The Tipping Point

Chapter 20



EMELIA

The moment Keiran’s words left his mouth, I felt my heart leave my body. It was over—everything. There was no way I could explain this mess to Keiden. How do you tell someone you tried to poison them, even if it wasn’t your choice? How do you admit that it was his own brother who forced you into it?

My throat tightened, and no matter how hard I tried to speak, the words refused to come. I felt like I was choking on my fear.

Keiran’s grip on my arm tightened, sending a sharp ache through my wrist. “What’s the matter, little wolf? Tongue-tied all of a sudden?” His voice dripped with mockery, his eyes glinting with satisfaction at my silence.

I bit my lip, forcing back the panic clawing at my chest. Say something. Anything.

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whispered, my voice weak. “Please, just let me go.”

Keiran’s laugh was cold and sharp, cutting through me like a knife. “Oh, come on. Playing the helpless little damsel now, huh? You really think that’s going to work?”

I yanked my arm back, trying to free myself, but his grip was too strong. “I swear, I don’t know anything! I was drugged and kidnapped—I don’t even know why I’m here or what this is about. I just want to be left alone!”

The words spilled from my mouth in a desperate rush. “I’ve had enough! I don’t want any more trouble—I just need rest!”

I gave one final pull and managed to wrench my arm free. My wrist throbbed, but I hugged it to my chest and lowered my head, hoping Keiran wouldn’t grab me again.

Keiden’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and angry. “You heard her. Leave her alone, Keiran.”

I looked up to see Keiden take a step closer, his body tense, ready for a fight. The heat of his anger radiated off him, and for a second, I felt a flicker of safety.

Keiran smirked, lifting his hands in a mock show of surrender. “Always so quick to defend her, huh, brother? I wonder how long that’ll last once you know the truth.”

Keiden’s jaw tightened, and his voice dropped dangerously low. “Then tell me. If you know something I don’t, stop playing games and just say it.”

Keiran’s smirk only deepened, as if he was savoring the moment. “You’ll find out soon enough. And when you do, you won’t thank me for introducing you to her.”

Keiden growled under his breath, the sound sending shivers down my spine. “Stop with the riddles, Keiran. You told me she was the best thing that ever happened to me. Now you want me to believe she’s dangerous? Why the sudden change?”

Keiran’s eyes flicked to me, full of disgust. “Because I didn’t know what kind of traitor she was back then. But now? Now I’ve seen her true colors.”

Keiden stepped closer, frustration etched into every line of his face. “If you know something, tell me now. Stop dragging this out!”

Keiran just chuckled, his expression smug. “Don’t worry, brother. You’ll figure it out soon enough.” He leaned in, dropping his voice to a whisper that made my blood run cold. “And when you do, let’s see if you still look at her the same way.”

With that, Keiran turned on his heel and walked off, his laughter hanging in the air like a curse.

“Keiran!” Keiden called after him, but he didn’t bother to answer.

The silence that followed was unbearable. Every second stretched too long, the weight of Keiden’s gaze crushing me.

“What the hell was that all about?” Keiden demanded, his voice rough with confusion and anger.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it. “I… I don’t know,” I stammered, the lie feeling heavy on my tongue. “I didn’t do anything to him. I swear, Keiden—I’m innocent.”

He didn’t respond right away. His sharp eyes studied me like he was trying to peel back every layer of me, searching for the truth. I hated how exposed I felt under his gaze.

“If you’re innocent,” he said slowly, his voice dangerously low, “then why is my brother calling you a traitor? Why would he say something like that?”

My breath hitched, and I shook my head frantically. “I don’t know! I swear, I didn’t do anything wrong!”

But the words felt weak, even to me. I could see the doubt in Keiden’s eyes, and it terrified me.

He stepped closer, towering over me. “I’m warning you, Emelia. If you’re lying to me—if I find out that you’ve betrayed me…” His voice dropped to a cold whisper. “I won’t show you mercy.”

A shiver ran down my spine, and I fought to keep my legs from trembling.

“I’m not lying,” I whispered, my voice barely holding together. “I would never hurt you.”

For a moment, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not, and that uncertainty gnawed at my soul.

Finally, he let out a sharp breath and ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to shake off the weight of everything. “Fine,” he muttered. “Let’s say I believe you—for now. But if you try anything…” He didn’t need to finish the threat. I knew exactly what he was capable of.

I nodded quickly, desperate to end the conversation. “I understand.”


“It’s time to go.” I blinked in surprise when Keiden suddenly turned to me, his expression sharp and unreadable.

For a moment, I just stared at him, confusion swirling in my mind. Go? Already? The party had barely started. I glanced toward the grand hall, where music still played faintly in the background, the murmurs of laughter and chatter seeping into the night air.

“But…” I hesitated, biting my lip before gathering the courage to speak. “The party just started. Why are we leaving so soon?”

He cast me a sidelong glance, his eyes dark, unreadable. “I already got what I came for,” he said simply, as if that explained everything.

“But—”

“There’s no reason to stay,” he interrupted, his voice low and clipped. “Besides, the party’s boring.”

His words carried a finality that warned me not to push further. I swallowed back any arguments and gave a small nod. “Okay.”

Don’t argue. Just nod. Stay quiet. I repeated the words like a mantra in my head. Keiden wasn’t someone you questioned—not when his mood was like this.

Without another word, he turned and started toward the waiting carriage. I followed silently, the soft click of my shoes against the stone path the only sound between us.

When we reached the carriage, Keiden opened the door with a sharp flick of his wrist, and I climbed inside. The seat felt cold beneath me, the interior dim and silent as the night closed in around us. He slid in beside me, shutting the door behind him with a muted thud.

The carriage jolted forward, and we were on our way.

The silence between us was thick, suffocating. I stole a glance at Keiden, but his expression remained unreadable, his gaze locked out the window as if he were miles away. His presence was overwhelming, filling the small space with tension so thick it was hard to breathe.

I shifted uncomfortably, turning my attention to the sky outside. The moon hung heavy and bright, casting a silver glow over the clouds that drifted lazily across the night. I found myself tracing their shapes with my eyes, desperate for something—anything—to distract me from the unbearable quiet between us.

What is he thinking? I wondered, sneaking another glance at him. But his face was a mask, giving nothing away.

The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels over the dirt road was the only sound, and I couldn’t help but think that if a pin dropped right now, we’d both hear it.

Time dragged on, every second stretching into an eternity. Just when I thought I couldn’t stand the silence any longer, the carriage slowed, the familiar creak of the gates signaling our arrival.

We were home.

Keiden didn’t wait for the coachman to open the door. He pushed it open himself and stepped out into the cool night air without so much as a word. I followed quickly, eager to escape the suffocating silence of the carriage.

The house loomed before us, dark and still. The only sound was the crunch of gravel beneath my shoes as I hurried to keep up with him. I had barely made it up the front steps when his voice cut through the stillness behind me.

“Pack your things.”

I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. Slowly, I turned to face him.

“What?” I whispered, unsure if I’d heard him right.

Keiden’s gaze was cold, his voice steady but sharp. “We’re moving. Out of this place. We leave tonight.”

I stared at him, my mind racing to catch up. “Moving? But… why? Where are we going?”

“To a new city,” he replied curtly, as if that was all the explanation I needed.

My thoughts scrambled, trying to make sense of his sudden decision. A new city? What city? Why? None of this made any sense.

I took a shaky breath. “Keiden, I don’t—”

“There’s nothing for you to pack, is there?” he interrupted, his tone laced with cold amusement. “No property. No belongings. Not much to your name at all.”

I flinched at his words, the truth of them cutting deeper than I expected. He wasn’t wrong—there was nothing of mine here. Nothing I could call my own.

But still, the abruptness of it all left me spinning. “I just… I don’t understand. Why now?” I dared to ask, even though I knew it wasn’t wise but I just had to ask.

Keiden’s jaw tightened, the muscle in his cheek flexing as he shot me a look that sent a chill down my spine. “Does it matter?” he asked, his voice dangerously low. “You have nothing tying you to this place, Emelia. We’re leaving. First thing tomorrow, and you should be glad I have the thought of taking you along with me.”