoping it wasn’t going to happen so soon, or that they would at least discuss it with her before making a final decision.

Because both sides, which meant her’s and Ezra’s father, probably already agreed to it a while ago.

And it most definitely didn’t happen just the day before.

“And what do you believe, Father?” she asked after a while, forcing a calm she didn’t feel. There was no good answer to his words, or at least not one she could come up with on the spot.

Mr. King looked at her with a smile before answering, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “That you won’t find a better match.”

Simple and direct. As if that was all there was to it.

Nothing else seemed to ever matter when it came to things like these. Her feelings, just like everyone else’s had to be put aside as emotions had no place in the matters of wealth and social standing. Love was a luxury, one that people like her weren’t meant to indulge in. 

Her mother remained silent, but Raine felt her watchful gaze on her. 

“Ezra has spent the past year abroad,” her father continued, cutting his meat with precision. “He’s well-educated and, most importantly, well-connected, which will undoubtedly help us secure our standing.”

Raine’s hand tightened around her fork. “And if I refuse?”

Her father sighed, setting his knife down. “You won’t.”

It wasn’t a threat, not outright, but a statement of inevitability. A reminder that this was not a conversation. It never had been.

Once again she glanced at her mother, searching for at least some trace of sympathy, but found none. There was only quiet expectation, the same silent compliance that had shaped every decision in their household. Pauline, as that was her mother’s name, already knew. Even worse, she must’ve been extremely happy to hear that she has yet another wedding to plan. Which, by default, meant that Royce also heard about the news. 

And that hurt like hell, because they swore ages ago that they would tell each other absolutely everything, no matter how old they would get, or how hard the situations were. They both knew each other better than anyone else and yet, despite that, he didn’t seem to think that a decision about her life, a marriage contract , was important for her to know. Or, at least, to find out on her terms and not during family dinner where everyone was watching. She felt betrayed .

“I understand this is difficult,” Mr. King continued, though his voice lacked the softness the words implied. “But the agreement with the Dwyers is a wonderful move. With the volatility of the current market and uncertain future, this decision is strategic. It will secure ours and your future.”

Raine felt like she was about to throw up. Her appetite was already gone anyway, but now she knew that there was no way she was going to touch the food on her plate. All she wanted was to l e a v e.

“Strategic,” she repeated his words, eyebrows raised. “You make it sound like I’m one of your stocks, Father. An asset to be moved and married off for stability.”

“You’re not just an asset,” he said, as though that made it better. “You’re my daughter. And I wouldn’t put you in the care of anyone I didn’t trust.”

Just an asset.

Just .

She wasn’t surprised by his words but she still felt as if something was currently tugging at her heart. She didn’t matter in the long run and she knew it, but hell, it still hurt terribly. Same went for her opinions and the ability to choose for herself.

“I’m not asking for your trust,” she said flatly. “I’m asking for a choice .”

There was a beat of silence so profound it almost echoed.

“You’ll learn to appreciate this, in time,” he said at last, sipping his wine as though the matter was already resolved. And to him it probably was, but not to her. 

Raine didn’t respond right away. She glanced at Royce who finally dared to look up — just long enough to meet her eyes, his gaze full of something halfway between regret and shame. That fleeting moment, that single look, told her everything she needed to know and confirmed her earlier assumptions. He knew.

That was the worst part.

Not the deal, not Ezra Dwyer, not even her father’s cold detachment.

But the quiet complicity of the person who claimed to love her.

“I hear he’s handsome,” her mother remarked after a while, finally allowing herself to join the conversation and, at the same time, breaking the awkward silence. “Well-educated and a gentleman. A proper match.”

“A stranger,” Raine countered, keeping her voice neutral.

Her mother smiled softly. Perhaps she understood her daughter’s frustration, or she just considered her words to be naive, rather than accurate. “Strangers can become partners with time, honey. You’ll realize it sooner or later.”

If Pauline thought that her words were of any help, she was wrong. They only made the redhead more upset, which, in result, made her feel even worse about the engagement. Perhaps Raine was jealous, just a little bit. Mostly of the fact that Royce could do whatever he wanted and, most importantly, be with anyone he felt attracted to. It wasn’t just about Rosalie, who she considered the most gorgeous woman she has ever met and a perfect match for her in another life, but about the choice and the freedom. Something that she just couldn’t experience herself.

“But why am I being forced to build that relationship?” she asked, her voice a bit firmer than earlier. “And with someone already chosen for me?”

Her father’s eyes flickered with a hint of irritation. A first crack in his composed demeanor and probably the last one. “Because that’s how things are done, Raine. You were raised to understand your role in this family. You were raised to understand the meaning of responsibility.”

“No,” Raine said, her voice cool and deliberate. “I was raised to obey. That’s different.”

Maybe she shouldn’t have snapped, shouldn’t have said anything after hearing the news about engagement and just finished the dinner in peace. She knew that her parents were right, that she should’ve expected this, but she just couldn’t keep herself quiet. Throughout the entirety of her life, which was a bit over twenty one years, she was a watcher and all she ever wanted was to finally be seen . 

But apparently in this family, in this world , it was too much to ask.

Royce shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The clink of his knife against the plate seemed louder than before, though he still hadn’t taken a single bite. Raine didn’t look at him again. She couldn’t bear it. The silence that fell over him had now become an accomplice to her father's plans, and she wasn’t ready to forgive that.

Mr. King leaned back in his chair. “Ezra is arriving in two weeks. There will be a formal dinner that you will attend without any excuses. Otherwise there will be consequences.”

“And pretend I’m thrilled?” she asked bitterly. “Smile and nod while you parade me like a trophy?”

“You will be respectful,” he said, not raising his voice, but letting the sharpness come through to show off his authority.

Raine swallowed the rising anger in her throat. Every part of her screamed to get up, to leave the table, to slam the door behind her and run until the weight of this life fell off her shoulders. But she didn’t. Not yet. She had learned long ago that open rebellion rarely worked in this house. Strategy was her father’s game and she would need to learn it, too, even if she didn’t want to. 

“Two weeks,” she repeated, nodding slowly. “That’s not much time.”

“Time for what?” her mother asked.

“To learn to smile convincingly,” Raine said, and stood up. “Thank you for the dinner.”

Without another word, she turned and left the dining room, the click of her heels sharp against the polished floor. She didn’t hear anyone call after her. Not her father, not her mother, not even Royce. 

Only the ticking of the ornate old clock followed her, a cruel reminder that time, unlike people, did not ask for permission to move forward.

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ♡ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

It was an unspoken tradition that every year when the weather got a bit warmer, and the sun finally started peeking through the dense clouds, most citizens of Rochester would meet up at the local park for a stroll or, eventually, a friendly chat with others who enjoyed sitting on a bench a little bit too much. It was almost as if the green communal areas came alive overnight, leaving the unpleasant gloom of winter behind and embracing the upcoming warmth. Raine usually tried to never miss out on that moment, especially now that her bond with the sun seemed to grow even stronger, but there were times where her duties back at the estate held her back, forcing her to watch the season’s arrival from behind tall windows instead. 

If she could make it, however, her mother would sometimes join her with a parasol in hand to shield herself from the sun. On those days they would walk slowly along the dirt paths, laughing at the words coming from people they passed, sometimes even engaging in short conversations with them. It was obvious that almost everyone tried to enjoy the first warm days as much as they could. Raine loved those moments, even if they were mostly fleeting and never lasted for too long. Not only because of the great weather and the bucolic atmosphere that accompanied them, but also because sometimes, when her mother was next to her without a hint of worry on her face, King could feel like a kid again. 

And it was something that she has very dearly missed.

Today, however, Raine was alone. Her mother had been too preoccupied with wedding preparations, which had unfortunately already started. And yet, she wasn’t exactly disappointed — especially after what happened during dinner three days before. The memory of that evening still left a bitter taste in her mouth and even the gentle, almost soothing rustling of leaves couldn't make it go away. The thought of the sudden, albeit inevitable, engagement and Mrs. King’s reluctance to say anything that wouldn’t sound like the weirdly rehearsed formula her father used, too formal to be included in a conversation with his daughter, or a praise towards the infamous Ezra, made her stomach churn. 

That night had marked a subtle shift in her behaviour. She felt as if something in her had retreated inward, folded like a letter tucked away into a drawer no one would ever open again. She should be happy about it, because she knew that the engagement was inevitable, and at least her father didn’t pair her with someone twice her age, but it still felt weird, still hurt. Especially now that her mind was occupied by one particular blonde that she was supposed to forget about right after the banquet.

And the way the news was announced to her also didn’t help. 

Her parents seemed to forget about her little act of rebellion, but it made her realise that it was because of the fact that they, or mostly her father, expected her to behave and never, under any circumstances, talk back to them again. She still, however, hasn't talked to Royce, who seemed to avoid her to postpone the inevitable confrontation. King wasn’t as mad at him as she was three days ago, but she still didn’t understand his reluctance to share the news with her earlier. Their father probably told him not to, but it wasn’t like she would tell him that she knows. It would ease out her reactions and, besides, they used to break rules all the time as little kids.

Raine shook her head gently, as if to chase the annoying thoughts away, but they clung to her stubbornly. It was hard to forget about it, since she was supposed to meet her future husband in a little over a week, but she really was trying. That’s why she came to the park despite not being in a great mood — she wanted to take advantage of good weather and the soothing atmosphere to calm her nerves. 

Warm rays of the sun caressed her skin as she walked on the once deserted pathways, smiling fondly at the children chasing each other across the grounds. Her hands were tucked behind her back, her fingers brushing against the edges of her dress. A sharp gust of wind finally pulled her from her thoughts, sending a few loose strands of her hair whipping across her face, and forcing her to, once again, look up. What she didn't expect, however, was to see a much familiar figure right across from her — Rosalie. She probably shouldn't be able to recognize her so quickly, but there was something a bit too remarkable in her features, making it hard not to. She took a few steps towards her but didn’t get a chance to say anything, as Hale turned around right as she heard someone walking behind her.

“Raine? Didn't think I'd find you here,” the blonde called out, slowly approaching Raine with a polite smile. There was a slight hint of confusion still visible on Hale's face which made Raine think that either she really didn't expect her here, or she struggled with recognizing her at first.

Or, perhaps, both.

“Why hello, Rosalie,” 

If only she knew that her words, a simple greeting, made Rosalie’s heart flutter and it took a lot of willpower to keep a very red blush from creeping up her neck. Rosalie glanced away for a second, pretending to fix the straps of her dress, hoping Raine didn’t notice the change in her expression. 

“Please, Raine, call me Rose,” she replied with a slight smile. There was something about this subtle request that made her heart flutter. They didn’t know each other for long and, apart from that balcony encounter that made her think about her for days, haven’t really had the chance to talk. And yet Hale trusted her with a nickname, a name, which was most possibly reserved purely for the people close to her. 

“Well then, Rose,” she replied after a while, shaking her head to get rid of unnecessary thoughts. She extended her arm instead, in a completely friendly manner, forcing herself to smile at the woman she once called a moon. A slight hint of hesitation could be seen in her eyes, but she didn’t consider her gesture to be weird or out of place. Her and Jolene always walked around the same way, albeit the general coldness of Coleman’s hands sometimes made it hard to keep it up for a longer time. “Would you like to join me?”

Rose’s expression changed, softened , her gaze flickering down to the outstretched arm. Then, with a quiet breath, she looped her own through Raine’s, her fingers brushing against the fabric of her sleeve. It was a delicate touch, almost imperceptible, but King felt it nonetheless. Rosalie’s hands felt warm, almost like the sun’s most delicate rays, which was a welcome change after the icy skin she was used to and a colder breeze that occasionally swept through the park. It was grounding in a way Raine hadn’t expected.

So simple and yet so significant.

They fell into step together, their arms loosely linked, as if they had done this a hundred times before. “How have you been?” 

Rosalie tilted her head slightly, wondering whether she should reply truthfully or quickly make up a white lie. “Busy,” she replied at last. A soft sigh escaped her lips, almost missable, and it made Raine think. She had a weird feeling that something was bothering her but she really didn’t want to pry. 

Because who was she to interfere with Rosalie Hale’s life?

A stranger. The sister of her beloved fiancè. 

Not a friend. And most definitely not a lover.

Similar thoughts raced through Rosalie’s mind, although a bit less intense.

Rosalie couldn't explain, or even simply understand, the weird pull she felt towards Raine since the night of the banquet. She knew that they were supposed to meet one day, of course she did, as Royce mentioned her multiple times in conversations, even going as far as suggesting his sister's help in their wedding preparations, but didn't expect that the, as one would call it, obligatory presence in her new life, will be so captivating, so intriguing. There was something oddly familiar about her, something that made her feel safe despite having spent almost no time together, which was much different from how she felt about Royce. It made Rosalie’s chest tighten in ways she wasn’t prepared for.

Raine’s presence made Rosalie want to talk to her, tell her more, e v e r y t h i n g, but it was as if her tongue got stuck in her mouth, not letting her say too much in case she went too overboard. It was different from conversations with Vera, even though she also considered the redhead a friend of hers — not as close, of course, but a friend nonetheless. 

Even the rush she felt during the banquet when she asked her to dance seemed to disappear. 

Maybe because they were in a vulnerable spot. People were watching their every step even if it didn’t seem like it.

Or maybe she was afraid of what she might discover if she let herself get too close.

The thought made Rosalie’s stomach churn, and she tightened her grip on Raine’s arm without realizing it. It wasn’t much, just a small, instinctive reaction, but Raine noticed. She didn’t turn her head towards her, however, deciding to ignore it instead. King wasn’t exactly sure if she could call Rosalie her friend, but that didn’t stop her from trying to enjoy her company as much as she could. It was almost as if her mind seemed to quiet down in her presence. The attraction she felt towards her was still there, of course, but she knew that there was no chance for that weird feeling to turn into something more. No matter how much she wanted it to.

It all seemed so complicated to her. Fate surely must’ve been playing tricks on her since the day of the banquet, because there was no way she’d develop such an attachment to someone who was meant to marry her brother.

And yet, here she was. The feeling she felt deep down wasn’t just fascination and she knew it. It was something deeper, something more dangerous.

For a while, they walked in silence, letting the murmur of the park surround them. There was no rush, no need for hurried words. The warmth of the day, the crisp scent of spring, and the quiet understanding between them were enough. Raine found herself stealing glances at the blonde, observing the subtle expression that flickered across her face. There was something about the way the light hit her face that for a few seconds made her look like she too belonged to the sun. 

She might’ve called her a moon when she first met her, but now she really wanted to say it was the other way around. 

"You must be looking forward to the wedding," Raine said when they finally stopped by a short fence, keeping her tone light, though something in her chest tightened at the mere mention of it.

“I am but… it’s overwhelming. Your mother puts a lot of pressure on everything, me included.”

King could only nod her head in response. Pauline King strived for perfection and she didn’t care if it affected people around her. Everything was supposed to go according to plan and the wedding was a perfect opportunity for her to, once again, be in charge and make something beautiful .

“She’s a lot, isn’t she?” Rose’s reaction only confirmed her words. She could only fear what would happen during the planning of her wedding. She would, once again, get to experience the perfectionist craziness of her mother in person in unfortunate circumstances that just didn;t feel right. “Let’s talk about something else, shall we?” Raine proposed, leading Rose towards a wider path. Mostly because she couldn’t stand more wedding talk, but also because she didn’t want to make her friend uncomfortable.

“Gladly,” the blonde agreed with her almost immediately.

King needed a second to think. She pitched the idea of a different conversation but she had no idea what topic would be suitable. Especially here in public.

An idea did find its way into her head, however. A great and a painful one at the same time.

“Do you have any dreams, Rose? Something that keeps you up at night?”

To Raine it was a simple question. Something that would help her know Hale better and perhaps make the blonde forget about the wedding for a second.

But it made Rosalie realise that she never talked about anything like this with Royce. They had a lot of topics to discuss, but they never were about something that interested her or her future plans. Her fiancé unfortunately loved talking about either himself, or his job, and eventually his family, but he very rarely asked about her . He showered her with compliments, of course, and made her feel like the prettiest person to ever live in Rochester, but all of it was shallow. 

She loved him and so did he, but she wished he asked her about her wellbeing at least once.

“I always wanted to have a family,” she said then, letting out a sigh. “A big one with a husband who comes home with a smile and children that run around the garden. Two, if possible. A girl and a boy,” there was a shift in the tone of her voice. Raine could tell that Rosalie became more dreamy, like it was the only thing she ever wanted. “I was even thinking about the names once. Louise and Lawrence. Or, maybe, Florence.”

And well, perhaps it was. Her words were genuine and her eyes glimmered with excitement. She understood it, really. Raine’s dreams once were also full of things like these, the idea of love so rooted in her head that she idealised it which only made her wish for a life full of love and a big family.

But now it was only something that she just couldn’t give her. 

Only Royce could.

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ♡ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

The house Jolene Coleman moved to two years prior, when she ended up in Rochester after a long time of travelling, conveniently was right across the street from the King estate. Both her and Raine, as she was the first person she met here, constantly took every advantage of that fact. They were best friends, after all, and the proximity only contributed to their friendship — even if Raine’s parents weren’t exactly fond of it. She heard them talk multiple times about how odd it was for Coleman to live alone, and how they thought that she didn’t have a life outside of her house. According to the gossip they’ve heard, or perhaps just their own speculation, people heard of her and knew she lived in the heart of Rochester, but almost never saw her outside of her house.

And if only she could, Raine would probably laugh right in their face and call them ridiculous.

She knew Jolene and the way she always had a lot to say, how she cared for the people that actually made the effort to get to know her. She knew how Coleman could sometimes disappear into a book for days, or into her covered patio, or into some wild art project that the world would never see. She used to jokingly call herself the second Paul Cézanne , since her works apparently resembled his, but Raine was convinced that she was more like the wannabe artist tutor her parents hired when she was twelve. She didn’t have a heart to tell her that though, or at least not in a serious way.

Jolene didn’t live a quiet life because she had nothing to do — she lived one because her world was already full.

And so was her personality.

Coleman wasn’t really shy, more like selective . She didn’t offer her friendship to everyone, giving out polite, mostly fake smiles instead. She was exactly the kind of person who looked you right in the eye when she spoke and somehow made you feel like she already knew something about you that, somehow, you haven’t figured out yet. And her words seemed to flow seamlessly, almost as if she always knew what to say, even if it was forced and rehearsed. Raine admired that about her. Envied it, sometimes.

The way her world worked was also very much intentional and King learned that in the first month that she knew her. Every book on her shelf had been read and reread, every plant in the small pots on her porch had a story behind, and every corner of her house felt like it contained a part of her life and the things that mattered to her. Sometimes she would tell her about the places she visited before arriving in Rochester, which usually made her wonder how a person so young could have traveled so much, but she didn’t question it, drinking from her teacup instead. 

They didn’t know everything about each other, as it was pretty impossible, but she could, without a doubt, call Jolene her confidant. She could see right through her anyway, so every ever so small struggle that happened in Raine’s life quickly became also a problem of Coleman’s. That was just the way it was with them. Raine never had to ask for help — Jolene noticed and acted, often before King even fully admitted the issue to herself. It was the kind of friendship that didn’t ever demand explanations — their presences seemed to have a soothing, softening , effect and it went both ways. They weren’t perfect, of course, and so wasn’t Jolene, as she sometimes disappeared into herself for days and temporarily cut contact with Raine. 

But King has long since learned that she shouldn’t take it personally. Jolene just was like that and friendship with her meant accepting all the rocky moments, the tides, and accepting that she, too, had her own secrets.

Still, in all their time together as friends, Raine never managed to unravel the full story of Coleman’s past. There were clues scattered all around her house and subtle hints in her words or expressions. Whether it was a trinket from a tropical country, the lack of framed family photos on the walls, or the sudden change of mood when someone asked why she lived alone, the clues were definitely everywhere. But whenever Raine asked her more directly all she got were soft deflections and charming half-truths. Jolene was an open book only in the parts that she herself chose to show and share, but the rest of her life was a shut tight mystery.

And yet she didn’t push. It was enough for her that she knew the version of Jolene that existed in Rochester, the one that she dared call her best friend. And if some days it felt like Jolene was carrying something heavy behind her easy smile, Raine never said it aloud. She just stayed, listened and made sure she was there when Jolene needed her too, even if Coleman would never admit that she did. It was what she liked most about their friendship. Whatever happened, whatever it was, it would find its solution. Everything did, with Jolene. Eventually. 

They haven’t spoken since the banquet, although she did see her outside a few times, and she really needed to see her again. There was too much happening both in her head and in her life and she needed someone to share it with.

Because if she had to act like a perfect daughter and, at that, a fiancée, there was no way she could do it alone. 

So she passed a message to one of the workers that she’s heading out, given that only Royce was home that evening and they still haven’t talked, and practically ran across the street to her second home. The lights inside were on so King was pretty sure that her friend was there and not outside on a walk somewhere, like she used to sometimes do. With her long hair tied at the back of head and a floral dress on, that made her feel the coldness of the upcoming night, she knocked on the door with a smile. She didn’t have to wait for too long — Jo’s steps could be heard from the moment her hand touched the wooden surface. 

“And here I thought you started avoiding me, darling,” Jolene laughed as she opened her door. “Come in, I’ll make you tea.”

“Avoiding?” Raine gasped dramatically, putting a hand over her heart. “Who do you have me for, Jo?”

Jolene stepped aside, letting Raine into the place that felt more like home than her real house. There was a heavy scent of cedar in the air that easily mixed with the warmth of the interior, wrapping Raine in a weird, and yet comforting hug.

“The future Mrs. Dwyer, perhaps?” There was a wide grin on Coleman’s face and a teasing glint in her eyes. She had heard about the news already, of course, as Raine’s father made sure to pass it along to others after the dinner. There was no backing out now, no matter what she tried to do.

“I hate you.”

“Tell me something I don't know.”

Raine smiled at their antics but didn't say anything else, sitting down on one of the armchairs instead. Jolene disappeared in the kitchen for a few seconds and returned with a cup of tea and a platter of muffins, which forced the ginger to raise her brow with confusion. There was no way that Jolene baked it herself, she barely even touched anything food related that wasn’t the fridge.

Almost as if she read her mind in that moment, Coleman remarked with a smile, “They’re edible, don’t worry about it. Didn’t bake ‘em myself.”

“Oh?” Raine tilted her head to the side. “Then who did? Last time I checked you weren’t friends with anyone who wasn’t scared of kitchen utensils.”

“Carlisle’s wife,” she shrugged, setting the plate on a side table. “Feel free to take one. I ate so much already that I think I might as well burst.”

“Sorry?” If only Raine was drinking something at that moment, she probably would’ve spat it all out. “He has a wife?”

“Why do you sound so surprised? Of course he does.” Jolene laughed in response, clearly amused by her friend’s reaction. She didn’t blame her for not knowing since she didn’t know anything about Cullen or his family, but it was still pretty hilarious. Every time she accompanied him somewhere people always assumed he was single but, truth be told, Esme just didn’t want to risk blending in with crowds so she usually just stayed home. Her bloodthirst still wasn’t under perfect control.

So she turned to baking, which provided her a sense of comfort despite not being able to eat it herself. Her and Carlisle, who usually had to go out with it alone, and sometimes also with the help of Jolene, gave it out to other people who needed it more, so nothing ever went to waste. Coleman was actually supposed to bring those baked goods to the town square later, but since Raine popped by in a worse mood, she figured nothing bad would happen if she gave her some. 

They were Esme’s work, they had to be good.

“Just… Probably just didn’t expect it. I don’t talk about private matters with people I just met, you know,” the redhead countered, picking up one of the muffins.

“Really? Because that’s not how our first conversation went.”

“Oh shut up, Coleman.”

They both laughed this time and Jolene sat down on a seat across from Raine. Her expression had softened slightly, though there was that curious flicker in her eyes. The same one that showed up every time she was trying to figure something, someone , out.

“So,” Jolene said, tapping her fingers on the armrest. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or are we pretending the muffins were enough to make you forget whatever storm’s brewing in that head of yours?”

Raine didn’t answer right away. She peeled the muffin gently, more for the distraction than the treat itself, and stared down at the small crumbs collecting on her lap. The silence stretched just a bit too long before she finally looked up. The jokes were long over and this time she actually had to answer. Just to get a little bit of peace and quiet, even if only for a split second.

“I can’t do this,” she said, her voice quiet. “I can’t marry him.”

Jolene didn’t flinch, didn’t blink. She just nodded, her eyes full of compassion.

“I know.”

That was all he said. And somehow it was more than enough.

“I should be happy, shouldn’t I? Father always could’ve chosen one of his associates that are twice my age, but he didn’t, and I’ve dreamed about falling in love since i was a little kid. And yet the fact that I don’t even get a say in that matter now feels worse than a few months back when I first heard the rumors about my upcoming engagement,” the words poured out of her so easily, as if Jolene was the right person to hear them all. And she was, but her presence didn’t make the confession any less raw. 

Raine knew that it was her duty to marry someone of a high rank, her mother made sure to tell her that the moment she was old enough to comprehend the words that were spoken to her. But as much as she loved her life and thrived in social circles like a true centre of attention, that one thing, one duty, proved to be too much. “Everyone’s acting like this is some kind of fairytale ending. Like I should be grateful. And I.. I feel like I’m standing in someone else’s story.”

All this time Coleman looked straight into her eyes, as if to let her know that she’s got her full attention. She didn’t even move when King spoke and, for once, she felt like she was being listened to. That’s just how their friendship was and Raine was sure as hell grateful for it.

“You should be happy. But you’re not. And that’s not something you owe anyone an apology for,” Jolene replied finally to break the heavy silence that fell over them.

Raine swallowed hard, blinking rapidly to chase away the tears starting to nab at her eyes. She had expected Jolene to offer some sarcastic quip to ease out the atmosphere, but instead, she offered truth. Simple and painful.

“My mother told me yesterday that Ezra is so kind and so wealthy, and that he’ll take care of me. As if I can’t take care of myself.” She gave a bitter laugh. “I don’t know who she was trying to convince. Me or herself.”

The expression on her mother’s face that day made her question whether her words were actually genuine. She might’ve been just trying to make her feel better about it to avoid further slip ups. “But that’s not the only reason, which is even worse.” she added, more quietly, but Jolene heard her clearly. 

Jolene leaned in slightly, her brow furrowing with concern. “What do you mean?”

Raine hesitated. The truth clung to the inside of her mouth like something sour, but she knew she couldn’t carry it alone anymore. She needed someone to understand, and if anyone would, it was Jolene. Besides, she already saw how she looked at her during the banquet, it wasn’t hard to notice who was her gaze focused on.

“Rosalie,” she said finally, barely louder than a whisper. “You know, my brother’s fiancée? We met at the banquet. People seem to think that she and Royce are the perfect match, almost the true golden couple.” She let out a shaky breath. “But it’s not. It’s not perfect. Not to me.”

“The one you were looking at the whole night? And then one that went after you when you left to stand at the balcony?” It was a rhetorical question. Jolene knew exactly who her friend was talking about. “Then yeah, I do. To be frank, I thought it might be something like that.”

“How-” she didn’t get a chance to finish her question. 

“Don’t worry, I only saw you because I was escorting Carlisle to the front door. But I know you, Rae, and I noticed the way you looked at her. I’m not as stupid as all of those drunk halfwits.”

Raine let out a relieved sigh, although there wasn’t really a lot that could be seen. They danced together and shared some touches, yeah, but the tension was stuck inside of her. No one could see it apart from her. And, well, Rose.

“I don’t know what it is,” she admitted, her voice cracking slightly. “I didn’t plan for this. I didn’t want it. But it’s there. Every time I see her, it’s like something in me just…” She faltered, looking for the words. “It wakes up. And I don’t think I can go back to pretending that it doesn’t.”

Jolene nodded. “You shouldn’t have to.”

But they both knew that she had to.

“She’s marrying my brother,” Raine snapped, not at Jolene, but at the weight of the truth. “And I’m marrying someone I don’t even…” she paused, putting a hand over her face. “God, I barely even know Ezra. I only met him a few times as a kid when he would visit our house with his parents.”

“It still can be fixed somehow” Jo replied gently. “You know, Rae, you’re allowed to feel this way. What’s right shouldn’t matter at all times, anyway.”

Raine blinked hard again, brushing away a tear that threatened to fall. “And what if it does matter? What if I keep trying to ignore it, and it just… swallows me whole?”

“Then I’ll throw you a rope,” Jolene said without missing a beat, offering her a smile. “Or a bottle of wine. Whichever works faster.”

That earned her a small laugh.

“And then we can both run away. Wherever in the world you want, just not the desert. 

Suddenly that offer didn’t sound as surreal. It almost felt like the best solution to this situation.

But she shouldn’t run. She wasn’t a coward.

“You’ve got yourself a deal, Jo.” Coleman winked at her when she heard her response. “I really should forget about it, though. I appreciate that you’re not judging me, but we both know that I shouldn’t feel any attraction to a woman. My parents would disown me on the spot. Hell, I don't even know why I feel like this. But when I think about marrying Ezra, all I can see is Rosalie. And how wrong it feels to be someone’s wife when your heart’s already tangled somewhere else.” She let out a bitter laugh.

Raine blinked slowly, a single tear escaping before she could stop it.

“And she’s going to be my sister-in-law.”

She didn’t get a chance to say anything else. She felt the coldness of Jolene’s arms instead, wrapping her in a tight embrace. Her friend didn’t say a word, didn’t try to reason with her or offer an easy answer, because she knew there wasn’t one. Jolene just held her and in that moment, it was the only thing that made sense. That made something stir deep in Raine’s chest. She looked at her best friend, at the woman who knew all the worst parts of her and stayed anyway, and felt something unsteady but real settle in her bones.

She didn’t know if Rosalie felt the same. She didn’t know what would happen if she confessed the truth. But for the first time in days, maybe weeks, she felt like she didn’t have to walk through it all alone.

“I don’t understand how you do it,” Raine muttered, shaking her head. “You live so freely, without a care for what people think.”

Jolene grinned, moving back to her spot again. “That’s because I have no one to answer to.”

“You have yourself.”

“And that’s enough,” and those words gave her a perfect idea. “Come on,” she exclaimed, getting up from her seat and extending a hand towards Raine. “I want to show you something. Maybe that will make you forget about Dwyer. And Hale.”

King perked up at her words and a soft smile appeared on her face. “What is it, more fake Cézannes?” 

“Rude,” Jolene said, feigning offense. “And no. Not a painting. Not exactly.”

Raine paused and tilted her head. “Then what?”

“You’ll never find out if you don’t get up.”

And those words made her grab Jolene’s hand and follow her upstairs, the tea still steaming hot on the coffee table.

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ♡ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

On some evenings the residence Raine's family lived in was oddly quiet. Even the workers seemed to disappear as there were no footsteps heard on the halls, or the idle chatter that followed them everywhere they went in groups bigger than one. Her father spent most of his time at the bank, so the lack of his presence was understandable, but it was a rare occurrence for other members of her family to leave at the same time. Royce worked with their father, yes, but he usually was back home in the evenings, and her mother didn’t really leave the estate if it wasn’t necessary. 

She did have more work with the upcoming wedding, however, and the engagement dinner in two days, so she spent most of her time with family friends or hired professionals, and that’s exactly what happened that evening. She took Royce with her, too, needing an opinion on some decorations for his, as she used to call it, big day . Which, in result, left Raine to attend to the matters of the house. It sounded worse than it actually was, as there wasn’t much to do and she quickly ended up back in her room with a book in hand, but her father always made a big deal about it.

For once in a long time she could enjoy her peace and quiet, at least for her body, as her mind was still racing, even after the talk with Jolene. There was a hot tea on her table and only one light on, allowing her to sink into the shadows of her room without feeling completely in the dark. The stillness should have been soothing, but it only gave her more space to think. Her eyes skimmed the lines of the book without truly understanding the words. Which also meant that the same paragraph had repeated itself twice now, and she didn’t even notice until the third time. She still tried, though.

“Miss Raine?” There was a subtle knock on the door, but loud enough to get Raine’s attention. She looked up from her book, focusing on the source of the noise. No one usually bothered her when she was alone, unless there was an important matter to attend to that couldn’t wait, or an impatient visitor that she had to greet, as everyone here was taught that it was impolite to keep anyone waiting. She also respected the people that worked for her family so she opened the door every time someone knocked.

“Yes?”

The door creaked open and one of the housemaids stepped inside, hands neatly folded in front of her. “You have a visitor, miss.”

Raine straightened in her chair, her mind already starting to spin. Could it be Jolene with something to say that she forgot about last time or perhaps one of her father’s business associates checking in? She knew there was one more option, also extremely realistic, but as much as she wanted the guest to be Rosalie, she also was aware that she shouldn't get her hopes up. 

Not anymore. Not ever.

She sighed softly, closing her book and placing it aside. “Who is it?”

The maid hesitated for a brief moment before answering. “Miss Hale. Rosalie, if I’m not mistaken.”

Raine froze. The name struck her with such force that for a moment she couldn’t tell if she’d heard it right. 

It took her a moment to regain her composure but when she did, she only smiled at the maid, hoping that she didn’t notice the slight change in her demeanor. “Thank you, Dolly. You may go.”

When the door closed and the girl disappeared, King rose from her seat far too quickly, brushing a hand over her dress to steady herself as if that could do anything about the nerves suddenly building in her chest. It felt different from the encounter at the park. Here she was in the comfort of her own home, and Rose was probably just a guest passing by to visit Royce, but yet it felt like there was no escape. Like something was bound to happen.

She moved across the hall with grace and went downstairs, her walk coming to a halt when she saw the door to the drawing room. Her pulse ticked loudly in her ears and she hated it. She shouldn’t react like this to the mere thought of meeting with Rosalie — it wasn’t okay. Wasn’t proper. Wasn’t following the social norms and rules she was taught since a very young age.

And definitely not her moral code.

That’s why it took a few minutes before she dared to open the door.

Rosalie stood in the center of the room, out of place in a way that made her look even more striking. She felt like something broke them when their eyes met and made them both freeze for a second. 

“Hi, Rose,” she greeted her with a smile, taking a few steps towards her. She was cautious, wary, but it would be weird for her to stand still by the door. Especially now that she was the host. “Royce isn’t here if it’s him you’re looking for,” a fake smile graced her features, the tone of her voice perfectly matching it. 

Oh, how she wanted to be the one that Rosalie came to visit.

Rosalie replied almost immediately, surprisingly stumbling over her own words. “I’m so sorry to bother you then, Raine. I thought Royce was already ho-”

But in reality, Rosalie did come here to see Raine. Not her fiancé. 

She didn’t have to know that though. Or shouldn’t. 

“It’s okay,” she interrupted her, extending her hand forward as if to try and stop Rosalie from apologizing. “Please, Rose, have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea?”

She saw how Rosalie pressed her lips together, how her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve and how her gaze seemed to constantly flicker to the floor like she was trying to avoid something. Or someone. Her, perhaps. She didn’t know her yet, not as much as she wanted to, but she was observant, so those gestures unfortunately didn’t go unnoticed. 

And it made her heart drop.

“Yes, thank you.”

A short reply and a short breath. Raine studied Rose’s expression once more with a concerned look on her face. This encounter was much different from the walk in the park a few days back. Much different. 

What could’ve happened?

Hale finally sat down and Raine gestured to one of the remaining maids to bring them a pot of tea and then leave them alone. She didn’t want anyone to listen in to their conversation, no matter how connected to her family they were. She took a seat across from her hesitantly. “Do you want me to wait with you? It might be a longer while before he comes back.”

Rosalie shook her head gently, a strand of hair slipping over her cheek as she looked down at her hands. “No,” she said, her voice a little too quiet for someone who should already feel at home in this house. “Actually I…” A beat of silence. “I didn’t come here for Royce.”

There it was. The words hung in the air like mist, heavy with meaning, with implication, with something neither of them dared name.  Raine’s breath caught in her throat for a moment, her fingers tightening around the armrest of her chair. 

“Oh,” she said after a pause that stretched just a little too long. “Then… what brings you here, Rose?”

Rosalie didn’t answer right away. The maid came in before she could anyway, placing a pot of tea with two cups on the table. The quiet between them settled again after she left, not awkward, but intense, almost like the silence before a storm.

“I just…” Rosalie exhaled slowly, her voice shaky. “I needed to see you.”

The admission was so soft it could’ve been missed, but Raine heard it. She felt it. It wrapped around her like a thread, pulling her in tight.

“Me?” she repeated, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Hale pondered for a while as if searching for a suitable answer. In her opinion there wasn’t anything she could say that would fit this description. She decided to change the topic then. Make sure that she was at least slightly right. 

“Do you ever wonder what it would be like if things were different?”

Raine stilled for a second before she tilted her head, looking at Rosalie with interest. She wasn’t expecting a different question but an answer to hers, a confirmation of her assumptions. She didn’t want to push her, however, so she just went with it. “Different how?”

Rosalie didn’t answer immediately. Instead she looked at something behind Raine’s head, as if the painting on a wall was the most interesting thing in that moment. “If we had met under different circumstances. If things weren’t so… complicated.”

King felt her breath hitch but quickly masked it with a quiet chuckle. “I try not to think about impossible things.”

Rose’s lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, she only offered a small nod. “Right. Impossible.”

This small interaction, the otherwise planned question, made her think. It was dangerous, that kind of thought. It went right along the edge of what Raine was allowed to feel, or worse, want. But there was a weight behind Rosalie’s words that couldn’t be ignored. Like they were here, in Rochester, but belonged to some other parallel universe that neither of them had access to. And yet she, both of them , could imagine it vividly.

She sat up a little straighter in her seat, trying to keep a refined posture but failing miserably. She also tried not to stare, but Rosalie had a way of pulling her gaze in like gravity. Her eyes traced the soft angles of her face, memorizing the subtle crease in her brow, the way her lashes lowered when she was deep in thought. Raine told herself it was just curiosity, just observation — the same way both her and Carlisle watched the painting of a woman behind them. 

Most people don’t look at something, someone, so intensely when they’re simply ‘observing’.

Jolene said those words to her during the banquet and now she finally understood what she meant by it. None of this was ever going to be completely innocent or platonic. Raine was meant to fall for Rosalie and the way she carried herself since their very first meeting and that, more than anything, terrified her. It didn’t matter if she wanted it or no, fate intertwined them together a long time ago and they have yet to realise that. 

To her they were just confused friends who met under wrong circumstances.

But to the universe they were much more. Two souls bound together. Fated hearts. 

Soulmates.

They didn’t know it yet as life loved to play tricks even people who were sure they lived a perfect life. It brought Rose together with Royce when Mrs. Hale sent her all dressed to the bank where her father worked, and pointed Ezra towards Raine when their engagement was announced, but no one ever said that one’s partner had to be the last. It was almost as if no matter how long or good the other relationships were, the pull was inevitable. Raine was starting to get a slight idea of it when she recalled Jolene’s words and when she thought about how weird it was for her to feel that strong of a pull towards someone so early on, while Rose couldn’t stop thinking about how better, how more at ease she felt when she was around King. It was much different from how it was with Royce — he treated her like a beauty queen and she made her feel human.

The silence between them stretched, occasionally disrupted by the clink of porcelain as Raine slowly filled their cups with tea. It wasn’t uncomfortable, however, but quite enjoyable and soothing. Maybe they couldn’t find answers to their questions in it, but they could at least find a bit of comfort. 

King gently pushed one of the cups towards the blonde, a soft smile on her face and their fingers brushed for a brief moment. The contact was entirely accidental, it had to be, but it still sent a ripple down her spine. Hale’s eyes met her in an instant as a response, startled and unsure. There was something oddly familiar in her gaze that Raine recognized. Hunger, maybe. Or perhaps the restrained longing and hesitancy. A mirror of her own emotions.

“I think about it too, you know,” she whispered, suddenly getting enough courage to continue their conversation. “What it would be like if things were different.”

Rosalie’s head turned then, slowly, as if afraid of what she might see in Raine’s expression. “And what do you see?” she asked.

“Honestly? I don’t know.” It was the truth. This time she didn’t feel forced to lie or to hide anything that was going on in her mind. She felt bare and vulnerable in the presence of Rosalie, but somehow safe in it too. And it made her want to tell her everything . “But what I know is that I can’t seem to get you out of my mind.”

The confession took a lot of bravery and, for a split second, Raine didn’t believe she said those words out loud.

But she did. And there was no going back.

Rosalie’s breath caught in her throat, her finger still wrapped tightly around the cup of tea she didn’t even try. The warmth emanating from the drink had nothing on the heat rushing to her cheeks and yet she didn’t look away. Not this time.

Something between them changed in that moment. Like a secret that got cracked open.

Her voice trembled as she answered, “I thought it was just me.”

It wasn’t loud. It didn’t have to be. Rosalie’s words settled between them silently and Raine’s lips parted slightly. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, pounding against her ribs like it wanted out, like it needed to leap forward and meet Rosalie’s halfway. .And in that suspended moment, it felt as though the whole world around them had gone quiet.

I thought it was just me.

“I don’t know what to do with this,” Raine admitted, her voice quieter, heavier. “With you.”

She sighed. “What I feel…” she paused, not sure if she should only speak for herself at that moment. “What we feel doesn’t even matter now. You’re getting married to Royce and I’m supposed to become a wife of someone I haven’t seen since childhood. A stranger.”

They both knew that, unfortunately, she was right. 

“But then again, you make me forget what I’ve been taught to want and to do,” she said softly. “And I don’t know if that’s a blessing or a curse.”

Rosalie chuckled dryly and then got up from her seat to join Raine on the loveseat. She moved carefully, as if unsure, but didn’t back out. The King heiress shivered when the blonde sat beside her as she felt her touch on her skin — there wasn’t too much space so they had to 

She turned to face her, a soft smile on her face. The proximity was dizzying, yet comforting. It was much different from how she felt at the balcony that day. This time she craved this closeness, dreamt about it at night when she actually got a good night of sleep. 

“You say that,” Rosalie whispered, “But you don’t seem cursed to me.”

Raine’s breath faltered. Her gaze dropped to Rosalie’s lips for a moment too long, and the realization of it made her look away. “Maybe not,” she said, “But it feels like I’m standing at the edge of something. And if I fall, I don’t know where I’ll land.”

Rosalie tilted her head, watching her. “Then don’t fall,” she said. “Not unless I fall with you.”

It was too much. Too honest. Too dangerous.

And still, Raine found herself whispering back, “Would you?”

Rosalie’s eyes met hers then. She didn’t answer with words and hesitantly reached out and tucked a loose strand of Raine’s hair behind her ear, instead Her fingers lingered near her jaw.

“I think I already have,” she said.

King raised her hand and let her fingers brush over Rose’s jaw. “You shouldn’t say things like that,” Raine murmured. “I’m trying so hard not to hope.”

“But I don’t want to lie anymore,” she replied.

Raine leaned in before she could stop herself, drawn in not by desire but by something deeper. Her forehead touched Rosalie’s, barely grazing, as though asking permission through proximity. And Rosalie didn’t move away.

This time Hale was the one to speak first. “It’s dangerous, isn’t it? What we’re doing right now?”

“It is. And I-” Raine hesitated, moving away from Rosalie. Her gaze fell on her lips again, just for a second, and then focused on something on the opposite wall. “I can’t do this to Royce, Rose. He’s my brother, after all. Family.”

Rosalie nodded slowly, her expression clouded with something that looked like both understanding and devastation. “I know,” she whispered. “I wouldn’t ask you to. But now I’m also not so sure if I can get myself to marry him.”

The space between them felt even heavier now, as if every unspoken word they didn’t allow themselves to say filled the air with weight. “I just needed you to know,” Rosalie continued after a beat. “Before everything gets too far. Before it’s too late to say any of it.”

Raine looked at her with a sad smile. “I’m glad you did. And I too want you to know that even if it all is so new and unusual to me, and even if we don’t know each other for long, the moment I heard about my engagement all I could think about is that I would prefer to marry you instead of Ezra.”

The attraction turned into something more pretty quickly and it made Raine feel terrible about it, but she couldn’t stop her heart’s needs. But now, somehow, when she said it outloud and realised that none of it can ever go past the drawing room or the already intimate enough touch, she felt even worse.

Rosalie laid her head on Raine’s shoulder with a sigh. “I guess we’re both in trouble now.”

“That we are,” King forced a laugh and took a deep breath, wrapping her arm around the blonde’s shoulders. And they stayed like this for a while, waiting for her family to come back to actually say their goodbyes. Because even if they couldn’t fall for each other now, or possibly ever, they both would never forget that conversation.

No matter what.