Aurora’s Pov I felt like a new born who was just seeing the world for the first time. I could not help it, after being blind for three years, it was a privilege to see again. I held the cake I had bought to celebrate the recovery of my sight with my fiancee Nathan. He had been supportive to me for the past three years and I wanted to show him how grateful I was. It was also his birthday so it was a double celebration for us. “You seem to be in high spirit ma’am,” The cab driver commented as he stopped in front of the estate Nathan and I shared. “Yes I am,” I answered as I gave him his money and came outside. The weather suddenly changed and it started drizzling. I quickened my footsteps as the drizzling rain turned into a downpour. I got inside quickly and opened the door with excitement. I rushed in happily but the scene I met stopped me in my tracks. My mouth fell open as I continued to stare at the scene in front of me. I blinked several times to check if I was hallucinating but no matter how much I close my eyes and opened them, the scene never changed. Right before my eyes was my fiancee kissing and smooching another woman. My hands clutched tightly to the cake. My clothes were drenched from the rain because I had used them to cover the cake so it would not be ruined by the rain. I stood there motionlessly until Nathan finally noticed me. He looked at me with desires in his eyes but they were not for me. “Aurora is here, let’s reduce our noise,” He said in a teasing tone to the woman as he crushed his mouth to hers. I knew I could not tell him the goodnews because of what I had witnessed so I continued to act blind while I watched painfully as they continued their romance. After a while, the woman detached herself from Nathan and sighed. “Relax babe, Aurora is blind so there is no need for us to be careful because she won’t be able to notice anything,” The woman whispered to Nathan but I could still hear it. Hearing her voice, I then knew who she was. Vanessa Sinclair. She was Nathan’s business partner. She often visited so while I could recognize her voice, I could not recognize her face because I was blind. Nathan reluctantly let go of her and faced me. He thought I was still blind so he pretended to see me for the first time. “Aurora! How are you doing? Why is your clothes wet and what are you doing here? I thought you went abroad for treatment and would not be coming back anytime soon?” He asked faking concern into his voice. Vanessa scoffed and went to sit on a chair as she watched us. I felt like plucking out his eyes but I had to reign in my emotions. There was too much at stake so I could not act rashly. “I came back early so I can celebrate your birthday,” I answered forcing a smile on my face. “Oh, you should not have bothered, it’s not a big deal, getting your eyesight back is more important,” He said. “What happened to your voice? Why are you sounding like this?” I asked with fake concern as I noticed the hoarseness in his voice. “I caught a cold,” He stated coldly. I could see that he was already getting impatient with me because he could not wait to continue his romance with Vanessa. I was about to say something when he spoke again. “You know what, why don’t you help me get my cold medicine from the coffee table,” He instructed. I saw Vanessa stifle her laughter and I wandered what was amusing to her until I reached the coffee table and understood why. There was no medicine on the table. Instead, what I saw was a box of condom. I gritted my teeth and balled my hands into a fist. The bastard! He was testing me to know if I was truly blind. I smiled bitterly to myself. I will make him believe that I was still blind to make him lower his guard so I can plan my next move. My hand trembled as I picked up the box and gave them to him. “Thank you Aurora,” He said with mockery in his voice while Vanessa could barely contained her laughter. “How did you get a cold?” I ask. “I don’t know, the weather maybe,” He answered dismissively. “Oh, okay,” I replied. “It’s nothing to concern yourself with, I just need to rest,” He said and gestured to Vanessa. She stood up and walked to his outstretched arms. He carried her in bridal style while she giggled quietly. I watched him carry her into the bedroom, our bedroom. He got to the door and turned back. “You need to rest Aurora, I don’t want you to fall sick and don’t worry, we will celebrate the birthday together later at night,” He informed me and walked inside the room. I slumped on the floor as I heared the door click shut inside. The tears came swift and fast and I clutched my chest tightly. Three years ago, I had lost my eyesight in an attempt to rescue Nathan when he was kidnapped. He had promised to take care of me and be the eyes I would use to see. To prove his loyalty, he had taken it upon himself to take care of my mother’s hospital bills. I had believed him, I had trusted him but here he was, cheating on me without remorse. I wanted to expose him but when I thought of my mother and the fear of him retaliating, I knew I had to calm down and bid my time. I cleaned my eyes and went to the bathroom to wash my face. I washed my face and cleaned it with tissue. I was about to discard the tissue in the waste bin when my eyes fell on something inside. I picked it up and saw that it was a pregnancy test strip and it was positive. I covered my mouth in shock at the realization. Vanessa was pregnant!

Aurora’s Pov I staggered back to the sitting room and sat on the floor. I was too shocked and heartbroken to think. Just then, Nathan came out of the bedroom half naked. His body was covered with kisses marks and bruises and I did not need anyone to tell me what had occurred in the bedroom. Vanessa followed closely behind him completely naked. She held his arms smiling contentedly. It was obvious they were no longer trying to hide their affair. They thought I was still blind so they did not see any reason to hide it. I was too dazed to say anything. I just watched them in silence as my heart kept breaking into tiny pieces. They noticed the way I was looking and Nathan approached me. “What is wrong Aurora? You look pale, are you okay?” He asked. I knew he was not being sincere but seeing him act all loving, I felt repulsive. I didn’t say anything and he tried to touch me but I quickly pulled back. I could not bear the feeling of his dirty hands on me. Those hands that had once filled me with pleasure now made me want to throw up. “Aurora, is everything alright?” He asked again. I noticed the awkwardness and pulled myself together. I decided to bait him. “I’m fine but when are you going to announce our engagement?” I inquired. He was taken aback by the sudden question and was at lost for what to say. “I.. I…well, I am not yet ready, there is no rush,” He stammered as he spoke. I smiled bitterly in my heart at the lie. I had already seen the condescending look on his face and that was when I knew that he had always looked at me like that, I was blind then so I could not see it. He was no longer hiding his reaction in front of me because he thought that I could not see him. He was already cheating and she was pregnant, so there was no reason for him to announce a blind girl to the world as his fiance. “Alright, I understand,” I answered with forced smile. “There will be a grand party tonight to celebrate Nathan’s birthday so prepare,” Vanessa informed me with mockery in her tone. *** I had thought it was going to be a small party but Vanessa was obviously not playing when she said it was ‘a grand’ party. They were influential people in attendance and from the look of things, it was obvious that they were aware of Nathan’s relationship with Vanessa. I was the only one in the dark. They had gone public with their relationship. No wonder Nathan did not want to announce our engagement. When people asked him who I was at the party, he told them I was his adopted sister. Vanessa even wore my clothes and jeweleries since they were certain that I was blind. “Oh, it’s such a pity that you are blind, this banquet is everything!” Vanessa gushed beside me. I could not understand what her problem was but I was not in the mood to answer her. “Yes, it would have been a fine sight to see,” I answered dryly. It was obvious that my reaction was not what she was expecting as I saw anger flashed in her eyes. She smiled coldly and touched my necklace that she was wearing. “And you won’t believe how perfectly well this necklace suit me. If only you could see it.” She said but I only smiled at her. I understood now that she was trying to provoke me. I did not know what she hoped to achieved by that but I was not going to fall for her schemes. “You know, this necklace is actually for you and even the clothes I’m putting on. Alexander told me to wear them because it would be a waste to leave them for you because you will not be able to appreciate their beauty due to your blindness,” She added. I knew she deliberately mentioned Alexander’s name to get me worked up but I was already too heartbroken and feeling betrayed to care anymore. Vanessa became frustrated when she saw that I still remained calm despite her best effort to get me rilled up. She looked at me with a knowing smirk in her face and I knew she was up to no good. I wondered what she was going to do when she clicked her glass slightly, drawing everybody’s attention. “I have an announcement to make everyone,” She said and the room fell silent. “Nathan and I are expecting a child! I’m pregnant!” She announced with exaggerated cheerfulness and I almost choked. I saw Nathan cast a worried glance at my direction but it was brief as he was surrounded by people congratulating him. I took this as a good opportunity and went to meet Nathan. “Nathan, why don’t we break off our engagement because there is no need to keep this up between us and nobody even knew in the first place that we are engaged,” I suggested calmly to Nathan who was still shocked by Vanessa’s sudden announcement. He turned to me and the shock on his face changed to rage. “What are you thinking?” He asked me coldly. “Nothing, I just want to make things easier for you and Vanessa,” I answered in the same calm tone. Nathan ruffled his head in frustration as he tried to calm himself down. “Look Aurora, it’s not what you are thinking, Vanessa is lying, just believe me okay, I don’t know why you would ever think that I would leave you for another woman, you are supposed to trust me,” He said trying to gaslight me. I knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to guilt trip me into believing him but I already saw the evidence of Vanessa’s pregnancy so there was no need. I almost laughed at his pathetic act but I knew I was powerless to confront him head on. “Nathan, it’s okay, I’m not angry, I just want what’s best for you,” I told him. He let out an exasperated sigh and was about to say something when the door opened. A powerful man entered the banquet hall and everyone became stunned.

Aurora’s Pov I was stunned just like everyone by the man’s presence but for a different reason. I was stunned by the sheer handsomeness of the man and the confident way in which he carried himself but when I looked around, I saw the fear on everyone’s face. I could not help but wonder who this powerful strange man was that had the power to make a room full of influential people to become suddenly quiet. I glanced at Nathan and saw the fear in his eyes. So there was finally someone who the great Nathan Wolfe was afraid of. This was becoming more interesting. I was grateful at that moment for the blind act I was putting on. It made me able to observe things without being noticed. “What’s going on here? I was told this is a birthday banquet but it’s feeling more like a funeral,” The strange man said. His cold voice boomed inside my ears sending shivers down my spine. There was authority and power in the way he spoke. Everyone still kept looking at him in fear including Nathan but after a few moments, he regained his composure. “Matteo Moretti! What are you doing in my party?” Nathan asked. I knew he was trying to act courageous but deep down, he was shivering with fear. The strange man Matteo seemed to noticed and he only smiled but the smile did not reach his eyes. “What? Am I not invited,” He asked Nathan in an almost teasing tone. There was tension in the room but Nathan quickly smiled to easy the tension. “Of course you are welcome, it’s just that I was not expecting a man of your importance to grace my small party,” Nathan answered and burst into laughter. The rest of the people also joined in the laughter. “It’s a privilege to have you at my birthday banquet,” Nathan said and Matteo smiled. “Thank you! Now let’s have fun!” He intoned. The tension seemed to dissipate a bit as everyone started moving slowly again. I heaved a sigh of relief and bent my head. I was still thinking about who the stranger was. I had not heard that name Sebastian Hale before. Had the world really changed in the three years that I was blind? I was lost in my thoughts when I felt someone staring at me. I raised my head up and was startled to see Matteo’s cold blue eyes boring into my face. I flinched and tried my best to pretend that I could not see him but somehow, I felt he knew that I could see him. “Who is that?” I heard him asking Nathan. “Oh, her name is Aurora, she is my adopted sister,” Nathan answered as he turned to me. “She is blind so she is not able to see you,” Nathan quickly explained to cover up for my silence. “Really? That’s interesting,” Matteo noted and gave me a knowing smile. I swallowed hard and was wondering what I should do next when Vanessa stepped in. I was almost grateful for her interference until I heard what she had to say. “Matteo, why don’t we make the party fun again by asking Aurora to dance for you,” She suggested. Heat burned into my face and I blushed in embarrassment. I knew Vanessa was not happy with things being out of her control so she was using me as a scapegoat. “Yes, we need the entertainment and Aurora can provide that,” Nathan readily agreed. I could see that he did so because he was still angry with me for having the audacity to tell him to break our engagement. He was trying teach me a lesson so that I will know that he is the boss. I knew that Nathan was not angry because I suggested we cancel our engagement, in fact, I knew that was what he wanted but he was angry because I was the one who suggested it and not him. I had always known that Nathan could be ruthless when he want to be but he had always been acting nice to me so I almost forgot this side of him. He was pained that I could think of leaving him when he was the one who was supposed to leave me. It was too much for his overinflated ego to take. “Wow, won’t she be shy?” Matteo asked clearly enjoying the drama. “She is blind anyways, so there is no need for her to be shy since she can’t see anyone,” Nathan answered. He knew I could not refuse because I was a nobody here and that no one would stand up for me. “Aurora, come and dance for our guest!” Vanessa ordered. I almost cried at this point. They were doing everything to humiliate me and I could see the disgusting looks the people around were giving me. With no hope in sight, I walked to the stage as my last shred of dignity shatter. Just as I was about to climb the stage, Matteo’s voice stopped me. “I don’t mind dancing a duet,” He said and the room fell silent. Everyone watched in shock as Matteo walked to me and held my hands. I recoiled instinctively but he held me tightly and drew me closer to himself. “You better dance!” He whispered in my ears. His voice was as cold as his icy blue eyes. I knew I had to choice but to dance with him. He was already saving me from embarrassment so this was a way of paying him back. The music started and we began to dance. Matteo was a good dancer, I would give it to him. All through the dance, he held me close and I felt warmth as our body touched. It was a feeling I had never felt before. I felt my legs wobble but Matteo was quick to hold me. His movements was perfect and swift. After the song ended, everyone started clapping. “Thank you sir,” I said to Matteo and I was about to go when he drew me back. My head landed on his solid chest and my heart raced. He lifted my face to him and before I could comprehend what was happening, he crushed his lips to mine and kissed me.

Aurora’s pov I heard the people gasped in shock and I tried to pull back but Sebastian did not let go. His mouth took mine in a possessive manner. There was nothing calm about the kiss. It was hungry, bruising and obsessive. He only stopped when he noticed that I was beginning to gasped for breath. He released me in a gentle manner that was the direct opposite of the kiss. I felt dizzy and has to hold him for support. When I finally steadied myself, I saw everyone looking at us still shocked and I almost wished for the ground to open and swallow me. “What was the meaning of that Sebastian? How could you do that?” Nathan shouted angrily. “Why can’t I do that?” Sebastian questioned. “Besides, she belongs to me now so I’m taking her with me!” He announced. I gasped in shock, same with everyone in the room. “No! You are not taking her with you!” Nathan objected. Sebastian did not look fazed by Nathan’s refusal. He simply flashed that same cold smile. “Why not? You told me she is your adopted sister and besides, you already have your woman who is pregnant with your child,” Sebastian calmly reminded Nathan. Nathan was speechless and did not know what to say. “Good! I don’t think there should be any objections,” He simply said and dragged me away. I tried to stop him but compared to Sebastian, I was like a small fly. “Stop! Let me go!” I protested. It was as if I was talking to a stone. He did not even behave like he heard me. He kept dragging me until we got to a door, he opened it and threw me inside. I could no longer pretend to be blind, fear gripped my heart as I realized that it was only the two of us in the room. “What do you want from me?” I asked him scared. If I thought Nathan was scary, Sebastian was a hundred times worse. He walked towards me but I moved back. He kept walking towards me and I kept moving back until my back touched the wall and I knew I had met a dead end. He got closer and I recoiled. “Let me go please! I’m just a poor blind girl with nothing to offer you sir,” I pleaded with my eyes closed. Sebastian burst into laughter and my eyes flew open. “Blind? Really? Let’s see how true that is,” He said and rushed to me. I screamed and closed my eyes in fear as he placed his hands on the wall above my head. “Look at me!” He ordered and my eyes flew open instantly. “Are you really blind?” He asked with dead coldness. “Yes..sir..I…am..” I stuttered as I lied. Sebastian scoffed in mockery. “Since you insist on lying, why don’t I put my fingers into your eyes and see your reaction,” He suggested in an almost playful tone. “Ah! Sir! Please no!” I shouted but Sebastian held my two hands with one hand and placed them on the wall above my head. He brought his other hand forward towards my eyes. My heart began to beat faster. I had just regained my sight. There was no way I was going to lose them again just because I was trying to put up an act. From the look of things, Sebastian was not a man to joke around. If he said he was going to poke my eyes, he was really going to. I had no choice but to tell him he truth. “I’m sorry sir! I’m not blind please! I was blind three years ago but after getting treatment recently, I was able to see. I didn’t want Nathan to know I caught him cheating with Vanessa so I decided to continue to act blind, please sir, forgive me for lying,” Tears streamed down my face as I exposed everything. Sebastian stopped with his finger midway to my eyes. He smiled coldly. “Now, that’s better, you should learn that Sebastian is not a stupid man, I can tell truth from lie from a distance,” He boasted. I was too drained to say anything, I only nodded my head in silence. He released my hands and I slumped to the floor. My legs were too exhausted to keep me standing straight. “Stand up! We have things to discuss,” He ordered. I did not wait for him to repeat himself before I forced my already tired legs to stand. The room was silent and the tension was so thick that a knife could cut through it. “So, sir, would you have really poke my eyes if I had refused to say the truth?” I managed to ask trying to break the silence. Sebastian smiled coldly at me. “Yes,” He answered simply. I instantly went pale, he noticed my reaction and laughed. “Don’t worry Aurora, we are going to spend a lot of time together and you will come to know who Sebastian Hale really is and how ruthless he can be,” Sebastian told me. I could hardly believe my ears, was this man really boasting about being ruthless and heartless? Who exactly was he? “Who are you sir?” I dared to ask him. “You will find out soon enough,” He answered dismissively. I was not happy with the way he was treating me and how he was putting me on suspense. “What do you want from me sir?” I asked him. “Simple! You are going to be my wife,” He answered. “What?” I shouted in shock. “Yes,” He continued without even acknowledging my shocked reaction. “We are going to get married but it will be just for six months. It’s a contract marriage and trust me you will be well compensated.” He said but I was still too shocked to say anything. “You will be treated with the respect that comes with being Sebastian Hale’s wife and I will help you bring those that humiliated you like those two under your feet but there is a condition,” He explained. “What condition?” I asked after I finally found my voice. “You must keep up your act of blindness in public!” He answered.

Aurora’s Pov “What?” I asked in disbelief. “What is the problem? You are already pretending to be blind so you should not have an issue with continuing the act,” He answered. “No, please sir, I don’t want to marry you,” I pleaded. He looked at me and shook his head. “Aurora, we are going to get married so you are going to address me as Sebastian and not sir!” He instructed. Was this man being serious? Fear gripped my heart and I found myself moving back. “Please sir…” I started to speak but he cut me short. “Aurora!” He snapped and hit the wall. I almost collapsed from fear. “This will be the last time I will warn you! Call me sir again and you will regret it!” He warned. I nodded my head and swallowed hard. “And another thing, when I say something or ask you a question, I expect you to answer and not nod your head like a lizard,” He said. “Is that clear?” He asked. “Yes..si.. Sebastian!” I answered quickly and quietly. “Good!” He said and smiled at me at bit warmly. “But why do you need me to be blind?” I asked him. “That’s because, marrying a blind girl would be good for my image,” He answered with the warmth still in his voice. I decided to take this little opportunity to say my mind. “Please Sebastian, let me go home and think about it,” I suggested. “This isn’t a negotiation Aurora, go home and pack your things because I will be coming to pick you up tomorrow,” He said in a voice that left no room for arguments. I was furious and could not help but curse my bad luck for meeting him but there was nothing I could do. *** When I got back to the estate, I met Nathan alone. Vanessa had not come back with him and I wondered why. Was he angry with her for announcing her pregnancy and exposing their relationship to me? They were the least of my concern at this moment. It was hard to believe that just few hours ago, I was thinking of how to escape from Nathan now, I’m thinking of how to avoid the man that even Nathan was scared of. Whoever was writing the story of my life was certainly a wicked person with no iota of love for me. “Aurora! Thank God you are back, I was already getting worried,” Nathan said as he rushed to me but I pulled back. He noticed my reaction and his expression softened more. “Look Aurora, I know you are angry with me because of Vanessa and I’m really sorry, she was the one who seduced and forced herself on me, I’m really sorry,” He apologized sounding all regretful but I know it was all an act. Nathan was such an animal. He had suddenly turned around to put the blame on Vanessa. If I had not caught him with Vanessa before, I would have believed him with the way he was sounding but I knew better. “Nathan, like I said before, I don’t have an issue with your relationship with Vanessa, in fact, I’m happy for you which is why I wanted us to go our separate ways,” I explained calmly but inside of me was a raging storm. “Can you just stop being stubborn! What is your problem? I already apologized to you, what else do you want?” He shouted. He was already losing his cool. He could not keep up with the regretful act anymore. “Nathan, my response still remain the same and nothing will change it!” I told him. He started laughing as he began to pace around. I became scared because I did not know what his next reaction will be. “I think I know where your sudden confidence is coming from.” He finally spoke after turning around for a while. “It’s because of Sebastian Hale right? Because he kissed you and tried to claim you as his own but let me tell you, you don’t know who he is, a blind, pathetic girl like you will not be able to survive a week by his side,” He hissed in anger. “Look Nathan, Sebastian or no Sebastian, I will still stand by my decision,” I told him totally unfazed by his talks. Looking at Nathan now, I wondered what I had seen in him to have chosen him. To think that I was once madly in love with him made me want to throw up. He appears all cool and good and calm in public but in reality, he was just a decorated beast with money. “I see you are still adamant but don’t forget that your mother’s life lies in my hands,” He boasted. He had threatened me with the one thing he knew I held most important in my life. Fearing for my mother’s life, I quickly left the estate and went to the hospital to check on her myself. I sighed in relief when I noticed that she was still okay. I was too scared to leave her so I spent the night there with her but I could not sleep. The next morning, the door to my mother’s hospital room was flunged open and I saw Nathan come in with a smug look on his face. I became scared and stood in front of my mother. I didn’t know what he had planned but I will never let him harm her. I knew from the look on his face that he was sure he had backed me into a corner and there was nothing I would be able to do. “Don’t you dare touch my mother!” I warned him as he took a step closer. I was silently praying for help to come when I heard noises outside. Before Nathan could say anything, Sebastian walked. I didn’t know if I should be relieved or alarmed because choosing between Sebastian and Nathan was like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. “Nathan! You have no right here because I have taken control of the entire hospital, it’s mine now!” He announced loudly. Nathan was speechless and felt humiliated and he left angrily. A small crowd had gathered around when Sebastian walked in. “Come with me, the nurses will take care of your mother,” Sebastian ordered and without waiting for my response, he took my hand escorted me out of the hospital with everyone watching us. He led me to his car and drove off to his estate. It was two times bigger and better than Nathan’s own. He led me to his home office and gave me a document to fill. “This is the contract form, fill it now!” He said in a voice that left no room for arguments. I knew I could not refuse even if I wanted to. I needed someone to protect my mother and I against Nathan and Sebastian was the best bet. Even if he was like the deep blue sea, I was ready to drown in it if it would keep my mother safe. With my resolve harden and my hands steady, I signed the contract and in that moment, I knew a new life had begun for me.

Aurora’s POV I watched as the hair stylist added a few retouches to my hair, tying it stylishly with a ribbon. To the hair stylist, I was blind. No one else knew I could see except Matteo and his right-hand man. According to Matteo, we could not risk adding extra people to the circle. Tonight was the official engagement party that would tell everyone that we were on the path to marriage. “Your hair looks so nice,” the hairstylist said. “I wish you could see the masterpiece I just worked out with your hair,” the woman added. I could see it. She’s just not aware that I could, and it was meant to be that way. Her work on my hair was truly a masterpiece. I wish I could take an image snapshot, but apparently, that seems to be the last thing on her mind right now. “Thank you, uh….” I trailed off. “Fatima,” she chirped. “Thank you, Fatima,” I replied. She smiled and she left. Waiting a brief moment, I grabbed my phone from the table and took a few selfies. I can’t afford to let these precious moments go to waste. I was going through the selfies when the door opened and Matteo walked through with a man. I remembered him introducing him to me the first day I landed in his estate. “What the hell are you doing?” His face darkened. I met his reflection in the mirror. “Nothing really.” My face was flushed white, and he could see right through me that I was up to something. “What’s that thing in your hand?” He growled. Hesitating, I lifted it slowly until the light caught the black rectangular brick. His reflection in the mirror raised a brow at me, but the other man’s face remained stoic. The first time I saw him, it was easy for me to mistake him for a mannequin until I saw him walk. Now, he was doing it again. Matteo walked towards me and plucked the phone from my hand. I sprang up to my feet to protest when he gave me a look. I stilled, and he dragged his eyes back to the screen. A chuckle spilled from his lips. “Pictures, huh?” His eyes darted between me and the device he was holding. “You really are a beautiful lady, Aurora.” His eyes were glinting with mischief. “But you don’t have to worry. I’m committed to keeping our contract.” I didn’t reply to him. He made a simple face before tossing my phone to the floor. It landed and cracked. I looked sharply at him in shock. “What are you doing?” I almost shrieked. “What I should have done all this while,” he closed the gap between us. “As my wife, you can’t be seen using that cheap thing. I’ll make arrangements for my men to get you a device befitting of who you are.” “But…but the pictures?” I stuttered. “Need not worry,” he croaked. “My cameramen are going to snap you so much that you’d have to beg them to stop.” “Now, if you don’t mind, the engagement gala is not going to attend itself.” He added. I picked up the dark glasses on the dressing desk and slipped them over my eyes before I took his hand. “Whenever I’m not with you, stay close to Arturo as much as possible,” he gestured to the scowling-faced man with him. I nodded. I spared him a glance and I almost fell into the trap of nodding. Regaining my composure, I answered. “Yes, of course.” He tilted his head ever so slightly to the side and added. “That was better than the first time.” When we entered the ballroom, everywhere was filled. This was my first time seeing this number of dignitaries gathered together in one place. I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me that the game was on, and I slipped into my best acting mode. Matteo was commanding the room as he walked in. While the music still played, everybody respected themselves. Voices started to murmur within the hall, the ones behind me more pronounced that the rest of the voices in the hall. “She’s the blind one,” a male voice hushed behind me. “I heard it was an accident,” another man hushed. “No, it seems like….” Matteo had turned around when the voices stopped in an instant. His hands on me were possessive and commanding at the same time, and he dished out subtle instructions as we continued through the party. At some point, I glimpsed Nathan standing with one of the guests, fuming for no reason. I wondered. If he had done the right thing, Matteo wouldn’t have attended the ceremony to whisk me away. Either way, if Matteo hadn’t come for my rescue, the truth of the matter was that we were done. He made his choice, and I made mine. All we need to do now is live with our choices. “Smile,” he commanded as he led me onto the dance floor. I forced a smile on my face. From the way Matteo led me across the dance floor, every head was turning occasionally in our direction. I could interprete from the current situation that the ladies wished they were the ones in my position, judging from the number of glares they threw my way. I was, however, unbothered. This was a contract. Once the details of the agreement were satisfied, we’d all go our separate ways. And they can be free to have him if they want to. As the song ended, Matteo led me off the dance floor to a side of the hall. While we stood there, he greeted a few special guests who walked up to him. I took note of every single face while keeping up with the blind act. Some of the ladies spoke about how I was beautiful I looked. Some of them emphasized that I didn’t deserve the blindness, but the world was against me. I ignored them. “Oh, crap,” Matteo growled. I almost spun around to look at him, but I managed to suppress the action. I followed his gaze to notice a younger man than him who seemed to share the same facial features. I stilled, too.

Matteo’s POV The last person I expected to be at this party was in this ball. Plastered on his face was a smug smile that stretched across his lips. Aurora herself seemed not to be a total loser. She had stiffened as I did. Either she was quite aware of who Leo was and what he was capable of, or she’s got something up that skull of hers. Still, I didn’t think it was worth the risk. Lettting Aurora assume things around here isn’t exactly the smartest of ideas. I should let her know what was going on. “That’s Leo,” I mumbled under my breath. “The only flaw I never take care of, but usually appears at random times to ruin the day. He can notice something wrong a few feet away. You’re going to need to do extra work to convince him,” I added. Aurora didn’t reply. She didn’t even mumble back. She squeezed my hand briefly. I didn’t know her reason for doing that, but at least it was better than nodding like an agama lizard or turning in my direction to meet my eyes subtly. “Leo,” I breathed his name with disgust as he approached. Leo ignored me and turned to Aurora. “Aurora, hmm, you seem…different, unlike what the tabloids say.” “As much as I want to agree with you,” I told him. “I must say, Leo, you’re the last person I expected to see around here.” He spared me a glance. “I know, brother. You always look down on me. Always in the business of underestimating me. What makes you think that I shouldn’t be present at your engagement party?” “You always were weird,” I shot back with a low growl. “I didn’t want to have that kind of suspense around me.” “You do agree with me that suspense is fun,” he croaked. Gently, he picked Aurora’s hand and kissed it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aurora. I believe there are yet many more things I’d come to learn about you. You seem like an interesting subject.” “Careful,” I grumbled. “She bruises easily.” Aurora played her part perfectly, such that if I didn’t know better, I might have been fooled myself. Turning her face to an angle slightly away from where Leo stood, she let a small smile have its way on her lips for a moment. “It’s good to meet you, Mr—” “Leo,” he answered sharply. “Leo Moretti. I’m your husband’s little brother—well, husband to be, I guess.” He turned to me as Aurora nodded like a hypnotized idiot, the smile on her face growing lightly. I frowned at him. He shot a cool smile in my direction, unfazed and unbothered by anything. His hands still held Aurora’s, and I was waiting for him to let her hand go. After a long, lingering moment, he finally let go of her hand. “I shouldn’t be the asshole here, Matteo,” he took a step back. “But I must give it to you, blind or not, she’s lovely. You’ve got good taste, man.” “Back off,” I growled. He shrugged. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he stalked away triumphantly. I watched him disappear into the crowd. “Is he always like that?” Aurora breathed, so low that only I could hear her. I spared her a glance. “Don’t think about it too much. My junior brother can be an asshole when he wants to be. He’s also the last person you want to be messing with. The young man is a mess.” From Aurora’s eyes, I could tell she had more to say, but she swallowed her words. Smart. Like I concluded the other time, she wasn’t a total loser after all. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but I judged this one by the cover. During Nathan’s party when I saw her. She wasn’t doing an excellent job of deceiving those fools, but she wasn’t messing around. And right now, with some raised stakes, she was still handling the job nicely. She could play the role like a pro. At least, I was not wrong in choosing her. The party continued in a blur—I was not a fan of parties. I just realized that sometimes, it helps to get the job done. It saves you from going the long route sometimes, and it meant that most people can use it to assert control. Right now, I was using it to tell everyone that Aurora was mine, at least for the time being. I met Nathan in the crowd, who seemed to have huge trouble finishing a glass of drink. His eyes were directed in our direction. I squeezed Aurora’s hand lightly. “C’mon.” As everything was winding down, I led Aurora to my car with Arturo following closely. Letting her inside, I stopped to have a few words with Arturo. “Did you have any idea that my brother was going to show up today?” I asked. “We made our research,” Arturo’s lips moved, eyes slightly narrowed. “He didn’t look like he was going to show up. Apparently, his flight to the British Isles was delayed a little.” I nodded. “Fine. Right now, you have one mission.” His gaze was laser-focused on me. I met his gaze with the same intensity. “Whatever it will cost,” I said. “Your current life’s mission is to ensure that nothing happens to her.” He nodded once, twice. I gave him a nod and turned away. Joining Aurora in the car, she shot her question without hesitation. “What the hell is going on? Why is your brother acting weird? Why does your conversation with your brother sound like a threat to each other?” I didn’t answer. I didn’t spare her a glance. There was no need to answer all those questions, at least for now. She just needs to do her job, and both of us will be fine. “Why did you let him touch me like that?” She asked. I didn’t want to answer that question. Hesitating, I spilled. “Leo likes to test boundaries. He did that with you.”

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Diana’s POV “Do you want me to put it in deeper?” His cold baritone voice whispered against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I felt the warmth of his breath caress my neck. I didn’t answer—not with words. Instead, I placed my hands on his hips, feeling the soft curve of his dick before pulling him deeper into me. A slow smirk curved his lips. “I see… you want me to go deeper.” Before I could react, he grabbed my wrists and pinned them to the bed, locking them down with his knees. I gasped. The pressure made my fingers crack, the pain sharp—but I was already too far gone. That pain was nothing compared to the overwhelming sensation of pleasure taking over my body. He pushed deeper. Each thrust—deliberate, powerful—was a reminder that this was unlike anything I had ever felt. Not that I had much to compare it to. Not that I had ever even had one. “You want some more?” His voice rumbled through me. I nodded, breathless. He pulled out slowly, raised my hips with one strong hand, and drove himself back in. This time… It felt like the first time all over again. New. Intoxicating. Too much and not enough. Every stroke sent me spiralling— Bliss. Ecstasy. Madness. “Say my name,” he growled, eyes locked on mine as his pace quickened. “Ryan,” I whispered. “Louder.” “Ryan!” I moaned louder, trembling under him. “After this…” He smirked, his voice dark and possessive. “My name will never leave your lips.” He chuckled lowly. Something inside me snapped. I don’t know where the strength came from, but I flipped him over, our bodies moving in one seamless motion. His surprised laugh filled the room. “Now you want to lead?” he teased. I didn’t answer. I straddled him without hesitation, sinking into him with a gasp. My nails dug into his chest, and then— I bit him. Hard. His groan echoed through the room, raw and primal. When he said my name, it came out broken, breathless— The sexiest sound I’d ever heard. In that moment, I knew one thing for sure— He would never forget this night. And neither would I. ***** “Diana! Diana!” My name echoed down the university hallway like an alarm I didn’t want to hear. I kept walking, refusing to turn around. But the voice—loud, persistent, and impossible to ignore—only got closer. “What the hell, Trisha?” I spun around, irritated. “Why are you yelling my name from over there?” I motioned vaguely behind me, not pointing anywhere specific. Trisha caught up, slightly breathless. “I’ve been calling you since the end of class! You wouldn’t answer!” I stared at her flatly. “Uh? Maybe it should’ve occurred to you that I wasn’t in the mood for your non-stop talking and your—stupid—questions.” Trisha was my best friend. Scratch that—my only friend. She was also the daughter of the Alpha’s Beta, which, in theory, should have made her dignified, poised, maybe even a little stuck-up. But Trisha was none of those things. She was loud, messy, unfiltered, and still somehow the one person who’d always stood by me. Sometimes, I wondered how we even became friends. I turned and resumed my walk down the hallway. Destination: the library. “Come on, Diana. Where are you going now?” she asked, trailing behind me. “To the library, of course,” I replied without looking back. “Uh? It’s not even exam time yet.” “Well,” I shrugged, “some of us have parents who don’t hold high ranks in the pack. So, no special treatment.” “Ouch. That hurts.” I ignored her and kept walking, letting the silence stretch. But of course, Trisha couldn’t let it stay that way. “I know you’re trying to avoid me because you don’t want me asking how it went with the cutie from history class,” she teased. “The fact that you’ve been dodging me since last week says a lot.” I stopped walking. “Look, Trisha,” I said slowly, “can you just—chillax? Get off my back. I need to study.” “The exam isn’t for another four months. Why the rush?” I shot her an icy glare that finally made her stop talking. The truth? I didn’t want to talk about it. Not about Ryan. Not about that night. Since then, we haven’t spoken. He hadn’t come to class, and his number had been switched off. Just—gone. Vanished like it never happened. And yeah, maybe I was too quick to fall for him, to get hooked on a pair of piercing eyes and the kind of smile that could ruin a girl for good. But you wouldn’t blame me if you saw him. God, he was fine. And that night… I still felt the imprint of it on my skin, in my bones. I wondered if he thought about it, too. “Tell me what’s wrong, Diana.” “Nothing’s wrong,” I said sharply. “I just need to study. I need to get that scholarship.” My voice softened. “My parents need it, too.” Trisha blinked. “Okay, okay. Slow down. No need to bite my head off.” By the time we reached the library doors, she was still right beside me. “Trisha,” I groaned, “what are you still doing here?” She rolled her eyes. “Um, what does it look like I’m doing? I’m coming to study—with my best friend.” I sighed in frustration and walked in. And then—just as I prayed she wouldn’t bring it up—she did. “Are you excited about Awakening Your Wolf this weekend?” I froze for a second. She just had to bring that up. The real reason I was here wasn’t just to “study.” I was looking for books—anything—about the rare possibility of a child born to omega parents awakening as a beta. Because this Saturday, Trisha and I will both be turning twenty. And unfortunately for us, that day also happened to fall on the full moon. We’d be out in the dark, standing in a sacred circle beneath the stars—alongside the other young adults who’d turned twenty earlier this year. And all eyes would be on me. On what I would become. The girl was born to omega parents. The girl everyone already assumed would amount to nothing. But what if I surprised them? What if the blood in my veins held more than they thought?

Diana’s POV Trisha was not giving up. She kept following me to every shelf I went through. “Come on, Trisha, you’ve got to give me some breathing space.” “Girl, since when did we start giving each other breathing space?” she asked. I sighed. “Look, Trish, I know we are—” “Found it!” she yelled, raising a book. “Found what?” I asked, confused. “Found what you are looking for, Diana,” she said, handing the book to me. Surprisingly, when I saw the title of the book, it was exactly what I had in mind. I was shocked. How the hell did she know that this was why I was worried? “Trisha.” “Diana.” “How did you know that this is what I was looking for?” She took in a deep breath before answering. “It’s obvious, Diana. I am your friend—do you think I wouldn’t know when something is bothering you?” “I am sorry I tried to hide it from you. I just—” “It’s fine, Diana. I get it,” she said, smiling. “I am just gonna go through a few pages and then we’ll go,” I said, tapping the book. “Oh, no problem. Take your time, girl.” About one hour into the book, suddenly, the heavy wooden doors of the library swung open with a dramatic creak that made everyone glance up. And just like that, Ava Storm walked in—like she owned the damn place. Scratch that. She did own the place. Or at least, her father did. She strutted in on designer boots, her Moonbound High blazer draped fashionably over her shoulders like a cape. Her platinum blonde hair shimmered under the dusty rays of sunlight spilling through the tall windows, and her crimson lips curled into a smirk that reeked of mischief. “Gather around, ladies!” she called out, loud and unapologetic. “I’ve got something important to share.” Girls abandoned their books mid-sentence, swarming to her like moths to flame. Only Trisha and I stayed put, unmoved. “She’s at it again,” Trisha muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. Ava’s sharp gaze swept over the room, pausing briefly on us—like we were dust on her manicured nails. Then she flipped her hair and turned her attention back to her loyal swarm. “I turn twenty this weekend,” she said sweetly, her voice laced with arrogance. “And it just so happens to be my first transformation.” Gasps. Giddy whispers. Typical. “Well, guess what? I heard the next alpha of the pack would be at the transformation ceremony too.” Everyone began to giggle. “The next alpha!” Trish exclaimed. I didn’t care about the alpha or anything else. What I was bothered about the most was how my transformation would go. My transformation would determine if my family would be saved from shame or remain in shame. “You know what I also heard?” Ava asked, leaning forward a little and smiling. Everyone was asking. “I heard he’s gonna be choosing his mate and Luna too.” Being the Alpha’s mate was every girl’s dream, including the dream of my friend Trisha, but I was different. I wasn’t like any other girl. I didn’t see myself becoming an Alpha’s mate or a Luna. It wasn’t because I was born to omega parents. I simply never dreamed of becoming a Luna—it just never appealed to me. I could see Trisha smiling. She seemed happy, and I was happy that she was happy. I finally scanned through the book’s table of contents but didn’t find anything that made mention of the possibility of transforming into a beta wolf. So there are different categories of wolves. There is the Alpha, who is the strongest and the leader of the pack. And then there’s also the Alpha of Alphas. Just as the name implies, this is an alpha whose pack is made of only Alphas, and then there are the beta wolves. Beta wolves are the next in line when it comes to strength and power. All Alphas must have a beta wolf as their right-hand man and personal guard as well. The next in line are the omega wolves. These are the weakest of all wolves, just like my parents. Though there are omegas with ranks, these are omegas that have successfully climbed the ladder of strength and have probably levelled up to the beta’s strength. But this is very rare. Despite these levels of wolves, strength still varies depending on the individual and the family and how hard they’ve trained. My parents tried everything they could so they could level up for me, just so they could save me from humiliation and rejection, but all their efforts were fruitless. “Hey Diana, I hear you are also turning twenty on that day.” “Yes, she is, and so am I!” Trish interrupted. “I wasn’t talking to you, bitch.” “Say that one more time and I swear you will regret crossing my path today forever.” Trisha wasn’t just my friend—she was also my protector. Countless times she’s saved me from people who tend to mock me for having two weak omegas as my parents. There were other people with omega parents, but I was the only one with two omega parents. Others had an omega mother and a beta father, or an omega father whose strength already equals that of a beta and a beta mother. One characteristic difference is the eye colour of the three ranks. Alphas have red eyes, beta wolves have golden yellow eyes, and omegas have blue eyes. No matter the amount of level-up, an omega’s eye colour would never change, except there’s a way the omega can become an Alpha wolf. “You’ve got so much nerve, Trisha. Don’t think that my father would take it easy on you because dear daddy is his beta,” Ava chuckled. “I will be counting on it.” The weekend. It came so fast. Mom had woken me up with a happy birthday song, singing and praying for me. But that wasn’t my problem. The transformation ceremony was later tonight. I wasn’t ready. I picked up my phone and there were about ten missed calls from Trisha and about seven happy birthday messages from her. I smiled and called her back to wish her a happy birthday too. We talked for a while and then we ended the call. I spent the rest of the day surfing through the net for stories, folktales, and legends that might talk about the possibility of becoming a beta wolf, but there was nothing. My heart was heavy. I paced back and forth. I was having trouble breathing. The night had finally reached. The one I dreaded the most. All the ladies who turned twenty that day and the ones who had turned during the earlier days of the week were called out and made to stand in a straight line. The boys were made to stand in the other line. Trisha stood by my side, holding and squeezing my hands tightly, assuring me that everything would be fine. After the speech the alpha made, we all stood waiting on the full moon. But before then, I was feeling something strange in my heart, something like a pull. It started small but became stronger as the full moon came out. Suddenly I could hear bones crack. Screams of agony and pain filled the Moonbound square. But then something strange happened.

Diana’s POV My eyes moved from one direction to the other, watching as people began to change under the full moon. Ava had a bright smile on her face. Despite the cracking of her bones, she didn’t even flinch or show any signs of pain. “Is she even normal?” I muttered to myself. I watched as she changed, now on all four legs. Her form was… I don’t even have the right words to describe it. It was massive, beautiful, with white fur and elegant—the best fit for an Alpha’s daughter. She had the best and the biggest form among every other person who had turned. My eyes drifted to where her father, the alpha, and her mother, the luna of the pack, stood. I could see satisfaction in their eyes. Their beloved daughter turned into a beautiful and obviously strong beta wolf, a perfect match for an Alpha’s mate. Honestly, I was jealous. I envied her. Ava had always had everything at her beck and call. She never needed to struggle for anything, and now she had this beautiful form too. Could the universe ever be so unfair? “Aarrrggghhhh!” a loud groan laced with pain came from beside me. Trisha! She was changing too. Her grip became tighter. Her bones cracked loudly, and then slowly her fur began to show. She had silver-colored fur. Very beautiful. My eyes were filled with tears. I was happy for her. She transformed fully, and she was no doubt a beta wolf too. I could tell that her strength was close to Ava’s, if not exactly the same. They both had the best forms. My eyes drifted to my mother and father. I could see them praying to the moon goddess to help me through it. Almost everyone had turned, but nothing was happening to me. Despite still being in her wolf form, her eyes were still encouraging me not to lose hope. She moved closer to me, rubbing her fur against my body, attempting to calm me down. It was hard to be calm. Everyone had now transformed—I was the only one left. What is happening to me? Why am I not changing? I closed my eyes, attempting to force the transformation, but nothing was happening. I looked up at the sky. The full moon was almost gone. They’d soon be asked to shift back into human form… And I still hadn’t changed. I was devastated, frustrated. I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me. People of the Moonbound pack had already started whispering. Some were laughing. One behind me said, “What would you expect from a girl whose parents are the weakest omegas we’ve ever seen?” My heart ached. It raced. “Now that we have our new wol—” “Aaarrrgggghhh!” I screamed out in pain. Finally. I was transforming. I could feel the shocked stares, but the pain I was feeling made it hard to concentrate on them. After a few minutes, I was on all four legs. My eyesight had changed, and I wasn’t standing tall. I knew that it was done. I had transformed. But then laughter echoed from every corner of the square. Why? I wasn’t sure. “Silence, everyone.” I noticed footsteps coming towards me, alongside mocking laughter. What the hell was going on? I screamed in my head. In the blink of an eye, Trisha was in front of me, still in her magnificent wolf form. She roared. I still couldn’t understand what was going on until someone brought out a very large mirror and placed it beside me. Then I saw my form. I wasn’t an alpha, wasn’t a beta, wasn’t even an omega. My fur was a strange, shimmering black tinged with silver streaks—unlike anything I’d seen before. My limbs were too slender, my stance unsteady. I didn’t look like a wolf. I looked… wrong. What was I? An abomination. It’s what you call something that no one knows about or understands. I took a few steps backward. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Everyone mocked and laughed. They called me useless, weakling, abomination. Some even went as far as throwing tiny pieces of rock at me. Though Trisha tried to protect me, they were skilled. They made sure none of the rock pieces hit her because they knew who her father was. But somehow they still found a way to hit me. The full moon was finally over, and everyone turned back to their human form. I felt so ashamed of myself. My heart raced. My stomach churned. “Now, with time, you all will be able to control your shifting.” The alpha paused. His gaze shifted from one person to another until it landed on mine. All I could see was disgust. He had spent time observing every other person, but he barely looked at me. I bowed my head in shame. “Now to the next phase of tonight. Please, all male wolves, could you step aside, leaving only the females at the center?” Some of the males felt too shy to move because they were naked—we all were. Our clothes had been torn off while transforming. They left the center of the square, leaving us females. I didn’t care about what was going on anymore. Tears rolled down my eyes. Trisha tried to calm me down, but I couldn’t help it. My worst fear had happened to me. I had brought more shame upon my parents. “Now, as we all know, I am getting older and as well becoming unfit to lead this pack with my strength. Very soon we will be crowning a new alpha, and right now that alpha is here tonight, and he will be choosing his mate—the one whom the moon goddess had chosen for him.” The girls began to whisper. Ava stood proud, flipping her hair backward like her beauty depended on it. “And now the new Alpha is none other than the great Ryan Wesley, son of the late alpha Gabriel Wesley.” “Ryan,” I muttered. I had quick flashback memories of that steamy night. “Could he be the same Ryan?” I muttered. I shook my head. There’s no way it’s the same Ryan. Besides, Ryan is a common name, so it could be anybody. But deep down, something told me that he was the same Ryan, but I didn’t want to believe it. There was a sudden change in the atmosphere. Like a powerful presence. It came from behind the crowd, up to the center, standing in front of the alpha and bowing his head. “This power,” I muttered. I clutched my chest tightly. There was a pain and a pull towards this individual who was standing in front of us. And just then he turned in our direction. His presence was intoxicating. As I raised my head to get a clearer look at him… There it was. The night that I couldn’t forget was standing in front of me. “Ryan,” I muttered. “Oh my gosh!” Trisha exclaimed. She recognized him too. At that moment, all I wanted was just to die. Ryan is the next alpha? He was here all along. He saw my disgusting form. The pull came stronger, and now that I saw him, I could hear it clearly. Mate! The way he looked at me when he came closer, I could tell he was feeling it too, and he remembered me from that night—no doubts about that. He walked up to me, stood in front of me for a while. In my mind, I knew he was going to choose me. We both had a very beautiful night—that was the basis of my belief. And I knew that if he chose me, my status would automatically change, irrespective of the kind of wolf I am. But to my greatest surprise, he walked past me and went over to where Ava stood, taking her hands and raising them up. “I, Ryan Wesley, take Ava Storm as my one and only mate. She is to be my luna when I eventually become the Alpha of this pack.” I felt a sudden sharp pain hit my chest. My heart skipped beats, and then I was on—

Diana’s POV I still couldn’t believe my eyes. My heart still ached from the whole ordeal of that night. The memory haunted me—it felt like I was going to die. The pain of Ryan’s rejection was still etched deep in my heart. I sat in my room. For days, I had refused to see anyone, nor had I eaten anything in the last three days. All I wanted to do was die. Death felt like the only solution to the shame I felt. How was I going to go back to school and look at everyone, especially Ava Storm? How was I supposed to face those demon-jesting haters at school? Pictures of my wolf form in the mirror haunted me. ‘What an abomination,’ I thought. “Diana, dear, you can’t remain inside forever. You have to come out, please.” Mom’s voice echoed from behind the door, her voice shaky. She hadn’t seen me for three days. I hadn’t even spoken for three days, so they didn’t know if I was dead or alive. “Please, Diana, you have to come out,” Dad’s voice followed. “At least say something to us. Let us know you’re alive,” Mom pleaded. I remained silent. ‘I don’t deserve to be your daughter. The only chance I had to change your status, I destroyed by turning into an abomination,’ I thought. Mom’s tears broke me, but I couldn’t afford to be any form of disgrace to them. “Look, dear, it’s not your fault that you turned into something else. It’s not your fault that you are—” “An abomination,” I muttered. “Please, Diana, you have to come out. You haven’t eaten in days,” Mom begged. Honestly, I didn’t like that I was making them go through this pain, but what could I do? I was an abomination. As if that wasn’t enough, I had tried to beg my way into becoming Ryan’s mate after he chose Ava. Yes, I was that stupid. I know that now—I wasn’t thinking straight. After Ryan had chosen Ava, I went down on my knees, holding his leg and begging him to accept me as his mate. I even went ahead and told the whole pack that we were mated, hoping there would be a change, but everyone looked at me like I was an abomination. Some laughed; others whispered. Ryan had kicked me off like I was some dirty scum, a dangerous leech. Imagine that scenario and place yourself in my shoes. Would you be able to look your parents in the eyes anymore? There was no way I would be able to look them in the eye. Knocks kept coming at my door, but I ignored them. After a while, there was a brief silence, followed by a hard banging sound on my door. The knocking became fiercer, and then the next thing I heard was a loud thud and a rush of wind on my skin. I looked to see what was going on. Lo and behold, it was Trisha James—my only best friend. She had been coming to see me ever since the weekend, but I didn’t open the door for her either. She stops by in the morning before going to school and stops by in the evening before going home. The last time she came, she had promised me that if I wasn’t out, she was going to break down the door. And yes, she did. Typical Trisha—never going back on her word. “What the hell are you still doing, holed up inside here?” she yelled angrily. Mom rushed in, hugging me tightly like a mother hen who had just found her lost chick. “I am so glad you’re alright,” Mom said. “I’m sorry, Mom!” I muttered through tears. “Hush now, dear. You don’t have to be sorry for anything. We, your parents, are supposed to be the ones apologising to you for failing you.” “No, Mom, you didn’t fail me. I was the one who failed you both. I couldn’t—” “Enough of that bullshit, Diana,” Trisha butted in. “Trisha,” I called calmly. She walked swiftly with what looked like wolf speed and grabbed me by the hands. “Mom, I’m sorry, but I have to drag her out to start preparing for school.” “But she hasn’t eaten anything in three days,” Mom said. “Prepare the food. She’s going to eat it when she’s out of the bathroom,” Trisha replied. Trisha dragged me to our bathroom. Of course, she knew where it was—she was my best friend. She knew the ins and outs of my house. But I didn’t know the ins and outs of hers. Her parents never approved of our friendship, but Trisha, being the stubborn, strong-headed girl she was, disobeyed her parents and went ahead to become friends with me anyway. My home was small. Our bathroom was just beside our kitchen. As soon as we got there, Trisha released her grip, and the next thing I saw were her arms around me, hugging me tightly. Through tears in her eyes, she said, “I missed you, Diana. Don’t you ever do this to yourself again.” I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tightly too. She finally released me, urging me to freshen up fast since we were already running late for school. After a few minutes, I was out. I ate the food Mom had prepared, and then we left for school. **** At the school gate, I stood with my heart in my mouth. “Come on, Diana, we have to go in.” “I’m scared,” I muttered. Trisha held my hand. “Don’t worry, I’m here with you.” I took a deep breath and walked through the school gates with Trisha beside me. Everything felt different now. Students stopped talking when they saw me, staring and whispering to each other. My heart was beating so fast as we walked down the hallway. Then I looked up, and there she was—Ava Storm. She was standing by her locker with all her friends around her, looking perfect as always. Her cold blue eyes met mine, and I could see exactly what she was thinking. There was no kindness there, just satisfaction that she had won and I had lost. All the shame from that night came flooding back, and I wanted to disappear.

Diana’s POV “And here comes the abomination,” one of her followers announced. The others burst into laughter. Ava sat on her locker, her cold eyes still watching me. I could literally feel the hatred in her eyes. If only staring could make people disappear, then I would have disappeared—or maybe exploded at the rate she was staring. Trisha held me tightly, drawing me close to her. “And there goes the mother wolf protecting her weak cub,” another girl mocked. The rest burst into mocking laughter. “Don’t you girls have anything better to do with your time?” Trisha shot back at them. “And who the hell are you to talk back to us when we’re talking?” Trisha looked around for a brief moment. “Last I checked, we are all students here—same age and same class,” she replied firmly. “I see you’ve got a lot of nerve, Trisha,” another one said. “Fuck off,” Trisha blurted out. “How dare you—” “That’s enough, everyone,” Ava interrupted, raising her right hand as a signal. Her minions kept quiet. She jumped down from her locker. “It’s surprising that you could still show your face here,” she said, her eyes fixed on me. “Honestly, when I didn’t see you for about three days, I hoped you were dead.” Trisha was about to react with her fist, but I stopped her. Ava looked at Trisha with disdain in her eyes. “Just because you transformed into a striking wolf doesn’t give you the right to challenge me.” “And who are you to tell me what to do?” Ava laughed scornfully. “Did you have memory loss or something? Or do I need to remind you that I am your chosen Luna?” Trisha scoffed. “Please, Ava, could you just let us go? We’re just trying to get to our seats.” “And the abomination can talk!” she said mockingly. Everyone in the classroom laughed out loud. Some mimicked the way I sounded. Others looked at me with disgust in their eyes. Then, from nowhere, I suddenly became cold and wet. Someone in Ava’s team of girls had gone behind our backs secretly to get a bucket of water and poured it on me. They had purposely pushed Trisha away so she wouldn’t get wet. They dared not include Trisha. Her dad was the Alpha’s beta—a very strong one at that. Rumour even had it that he had overpowered the Alpha during one of their spars. And also, Trisha herself had transformed into something magnificent, so no one would want to cross her—well, except for the Queen herself, Ava. Trisha was surprised when she was pushed and fell to the floor. She got up and saw a soaked and shivering Diana. She turned to Ava and was about to grab her by the collar of her uniform, but I told her to stop. “What the hell, Diana!” she said angrily. “Please, I don’t want you causing trouble because of me.” “They are the ones who caused the trouble” I pulled her close and lowered my voice to a whisper. “The board of directors won’t agree with you—you know that, Trisha. If your father finds out that you fought with the Alpha’s daughter, he won’t be happy with you. Plus, if he discovers it was because of me, things could get very difficult for you at home.” “But—” “No, Trisha, no buts, please.” I was worried about what her father would do to her. “You know, Trish, with your strength and your level, you shouldn’t be rolling with riff-raff like this,” Ava said, pointing at me. “Do not call her a riff-raff!” Trisha said firmly. “Oh, but I’m sorry—that’s all she is, nothing but a riff-raff who is about to become a dead rat,” she said, folding her arms. “I wonder why you weren’t banished the moment you turned into that abomination.” Trisha’s hand had formed into a fist, but I placed my hands on her shoulder and my other hand on her fist, attempting to calm her down. “What do you want to do? You want to hit me?” She scoffed. “Let me see you try.” “The only person stopping me from destroying your canines right now is Diana,” Trisha yelled. “Oh, so should I be grateful?” “Yes, you should.” Trisha retorted. “Okay, class, settle down,” the teacher said, dropping his book on the teacher’s desk in front of the class. Everybody dispersed to their seats except Ava, who remained standing, blocking our path. “Please, Miss Ava, could you kindly go back to your seat so Trisha and—” he paused “—can go to their seats?” he said, omitting my name. I didn’t even care about that. I was used to teachers not knowing my name already. Some would even go ahead and refer to me as “the girl born to the weakest omega wolves.” “Of course, Mr. Thompson, I will gladly do that,” she said, her gaze still fixed on me. She finally left for her seat. Trisha and I went to ours. “Can I get someone to clean the board?” Thompson requested. “Sure, sir!” Ava said, raising her hand. Everybody looked at her with surprise, including the teacher. I kept my head down, facing my book. “You… want… to… do… it?” Mr. Thompson stammered. “No, not exactly, but I want to recommend someone to do it.” The entire class watched in awe. Her eyes scanned the classroom until they settled on me, and then she pointed. I hadn’t even realised it until Trisha’s voice made me aware. “What the hell are you planning?” Trisha asked, her tone laced with anger. “Okay then, Ms. Leslie, could you please help us with the board?” I raised my head. “Um, sure,” I muttered. Trisha’s seat was directly in front of the board. She alone stayed on that line while everyone else’s seats were behind hers. She would say, “I am the queen of this school. I can’t be sitting in the same line with you lot. There has to be a difference.” As I walked past her seat, a sly smirk played at the corners of her lips. I knew that what she had in mind was nothing short of pure evil, but what could I possibly do? Nothing. As I was cleaning the board, I felt a liquid on my body and heard the thud of a bottle hitting the classroom floor. My body was still wet from the first water—now this. “What did you do that for?” I yelled angrily. She snapped her fingers. And that was it. Two guys—I recognised them to be among the male wolves who had transformed into elegant and strong beta wolves during the transformation ceremony—both held Trisha down to her seat. While the rest kept throwing books, banana peels, snacks, and every single thing they could get their hands on at me while screaming the words: “ABOMINATION! ABOMINATION!”

Diana’s POV My hands were shaking as I held the board eraser. I tried to stop the first tear, but it came anyway. Then another one. Soon they were falling down my face, mixing with the sticky stuff on my uniform. “ABOMINATION! ABOMINATION!” They kept shouting at me. A pencil hit my shoulder. Someone threw an eraser at my back. A crumpled paper landed in my wet hair. I felt like I was drowning in their hate. I looked at Mr. Thompson. Please, I thought, please make them stop. Our eyes met for just a second. But he looked away fast and started moving papers on his desk. His face was white and his hands were shaking. Even the teacher was scared of them. More tears came. My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe. The whole room was spinning as they kept screaming at me. “Look at her crying like a baby!” “Maybe she should go back to her mama!” “Wait, does she even have a real mama?” Their laughter hurt worse than all the things they were throwing. I dropped the eraser and it hit the floor with a small sound that seemed louder than everything else. I looked at Trisha. My best friend was fighting against the two boys holding her down. Her face was red and angry. Her mouth was moving but I couldn’t hear what she was saying because of all the noise. “That’s enough,” I said quietly. But my voice was too soft. Nobody heard me. “THAT’S ENOUGH!” I screamed as loud as I could. Everything went quiet for three seconds. Then Ava started clapping slowly. “Oh, the little abomination found her voice,” she said with that fake sweet smile that made me feel sick. “How cute.” I couldn’t take it anymore. I ran to the door, pushing past desks and chairs. Students pulled their feet back when I got close, like I might make them dirty just by touching their shoes. “Run away, little freak!” someone yelled behind me. I pushed through the classroom door into the hallway. But there were other students there too, walking between classes. When they saw me all wet and messy, they started pointing and talking. “Is that the girl who turned into that thing?” “My mom told me to stay away from her.” “She looks even worse than I thought.” I ran faster. My wet shoes made loud sounds on the floor. More students came to watch me run by. Some took out their phones. “This is going on social media,” one girl laughed. I got to the front doors and pushed through them. The afternoon sun hit my face, but it didn’t make me feel any warmer. I was still shaking from being wet and from the shame burning inside me. The walk home felt like it took forever. Cars drove past me on the street. I wondered if the people inside were looking at me too. Were they thinking the same horrible things about me? When I got to my house, I stood outside for a few minutes. I could see Mom through the kitchen window, stirring something in a pot. Dad was probably in his study reading like he always did after work. I used my key to open the front door as quietly as I could. Maybe I could go upstairs without them seeing me. “Diana? Is that you, honey?” Mom called from the kitchen. I froze. I could hear her footsteps coming toward me. “Oh my God! What happened to you?” Mom’s eyes went wide when she saw me. “You’re soaking wet! And is that food in your hair?” “I’m fine, Mom.” I tried to walk past her to the stairs. “Fine? You don’t look fine. Did someone do this to you at school?” She reached out to touch my arm, but I pulled away. “Diana, talk to me. What happened?” “I said I’m fine!” The words came out louder than I wanted them to. Dad came out of his study. He looked at me with worried eyes. “Did those kids hurt you again?” “Nobody hurt me. I just… I just want to go upstairs.” “But Diana—” “Please just leave me alone!” I ran up the stairs as fast as I could. I could hear my parents talking quietly downstairs, but I didn’t want to listen. I went straight to the bathroom and locked the door. In the mirror, I looked terrible. My hair was full of sticky gross stuff. My uniform was dirty and wrinkled. My eyes were red and puffy from crying. I turned on the shower and sat down in the tub with all my clothes still on. The warm water felt good on my skin, but it couldn’t wash away how ashamed I felt. I stayed there until the water got cold. After I put on clean clothes, I went to my bedroom and lay down on my bed. I stared at the ceiling for hours. I could hear my parents moving around downstairs, probably making dinner. They didn’t come upstairs to bother me again. Thank God they had managed to fix the door of my room when I was away. The sun went down. My room got dark, but I didn’t turn on the lights. I just lay there thinking about everything that happened. About how even the teacher was too scared to help me. About how the other students looked at me like I was some kind of monster. Maybe they were right. Maybe I really was a monster. Around eight o’clock, I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door. “Diana? It’s me, Trisha. Can I come in?” I didn’t answer at first. But then I heard her sigh and lean against the door. “I’m not leaving until you talk to me,” she said. “I’ll sleep in this hallway if I have to.” I finally got up and opened the door. Trisha looked tired. Her uniform was wrinkled and her hair was messy. “Are you okay?” she asked as she came into my room. “I should be asking you that. Those boys looked like they were hurting you.” “I’m fine. They’re just cowards who only feel strong when they’re doing what Ava tells them to.” Trisha sat down on my bed. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop them from hurting you.” “It’s not your fault.” “Yes, it is. I should have been faster. I should have—” “Trisha, stop. You can’t fight everyone. And I don’t want you getting in trouble because of me.” We sat quietly for a few minutes. Finally, Trisha spoke again. “This won’t last forever, you know.” “How can you be sure?” “Because bullies get bored. And because you’re stronger than you think you are.” She took my hand. “I saw how you stood up to them today. The old Diana would have just taken it without saying anything.” “The old Diana wouldn’t have been called an abomination.” “The old Diana also wouldn’t have had the courage to scream back at them.” I thought about what she said. Maybe Trisha was right. Maybe I was getting stronger, even though it didn’t feel like it. “Besides,” Trisha said with a small smile, “I heard that Ava got in trouble with her father for what happened today. Mr. Thompson finally got some courage and reported it.” “Really?” “Really. Things are going to get better, Diana. I promise.” For the first time all day, I felt a tiny bit of hope growing inside me.

Diana’s POV I woke up the next morning hoping yesterday was just a bad dream. But when I looked at my school uniform hanging on my chair, I knew it was real. I had to go back to that place. Mom made me breakfast, but I could barely eat. She kept looking at me with worried eyes, but she didn’t ask any questions. Dad was reading his newspaper like always, but I could tell he was watching me too. “Do you want me to drive you to school today?” Mom asked. “No, it’s okay. I’ll walk.” I grabbed my backpack and headed for the door. The walk to school felt too short. I wanted to turn around and go home, but I couldn’t. I had to face them again. When I got to school, the first thing I did was look for Trisha. She always waited for me by the front steps or stop by my place most of the times. But she wasn’t there. Maybe she’s just running late, I thought. But deep down, I had a bad feeling. I went to my locker and got my books. Still no Trisha. I pulled out my phone and called her number. It went straight to voicemail. I tried texting her, but the messages wouldn’t go through. “Looking for your little friend?” I turned around. Ava was standing behind me with her mean smile. She had two other girls with her – Jessica and Mia. They were both smiling too. “Where is she?” I asked. “Oh, didn’t you hear? Poor Trisha is sick today. Something about a stomach bug.” Ava laughed. “Looks like you’re all alone.” My heart started beating fast. Trisha had never missed school, not even when she was really sick. Something was wrong. “You’re lying,” I said. “Am I? Why don’t you try calling her again? Oh wait, you already did.” Ava looked at my phone in my hand. “Still not answering, is she?” The three girls walked away, laughing. I stood there feeling more alone than ever. The morning classes were terrible. Kids kept staring at me and whispering. Some of them made gross faces when I walked by. Others just looked away like they were afraid to even see me. In math class, I sat in the back corner. The teacher, Mrs. Wilson, was nice to me, but I could tell she was nervous too. When she handed back our tests, she put mine on my desk without looking at me. “Nice job, Diana,” she said quietly. But her voice was shaky. Even the nice teachers were scared of me now. At lunch time, I didn’t go to the cafeteria. I knew it would be even worse in there with all those kids together. Instead, I went to the library and sat in the corner with a book. But I couldn’t read. I kept thinking about Trisha and wondering where she was. I tried calling her again. Still nothing. The afternoon was just as bad. In science class, my lab partner asked to switch to a different table. The teacher let him do it without asking why. I had to do the whole experiment by myself. “Freak,” someone whispered behind me. “Monster,” said another voice. I kept my head down and tried to focus on mixing the chemicals. But my hands were shaking so much I almost dropped the test tube. Finally, the last class of the day was over. All I wanted to do was go home and hide in my room. But as I was walking down the hall, I realized I really needed to use the bathroom. I looked around. The halls were almost empty now. Most kids had already gone home or were at their lockers. Maybe I could go to the bathroom without anyone bothering me. I pushed open the door to the girls’ bathroom. It seemed empty. I went into one of the stalls and locked the door. For a few seconds, I felt safe in there by myself. But then I heard the main door open. Footsteps came in. More than one person. “I know you’re in here,” Ava’s voice said. My heart stopped. I stayed very quiet, hoping they would leave. “Come out, come out, little freak.” That was Jessica’s voice. I heard them checking the stalls one by one. The doors were banging open. They were getting closer to mine. “Found you!” Mia said as she opened my stall door. I tried to push past them, but there were too many. Ava, Jessica, Mia, and two other girls I didn’t know. They blocked the way to the main door. “Your little friend isn’t here to save you anymore,” Ava said with that terrible smile. “Looks like it’s just you and us.” “Please just leave me alone,” I said. My voice was tiny and scared. “Leave you alone? But we’re just getting started.” Jessica grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the stall. I tried to get away, but Mia grabbed my other arm. They were stronger than me. “You think you’re so special,” Ava said, getting close to my face. “You think you can just come to our school and make everyone scared with your monster tricks.” “I didn’t do anything,” I said. “You exist. That’s enough.” Then she hit me. Hard across the face. My cheek burned and my eyes started to water. “That’s for yesterday,” she said. Then Jessica hit me in the stomach. I bent over, trying to breathe. “That’s for being a freak,” Jessica said. They pushed me against the wall. My back hit the tiles hard. One of the girls I didn’t know pulled my hair. Another one kicked my leg. “Stop!” I cried. “Please stop!” But they didn’t stop. They kept hitting me and saying terrible things. They called me monster and freak and abomination. They said I didn’t belong here. They said everyone would be happier if I just disappeared. I tried to fight back, but there were too many of them. Every time I tried to push one away, another one would hit me. I felt like I was drowning again, just like yesterday. My nose started bleeding. My lip was cut. There were bruises forming on my arms where they grabbed me. “Had enough?” Ava asked. I was crying now. I couldn’t help it. Everything hurt and I was so scared. “Please,” I whispered. “I’ll do anything. Just stop.” “Anything?” Ava laughed. “Okay. Here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to stay away from everyone. You’re not going to talk to anyone. You’re not going to look at anyone. You’re going to be invisible. And if you don’t…” She grabbed my chin and made me look at her. “We’ll do this again. Every day. Until you learn your place.” They finally let me go. I collapsed on the bathroom floor, shaking and crying. They stood over me for a few more seconds, looking proud of what they had done. “Remember what I said,” Ava told me. Then they all left. I sat on that cold floor for a long time. My whole body hurt. My face was swollen. My uniform was torn and dirty. But the worst part wasn’t the pain. It was knowing that Trisha wasn’t coming to help me. It was knowing that I was truly alone now. Finally, I got up and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked terrible. I couldn’t go home like this. Mom and Dad would ask too many questions. I washed the blood off my face as best I could. I tried to fix my hair. I practiced smiling in the mirror, even though it hurt. Then I walked home, trying to look normal. Trying to pretend that nothing had happened. Trying to pretend that I wasn’t falling apart inside. But I knew tomorrow would be even worse. And the day after that. And every day until I figured out how to make it stop. If I even could. Best title suggestion for the chapter

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“Are you planning to surprise Alpha Lance, Lady Cassie?” “Yes,” I replied softly, my fingers cradling the small wooden carving I’d spent days perfecting. “I carved this myself. I want it to be meaningful. Something to show him how much he means to me.” A proud, content smile tugged at my lips. Today marked eight years with Lance, and he was preparing our anniversary celebration tonight! Eight years of standing by his side. Through battles, wounds, council politics, and sleepless nights. I had given him everything. My heart, my loyalty, my youth. “Congratulations on your anniversary, Lady Cassie,” the maid said, bowing slightly. “Thank you. Could you prepare my dress for tonight? I want to look my best for him.” She nodded and scurried off, leaving me alone in the dressing room. I placed the carving, a crescent moon with our initials, into a red velvet box. Soon, Lance and I would be fully bound. The Luna ceremony was expected to be announced any day now. I chose a white silk dress that shimmered under the candlelight, one Lance had once said made me look like a goddess. I ran a comb through my dark hair and added a touch of perfume he’d gifted me last winter. Tonight would be perfect. I spotted Beta Damien near the courtyard, overseeing arrangements. “Have you seen Lance?” He stiffened, avoiding my gaze. “I… I’m not sure where he is, Lady Cassie. Perhaps he’s in the Den.” The Den of Shadows. Reserved for high-ranking wolves, warriors, and of course, the Alpha. I thanked him and made my way there, confused by his tension. The corridors leading to the Den were dim and quiet, the scent of burning wood and incense thick in the air. I raised my hand to knock, but froze. Because I heard voices. “Alpha Lance, how are you planning to tell Lady Cassie that this whole preparation isn’t for your anniversary… but for Arielle’s return?” Every muscle in my body locked. Wait…what? “I’m not,” Lance replied, voice low and soulless. “Let her find out with the rest of them.” “But she’s your mate.” He scoffed. “Cassie’s nothing more than a convenience. She was loyal, sure, and useful for a while. But now that Arielle’s back, and carrying my child, Cassie’s role is finished here.” My knees nearly gave out. No… “She’s not even of noble blood,” another voice sneered. “Arielle’s lineage dates back to the original High Blood packs. She was always meant to stand beside an Alpha.” “That’s why she’ll be my Luna,” Lance said flatly. “Cassie will understand. Or she won’t. Doesn’t matter. I just used her anyway. It’s good to fuck her. You all should try her sometime.” I stumbled back from the door, my breath shattering into sharp, uneven gasps. Arielle. That name. The last I heard, she had left the territory years ago to train in one of the royal courts. Rumors swirled that she had power, bloodline, and ambition. I never thought she’d come back, let alone steal everything from me. And Lance… Lance had been hiding this. Hiding her. And a child. I clutched my chest as my wolf whimpered inside me, her cries echoing in my head. My wolf snarled, pacing inside me, torn between mourning and murder. He betrayed us, she howled. He chose her. A liar. A snake. I ran. I didn’t care who saw me. My legs carried me back to the pack house like they had a mind of their own. Once inside, I collapsed onto the floor. The velvet box opened on impact, revealing the necklace I had lovingly carved. A symbol of us. Now meaningless! I sat in silence, trembling, tears running down my cheeks. Eight years. Eight years I had devoted to a man who saw me as disposable. Who was ready to cast me out for status and bloodline. I hadn’t been marked. Not yet. He always said he was waiting for the Luna ceremony. Now I knew why. “Cassie, darling, are you here?” Lance’s voice cut through the air. I wiped my tears, calming myself. I stood tall, slipping the box beneath a nearby table. “Yes,” I replied calmly. He walked in, tilting his head. “Were you crying?” I forced a laugh. “Just emotional. It’s our anniversary, after all.” He looked at me, disinterested. “You should start preparing. Tonight’s important.” Then he turned and left. No kiss. No embrace. Just orders. That night, the ceremony began. Music swelled, candles flickered, and the pack gathered under the moon. Lance stood beside me, his hand casually draped around my waist as if nothing was a problem. He leaned close, whispering, “Happy anniversary, darling. You should smile and enjoy it.” So I did. But I felt like I was choking on every breath. Because I knew what this celebration was really for. “Excuse me… I need to go to the bathroom.” I didn’t wait for his response. I immediately pulled my hands away from his and walked off. He didn’t follow me, and honestly, I didn’t care. I was halfway through jogging when someone suddenly bumped into me. Or maybe… they were the one who ran into me. “Ouch. Watch where you’re going, you bitch!” The shrill voice pierced through the hallway, followed by the loud click of designer heels. I turned slowly, already knowing who it was. Her glossy lips curled into a smug smile as her eyes raked over me like I was something she scraped off her shoe. “Oh, look. The placeholder,” she said with a mocking tilt of her head. “Arielle,” I muttered through clenched teeth, trying to keep my cool. “What do you want?” She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she strutted closer until she was right in my face, the sharp scent of her expensive perfume clashing with the stifling tension between us. Her manicured nails reached up and she grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking it back so hard I winced. “To watch you fall,” she whispered sweetly, “To watch you crash and burn like the pathetic little stand-in you are.” I tried to pull away, but her grip tightened. “You think Lance actually cares about you?” she sneered, eyes blazing. “You’re just a distraction. A joke. A warm body he uses when I’m not around.” I opened my mouth to retort, but she was faster, leaning in so only I could hear the next cruel whisper. “He moans my name when he’s with you, doesn’t he?” My stomach twisted. She laughed, low and cruel, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Don’t flatter yourself, Cassie. You’ll never be me. You don’t have the looks, the class, or the history. Lance and I, we’re inevitable. You? You’re just a phase.” She shoved me back roughly, still gripping my hair, and I stumbled before regaining my balance. Then she turned to the crowd and raised her voice. “Everyone, I have an announcement!” Silence fell. She slowly walked toward Lance. I watched in horror as she reached for his hand. He didn’t resist. He smiled when he saw her. “I’m pregnant,” she said, her voice rich with pride. “And I will be claiming Alpha Lance as my mate!”

My tears poured down my face. Memories of being with Lance crashed into me like a tidal wave. I could still feel his arms wrapped around me, his warm breath tickling my ear as he whispered, “I love you so much.” His eyes had been full of love, genuine and deep, or so I thought. I remembered the way he knelt in front of me, his voice trembling as he said, “Cassie, I can’t imagine a life without you.” He looked so sincere. “I can’t ever imagine hurting you. You’re the most important person in my life. You’re my first and only love.” Those words used to be my comfort, my anchor. But now, I realized they were nothing but lies. Empty, cruel lies. All this time, he was just using me—because Arielle wasn’t around. I was just a stand-in, a distraction. And now, Arielle’s pregnant. The thought twisted in my chest, making it hard to breathe. Anger bubbled up inside me, hot and consuming. My hands curled into fists. No. I’m not letting things end like this! Fury pushed me forward. I stormed after Arielle, grabbing her arm hard enough to make her flinch. “How dare you!” I yelled, my voice trembling with rage. “All this time, you’ve been sneaking around with my mate behind my back?!” The hurt and betrayal poured out of me, and I tightened my grip, desperate to make her understand the pain she’d caused. But before I could say anything else, Arielle gasped dramatically. “Ouch! Stop!” she cried out, clutching her stomach like she was in intense pain. She stumbled back, her face twisted in agony, and then collapsed to the ground. My eyes widened. I hadn’t even done anything. I just grabbed her arm! What the hell was she doing? Her reaction was way over the top! “Cassie…what did you do?! My baby! You killed my baby!” Arielle screamed, her voice ringing out. The accusation was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Whispers and murmurs erupted, and I could feel eyes burning holes into my back. My mouth fell open in shock. “What are you—” I tried to ask, but a furious voice cut me off. “Cassie! What are you doing to her?! Get away from her!” I turned, my heart plummeting as Lance rushed toward us, his eyes blazing with anger. I stood frozen as he dropped to Arielle’s side. He was so gentle, helping her up with careful hands, brushing hair from her face. “Are you okay? Did she hurt you?” Lance asked, his voice dripping with concern. “I’m fine,” Arielle whimpered, leaning into him as she clutched her stomach. “She’s bleeding!” “Oh no!” “Cassie did this to her!” Then I saw blood dripping down her legs. “It hurts so much! Cassie did this to me!” Arielle cried, pointing a finger at me. “That’s a lie!” I shouted, pointing a trembling finger at her. “You’ve been sneaking around with him this whole time!” But Lance’s glare was ice-cold. “Cassie, enough! You’ve done enough!” My throat tightened as I watched Arielle snuggle closer, a faint, smug smirk on her lips. Lance wrapped a protective arm around her, whispering soft reassurances. The man I loved had chosen her. Tears burned my eyes as I took a shaky step back. My mate betrayed me, and all I could do was watch as he comforted her. I shook my head, glaring at Lance. “You’re lying to me. Stop lying! Tell them the truth! Tell the whole pack the truth! Admit you’ve been sneaking around with Arielle behind my back. Admit you never loved me, that you were just using me!” The words tumbled out of my mouth, fueled by anger and desperation. I wanted him to admit it, to make everyone see the truth. “I SAID ENOUGH!” Lance’s hand came down hard across my face. The slap echoed, and the force sent me stumbling back. Pain exploded on my cheek, and before I could catch my balance, he shoved me hard. I crashed to the ground. “L-Lance?-” He pointed a furious finger at me, his eyes blazing with hatred. “You should be grateful I even accepted you after what your father did!” he snarled. “Your father, the traitorous beta, lied and manipulated my father—got them both killed! I took you in out of mercy, made you my mate, and this is how you repay me?!” Tears blurred my vision, but I caught a glimpse of Arielle behind him, her lips curved in a satisfied smirk. She was enjoying every second of my humiliation. I clenched my fists, trembling with anger. “I-I hate you,” I spat, my voice cracking. “And I hope karma gets both of you for what you’ve done!” Lance’s glare was a warning, but I didn’t care anymore. I pushed myself off the ground, ignoring the whispers and judging stares from the pack. “What a weak mate,” someone sneered. “She’s not fit to be our Luna.” I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I shoved past wolves whose eyes were full of either disgust or pity, their whispers crawling over my skin like poison. My legs moved faster, faster until I was sprinting. Tears streamed down my cheeks, mixing with the damp night air as the forest blurred around me. I didn’t care where I was going. I just needed to run! To get away! Away from them! From him! From the lies and the weight of eight wasted years! My foot suddenly caught on a root, and I stumbled, crashing to my knees with a painful grunt. “Shit!” Dirt smeared across my skin, and sharp stones bit into my palms. The sky opened above me as if to mock my misery, and cold rain poured down in heavy sheets, drenching me instantly. My white dress clung to me, soaked and ruined. I sobbed out loud, choking on the lump in my throat. I tried to rise, but my legs trembled and collapsed beneath me. My body gave up and my heart ached relentlessly. I was about to push myself up when a low growl cut through the storm. I froze. From the shadows of the trees, a pair of glowing yellow eyes emerged. Then another. A rogue. “N-No…” There were two of them. Panic surged through me as I scrambled backward on the muddy ground, heart slamming in my chest. I was too weak to shift. Too heartbroken. Too late. One of the rogues lunged. “Ahhhh!” I waited…but it never reached me. A blur of motion slammed into the beast midair, knocking it aside. A deep snarl ripped through the air, more feral, more powerful than the rogues’. I stared, stunned, as the second rogue tried to flee, only to be caught and thrown against a tree with bone-cracking force. I gasped, my breath catching as the rain lightened just enough for me to see him. A tall figure stood over me, chest heaving, his eyes glowing faintly in the storm light. “Are you hurt?” he asked. I blinked, still trying to process what just happened. My arms shook as I pushed myself upright, staring at the stranger. My voice cracked. “What… what the hell just happened?” He stepped closer, his gaze scanning me carefully. “Rogues,” he said. “You were lucky.” I let out a bitter laugh. “Lucky? Right.” Then I narrowed my eyes, “Who are you?” He looked at me steadily, “My name is Dominic,” he said calmly. “And your brother sent me here.”

“My brother died a long time ago!” This is the story I’ve always known about my family. Ever since my father, the Beta, betrayed Lance’s father, the Alpha of our pack, I knew my whole family was marked for death. I was the only one left. Then Lance came into the picture, making me his mate. But I later found out he was just using me all along. My eyes caught his, and he just stared back at me without saying anything. Suddenly, he shifted into his wolf form. His wolf was massive, towering over me, and it completely threw me off. “Get on,” he said, his voice commanding. I shook my head. “No, answer my question first! I don’t have a brother! My brother’s dead!” “You’re wrong about that,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “Get on if you want to see him.” His words hit me like a ton of bricks. How could he know? My brother’s been gone for so long. But something in his voice, something in his eyes, made me believe him. “I know those people betrayed you,” he added. “But I won’t betray you like they did.” His voice was steady, and for the first time in a long time, I actually felt like I could trust someone. I swallowed hard, trying to make sense of everything. But in the end, I had no choice. My instincts kicked in, telling me to follow him, to trust him. So, I climbed onto his back, gripping his fur as we began moving through the forest. The wind whipped past my face, cold and sharp. I could hear the rustling of leaves, the soft crunch of twigs underfoot. The sound of Dominic’s steady breathing was the only thing that kept me grounded. After a while, we stopped. The forest opened up to reveal a large community town, obviously belonging to another pack. “Alpha, you’ve returned,” a voice said from the gates. I froze as guards appeared. My heart started racing as Dominic helped me off his back. I looked at him, still in shock. “You’re an Alpha, but my brother sent you to fetch me? What the hell is going on here?” Dominic didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he motioned for me to follow him. “Just follow, and you’ll understand,” he said. I didn’t have much of a choice, so I followed. We entered a huge hall, and then we moved into a room. There, a group of people stood waiting. Healers, maybe. One of them stepped forward. “Alpha, his condition is stable. He’s doing better now.” “Good,” Dominic said simply, his voice filled with authority. We entered the room, and that’s when I saw him. A man lay in bed, covered in bandages, looking fragile but alive. I swallowed hard when I saw him. I slowly walked toward the bed, my eyes—damn, my eyes were already watering with tears. “A-Adrian?” I whispered. He blinked, his eyes slowly focusing on me. “Cassie, I can’t believe it. The rumors were true. You’re alive.” His voice was weak, like he didn’t have the strength to believe it himself. I couldn’t stop myself. I rushed forward and hugged him tightly. “I thought… I thought you were dead! When we were just kids, rumors said our whole family was killed…” My voice cracked as I held him, desperate to believe he was really there. “No, Cassie.” He pulled back slightly, his eyes looking straight at mine. “Our father didn’t betray the Alpha. He was framed.” “W-What?!” I asked, my head spinning as I tried to process what he was saying. Adrian nodded slowly, his face serious. “Yes. Our father was innocent. He was supposed to be the Alpha, but they framed him. And when he found out the truth, he tried to take back what was rightfully his. But they… they killed him. Lance’s family killed him. After that, our whole family was cast aside. You were the only one left because you were the only girl, meant to become their breeder.” I felt a lump in my throat. “A…a breeder?” The weight of his words hit me. I didn’t know that. “And what happened to you?” Adrian’s eyes softened. “I was cast aside, too. When Mom died, Alpha Dominic took me in. He made me his Beta.” I turned to look behind me. Alpha Dominic was standing in the doorway, silently watching us. I still didn’t understand. “But why did Alpha Dominic take me in if he’s the Alpha? Why did he help me?” I asked, my voice shaking. “He saved my life,” Dominic spoke up suddenly, stepping into the room. His eyes locked onto mine, intense and unwavering. “We were attacked by rogue wolves here, in the village. And thanks to your brother, he saved my life. I didn’t even realize there was a rogue wolf trying to kill me from behind. It was Adrian who saved me. That’s why he’s in critical condition now. But I made sure he’d survive.” Dominic continued, his voice calm but full of purpose. “He asked me to fetch you in honor of what he did for me. That’s why I came—to save you.” He looked at Adrian and then nodded. “And I saved your sister’s life just before she became the Luna of the enemy.” I stood there, processing everything they’d just told me. There was so much I didn’t know, so much I hadn’t understood. My brother wasn’t dead. My family wasn’t what I’d been told. And now, everything I thought I knew was being flipped upside down. “You must stay here, Cassie, and train with us so you can become stronger,” Adrian said. “I… I don’t know—” Before I could finish my sentence, my head suddenly swirled. “Cassie!” Before I hit the ground, I felt someone’s hands catch me. “She’s bleeding!” My vision spun, and pain surged through my body… especially down there. When I looked down, my legs were dripping with blood. And then I remembered… I was late. And that could only mean one thing. I’m… pregnant with Lance’s pup?

“Make sure she’s okay!” I heard chaos around me. Voices. Movement. Panic. Everything felt like a blur until my eyelids fluttered open. The room was dimly lit, but I quickly noticed two figures arguing near the foot of the bed I was lying on. As my vision adjusted, my heart stopped for a second. It was my brother, Adrian. My chest tightened. He was still recovering from his recent attack, yet there he was, standing in front of me, visibly exhausted but determined. He looked like he had forced himself to come here. Across from him stood a healer, trying to calm him down. I struggled to sit up, but my body felt heavy, drained. I was inside a healer’s residence. The sterile smell, the faint chanting outside, the herbs on the shelf, everything was familiar yet foreign at the same time. That’s when everything came crashing back to me. I remembered now. I had bled out. I collapsed. I lost consciousness. And now… now I was here. A wave of dread swept over me. Could…I be pregnant? The thought hit me like a truck. I grabbed the blanket tightly, my breathing quickening. No. No, this couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t be possible! But deep down, something in my gut told me it was. I felt it in my body. I felt it in my soul. The signs were there. The pain. The bleeding. The exhaustion. I might be pregnant, with Lance’s pup. A lump formed in my throat. The betrayal stung more now than it ever had. Lance… he used me. Every night, he touched me, kissed me, claimed me. And I believed him. I thought he loved me. I thought we had something real. But it was all a lie. He used me like I was nothing more than a breeder. A means to an end. And now, I might be carrying his child. Even if the healer hadn’t said anything yet, I was sure of it. “Cassie?” Adrian’s voice brought me back. I looked up and saw him, struggling to stay upright. He limped toward me slowly, his movements pained, but he didn’t stop. He wrapped his arms around me tightly. When he pulled away, he cupped my face with his trembling hands. “Are you okay? Are you in pain? What’s happening to you?” His voice was shaky. “Do you know why you started bleeding?” I couldn’t answer immediately. I swallowed hard and looked him directly in the eyes. He looked so worried, so scared for me. “Adrian,” I said softly, “would it be okay if I spoke to the healer in private?” He was confused at first, but then he nodded slowly. “Okay, sure,” he said. “I know a lot is going on with you, but I respect your decision.” He stood up straight despite the pain and limped toward the door. “I’ll wait for you outside,” he said gently, before stepping out and closing the door behind him. Once we were alone, I turned to face the healer. My heart pounded as I asked the question that had been consuming my thoughts. “You found out I’m pregnant, didn’t you?” I asked, my voice low but direct. The healer stared at me for a while, her eyes searching my face like she was deciding whether to say the truth or keep it to herself. Then, slowly, she nodded. Without saying a word, she walked closer and began to clean me up. Her hands moved gently but with practiced care. She did what she needed to do, checking my vitals, feeling my pulse, and assessing my condition. “You are pregnant,” she finally said, her voice calm but direct. My breath caught in my throat. “And you didn’t tell my brother…” I whispered. She nodded. “I heard you just reunited with your brother, Beta Adrian. And I didn’t want to overwhelm him by telling him that you’re bearing a pup.” My eyes locked on hers. I didn’t say anything yet. I could feel my chest tightening with each word that came out of her mouth. She continued, her tone softer now. “And I know that your former mate not only humiliated you but also abused you.” The moment she confirmed what I already feared, all the emotions I had been holding in burst at once. My throat tightened, and I bit down on my lower lip, but the tears still fell. I cried right in front of her. No shame, no strength left to hide behind. “T-This is a mistake,” I choked out, my voice trembling. I was shaking, violently. I grabbed her hand tightly, desperate, and begging! “I-I want to kill the pup,” I said. “Please! Let me kill the pup. Please!” I screamed the words, the pain overwhelming me. My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. I was breaking apart, piece by piece. The healer flinched slightly at my outburst. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away from me. “Hey, you need to calm down,” she said firmly. “Please,” I whispered again, my entire body trembling. “Please…” She held my hands tighter, grounding me. “I know this is hard for you. I know how heavy this must feel. But you need to think this through. Ending the pup’s life won’t fix anything. That’s still an innocent life inside you.” Her words hit me like cold water. It wasn’t just what she said, but how she said it. There was no judgment in her voice. Just truth. And then, just as I was about to say something, the door suddenly burst open. My head turned fast, expecting to see Adrian, my brother. I assumed he must have heard my shouting and rushed in. But it wasn’t him. It was Alpha Dominic. He stood in the doorway like a wall of strength, his presence commanding. His aura was cold, intense, and intimidating. My breath caught in my chest as our eyes locked. “What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice deep and cutting. There was no softness in his tone, just the firm, sharp authority of an Alpha who demanded answers. I froze in place. The healer remained silent. She lowered her head in respect and said nothing, showing deference to her Alpha. He stepped further inside, eyes narrowing. “Have you checked what’s happening to her?” he asked, not even addressing me directly. “Why is she crying?” I bit my lower lip hard, trying to stop myself from falling apart again. “She’s doing okay now, Alpha,” the healer answered quickly. “It’s just… she has a headache. That’s all.” I glanced at her, shocked by her answer, but also… relieved. She didn’t tell him. She was giving me time. She stood up and didn’t meet my eyes. Without another word, she walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Dominic. I couldn’t meet his gaze. He moved closer and sat across from me, watching me closely. “What’s going on with you?” he asked directly. My mind raced. My heart pounded. I wanted to scream the truth, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready. “I’m fine,” I answered quickly. “It’s nothing.” I lied. And I hoped to the Moon Goddess he wouldn’t see through it.

“Think you can manage here alone? Or do you want us to be together?” Adrian’s voice carried a teasing warmth as he helped me settle into the room. “I really don’t mind, you know. I’ve missed you so much.” That was Adrian, always trying to make things lighter, even when everything felt heavy. He joked, but I could hear the concern in his voice. “Brother,” I looked at him seriously, “you don’t need to treat me like I’m helpless. You should be the one resting. You were the one attacked by rogue wolves.” He let out a short laugh, brushing it off like it was no big deal. But I knew better. He was injured. He should’ve been lying in bed, not lifting and moving around just for me. It worried me. No matter how much he smiled, I could see the pain behind his eyes. The moment I was cleared to leave the healer’s residency, Adrian was already waiting for me outside. He didn’t ask questions, just took my hand and led me to the new room. I remember my conversation with Dominic earlier. He stayed quiet after I lied, maybe because he sensed I wasn’t ready to talk. I definitely didn’t tell him about the pregnancy. I don’t want him to know, especially him. And I don’t even know why. So, he kept his distance when he noticed I wasn’t comfortable around him. And the space between us only grew heavier. Every time he was near, I felt uneasy. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I was the only one feeling this way. “Cassie?” Adrian’s voice suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts. “Are you even listening to me?” I blinked a few times. “Oh. I’m sorry. What were you saying?” He moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed, his face softening. “You seemed far away just now. I know it’s a lot. Everything that’s happened… with our parents. And then what Lance did to you. Now you’re here in a whole new pack, trying to act like everything’s fine.” I looked down, my fingers tightening slightly. “But don’t worry,” he said gently. “You’ll be taken care of here. Alpha Dominic… he’s a good Alpha. Lance is nothing compared to him.” That made me pause. I looked at Adrian but didn’t say anything. I wanted to believe what he was saying. And maybe, to an outsider, Dominic did look like a great Alpha. He was calm, composed, and had a certain strength that demanded respect. But something about him felt… off. I couldn’t explain it, but my instincts told me not to trust him completely. There was a wall around him I couldn’t get past. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to try. I nodded slowly and forced a smile. “Go now, brother. I just want to rest for a bit,” I said softly. Adrian nodded and gave me a warm look. “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call me, okay?” I smiled at him faintly. “I know.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead before finally leaving the room. As soon as the door shut behind him, the silence became deafening. Being alone made everything crash down all at once. I felt overwhelmed. This new room, this new pack, this new reality, none of it felt real. And Alpha Dominic… there were so many questions swirling in my head about him. But I knew none of them would ever be answered. He was too closed off. Too unreadable. And yet, his presence lingered in my mind. I was still heartbroken from what Lance had done. The betrayal, the humiliation… it clung to me like a shadow. And now, I was carrying his pup. A pup I didn’t ask for. A pup I wasn’t even sure I wanted. The thought of it made my stomach twist. I wanted to get rid of it. I wanted to pretend like it never happened. But at the same time… guilt ate at me. It wasn’t the pup’s fault. It didn’t deserve to carry the weight of my pain and shame. It didn’t choose any of this. I climbed into bed, closed my eyes, and hoped sleep would give me even a moment of peace. For a while, it did. But it didn’t last long. When I slowly opened my eyes, I felt something strange. A chill ran down my spine. Someone was watching me. I blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness, and my eyes widened when I saw who it was. “D-Dominic?” I gasped, shocked. I blinked again, as if my eyes were playing tricks on me. “Did I startle you?” he asked. I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. He stepped closer. How did he even get in? The door was locked. The windows were shut. I hadn’t heard anything. “I just wanted to check on you.” “I’m fine,” I replied quickly, sitting up straighter. He looked cold, emotionally detached even. I didn’t understand him. “You can go now,” I told him. “You should have knocked. I would’ve woken up.” He didn’t respond to that. Instead, his eyes dropped downward, and I suddenly felt heat rush to my face. My legs were exposed. The blanket had slipped while I was sleeping, and I hadn’t even realized it. I quickly pulled it over myself, feeling embarrassed. His gaze shifted, but there was something different in his eyes, something unreadable. He sat on the edge of the bed, and my body tensed. When our faces drew closer, I felt something strange. A jolt. An energy I couldn’t explain. It made my chest tighten and sent panic shooting through me. I immediately pulled away. My heart was racing. My breaths became shallow as I tried to calm myself down. Dominic looked at me closely, his expression unreadable. “Do you want to be strong?” he asked. I nodded hesitantly, even though his question felt sudden and caught me off guard. “Yes.” “Good. Because I’m going to train you.”

Lance’s POV The ceremony was finally over. I returned straight to the pack house, expecting to find Cassie waiting inside, just like she always did. Like a loyal dog. But before I could even reach the door, a familiar voice called out behind me. “Lance, where are you going?” I stopped walking and turned around. It was Arielle. I clenched my jaw. “What are you doing here? Why did you follow me?” She stepped closer, wearing that same smug expression she always had when she thought she was winning. “Are you seriously going back to her?” she asked. “I already announced to everyone that you’re mine, and that I’m yours. You didn’t even stop me. That must mean something. It means you don’t care about her anymore, right? Wherever she is now, it doesn’t matter to you.” I stared at her for a long moment before smirking widely. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved,” I said, my voice low but firm. “You’re the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. But I need Cassie beside me now.” Arielle’s face froze for a second, but I didn’t stop. “I told you before, Cassie was just a placeholder. Someone I used while you weren’t around.” She gave me a tight smile. “It’s okay. I understand,” she replied like it was nothing. “But now I’m back. I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere this time. So I should be the one living in that house with you. Not her. Kick Cassie out.” I went still. “No,” I said coldly. “I’m not kicking Cassie out.” “What?” she snapped. “Why not?” I stepped closer, locking my gaze on hers. “Arielle, there’s a lot you don’t know. It’s better if you just trust me on this, why I need her.” “But—” “End of discussion,” I said firmly. “I need rest,” I added. “And I need to talk to Cassie, to teach her a lesson. I’ll visit you tomorrow. Don’t worry.” I turned my back on her and walked toward the door of the house. I stepped inside without looking back. But of course, Arielle followed. “No, Lance! Get back here!” she yelled. “You can’t be serious! Tell me what’s going on and why you need her! For fuck’s sake! I don’t like that you’re keeping things from me! You chose me, and I’m going to be your Luna anyway. You should tell me!” I groaned in frustration, wishing she would just shut up. I ignored her, not in the mood to argue any longer. As soon as I entered the pack house, I shouted her name. “Cassie!” No response. I froze, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. The house was too quiet. The air felt heavy, like something was wrong. Footsteps approached behind me, and I turned to see Arielle standing there. She was looking around the place, confused and slightly anxious. “Did she run away?” she asked. Her question hit me like a slap. The idea hadn’t crossed my mind, until now. “No,” I said firmly, shaking my head. “She couldn’t have!” But doubt started creeping in. I stormed down the hallway and started searching. I checked every room, every corner, every drawer. I opened closets, looked under the bed, even tore through our shared room. Nothing. Her scent had faded. She wasn’t here. She really left. I clenched my fists. My chest tightened with panic and anger. I couldn’t let this happen. I wouldn’t! I turned to Arielle, eyes burning. “She can’t just run away like that!” Without waiting for her to respond, I rushed out of the pack house. I didn’t care about anything else. Cassie was my priority now! I immediately summoned members of my elite tribe. “Find her,” I ordered, my voice sharp and commanding. “Track her down, now!” “Why, Alpha?” one of them asked. “What’s going on?” “Cassie, she ran away!” I snapped. “And I don’t want her running from me. Make sure to find where she is. I don’t care what it takes, just bring her back!” From behind, Arielle was watching the scene unfold, disbelief written all over her face. “Why would you want her back?” she said loudly, stepping forward. “Isn’t this the exact outcome we wanted? We pushed her to leave! That was the point, right? We don’t need her anymore!” I turned to face her. She was angry, confused, and honestly, she had every right to be. But she didn’t understand. “You don’t know Cassie,” I said coldly. “You never did. I’ve been with her longer. I know her better than anyone.” “Then tell me what it is,” she demanded. “What do you know that I don’t?” I didn’t answer her. Instead, I walked off with purpose, heading straight to the Grand Hall. “Lance!” she called out behind me, but I ignored her. When she finally caught up, I was already in my office, rummaging through a locked drawer. I pulled out a folder, Cassie’s family file. Something I had been keeping hidden, just in case. I slammed the file down on the desk and flipped it open. “What is that?” she asked, stepping closer. “I had a hunch,” I muttered. “Cassie… she’s not just some random she-wolf. She comes from a bloodline that carries something…something powerful.” “What do you mean?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. I looked at her, dead serious. “Power. Enough to kill anyone. Enough to destroy entire packs, if she wanted to. She just doesn’t know how to use it yet.” Arielle went silent. “That’s why I need her back,” I continued. “Not as my Luna. That part of our relationship is already over. But as my warrior. My secret weapon. My pet, if I have to call it that.” She stared at me like I’d completely lost it. “So now you want her back just to use her?” “Yes,” I said, not blinking. “Because we can use her. That kind of strength? That kind of power? We’d be fools to let it slip away.” Arielle didn’t speak. She just stood there, trying to process everything. But I didn’t care what she thought. I had already made up my mind. Cassie was too valuable. Too important. I couldn’t afford to lose her, not now, not ever. Even if I had to hunt her down myself.

It took me a few days before I could finally feel okay again. I needed time to recover, physically and emotionally. “Cassie, are you sure you want to attend this training?” he asked, concern written all over his face. “The training ground here is no joke. It’s brutal. Alpha Dominic runs things differently. This isn’t like what you’re used to. And you’re new here.” He paused, like he was hoping I’d change my mind. “It’s okay if you need more time. There’s no pressure. No one’s rushing you.” I looked at him, my heart clenching a little. I appreciated his concern, really, but I knew I couldn’t hide forever. “I understand your concern, Adrian,” I said softly. “But I don’t want to stay weak. I need to get stronger. I need to be able to protect myself… and you. I can’t just sit around after what Lance and his family did to us. I can’t accept that. We need justice for our parents. We need to bring back our family’s name.” He let out a sharp breath, frustrated but calm. “I get that you’re angry. I really do. But revenge isn’t something we rush into, Cassie. When we let anger lead us, we make stupid choices.” I clenched my fists tightly, avoiding his gaze. “You wouldn’t understand,” I muttered. “Then help me understand,” he pushed gently. “What happened to you? Are you hiding something from me?” He stepped closer. “I’m your brother. You can trust me.” I looked at him, and for a moment, my walls started to crumble. I nearly cried. Seeing him again after everything that happened brought emotions I wasn’t ready to face. We had just reunited. And yet, I was already keeping secrets from him. “I… I—” I didn’t get to finish my sentence. A voice cut through the air. “Cassie, are you ready?” It was Dominic. He appeared beside us, arms crossed, eyes sharp as ever. He looked at me like he was assessing whether I was worth his time. I inhaled deeply and met his gaze. “Yes. I’m ready.” I turned to Adrian one last time. “I’ll be going now.” Before he could say anything else, I walked past him and followed Dominic. We made our way toward the training ground in silence. I could feel the tension in the air as we approached the area. When we finally arrived, I noticed a group of warriors already standing there. Some of them were watching me curiously. Others looked… unimpressed. I swallowed hard. I wasn’t used to this. I hadn’t trained in a long time. My skills were rusty, and my strength was far from what it used to be. I could feel their eyes judging me, like they already decided I didn’t belong here. Dominic didn’t say anything. He simply walked ahead and motioned for me to follow. I did. As I stood in the middle of the training ground, Dominic faced me with a cold, unreadable expression. “Are you ready?” “I’m ready,” I told him, trying to hide the fear building up in my chest. He gave a small nod. But the moment I blinked, he was gone. I barely had time to react. Because out of nowhere, Dominic attacked. His speed was unreal. In a blink, he was already in front of me, and I didn’t even see it coming. His body slammed into mine, and I hit the ground hard. My back ached. Pain shot through me as I groaned, curling up slightly from the impact. “Fuck!” I cursed under my breath. “You’re too slow,” Dominic snapped, his voice sharp and cold. “I won’t accept someone like you, someone who moves like a snail and can’t fight back.” He paced in front of me as I struggled to sit up. His voice thundered across the field, commanding attention. “The warriors here, I’ve trained them myself. I honed their strength and instincts. Their stamina rivals that of rogue wolves. And the enemies we face… they don’t wait for you to be ready.” I tried to get back on my feet, using everything I had left, but he didn’t give me time to breathe. In a flash, he grabbed me, flipped me, and threw me back to the ground. I hit the ground harder this time. The air was knocked out of my lungs, and a sharp pain shot up my ribs. I groaned again, unable to hold it back. Somewhere in the background, I heard Adrian shout my name. “Cassie!” His voice was full of panic but he couldn’t get close. He wasn’t allowed to interfere. That was the rule. I coughed. And then again. Until I felt the metallic taste in my mouth. Blood. I was coughing up blood. My hands trembled slightly as I wiped my lips and looked up. Dominic stood above me, looking down like he was studying me. Then, he bent down, getting close. Too close. His sharp eyes locked with mine. I froze. He reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You can’t hide things from me, Cassie,” he said in a low voice. “I know you’re keeping something. I can see it in your eyes.” My eyes widened. Panic shot through me. Does he know I’m pregnant? Did he hear something from the healer? Did someone tell him? Suddenly, when his fingers held my chin, I felt a strange jolt of energy run through my body. It was powerful. Electric. No…It’s impossible. I pulled away from him, my body weak, but my instincts screaming at me to get some distance. Dominic stood back up. He felt it. “Someone else will train you from now on. Someone who will push you past your limits. You have to be strong. Or else… I’ll have you removed from this pack.” Then, he turned his back on me and walked away, just like that. I was left on the ground, catching my breath, barely holding myself together. Moments later, Adrian rushed to my side. “Cassie! Are you okay?” he asked, kneeling beside me. “He didn’t have to be that harsh—” But I didn’t respond. Because right then… something flashed in my mind. A vision… It played in my head like a scene from a dream. Dominic. He was talking to someone. A woman. I couldn’t hear the words. I couldn’t make sense of it. But she looked familiar. Too familiar. “Cassie?” Adrian asked again, but I was already lost in that strange vision. Something wasn’t right.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “302709”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

Annabel Sinclair woke up as usual—in a hurry—a quick shower, her dark locks tied back into a neat bun, her starched scrubs crisp and fresh and ready. A twelve-hour shift stretched out before her, the kind that seeped into the bones, but she welcomed it. Work was all that was left in her life that was steady. She was halfway to the hospital when she turned around, having left something behind. Not something—her tablet, full of patient charts, case notes, and hours of work from her life. She cursed and turned her car around. The building loomed on the horizon, their apartment window shining with morning light. She rolled her eyes, half-laughing at herself. Steven is probably still asleep. The door clicked open with her hand. “Steven, you would not even believe—” Her words died away. First, it was the sound that stopped her—low, gasping moans, rhythmic and unmistakable. She froze in the hallway, her chest constricting, the sound pulling her forward against her will. She came to the bedroom door. Her lips curled into a disbelieving smile, the one that precedes denial breaks. She opened the door. And there he was. Her Steven—boyfriend, man she trusted with her life—was wrapped in the bed sheets with a stranger. Blonde hair on her pillow. His body on hers with a ferocity that made Annabel’s stomach turn. He was so engulfed in it, so far deep in this woman, that he didn’t notice Annabel until their eyes locked. Time shattered. Her heart missed a beat. Her mouth went dry. Steven’s face went white as his strokes faltered. “Annabel—wait—it’s not—” But she did not wait. She stumbled backward, a gagging sound tearing from her throat, and the apartment walls came tumbling down. The room was thick with sex and betrayal, the cologne she had loved now choking her. Her shaking hands groped for the doorknob, missing once, twice, before jerking it open and fleeing. By the time she was in her car, her heart was thudding in her ears, obscenely streaming tears in her eyes. She gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles were white. How could he? The man who breathed forever, the man who wrapped his arms around her when the nights were endless, the man who had vowed to give her everything—had shattered it all. And then the most brutal thought of all came crashing down. She hadn’t even told him yet. She was pregnant. Her belly revolted. The queasiness rushed up, past heartache, past betrayal. She was pregnant. Alone. The wheel blurred out of view as the tears flowed freely now, dropping onto her lap as she convulsed with sobs. Annabel Sinclair, the woman who’d saved countless lives in the operating theatre, who mended broken hearts with unwavering hands—couldn’t save her own. For interminable seconds she cracked, slumped over the wheel. But something within her changed. Steven had already reached his limit. He was not going to have her strength. She breathed more steadily. She rubbed her face on the back of her hand and composed herself. Work. That was all that mattered now. Precision. Control. Life and death—not this. She drove to the hospital, mask safely in place. The hospital greeted her with its cold sterility—stunning lights, quiet emergency, the hum of monitors and scurrying footsteps. It was easier here, where emotions had no place, where she could merge with rhythm and technique. She scrubbed her hands automatically: scrub, rinse, repeat. She focused on the burn of antiseptic, the smell snapping at her nostrils, grounding her. “Dr. Sinclair?” She turned. Dr. Ethan Carter stood nearby, eyes narrowed with quiet intensity. A senior surgeon, sharp, intuitive—he was brilliant, but his worst quality was seeing through people. “You okay?” His voice was low, meant only for her. Annabel forced a smile, the kind that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m fine.” He didn’t appear to take him seriously. His gaze remained on him, but he nodded once. “Good. Because we’ve got a patient with a ruptured aorta. I want you helping out.” The adrenaline came in immediately, a lifeline pulling her in. She went into the operating room with him, her world narrowing to the man on the table. “Lancet,” she breathed. The instrument slapped into her palm, familiar, heavy. Ethan’s commands snapped out sharp and unrelenting, and she greeted them with trained speed. There was a moment, a fleeting moment, when there was nothing else—scalpel, suction, clamps, and the fragile heartbeat of the man they were trying to save. Until her body turned against her. A wave of dizziness struck like a blow. The room tilted, her vision blurring at the edges. Her breath caught, and for one terrifying moment, she thought she might collapse right there. “Dr. Sinclair?” Ethan’s sharp voice cut across the sterile air. “I’m fine,” she rasped, forcing her hand steady, forcing her body into obedience. She would not fail here. Not now. Minutes turned to hours, but the surgery was a success. Relief surged through her as monitors leveled out. She ripped off her gloves and took a step back, the world careening again as nausea and exhaustion hit her. Her hand flashed to the wall, grabbing for balance. She didn’t have the strength to stand before he was by her side. “Ethan,” he said, not Dr. Sinclair—Ethan. His hand wrapped around her arm, holding her in place as her knees buckled. You’re not okay.” His tone was steel. “I’m insisting you go get yourself checked out this minute.” She shook her head quickly, panic rising. Vulnerability was a no-go. “No—I’m fine. Really. I just… I didn’t eat today. I’m tired, that’s all. I’ll be fine.” His jaw tightened, eyes still scouring hers. But she pushed back, struggled up, mask falling into place again. Fine. She would be fine. But deep inside, Annabel knew the truth. How long could she hide it?

The night was thick, viscous, as rain crept over the city streets. Annabel walked out of the hospital, exhaustion creeping into her bones after a lengthy shift. Work had been her only armor, her only sanctuary, but now that the operating room was behind her, the betrayal—the pregnancy—crept back into her thoughts like shadows waiting in ambush. She pulled her coat closer and walked across the parking lot, heels clicking on the damp asphalt. The overhead lights buzzed quietly, their long, fractured beams reaching out over the pavement. She sighed, wanting to just go home and collapse into bed. That’s when she felt it. A shiver ran down her spine. The slight sensation of being watched. Her hand had hardly touched the car door handle when an arm circled her waist, another clamped hard over her mouth. The scream was swallowed in her throat, suffocated by the calloused palm over her mouth. She fought wildly. Panic clawed at her breast, adrenaline racing through her veins. She kicked, her heels thudding into the ground, but another pair of hands clutched her legs and dragged her off her feet. “Keep still,” a deep voice growled in her ear, the words slurring with a heavy Italian accent. Terror spiked. Her fingernails scraped across his arm in a desperate attempt to break free, but her struggles appeared to strengthen their hold. A black van slid into view. The side door opened. A rag was clamped over her face, acrid chemicals burning her lungs. The world reeled. Her screams were never able to leave her throat. Darkness claimed her. — She awoke to echoes of movement. Her head throbbed. The constant hum of engines vibrated through her body. Annabel blinked into a haze of dim light. The air smelled of leather, tobacco, and something metallic. She shifted—and froze. Her wrists were bound. When her eyes focused, the truth snapped into place. She wasn’t on a hospital cot. She was on a private jet. The cabin gleamed with opulence: mahogany wood, polished gold, plush leather. It screamed wealth and power, but to Annabel it reeked of danger. “You’re awake.” The sound drew her attention. A man sat across from her. Broad shoulders strained his bespoke suit, his face chiseled in austere lines. His eyes were worse—dark, icy, cutting her open like prey. “Who are you?” Her voice rasped, dry and coarse, contradicting the fear. He bowed his head, amusement flickering. “You don’t need my name, Dottoressa. Just know that you have a function here.” Doctor. Her chest constricted. They knew exactly who she was. There was no time to respond before the cabin door opened. In came a second man, older, silver streaking his slicked-back hair. Command wore him like a second skin. Annabel needed no introduction. Don Raffaele. The name she’d heard whispered, spoken in fear, headlines that implied brutality and power. “Dr. Sinclair,” he said, taking a seat opposite her. His Italian accent stroked every syllable like velvet on steel. “Pardon the theatrics, but time was not in our favor.” Her heart pounded. Why me? Raffaele tented his fingers. “My sister, Pinky, suffers from a rare and terminal heart condition. The best have failed her. You will not.” Annabel stared, horror tightening her stomach. She was a doctor, sworn to save lives. But kidnapped? Forced across borders? Fury bubbled under her fear. “You kidnapped me,” she spat. “And now you expect me to willingly save her?” The don’s lips curled, less than a smile. “You are mistaken. This is not a request. You will save her because I need you to. Or you will never see your home again.” The words sliced like a knife. Annabel bristled, hardening her voice even as her stomach tightened. “Threats won’t heal her. Medicine doesn’t yield to intimidation. If your sister is as sick as you say, she needs proper care. I need her records. Tests. A hospital.” Raffaele’s black eyes searched her, seeking vulnerabilities. “You’ll have what you need. But you will do it under my roof. Under my protection.” Protection. The word burned. Her jaw clenched. “Why me? There are specialists, entire clinics—” “You are the best,” he cut in, his voice authoritative. “And you are discreet. That is most important.” Annabel’s breath caught. It wasn’t her skill they required—it was her silence. They didn’t require a doctor. They required a ghost who would never inquire, never disclose the truth. Hours later, the plane touched down. Midnight veiled the private airstrip. Salt and citrus were heavy in the air, warm Mediterranean winds enfolding her. No sooner had the cabin door been opened than armed men stepped in. “Untie her,” Raffaele ordered. The ropes fell from her wrists, blood rushing back in stinging throbs. Annabel rubbed the raw places, her mind racing. Run. Her muscles bunched, ready. But she was grasped by the arm before she had a chance to step forward. “Don’t,” a low voice breathed. She spun around. A tall, lean man with piercing green eyes gazed down at her. His expression was unreadable, but his words cut. “You won’t get far.” Her body tensed. Fight boiled in her chest, but she swallowed it. Not yet. They escorted her to a sleek black car. The ride was quiet, broken only by the winding roads through the countryside. Then the villa rose in front of her—massive, lit up against the moon’s darkness. Stone walls, giant gates, chandeliers glittering through the windows. Opulence saturated in menace. Marble floors stretched out before her within, chandeliers spilling crystal. It was beautiful, dizzying. The air itself vibrated with power. A young woman burst in, her voice frantic. “Raffaele! È peggiorata!” She’s worse. Annabel’s heart fell. Pinky. For the first time, Raffaele’s mask slipped. Fear gleamed in his eyes. “This is why you are here, Dottoressa Sinclair.” His voice dropped to a growl. “Save her.”

Annabel stepped into the hall, her body trembling with exhaustion. Every nerve in her body screamed for rest, but she forced herself to stand tall. Raffaele was waiting for her, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his face carved in stone. His eyes, dark and unfathomable, never left hers. “How is she?” His voice cut through the stillness—sharp, authoritative, impossible to ignore. Annabel breathed slowly before she could bear to look at him. “She’s stable. The surgery was a success. There were moments it almost slipped, but I held her through it. For now, she just needs to be watched closely.” Raffaele didn’t move. Didn’t blink. He was as unmoving as the marble that adorned his villa. Annabel crossed her arms, gathering courage she could barely feel. “I’ve done what you wanted. Now, let me go.” A muscle in his jaw twitched. “No. Not yet.” Her stomach tightened. “No? That wasn’t the deal.” His lips curved—although not into a smile. “We never had a deal.” He turned as if to walk past her, dismissing her altogether. Annabel grabbed his arm, surprising herself as much as him. “Don’t you dare dismiss me. You said we’d talk after surgery. I held my end of the bargain. You do know she’ll live because of me. That’s why you brought me here in the first place. So now—let me go.” He brushed her hand away like it was nothing, moving into the room. Fury surged through her exhaustion. She followed, stepping between him and the bed. “A patient fresh out of surgery should not be disturbed. And you’re not an exception. Look for yourself—she’s alive. She’s stable. That’s my work. Now keep your promise.” His eyes darkened, his presence swallowing the space around her. “You’re not leaving this estate until Pinky is better. That is not up for debate.” Annabel’s heart rate sped up, but she didn’t back down. “You can be Don Raffaele out there,” she spat, her voice slashing despite the tremble in her hands, “but in here, with me, she’s my patient. And this—” she nodded toward the girl sleeping behind them— “is medicine. Not mafia business. You can’t order that.” A spark of something danced in his eyes, but it was gone as fast. His hand darted out, catching her arm, yanking her into the hallway before slamming her against the wall. “Listen,” he snarled, voice low and lethal. “Do not touch me again. Don’t mistake your skill for power. I didn’t bring you here to negotiate. You’ll do my bidding until Pinky is out of danger. And if you so much as think about testing me—” His aura thrust into her, suffocating. “—you will not leave here alive.” The impact of his words hit her in the chest, but Annabel refused to look away. He scared her—repelled her—but she’d die standing rather than cower at his feet. He rose to his feet, his voice back to glacial command. “Take her to her room. Feed her. Clothes. She’s earned that much.” His gaze was still on her, knife-sharp. “Let’s make our relationship problem-free, Dottoressa Sinclair.” He did not wait for her reply. He had no need to. His word was law in this place. Annabel’s legs were weak, her stomach nauseous, but she would not let it be obvious. When the guards brought her to the room, she was aware of the truth about her destiny: she could save Pinky’s life, but she had no way to save her own. Her room was large, luxurious, suffocating. A tray of food waited for her, clothes stacked neatly on the bed. She didn’t see them. Her eyes landed squarely on the balcony. She ran outside, breath catching at the sight of armed guards patrolling the grounds. The smell of the ocean blew in the night air, salt and freedom tauntingly combining with her captivity. Even if she could slip past the guards, she had no ID, no money, no phone. There was no escape. Her chest tightened. No one knew where she was. No one would even search. She stormed back in, wildly searching around. Her bag was on the sofa. She tore it open, her heart pounding—her clothes, her wallet, her belongings were there. Everything except for her phone. Classic. The mafia didn’t leave loose ends. “This is bullshit, Raffaele!” she screamed into the void. “You steal my freedom, now my phone too? What next? My life?”She wouldn’t dare mention the fact that she was pregnant who knew what these people were capable of. And though the walls didn’t answer, she knew he was listening. Miles away in his study, Raffaele leaned back in his chair, cigarette dangling between his fingers, eyes fixed on the CCTV transmission. Annabel’s revolt blazed across the screen, her anger emanating off her in waves. “You certain about this, Don?” his underboss asked uncertainly, watching with him. “She’s volatile. What if she turns that temper on Pinky?” Raffaele exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his eyes never leaving the image of Annabel on the screen. “She’s too smart for that,” he said evenly. “But if she isn’t—” His lips curved into something dangerous. “—I’ll kill her myself.”

Annabel’s door boomed with a resounding crash, jolting her out of the disturbed sleep she had finally gained. Her heart missed a beat as she dragged herself out of bed, her eyes gritty with sleep deprivation. Raffaele towered in the doorway when she opened it—large, furious, his hand on her arm before she could so much as speak. “What have you done?” he grated. Annabel’s eyes snapped open, sleep fogged with confusion. “What are you saying?” “Her machines are beeping—” The sentence wasn’t completed because Annabel tore loose, running down the hall before he could stop her. She burst through Pinky’s door. The machines shrieked in warning. Her stomach plummeted with fear, but her hands stayed certain. She raced to the bedside, checking vitals, checking everything. “Someone was in here,” she snarled, already filling a syringe. She injected the stabilizer hastily, and the beeping slowed. Pinky’s vitals leveled out, but Annabel’s fury rose. “I said nobody was to come in here! She’s still too weak—any stress can kill her!” Raffaele’s gaze sliced to Luca, his underboss, who stood in the doorway with the same impassive calm. “Who came in?” “Nobody, Don,” Luca answered evenly. “The maids were nearby. They heard the alarm and came to report.” Raffaele’s jaw tightened. His eyes burned into Luca’s, but Annabel wasn’t paying attention. She was too focused on keeping Pinky’s pulse stable. Her patient came first—always. Even here. Even in danger. “She’s stable now,” Annabel muttered, replacing everything she’d handled. She didn’t look at Raffaele when she said, “For the last time—no one is to enter this room. She’s semi-conscious, she can hear, and you’re worrying her. You want her alive? Stay away and heed me. I’m the doctor here, not you.” She blurted out, her hand coming to her stomach—an act she had picked up recently. Without thinking, the words slipped free, low and sharp: “And I don’t need this stress—I’m pregnant.” Raffaele froze, his dark eyes narrowing sharply. “What?” Not waiting for permission, Annabel stood and departed quickly, muttering under her breath, that was close, who knew what would have happened. It was five a.m., she’d had little sleep, and now she was being dragged about like she was the criminal. Hours later, she was sitting at the dinner table across from Raffaele. He ate in silence, calm as if nothing had happened. Her plate was still full. “Not hungry?” he finally asked, eyes not lifting. “I want my phone,” she shot back. “That’s the very least you can do after keeping me here against my will. I’ll have you sued for this the moment I’m free.” His eyes lifted, dark and intense. “What if I don’t release you? She taunted, gesturing at him fearless. “Hear me, Don Raffaele. If you had brought your sister to a hospital like a decent human being, I would have performed surgery on her for free. But no, you abducted me. I am done with this craziness.” The maids halted, agog. The guards shifted. No one—no one—ever addressed him in anything more than a whisper. And here she was, snapping her fingers, waving at the Don like he was anybody. “You’re pushing your luck, Dottoressa Sinclair,” he said, putting down his knife and fork. His presence rolled across the table, heavy, menacing. Annabel didn’t flinch. “Give me back my phone, and we forget all about this. Simple.” His head was cocked, studying her like a puzzle. “And how am I supposed to know you won’t shout for help?” Her eyes narrowed. “Sure I will. That’s what phones were made for—to communicate.” Her fingers cracked again. “I can also rip out the threads keeping your sister alive at my next appointment. Or I can take a jump from that balcony and kill myself. At least that way I won’t be your prisoner.” The room went silent. Even Raffaele looked… unsettled. Not by fear—by intrigue. She was the first person who had dared to corner him like this, using his weakness against him. Annabel stood tall, hand outstretched. “I’m waiting.” A long beat passed before he finally spoke. “How long until she wakes?” “About a week. Maybe less.” Raffaele gestured to his butler. Wordlessly, the man left the room. Raffaele continued eating, at ease once more. “Eat something. You didn’t have dinner last night.” “Your son of—” Annabel cut herself off as the butler returned, placing her phone in her hand. She snatched it like air, turning it on immediately. “If you so much as breathe a word to anyone about being here,” Raffaele said flatly, his eyes glacial and unyielding, “you’re dead. I’ve had my men take care of your leave at work. You’re here until Pinky’s out of danger. That’s final.” Annabel had no opportunity to respond before Luca appeared beside them, stooping to whisper in Raffaele’s ear. And then—gunshots. Annabel froze. The harsh report of gunfire echoed through the villa, shredding the tense silence. Her phone dropped from her hand. “What—what’s going on?” she demanded, fear tightening her chest. Raffaele leapt to his feet. He grabbed her, lifting her into his arms without hesitation, getting out of the dining room as more shots were fired. “A setup,” he snarled, his grip like stone on her. His stride didn’t falter as chaos erupted in the halls. Annabel clung to him, fear racing through her veins. “Where are we going?” He didn’t stop, didn’t look at her. “To Pinky. We get her now. Stay with me—or you’ll die in the crossfire.”

The door slammed shut with a gunshot’s force in the black empty room. There were heavy footsteps, slow and deliberate, almost theatrical. The room was dark—darkness crawling up the walls, lit only by the thin crescent of moonlight through the ajar window. The wind screamed through the opening like a snake’s breath. “How did the plan go?” The voice was male, hunched in the blackness. He filled the room with his presence even though he didn’t stir, his presence suffocating enough. “It is powerful, boss,” the figure who had just walked in replied. His tone even, but sweat slicking the palms of his hands. “But… there is an unforeseen twist of complication. Someone we didn’t expect.” There was a silence. The darkness was even blacker. “Explain.” “They have Doctor Sinclair now. Raffaele brought her in. With her talent, Pinky… may be saved.” The silence that followed was worse than any scream. Then the voice of the boss dropped to an unholy whisper. “What?” “I—I thought—” “You thought?” The glacial, frosty words cut like a knife. “If the girl lives, we have no leverage. We have no chance of breaking Raffaele. Do you comprehend?” The man gulped. “Yes, boss.”. “Then make sure the doctor never gets the chance to succeed. Kill her before Pinky is freed by the Sinclair woman. I want her killed.” The figure bowed his head in agreement. “Your wish, my command.” — At the same time, in Raffaele’s villa, chaos was the order of the day. Men rushed with weapons drawn, smoke still rising from the raging battle miles away. Pinky’s frail body was being carried gingerly towards a waiting private aircraft. Annabel trailed behind, her heart pounding so fiercely she was afraid it would break her ribs. She had never imagined she would be in the midst of a mafia war zone. Don Raffaele—the name uttered in reverence, the one breathed on streets everywhere—besieged in his own territory. Unless… had this not been his true fortress at all? Was this villa just a decoy, a temporary domicile? Had he overestimated his enemies—or overestimated how much she saw? “Get in,” Luca directed, his voice sharp, jolting her out of her turbulent thoughts. Annabel stood still, watching the burning house, the shouting men bellowing orders in Italian, the bitter scent of gunpowder drifting on the night air. Ironically, she wasn’t trembling. Maybe it was the adrenaline. Maybe years of state-of-the-art surgeries had rewired her nerves—danger did not paralyze her; it focused her. She nodded once, moving toward the jet’s stairs. And then— CRACK! Blistering white-hot pain coursed through her arm, searing. A gunshot. Her scream tore through her throat as blood flowed fast and hot, moistening her sleeve. She hadn’t even had time to slump when someone pushed her hard forward. She fell face-first into the plane, feeling metal as her teeth bit into her lip. “F—shit!” she moaned, clashing her arm. Her body spasmed as pain ripped through her. The pain was exquisite, blinding her mind. The woman who could cut through the human chest with eyes closed was now at her mercy, overwhelmed by pain. Gunfire cracked outside, but a second later the ear-shattering roar of engines drowned it out. In the seconds it took, the jet soared into the night. “Do dottoressa Sinclair, okay?” Luca had materialized out of thin air, kneeling, hands already on her wound. His voice was frantic but controlled, his movements fluid—this was a man who had seen his share of blood. Annabel grimaced as he pressed on the wound. “Don’t touch me!” she snarled, tears running down her face. “I did not sign up for this! I am a doctor, not a grunt!” She wished to slap him, to scream, to open the plane door wide and leap out. But the harsh reality pressed down upon her heart—she was not here by choice. She was dragged into this hell, and the culprit was none other than Raffaele himself. If he came into the room right now, she knew she would claw his eyes out. “Doctor— The hysterical voice of a maid cut through the air. “She’s unstable again! Is it the stress?” Annabel’s bleeding head whirled. Pinky. Her fury came back momentarily, giving way to sheer animal instinct. She yanked her arm away from Luca’s, just managing to stay upright from the action. “If I’m killed, who rescues her, then? Damn it!” she growled, stumbling to her feet. Her vision blurred. She was stunned, weak, bleeding, but she struggled on. Sheaving herself in haste for strength, growling orders at the maids, her voice iron. “Do exactly what I did to her previously—stabilize her now. Get a move on!” Her medical mind kicked in, blinding her to the pain. Her arm was broken, but her hands were okay. Her mind was okay. She had prepared for emergencies her entire life, and this one was no different. As a child, while others played, she had studied anatomy textbooks. She had chased the dream of becoming a surgeon ruthlessly, never giving up. She had promised never to lose a patient. And she would not start now—not even in this bloody life she was forced into. Hours bled into one continual hell. The plane touched down, the wounded were shunted out, the new headquarters of the mansion revealed. Annabel did not notice the luxurious corridors or the gunslingers in every corner. She noticed only that Pinky’s stats remained stable when she finally released him. Her body ached, her arm burned, but fury propelled her. She barged into the living room where Raffaele and Luca stood talking to each other. Don Raffaele, she spat, her voice sharp enough to cut steel. He whirled, brows slanted in disbelief. Few people cut him short. Annabel marched ahead, glaring up at him despite the dizziness threatening to drive her to the floor. “Whatever this is, I don’t play. I almost died today. Do you know that? Died. Because of your enemies. Because you brought me here.”. His expression was unreadable. “It was a bait. You weren’t meant to be caught in the crossfire.” “Crossfire?” she growled, anger seething. “In case you didn’t get the time of day—I was shot. I’ve got flames in my arm, I’m bleeding on my clothing, and you’re telling me it was a crossfire? That young woman inside—your sister—is dead due to your incompetence! Did I save her life to have her be collateral damage in your mafia horseshit?” The maids and guards stood frozen in shock. No one talked to him that way. No one. Raffaele’s eyes grew dark, his aura bearing down. But Annabel didn’t back down. Her head reeled, her arm ached, but her glare remained fixed on his. “If anything goes wrong with her,” she spat, “you will never hear the end of it from me. Never.” The tension between them crackled with unspoken words—anger, defiance, and something neither could bring themselves to call. But before Raffaele could answer, a maid burst into the room, out of breath. “She’s awake!” Everyone stood stock-still. The maid trembled as she spoke again, “The young mistress is awake.”

Annabel shoved Luca aside, her bandaged arm blazing as she struggled through. She was talking to herself, spitting Don Raffaele’s name like venom through clenched teeth. Every movement hurt her like a stab of pain, but she forced herself upright, jaw tight. She was not a soldier, but she wore her wounds like one—hospital blues rather than uniform, duty fighting rage. Her anger simmered, then hardened into something more brittle. Duty. Whatever anger she felt toward Raffaele would have to wait. The maid’s breathless announcement still rang in her ears—Pinky was awake. The hallway to the girl’s bedroom was lengthy and heavy with silence, the kind that was rife with echoes of bullets and near-death. Every step Annabel took was pursued by the recollection of her own shriek when the bullet tore through her arm, the fear of sprinting through crossfire. The door loomed before her, partly ajar, as if it had been waiting for her. Her knees nearly buckled beneath her from the weight of all that was on the other side. She pushed it open. There, on the wide bed dressed in white linens, lay Pinky. Her skin was pale, her breathing so shallow it did not even stir her chest. But her eyes—open, glassy, unprotected—met Annabel’s. The sight wrenched the air from Annabel’s chest. The girl was alive. Barely, but alive. And in this world of smoke and blood, that was nothing short of a miracle. Annabel swallowed the lump in her throat and whispered, “Pinky…” The girl’s head moved, her eyes drifting towards her doctor. By the bedside, Raffaele leaned forward, one of his hands closing around Pinky’s frail fingers. His face was stone, but his hand betrayed him—tightly fisted, desperate, clinging as if his own life was tied to hers. Annabel entered to meet his piercing eyes flashing up to hers. They shared a silent communication. His was silent gratitude, hers frosty professionalism. “Dottoressa,” his voice grated low, almost a plea. “She needs you.” Annabel didn’t answer. She brushed past him, her coat grazing his arm. Her hands were already on Pinky’s wrist, checking pulse, measuring pupils, running through her assessments with brisk precision. “You’re one tough little cookie,” Annabel muttered, managing the barest ghost of a smile. Pinky’s lips trembled. Her whisper was fragile, dreamlike. “I saw… a butterfly. It had your face.” Raffaele’s eyebrows narrowed, suspicion fluttering. Annabel snorted, in spite of herself. “New one,” she said, voice rough. She glanced at the machines beside the bed. “Vitals are stabilizing. She’s not out of the woods, but she’s fighting.” “She said my name,” Raffaele rasped suddenly, his mask cracking. His eyes gleamed, voice cracking. “When she woke up. I thought for a moment—” He choked, unable to go on. Annabel’s tone softened, almost kind. “She’s not done yet, Don. Whatever they put her through, whatever she’s seen—it hasn’t broken her. That’s something.” The quiet hum of the monitors filled the silence. Even the maids at the door sniffled, relief etched into their faces. Pinky blinked slowly, turning toward her brother. Her lips parted. “Raffaele…” He leaned closer, his entire body drawn toward her. “I’m here, sorellina. Always.” Her next words shattered the fragile calm. “Where’s… Mama?” The room held its breath. Annabel’s hands stilled in mid-check. The question lingered like smoke. Raffaele’s features hardened, then locked. “She’s watching over you,” he rasped. “Always.” Pinky nodded feebly, as though to some unspoken pact, and withdrew her hand. Annabel registered the change first—the quake in Pinky’s fingers, the sudden spike on the monitor. Her training screamed warning. “Raffaele, step back,” she ordered, voice sharp. His head snapped toward her. “What is it?” Her voice tight, professional. “Something’s wrong. Her vitals are spiking.” Before he could move, Pinky’s eyes rolled back. Her small body convulsed violently, spasms racking her frame. The monitors shrieked. The maids screamed in panic. A tray clattered to the floor. “No, no, no—damn it!” Annabel yelled. “Get me diazepam! Now!” she bellowed to the nearest maid. The room dissolved into chaos. One maid ran towards the medicine cabinet. Another plunged forward to hold down Pinky’s flailing legs. Annabel jumped onto the bed, grappling the girl’s arching shoulders down with her good arm, trying to keep her from hurting herself. She slapped the oxygen mask back over Pinky’s mouth. “She’s seizing! Move!” Raffaele recoiled, startled, then leaped into action. “Luca!” Luca was there in a flash, breathless. “Don?” “Lock down the compound. Double the guard. No one in, no one out until I say. I want this house impenetrable!” “Subito!” Luca barked, vanishing down the hall. Annabel barely heard him. She was battling with death itself. Sweat dripped into her eyes, but her hands were steady as a rock. The maid returned, wrestling the medication into her hands. Annabel administered it with practiced speed. “Come on,” she muttered, voice a chant. “Come on, Pinky. With me.” Her eyes darted back and forth between the seizing child and the frantic monitors. Seconds passed like forever. Then, finally, the seizures stopped. Pinky went limp, her breathing rough gasps but present. The monitor slowed, steadied. Annabel collapsed against the bed, her chest rising and falling. Relief swept through her. “Stabilized. For now.” The room sagged with exhaustion. The maids were slumped against the walls, murmuring prayers. Raffaele moved silently to his sister’s bedside, his face a stone mask of grief. He brushed a strand of hair from her face with trembling fingers. “Will she live? Annabel met his eyes, hers grim. “I don’t know. That seizure—it wasn’t normal. It was like her brain was trying to purge something. Trauma. Stress. Or worse… something was induced.” Raffaele’s fists clenched. His jaw worked silently before he rasped, “I’ll tear this city apart. Whoever touched her—” “No,” Annabel cut in, her voice a blade. “Your sister doesn’t need revenge. She needs stability. Quiet. If you go thundering out there looking for enemies, you invite danger back into this room. And I won’t have you undo my work.” Their eyes locked, a contest of wills. Then, finally, his shoulders eased, infinitesimally. “You’re right,” he muttered, voice low. “You keep her safe. I’ll keep everything outside this door safe.” “Deal,” Annabel muttered, already stripping off gloves smeared with blood. She turned on the maids, her voice sharp. “You—warm saline in her IV every two hours. And you—stay by her bedside. No rattling, no whispering. I don’t want to hear a pin drop unless it’s to save her life. Do I make myself clear?” “Yes, doctor,” the women chimed in unison, dipping their heads. It was not until the room was quiet that Annabel’s body betrayed her. The adrenaline drained, and she was weak. Her knees buckled and she nearly fell. A biting gust from the open window startled her awake again. Her arm was numb, cold, seeping through the bandage, but she would not be stopped. Pinky’s fragile grip on life held her captive. Raffaele stood in the doorway. Arms crossed. Eyes unreadable. You could’ve run last night,” he said finally. His voice was low, woven with something that was not quite reproach, not quite admiration. “Instead, you come in here half-dead and dive headfirst into the fire.” Annabel shot him a glare, tired, belligerent. “I don’t do this for applause, Don. I do it because I can. Even if I hate every single person in this house.”. For the first time, his mouth corner jerked. A low laugh. “Do you hate me that much?” Her reply was dry. “You’re not getting on my Christmas list.” His laughter darkened, lower now. “Then from tonight, you owe me more than a card.” She said nothing. The machines hummed, Pinky’s breathing sighed, and in the distance Luca’s voice bellowed orders down the corridor. Annabel wiped at her forehead, exhaustion consuming her. But upon gazing at Pinky, she whispered, a prayer almost. “Stay with me, Pinky. For a little longer.”.

The spasm had passed, but the strangling silence it left behind remained. Annabel Sinclair inhaled a breath, then forced herself into slow, careful exhalation. Her arms were wrapped tightly around Pinky’s face, porcelain white, glass thin. The child slept—her small chest rising and falling with a pace so shallow as to be mistaken for death. But it was life, fragile and beautiful. The machines hummed like sentinels around them, hygienic, metallic, and pitiless. For the time being at least, the war had stopped. “Resting,” Annabel panted huskily to herself, her words creaking like shattered glass with strain. The two maids exchanged glances across the room—fear giving way to relief, hope flickering dimly in their drained eyes. Behind them, against the wall, Raffaele watched. His granite position revealed nothing, but his eyes were fixed—on Annabel, not on equipment, not on his sister, but on Annabel. Admiration. Awe. Something un-safe in a man like him. Annabel, on the other hand, was snapping. She had a white shirt sticking to her back with clotted blood, a bandaged arm dripping red down to the elbow. She could barely keep from leaning forward, but her eyes were bright, unwinking, the eyes of a soldier who will not blink on the field of war. “Doctor,” Raffaele did say at last, his voice gravelly and low. “You should have that arm treated.” “I will,” she whispered without looking up. “When? “When she is safe.” “She is safe. We’ve barricaded the house.” Annabel spun around, her expression as unyielding as steel. “That’s what you said last time. And she nearly died.” The words cut. His jaw tightened, and guilt flickered in his eyes before he covered it once more. Good. She wanted him to feel it. He should. Once she’d taken Pinky’s readings again, Annabel finally stood, muscles trembling. She washed her bloodstained hands on a towel, then headed toward the adjoining bathroom. “I’m dressing this wound,” she said without a trace of doubt in her voice. “Don’t let anyone disturb me—unless her vitals crash.” Raffaele gave a curt nod. “Go.” Behind the locked door, Annabel tore the bandage from her arm. The view made her stomach churn—red, inflamed, angry flesh beneath. Her hand closed around a bottle, spilling liquor right on top of the wound. Teeth gritted, a snarl tearing from her throat as the burn sent fire shooting through her nerves. The mirror reflected back to the woman what she had become now: hair disheveled, skin pale, dark half-circles deepening below her eyes. Not the polished surgeon from New York, not the girl who used to daydream about saving lives in spotless white wards. No—this was a battlefield medic, driven by adrenaline and fury. “This is not what I signed up for,” she snarled at her reflection. But her hands were fast, steady, precise. She had just restrapped her arm when the mansion shook. Boom. The floor shook. Then— RATATATATAT! Gunfire. Shouts. Screams. The house exploded. Annabel’s blood went cold. She flung open the bathroom door and sped into the bedroom. One maid was already across Pinky, covering her. The other clutched her rosary, mumbling desperate prayers. Luca burst through the door, gun up high, sweat sliding down his temple. “Down! They’re in!” he roared. Annabel’s breath caught. “Who’s in?!” “They breached the west wing. And they’re not here just for Raffaele this time.” Her gut twisted. She knew. She didn’t need him to say it. This wasn’t about the Don. This was about her. “Get her out of here!” Raffaele shouted, jamming a magazine into his pistol. His voice cracked like thunder. “Through the service tunnel—Luca, take her!” “No!” Annabel shouted back, fury sparking. “I’m not leaving Pinky!” “Guards!” he snapped, catching her arm, pulling her bodily toward the door. “They’re after you now, Annabel.” Her heart leapt. “What in the name of hell for?! I’m a doctor!” “You’re the doctor to my sister. You’re the only thing between life and death for her. That makes you bargaining power.” She spat another word in his face, but before she could, the wall behind them shuddered with a second explosion. The sound was deafening. Dust rained from the ceiling. They bolted. Luca led the charge down the corridor, shouting into his radio. The walls themselves seemed to warp under the strobe of gunfire beyond. Portraits shattered. Sconces tore from plaster. The mansion was a warzone. “I am not a fugitive!” Annabel snarled, her chest heaving. “No,” Raffaele growled back, “but tonight you’re the prize.” The words stabbed her like a knife. They reached the marble great hall. The doors were ripped wide—two guards dead on the threshold already. One of them had a bullet through the skull. Annabel’s legs buckled, but Raffaele urged her forward. “Don’t look. Go!” The courtyard stretched out before them, silver with moonlight. But the silence was a lie. A crack. The air whistled. Stone splintered inches from Annabel’s head. “Sniper!” Luca yelled, his own gun firing already at the rooftop. “Get down!” Raffaele screamed, throwing her hard behind the fountain. Her injured arm thudded against the stone. The shriek stuck in her throat. She spat blood. Raffaele crouched out from cover, shooting with uncontrolled fury. One, two, three shots. A shriek. A body slumped off the roof, crashing into the bushes with a sickening crack. “Clear!” Luca bellowed. “Move!” Raffaele shoved her forward again, yanking her toward the SUV. The armored vehicle came to life as its engine turned over, lights blinding across the courtyard. But as they reached it— A fusillade of bullets tore into the stone beside them, flashing off the fountain. The noise was deafening, a symphony of death. “Get in!” Raffaele shouted, shoving Annabel into the backseat. Luca jumped into the front, shooting back out the window as the SUV fishtailed out of the courtyard. A second vehicle came after—a caravan of Raffaele’s crew. Annabel cowered on the floor of the SUV, chest burning, ears ringing. “You could’ve been killed!” she croaked at him. Raffaele’s jaw was granite, his knuckles white on his gun. He didn’t say a word. Her voice broke, rage mounting over terror. “Why me?! Why do they want to kill me?!” Finally, his eyes flickered to hers, hard and deadly. “Because Mendoza knows what you are now. You’re not a doctor anymore. You’re my sister’s salvation. That makes you the one weapon I own worth fighting for. And the only one they have to use to kill me.” His words coiled in her heart like a blade. She opened her lips to reply— Then the glass beside her burst. Bullets ripped through the SUV. Tires screamed as the vehicle skidded. Luca swore, jerking the wheel. The convoy disintegrated. “Ambush!” he shouted. Annabel was pushed to one side, shoulder colliding with the seat. Ribs contracting in agony. She clutched at them—then went rigid. Heat. Her hand came out covered in crimson. A flush of scarlet spread over her ribs. She gasped, gagged, coughed vermilion. “Annabel!” Raffaele bellowed, sweeping her into his arms. His voice broke—hysterical, hoarse. “Don’t go away. Don’t go away!” Her universe blurred. Pain thudded in waves. The shriek of the engine faded. Only his voice remained. “I’ve got you. You saved my sister. I won’t let you go.” His hand covered her wound, futile against the flood. Her lips parted. She tried to speak. Tried to curse him. Tried to say something. But only blackness came out. Her body went limp against him. The SUV careened through the gates of another compound. Men screamed, lights strobed, and Luca was already calling the on-call medic on the radio. But Raffaele waited not. Did not trust. Did not care. He cradled her in his arms, her blood spreading on his chest, his face contorted by a desperation his foes had never seen. “Don’t go,” he whispered, trembling. “Not you. Not now.” Annabel’s lashes had once danced, then rested motionless. And darkness fell.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “302708”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

“Congratulations, you’re pregnant!” I shook my hands, hugging the pregnancy test result to myself, the doctor’s words still echoing in my head. Three years of trying finally paid off. The thought of holding our child one day filled me with excitement, even as an old ache lingered. Frank’s emotional distance had been a constant, unspoken presence in our lives, but tonight, I hoped things would change. Maybe a child could be the bond that brought us closer together. Frank’s voice pulled me back to reality. “What’re you thinking about?” he asked, his hands busy unbuttoning his shirt. I stared at his chest, my cheeks flushing. Three years of marriage, and his looks still took my breath away—but not in the way they once did. Before I could respond, he stepped into the shower. The water hissed to life, and I waited until the steam blurred the bathroom door before pulling out the report. My smile faded. How would Frank react to this news? The shower turned off, and Frank emerged, water dripping from his hair. “Frank, I have to tell you something,” I said, taking a step forward. My heart raced. “After all these years, I’m finally—” His phone shrilled, cutting me off. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening. “Hold that thought,” he growled, stepping out onto the balcony. I lingered in the doorway, listening to his low, agitated voice. When he returned, his usually calm expression was gone, replaced by a tense set line on his face. “I gotta go,” he said, grabbing his keys. “Wait—Frank! It’s midnight. Can’t this wait?” I pleaded, the report crumpling in my hand. He didn’t look back. “Something came up,” he said, and the door shut behind him. I collapsed onto the couch, the paper slipping from my grip. Another “emergency” that didn’t involve me. My throat burned. How many nights had I stayed up waiting for him, only to be met with silence? How many times had I pushed aside my doubts, clinging to the hope that one day, he’d truly see me—not just his secretary or a convenience—but his wife? A vibration startled me. Bianca’s name flashed on my screen. “Hey, Lisa,” she said, her voice teasing. “You in a wheelchair now?” My brow furrowed. “What?” “I just saw Frank pushing some woman in a wheelchair into that fancy restaurant downtown. Thought you two were together.” The line went quiet. My stomach twisted. “Are you sure it was him?” “Pretty sure. But maybe I’m—” The call cut off before she finished. My thumb hovered over the home button as a news alert beeped. Dera Pete returns with mystery billionaire companion.*  Dera Pete. The name hit me like a punch. The photo was fuzzy, but there he was—Frank, grinning as he walked alongside a wheelchair-bound woman in a diamond-studded gown. The caption called them “the city’s most elegant couple.” Comments flooded the screen: “Her fiancé’s face is heavenly!” “When’s the wedding?” My vision blurred. So this was where he’d rushed off to—not for work, not for an emergency, but for her. The woman who’d hurt him years ago, the one he’d sworn he’d never speak of again. The pregnancy report lay forgotten on the floor. My baby, our future, meant nothing compared to the ghost of his past. A tear slid down my cheek. How long had this been going on? Dera’s laughter echoed from the screen, and Frank’s possessive hand rested on her shoulder. The knife in my chest twisted deeper. In the morning, I forced myself to get up and head to the company, even though I hadn’t slept a wink. The night’s events replayed in my mind, each detail sharper than the last. “Have you seen the news? Dera Pete has returned!” Manda kol, one of the employees at the Lanka group, remarked. She was talking to her friend while they waited for the elevator. Behind them, I stood quietly as they continued to talk about me as though I was invisible. “You mean that jewelry designer?” Lili Samuel asked. “Yeah, she’s not just an ordinary jewelry designer. She’s also the only girlfriend our boss has ever admitted to dating publicly. I heard she’s his first love.” “Wow, but isn’t it rumored that our boss and Ruth have some—?” “Of course not! She was just his mistress!” Tatiana said with a laugh. “Haha! What a failure. She thought sleeping her way to the top would make the boss fall in love with her. Now that the woman he loves has returned, I’m sure she’s not only going to lose her position as the mistress but also her job.” My hands clenched into fists. I gritted my teeth but stayed silent. After all, our marriage was a secret known only to Frank and his family. I was Frank’s personal assistant, but everyone assumed we were just close colleagues. Frank never corrected them, and I had no right to either. He made me promise to keep our marriage a secret. The elevator doors opened, and we all stepped inside. Tatiana and Lili exchanged a glance before continuing their conversation. “If I were her, I would resign. It’s clear the boss has someone he loves. It’s so degrading to cling to him like a desperate person,” Manda said, her words full of mockery. “Hey… chill. She can hear you,” Lili whispered, though she laughed as she said it. They seemed to be having a field day at my expense. They were among the many women who were jealous of my closeness with Frank. Now that his real woman had returned, they found an opportunity to ridicule me. “I’m just stating the truth. She’s a mistress who’s about to be abandoned now that the future Mrs. Lanka has returned to the city,” Manda declared. My hands tightened into fists at her words. Mistress? I was his legal wife! And yet, I couldn’t even declare that out loud. I pursed my lips, my heart aching. Frank hadn’t come home last night. He didn’t even have the decency to call and let me know where he was. I concluded he must have spent the night with his ex-girlfriend. The thought made my heart feel like it was being clawed by a cat. My colleagues’ mocking words echoed in my ears, and my throat went dry. I was his legal wife, but I couldn’t even defend my position. Could I even defend something that wasn’t truly mine to begin with? It didn’t take long for me to arrive at the CEO’s office. However, I wasn’t in the mood to work that day. So, I went to Frank’s office to ask for a day off. Sure enough, when I knocked and entered, I found him seated in his swivel chair, wearing different clothes from the ones he’d had on the previous night. “You’re late,” Frank said in a cold, deep voice. “Yes… I slept late. I’ve come to ask for a one-day leave,” I requested, trying hard to hold back my tears. He didn’t seem bothered by his absence. “Why? Are you sick?” Frank asked nonchalantly, his gray eyes studying me. “I’m not feeling well,” I replied, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. The truth was, I wanted to ask him where he’d spent the night, but I didn’t want to hear that he’d been with another woman. Knowing it and hearing it from him were two very different things. “Okay,” Frank said, and when I didn’t move, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Anything else?” I shook my head. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Frank didn’t even attempt to explain where he’d been. He acted as if what he’d done was perfectly normal. With a heavy heart, I left the company and went to the parking lot. However, I bumped into someone in the underground parking area. It was none other than Dera Pete—the woman of Frank’s dreams. In her wheelchair, she looked incredibly vulnerable, evoking a protective instinct in everyone around her. She maneuvered her smart wheelchair and stopped in front of me, blocking my path. “So, you’re Ruth, Frank’s wife? I’m Dera. Nice to meet you,” Dera said. I turned pale. I hadn’t expected to meet Dera so soon. “Thank you for taking care of Frank these past three years,” Dera added with a smile. I internally scoffed! She made it sound like I was just a caretaker! Was she indirectly asking me to back off now that the owner had returned? “You don’t need to thank me for doing my duty as his wife,” I replied through gritted teeth. I felt sorry for her because she was in a wheelchair, but her words felt like a mockery of the real state of my relationship with Frank. Dera smiled gently. “Of course. See you around,” she said before beginning to wheel herself away. Just as she was leaving, her phone slipped from her lap and fell to the ground. Looking at me, she asked, “Can you help me pick up my phone? I can’t reach it as you can see.” I nodded and approached her. However, as I crouched down to pick up the phone, Dera suddenly fell to the ground and screamed. “What happened—” “Ouch! That hurt!” Dera cried, blood trickling down her face, horrifying me. “What the—” “DERA!” Frank’s deep voice boomed as he rushed toward us. My heart skipped a beat when I heard his familiar voice. It was my husband, and I’d never heard him sound so worried before. He hurried over and held Dera in his arms. Seeing the blood dripping from her forehead, his eyebrows furrowed in anger. He glared at me coldly, sending chills down my spine. Did he think I did this? My eyes widened in shock as I realized what was happening. I was being framed! “Frank! I swear, I didn’t push her—” “Get lost!” Frank yelled and pushed me, causing me to fall onto my backside. He carried Dera in a bridal style, his eyes filled with worry. He looked at her and whispered gently, “Don’t worry, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“Yes, she’s no regular jewelry designer. She’s also the only girlfriend our boss ever publicly acknowledged dating. I heard that she’s his first love.” “Gosh, but isn’t it heard that our boss and Ruth have some—?” “Certainly not! She was only a mistress!” “Haha! What an idiot. She thought sleeping her way to success would get the boss’s heart.” I clenched my fists. My nails pressed into my palms, but I didn’t say a word. My marriage was known to Frank’s family and him only. No one had guessed the truth; everyone had assumed I was Frank’s mistress because we worked together so intimately. Frank never denied the rumors, and I never tried to refute them. When he insisted on having me promise we’d never confess our marriage, I complied without hesitation. The elevator doors opened, and we all entered. Manda and Lili glanced at each other before they went on talking. “If I were her, I would quit on my own. It looks like the boss has someone he likes. It is so shameful to hang around him like a starving chick,” Manda sneered. “Shh, be quiet. She can hear you,” Lili whispered, although her tone was playful. They reveled in my misery. For years, they’d envied my closeness to Frank Lanka. Now that his ex, Dera Pete, was back in town, they relished the chance to tear me down. “I’m just saying the truth. She’s a mistress who’s about to be abandoned now that the future Mrs. Lanka has returned to the city,” Manda declared. Mistress? I was his lawfully wedded wife. But the words stuck in my throat. Frank did not come home last night. He did not call. I imagined him with Dera, and the vision ate away at my heart like a saw-edged knife. When I got to Frank’s office, I couldn’t focus. I knocked and entered, and he was sitting behind his swivel chair in a suit I had never seen. “You’re late,” he snapped, his voice cold. “Yes. I overslept. I’m here to ask for a one-day leave,” I said, pushing the lump from my throat down. “Why? Are you sick?” he snarled, his gray eyes scanning me as if I was an annoyance. I’d rather have asked where he’d stayed. But it would shatter me to find out. To not know. “I’m awful,” I whispered. “Good,” he snapped. I stood there uncertainly, then he raised one eyebrow. “Anything else?” I nodded, my heart as heavy as lead. He did not care where he’d spent the night. To him, it was insignificant. I exited the office and out into the parking lot, vision blurry. Then I rounded a corner and bumped into somebody. It was Dera Pete. She curled in a glimmering wheelchair, her gaunt body framed by a taut smile. “So, you’re Frank’s wife, Ruth? I’m Dera. Nice to meet you,” she oozed, voice sugar-sweet with goodness. My blood froze. “Thanks for taking care of Frank the past three years,” she told me. I snorted in my mind. Taking care of him? Me, a professional nurse? Was that how she was attempting to threaten me away? “You don’t have to thank me for doing my duty as his wife,” I growled, the words trembling out of me. Dera’s smile grew wider. “See you around.” She wheeled off, but her phone fell off her lap. “Will you pick it up? I can’t reach it like you,” she said, dripping with condescension. I moved forward, but before I could crouch, she lunged forward, screamed, and fell on the concrete. “Ack! That hurts!” I yelled, a trickle of blood running from my cheek. “DERA!” Frank’s yell shook the garage. He rushed towards us, his face pale with rage. He scooped Dera up in his arms, his eyes blazing at me. “What did you do?!” “I didn’t push her!” I yelled, terror rising. But he shoved me aside, and I fell on the hard ground. He cradled Dera in his arms, his voice softening. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you to the hospital.” His words were to her, not to me. And as I saw their receding backs, I knew the truth: Frank Lanka had already chosen his past over his secret wife.

“What in the name of the devil is happening?” Frank demanded from Dera when the doctor had examined her. Guilt welled up as he gazed at the bandage on her forehead. “I’m sorry. I have no idea why Ruth changed. She was once so kind to me.” When he’d crashed into the parking lot, he’d been convinced he’d seen Ruth dragging Dera from the wheelchair. Fear had muddied his reasoning. But Dera’s legs—her strength already weakened due to her illness—had collapsed beneath him. He’d been the one to bring her down. “I hope you can forgive her. She doesn’t get angry very often,” Frank added, his tone grating. We were in a VIP hospital room, Dera sitting on the edge of the bed without her wheelchair. She smiled and grasped Frank’s hand. “Hey, don’t get this wrong. This isn’t Ruth’s fault. I fell on my own. My wheelchair must’ve had a malfunction.” Frank’s eyes opened wide. “Are you saying Ruth didn’t push you?” Dera shook her head, her lips trembling. “No, she didn’t push me. Don’t blame her for this. I don’t want the two of you fighting because of me.” Frank’s chest tightened. He remembered pushing me away carelessly, assuming the worst. How could he have been so blind? “I had no idea,” he whispered. Dera squeezed his hand. “You should go to her and clear things up.” Frank nodded, his face filled with guilt. “I’ll take you home first. I’ve already put an order in for a new wheelchair to replace the broken one.” “Okay. Don’t leave Ruth alone long enough,” Dera said in a low voice. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to her,” Frank replied. Later, I bumped into my best friend Bianca at a cafe on my way back home. “What? Pregnant?” Bianca’s eyes popped open. “That’s great news!” A bitter smile twisted at my lips. “I don’t think so. You were right last night. That was Frank I saw. And the woman he’s been loving? The woman he always wanted to love? That was Dera.” Bianca’s jaw dropped. “Is he cheating on you with his ex?” “I don’t know. But it hurts to finally know the truth. Perhaps I should do what I’ve been resisting all along,” I said, my voice hollow. “Are you insane? Why would you leave your marriage—especially since you’re pregnant now? Being a single mother is pure hell, Ruth. You’re his lawful wife! If you can’t stand up to her, I will.” “And then what, Bee?” I shook my head. “You should have seen how fast he shoved me away when he believed I hurt her. He did not even hesitate. He did not inquire if I was okay. How am I to remain with a person who shelters her more than me?” Bianca’s fists were tight. “Try telling him about the baby. Perhaps that will wake him up from his insanity.” I rubbed my belly gently. “He pushed me without hesitation. He didn’t call to see how I was. Maybe he doesn’t want this child. Maybe he’d rather I just disappeared so he can be with Dera.” Bianca sighed. “If that’s what you’ve set your mind on, I’ll be with you. Just promise me you’ll do what will make you happy.” When Frank arrived, I sat in the lounge. As soon as he entered, guilt flickered across his face. “Ruth, about that back there, I’m—” “I have something to say to you,” I told him quietly. I handed him the papers I’d lugged all day. Frank frowned as he read the documents. “What’s this? Work? Can’t it wait until tomorrow morning? I wanted to talk—” “Those are divorce and resignation papers,” I told him. “Let’s end this, Frank. It’s been long enough.” Frank’s eyes sprang up, shock taking the place of guilt. “Ruth, wait—” “Let’s divorce,” I said again. “I’m no longer standing in the path of your happiness.”

Frank was taken aback. Hearing those words from my mouth wasn’t something he’d anticipated. He glanced down at the papers in his hands—yes, they were a divorce petition and my resignation notice. He glared at me and demanded, “You’re throwing a tantrum over what happened a while ago. That’s why you’re giving me these papers?” I shook my head. “It’s not that. I’ve been wanting to divorce for a long time now. Now that Dera’s back, you can openly be with the woman you love.” Frank laughed, a bitter, bitter laugh. He tore the papers in two, and I shrieked. “Why did you do that? You don’t love me, why won’t you divorce me?” I screamed. My voice was desperation-tinged, my heart thudded painfully in my chest. During the three years we were married, Frank never loved me. He’d held me at arm’s length, never once being affectionate. I’d loved him, thinking that if I dedicated myself to him and loved him unconditionally, he’d come to love me. But three years had passed, and Frank’s heart remained as cold as ice. As much as I tried, I couldn’t make him love me. “Frank, please. Let me go so you can be happy,” I pleaded, tears welling up in my eyes. “Never. Divorce? You think you can just wake up and ask me to divorce you? In your dreams, Ruth,” Frank taunted. “Why? Don’t you want to be with Dera? Isn’t that why you slept with her last night?” I couldn’t help but yell. “Ah, so this is what all this is about? No time for unnecessary jealousy, Ruth. I did nothing with her. Dera fell sick after her welcome party and I had to stay with her at the hospital. She was okay in the morning,” Frank explained. I clenched my fists. “I don’t want to listen to your excuses. There’s no love here. It’s better to dissolve this marriage.” Frank stepped closer and grabbed my chin, forcing my head backward to glare into my hazel eyes. “I’m the one who gets to decide when this marriage is over. I don’t ever want to hear you speak of divorce, do you understand?” “The woman you love is back and clearly, you will never love me. Why not a quick ending instead of dragging it out?” I begged, crying profusely. My heart ached, as though there was something cold and hard squeezing it. Frank didn’t love me, but he didn’t wish to lose me either. It was hard to say what he truly wanted. He wanted to be with Dera, didn’t he? That’s why he’d rush to her the moment she returned. Frank’s face relaxed when he noticed my tears. He cupped my face in his hands and wiped away the tears on my cheeks with his thumbs. “Nobody’s getting divorced. Nana loves you. Let’s not disturb him with petty problems.” I was about to respond when I caught a whiff of a powerful scent from Frank’s jacket. It was a woman’s perfume, one I recognized as belonging to Dera. The smell was overpowering, and I vomited, covering my face with my hand. I moved away from Frank and ran to the kitchen, which was the nearest place. Frank frowned and followed me, reaching my side as I vomited into the sink. “Are you alright?” he questioned, holding my hair back from my face as I retched. When I was done and had water splashed across my face, my heart was racing. I had no idea whether Frank suspected I was pregnant or not. “What is it? Why suddenly vomiting?” Frank asked again. “Uh, I ate some bad food today,” I fabricated. Frank watched me. “You’re always so mindful of what you eat, Ruth. Are you hiding something from me?” My heart was racing frantically, and my stomach was twisting with knots. Has he found out? I asked myself. Frank gazed at me for a few seconds. I knew he noticed that I was pale and gained a bit of weight. His eyebrows furrowed. “Wait, are you—” I sighed in relief as Frank’s phone rang, cutting off his sentence. Frank grunted and answered. “Hello—” “Mr. Lanka, Miss Pete is gone!” the voice on the other end said. Frank’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? I’m coming!” He did not even glance my way before rushing out the door, his face strained. I laughed at myself. And here I thought he wasn’t divorcing me because he had feelings for me. Turns out that was wishful thinking. When Frank found out something was wrong with Dera, he’d all but vanished from the mansion to go look for her. I couldn’t help but speculate about what Frank would have done if I were the one who was missing. I had walked out of the kitchen and was going upstairs to the master bedroom when I felt a burning pain at the back of my head. I was enveloped in darkness.

I awoke to find myself tied to a chair. The cold of the damp air in the old warehouse seeped into my bones and I shivered helplessly. I could sense my heart pounding as I remembered the blow to the head and loss of consciousness. Was I kidnapped? I screamed, “Where am I? Help! Help me!” “Relax, Ruth. Shouting isn’t going to benefit you. I tried it myself, I swear,” a voice I recognized rang in my ears. I glanced to the right and noticed Dera bound into a chair similar to mine. My eyes bulged with horror. “What is it? Why were both of us kidnapped?” I asked, my chest pounding in terror. At the very back of my mind, I feared for the welfare of the child I carried within me. In case anything should happen to me, I would lose my baby.”. “Good question,” a low male voice boomed somewhere in the warehouse. I spun back toward the voice and my heart ran wild when I saw four goons coming our way. The leader of the group, a bald man with yellow-stained teeth, had a pungent smell of alcohol on him. “Don’t worry, Ruth. Frank will rescue us,” Dera said with determination. I felt a glimmer of hope. Frank, my husband. But then I remembered how he had rushed out the instant Dera disappeared. He would rescue Dera. I mean nothing to him compared to her. It did not take long before Frank arrived at the warehouse. He walked in and did not move when he saw the two of us tied up. He clenched his fists and glared at the goons. “Untie them! It is I who have an issue with. Leave the women alone.” “Rapido. These two ladies are obviously very close to you,” said the leader, spinning a knife around his fingers. “Let them go immediately,” Frank commanded again. “No can do. Because they are so special to you, they are in this trouble,” the thug replied. “I’ll let you keep one of them. The other one will remain with us as a hostage.” “You’re kidding, right?” Frank growled. “You save one or none at all,” the thug sneered. “Oh, Frank Lanka, I should like to see whom you will choose. I had just come to a mind to have a little sport, but now I have a wish to know whom you love most of the two.” Frank’s fists were clenched. He ground his teeth as he glanced at the two of us, both frightened and helpless. “Frank, choose Ruth. She is your wife! Do not listen to me,” Dera looked up at Frank with watery eyes. She was pale and weak, but so kind, treating me with every care. Frank’s conscience was overwhelmed with shame. His fists were clenched, ready to spill blood on his hands. “Go, Frank. You can save one woman. The time is escaping.” Frank snarled, his eyes darting back and forth between the two of us. My heart pounded in my chest when I saw his eyes darting back and forth between Dera and me. Frank looked at me only once before he spoke to the thug, “Let Dera go.” My heart fell. He had picked her. I should have realized this was the inevitable, but I had hoped secretly that Frank would pick me. I was his rightful wife, for goodness’ sake. It hurt me to see him pick another woman and leave me to be the thug’s hostage more than I ever thought I would. Frank. Was I not important to you? I wept like an idiot. “Frank, you look as cold as is rumored,” the thug snarled with a revulsion-filled smile. “Are you at ease leaving the other woman in our hands?” “Let Dera go,” Frank commanded icily. The thug grinned wickedly and undid the rope from Dera’s waist. Frank stepped up and wrapped his arms around Dera, holding her against his chest as if she were one of those delicate porcelain dolls that would break if set down. “Frank, you must take Ruth. I’m a cripple and will be in a wheelchair for the remainder of my life. I’m of no use to you,” Dera breathed. “Don’t worry, I’ll rescue you from here,” Frank promised while pulling her out of the warehouse. I couldn’t utter anything. My heart was broken into a million pieces. The only thing that frightened me was my innocent child, who would be killed because of my stupid love for Frank. If I were to go back in time, I would never give my heart to such a heartless man. “Because Frank has made a choice, I have no use for you to live,” the thug declared, playing with his knife as he glared at me. “Proceed. What are you waiting for?” I spat back as I glared at the thug. “I was waiting for you to beg for your life. I would not have let you go either,” the thug laughed. He ordered his henchmen to fill the place with gasoline. “But boss, is this to be done?” one of them asked. “She wants her out,” the thug answered. I heard that but could not even begin to take in what he was saying. My heart ached. To the very last, I never came first for Frank. Why was I doing this? Why was I allowing Frank to treat me so poorly? I knew I was having my last moments and there were just so many things that I was regretting. “Hey, Miss, last words?” the thug grinned at me. My eyes were closed, accepting fate. Boom! A huge explosion rocked the ground. Frank, who had run back to the warehouse, was blown back by the explosion. He looked in terror at the warehouse, now engulfed in flames, burning the whole building to the ground. I, his wife, stayed in the warehouse. “Ruth!!” “NO!!!” Frank’s anguished cry filled the air.

years later The top-class events facility in Charles State buzzed with activity. Josephs & Co, owners of the biggest jewelry company, had returned to the country to introduce their long-lost daughter to the world. Jack Josephs, a renowned jewelry craftsman, was a force to be reckoned with who had taken his family’s jewelry company and made himself wealthy. He had always been at the front of the fashion parade in the jewelry industry. Everyone was always complimenting the jewels he made. But he left the country with his wife several years ago. All of them wished that they never had the chance to develop relations with the Josephs family. The Josephs family eventually came back. Most of the number one men and women in Charles State yearned to greet their hands with Jack Josephs, MD of Josephs & Co. They arrived in limousines and brought expensive gifts in an attempt to capture the hearts of the family. A reporter from KB Entertainment made a live appearance on television as they covered the event live. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have come to the largest event of the year where Josephs & Co.’s MD is going to present his only daughter to the world. Everyone is waiting with bated breath to see Miss Josephs, including Charles State’s most eligible bachelor, Frank Lanka, who has also brought with him his fiancée, Dera Pete. It appears that the dignified MD also wants to meet the missing daughter of the Josephs family.” Continuing repeating himself, a handsome tall man strode by the door wearing a suit made to measure and proceeded into the hallway. The reporter’s remark angered him and provoked him to jest. He was not ‘interested’ in greeting the missing daughter. He only wished to put forth an offer of union with Jack Josephs in behalf of his impending jewelry venture. The guy was none other than Lanka CULT CEO Frank Lanka. Tall dark-haired guy with a sharp angular jaw that could cut through a diamond. He had a trimmed, well-groomed beard that made him a hunky, macho-looking dude. “Frank, over here!” A voice barely above a whisper whispered on one side of the hall. Frank turned his head to glance at Dera Pete. He smiled and approached her, inquiring, “Have you talked to Mr. Josephs yet?” Dera laughed nervously. She had tried to venture out earlier to see Mr. Josephs but was driven away by his security guards. Anyone who wished to see the man would have to wait until the event. The fact that she knew him from her father did not work in her favor. “I just sat here waiting for him. Don’t you worry, Frank. I will get you a partnership with Mr. Josephs. He is my father’s friend, so he owes me some face,” Dera said. Frank shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded. He had no other choice but to turn to Dera since his own efforts to reach Jack Josephs were an exercise in futility. It seems the man is deliberately avoiding him for one reason or another. Before long, the MC had called out that Mr. Josephs had arrived and all were standing by the door waiting. One minute went by, and in walked a man in his late fifties with a gorgeous woman. He was his wife, Freya Josephs, a famous jewelry designer. “There he is, let’s go and meet him. I’ll introduce him to you,” Dera declared in confidence. Frank nodded and rolled Dera’s wheelchair forward. They inched up to Jack Josephs and his wife when they stopped to greet some other partygoers. Dera smiled and said, “Uncle Josephs!” Jack Josephs turned at the sound of his name. He frowned when he saw it was Dera. “Remember me? I’m the daughter of—” “Good evening,” Jack Josephs brushed Dera aside with a greeting and moved on without glancing back at Frank. Dera’s face turned red like a tomato. She did not expect Jack Josephs to cold-shoulder her in front of all these people. “I thought you said you were family friends?” Frank asked, surprised that Jack cold-shouldered Dera who claimed to know him on a personal level. “Perhaps he does not know me. Because I’m a cripple now,” Dera gasped, and Frank scowled at her statement. “Let him be. I’ll take care of him afterwards,” Frank had said softly. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Jack Josephs stood up on the platform and grasped the microphone. “Welcome.” The party crowd were immediately hushed and all of them looked over at the Josephs couple on stage. “Thank you for your support. Josephs LIFTX is moving its business centre back out to the countryside today,” Jack announced. The crowd applauded thunderously. Everyone was aware of the news once they received the invitation, but no one was hesitant to show their happiness. “Alright, let me introduce to you my long-lost daughter. Welcome on stage, Lydia Josephs!” There was a commotion at the entrance. A lady walked in and everyone’s attention was focused towards her at once. She was wearing a fashionably dressed outfit. Her complexion was light and she wore her dark brown hair in an up styled updo. She had on an open back, sapphire blue formal dress with light makeup on her face accentuating her stunning features. Frank also turned to see what everybody else was staring at. But when he saw the woman entering the room, his jaw dropped and eyes widened. “Ruth?” he thought to himself. Was he dreaming? The woman looked so much like his deceased wife, Ruth. Frank was also shocked, just like Dera. She looked pale and whispered, “Is it Ruth? How is this possible? She died!” But Frank didn’t utter a single word. He was staring at the goddess-like lady who was similar to his wife. The heart of Dera sank when she realized that Frank’s eyes were diverted to the mysterious lady. She clinched her fists into tight balls as fear started creeping onto her. Who was the lady and why did she look so much like Ruth? The crowd lost it as Lydia Josephs descended onto the stage elegantly. She proceeded to her dad with a smile on her face. She took the microphone from her hand and smiled at the audience and proclaimed, “Hello everyone, I am Lydia Josephs. I’m back and I will be occupying the office of the MD of Josephs & Co. Jewelry Company from here on.”

I was stunned. There was the woman on stage who looked like my late wife. Her face, her shape, her voice—there was a striking similarity between the two women. I scowled as I listened to Lydia Josephs give her speech. “Ruth, is that you?” I asked myself, a look of confusion on my face. Lydia Josephs finished speaking and stepped down from the podium. The MC then told her that she would have to share the dance floor with her partner, Dean Anderson, a new mysterious young man who appeared to be a debonair new face in Charles State. He was tall and lean and had sandy brown hair and brown eyes. The guy, in a three-piece gray suit, grinned at Lydia and walked up to her. In front of everyone, he took Lydia’s hand and asked, “May I have this dance, Lydia?” Lydia smiled and took his hand. They stepped onto the dance floor and moved to the beat. Dean glanced at Lydia as they danced. He grinned and said, “Congratulations, boss lady.” Lydia grinned and said, “Thank you, Dean.” “I’m the happiest man in the room now, and I bet the men who are looking on are jealous of me,” Dean explained, staring into Lydia’s eyes. “Oh Dean, you’ll always be so flirtatious,” Lydia pleasantly said. “As the youngest female MD of Charles State and the mysterious daughter of the Josephs clan, it’s all enough to make all the men go crazy about you,” Dean continued. “Dean, you’re on stage as well. You’re the mysterious new MD who’s just moved to Charles State. Honestly, I’ve known you for so many years now, and you’re still as mysterious,” Lydia teased her friend. My teeth were locked into a scowl of frustration. Witnessing the woman who so closely resembled Ruth dance so intimately with another man kindled an unidentifiable spark of jealousy in my heart. I knew that she would not be my wife. So why was I so angry and disturbed noticing this unfamiliar woman with another guy? My eyes constricted and I felt as if someone was squeezing my heart. I could only try to stop myself from walking out onto that dance floor and tearing them apart. From the corner of my eye, Dera happened to catch a glimpse at my face when I gazed at Lydia Josephs. She clenched her fists into tight balls as bitterness crept into the corners of her heart. “Do you still carry that bitch in your heart?” she asked herself. Eight years had passed and I still hadn’t married her. Was it perhaps because I couldn’t let go of Ruth? Dera glared at Lydia Josephs with ill will in her heart. No one was going to steal me from her! I belonged to her and her alone! “Frank. Do you actually think she resembles Ruth?” Dera surprised me by telling me to hear her. “I’ve thought of her every waking moment of all those eight years and blamed myself the entire time. If not for you rescuing me, Ruth would have been killed. But how can Lydia Josephs be Ruth? She’s not that one. How can she be from a wealthy family?” I came to my senses when I heard that. Of course, Ruth was an orphan and had no relatives. There was no chance she was Jack Josephs’ daughter. I glanced at the woman dancing on the dance floor and saw how she danced gracefully. Ruth could not dance and she did not enjoy attending such gatherings. “Right. There’s no chance that she’s Ruth. I saw her body myself,” I told myself. “Yes. Ruth is dead,” I grumbled, but I sounded as though I was trying to convince myself. But I could not shake the tightening in my chest. I felt like I was something short. Within a few minutes, Lydia had just greeted and been introduced to most of the older guests. Dean departed Lydia alone after offering an apology for leaving to answer a call. Noticing that she was by herself, I got up from beside Dera to greet her. “Good evening, Miss Josephs,” I replied softly with a velvety voice. Lydia swiveled around to catch sight of me since she heard the sound of the man’s voice. My heart skipped a beat as eyes met. Those hazel eyes. Up close, she was more Ruth Bennett-like. Wasn’t she her? “Good evening,” Lydia’s soft voice came to my ears. She was being courteous, but I could sense there was no recognition in her response to me. I raised an eyebrow. I smiled and said to her, “I’ve wanted to get a chance to talk to you. I’d like to make an offer of partnership— “Neither is it the time nor the place, Sir. First of all, shouldn’t you introduce yourself? You can’t skip introducing yourself to talk business,” Lydia said. My heart fell like a stone as reality hit me. This lady was not my wife. My wife would have recognized me. How could someone resemble a dead individual so much? Even their eyes were the same. “Sir?” I shouted, my face twisted in confusion. “I’m Frank Lanka, Managing Director of the Lanka CULT,” I stated, though bitter on my tongue. Why was it so inappropriate to be strangers with the lady before me? “Alright, Mr. Lanka. You can have your assistant deal with whatever business-related things,” Lydia said. She smiled and went on, “Excuse me.” “Hold on.” I couldn’t help but hold her back. I looked into Lydia’s eyes and I had this feeling of an unspeakable emotion coursing through me at the moment. Although I was aware that the woman standing in front of me was not Ruth, it was great to look into the face of a woman who bore some resemblance to her. It had been eight years since my wife passed away and yet, I couldn’t help but think of her. “Mr. Lanka, what’s that? And why do you stare at me like you do?” Lydia replied, not even a wisp of emotion on her face. Racing heart. I swallowed the suddenly formed lump in my throat and then said, “Lydia Josephs, you’re so familiar. Are you Ruth?”

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After being diagnosed with pregnancy at the military base hospital, I, Sarah Robinson, heard the heartbeat of the baby inside me. Coincidentally, my brother Cooper Robinson came to visit me. I was about to share the good news of my pregnancy with him. But the baby inside me cried and stopped me. The baby inside me said, “Mom, please don’t tell Uncle Cooper. His wife is also pregnant. Uncle Cooper is afraid that after you have me, you won’t help their family anymore, so he will force you to abort me.” So, I contacted the security department and asked them not to let Cooper in. But the next day, I heard the news that Cooper was brutally tortured and killed by his enemies, and his body was thrown into the river. It was then I realized he wasn’t here to visit but to seek help after provoking his enemies. Cooper’s wife, Bella Robinson, cried bitterly and accused me of causing Cooper’s death. When I was in so much pain that I didn’t want to live anymore, my husband, Henry Ross, supported and encouraged me to pull myself together. But the baby inside me reminded me again. The baby inside me said, “Dad is kissing Aunt Bella. He’s being nice to you only because he feels guilty about cheating on you.” By the time I realized it, I had already rushed into the military base to find them. But an important combat meeting was being held at the military base, and Henry was demoted because of it. He was very disappointed and wanted to file for divorce with me. The baby inside me said, “If you take a tough stance, Dad will definitely resist. Mom, as long as you agree to the divorce, Dad will beg to remarry you within three days because he’s just that kind of man who loves his wife.” I signed the divorce agreement and waited for three months, only to see him publicly remarry a woman who resembled me by seventy percent. I rushed to the wedding venue but was dragged into an alley by drunk thugs and gang-raped to death. My child, however, was clapping happily. I couldn’t understand why my child wanted to harm me, even until my death. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I found out I was pregnant. ***** The doctor said, “Sarah, congratulations. After trying for so long, you’re finally pregnant this time. Just in time, Cooper is here to see you. You can share this good news with him.” Hearing the doctor’s words, I realized I had truly been reborn. My hand trembled as it touched my lower abdomen, and the familiar inner voice came through again. The child in my belly said, “Mom, please don’t meet Uncle Cooper. His wife is also pregnant. Uncle Cooper is afraid that after having me, you won’t help their family and will definitely force you to abort me. I don’t want to leave you.” I pretended not to hear and quickly shouted to the doctor, “Let Cooper in right away.” In my previous life, it was because I believed my child’s inner voice that I didn’t let Cooper see me. As a result, he, targeted by thugs, didn’t seek help from my husband Henry in time. In the end, his body was brutally mutilated. Bella held Cooper’s body, crying in deep sorrow, accusing me of being the murderer. I was in so much pain that I didn’t want to live anymore. It was Henry who brought Bella to our home to settle her. Afterward, he patiently stayed by my side. But just as I recovered from the guilt, I heard the voice of the child in my belly again. The child in my belly said, “Mom, actually, Dad is only being nice to you because he feels guilty about cheating and wants to make up for it. If you go to the military base now, you’ll see Dad kissing Aunt Bella.” My mind went blank, and by the time I realized it, I had already rushed into the military base to find them. But an important combat meeting was taking place inside. My sudden intrusion caused Henry to be demoted. He disappointedly dragged me to the Courthouse to file for divorce. I didn’t know what to do and felt very flustered. My child’s words became my support at this moment. The child in my belly said, “If you’re too firm, Dad will definitely resist. Threatening not to divorce will only completely sever your relationship with him. It’s better to let go and calm down. “Mom, as long as you agree to the divorce, Dad will beg to remarry you within three days. He’s just that kind of man who loves his wife.” I believed my child’s words. Then, I signed the divorce agreement. But after three months, Henry still didn’t come to me. When I went back to him, I saw him proudly showing off a marriage certificate with a woman who resembled me by seventy percent, while accusing me of heartlessly abandoning my husband and child. I wanted to confront Henry for an explanation, but a group of thugs dragged me into an alley and gang-raped me to death. Now, living again, I will never repeat the mistakes of the past.

Cooper came to my hospital room. After hearing the news of my pregnancy, he smiled. He said, “Congratulations, Sarah, you’re finally pregnant.” But I noticed Cooper’s smile was a bit forced. I grabbed his hand directly and asked, “Cooper, what’s going on with you?” After my repeated questioning, Cooper revealed the reason. “Last time, I angered a gang by helping someone. They threatened to harm Bella. “Henry is in the military. I think he should have a way to handle it.” Thinking of Cooper’s tragic death in the previous life, I wanted to completely eliminate these vicious people. But I didn’t have the ability to do it. I said, “Henry went on an urgent mission, he won’t be back today.” I saw a trace of guilt flash in Cooper’s eyes. I understood he was afraid of causing me trouble. So, I quickly said, “Cooper, I’ll call a few guards to escort you back first. That should scare them off.” “When Henry comes back, I’ll have them arrest that group immediately to ensure the safety of you and Bella.” Cooper grabbed my hand and said a heavy “thank you.” Watching him leave under the escort of the guards, my tense heart finally relaxed. However, early the next morning, the police said they had found Cooper’s body. The police said, “When Cooper was pulled from the river today, his body was covered in slash wounds.” I said in shock, “How is that possible?” I already met Cooper and even arranged for guards to escort him. How could those thugs make a move? I still haven’t accepted this reality. Immediately, Bella rushed in with swollen red eyes and grabbed me by the neck. “Sarah, Cooper came to you for help because he was in danger. Is this how you brushed him off?” “You killed him, leaving me a widow. The baby in my belly will be born without a father.” She let go halfway through her words, crouched on the ground, and burst into tears. I collapsed weakly onto the bed, overwhelmed by a suffocating sense of panic. I panicked, thinking, “I clearly didn’t follow the voice of the child in my belly, so why did Cooper still die?” Henry rushed over upon hearing the news and pulled me into his arms, comforting me, “Sarah, this is the killer’s fault. You don’t need to blame yourself.” “Right now, the most important thing is to take care of you and Bella. Both of you are carrying children.” I held him tightly, as if clinging to my only support. I said, “Okay.” I held back my tears, knowing the dead can’t come back to life, and I couldn’t stay negative any longer. After that, Henry was always very considerate to me and also brought Bella to our home to take care of her. Our lives gradually got back on track. But at this moment, my child’s voice broke the silence. The child in my belly said, “Mom, Dad is being so nice to you only because his guilt from cheating is making him compensate.” “If you go to the army base now, you’ll see Dad and Aunt Bella kissing.” I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. In my previous life, I saw Henry as my only support. So, when I heard someone was interfering in our marriage, and that person was Bella, I stormed in angrily. As a result, the price was Henry being demoted. This time, I asked Henry in advance. He said there was a confidential meeting today. So, I absolutely can’t disturb him again. So, I pretended not to hear and continued ironing Henry’s uniform. When Henry came home, he hugged me and said, “During the meeting today, a subordinate’s wife actually wanted to take him home for dinner. “The general was so angry that he directly demoted him three ranks.” He gave me a kiss and continued, “Honey, luckily you never cause me trouble. Having a wife like you, I’m truly lucky.”

I gave him a smile, feeling deeply grateful. Sure enough, trusting Henry was the right decision. This time, Henry wasn’t demoted, and I should be able to live peacefully with him. As long as we don’t divorce, he won’t look for another woman. The next day, I found a package for Bella in the mailbox. My child’s inner voice surfaced again, telling me earnestly. She said, “Mom, this is the evidence of Aunt Bella having an affair with Dad. Open it quickly and see.” However, I didn’t hesitate and handed the package to Bella. I thought I had defused another crisis, but just as I stepped out for a walk, Bella’s room exploded. I collapsed to the ground, watching the house engulfed in flames, my mind completely blank. I thought, “Where did the bomb come from? This never happened in my previous life.” Henry arrived quickly. I instinctively reached out for comfort, but he pushed me away. He said, “Sarah, as a military family member, don’t you know that unidentified packages must be sent to the bomb disposal unit for inspection?” “Cooper is dead, and I once swore to take care of Bella. Now, she’s been killed because of you. How am I supposed to face Cooper?” He was deeply grieved, his eyes filled with disappointment as he looked at me. Henry said, “Sarah, let’s get a divorce.” Hearing those words, my heart trembled violently. I thought, “Why did I always believe Henry didn’t cheat and didn’t ruin Henry’s career, yet still ended up with a divorce?” How could there suddenly be a bomb? “This never happened in my previous life.” I was utterly shocked, almost on the verge of breaking down. At that moment, a tender, comforting voice echoed in my mind. The child in my belly said, “Mom, please don’t resist Dad. He’s very angry right now. If you don’t divorce, it will only push him further away.” In my previous life, it was because I made a mistake and divorced Henry that those thugs who coveted me ended up assaulting me. In this life, I will never let such a thing happen again. I firmly said to Henry, “No, I don’t agree to the divorce.” The child in my belly said, “Mom, don’t do this. If you go against Dad, he’ll get even angrier.” I ignored the noisy voice in my head and held Henry’s hand. Then, I softened my tone and said, “Henry, I know you feel guilty. But divorce can’t bring the dead back to life. Can you give me a chance to go through this tough time with you?” “And besides, we have an unborn child. Don’t you want to raise her with me?” Henry’s furrowed brows gradually eased. As if calming down, he hugged me apologetically and said, “Sarah, I’m sorry. I was just too upset earlier.” “You’re right. The dead can’t come back, and the living must live well.” After that, he never brought up divorce again. So, have I changed that tragic fate? This discovery made me so happy I almost cried. Afterward, to make up for the negligence that caused Bella’s death, I worked hard to accommodate and care for everything about Henry, managing the household beautifully. My child is also growing safely in my belly. Just when everything was steadily improving, a sudden change occurred. Henry, while on a mission, carried an injured woman down the mountain but was maliciously slandered as harassing her and reported to the army. He said with deep guilt, “That family couldn’t bear the harassment of rumors and came to the military base to cause trouble. My superior gave me two options. The first is permanent suspension.” Without thinking, I asked, “What’s the second?” Henry said self-reproachfully, “We fake a divorce, and then I marry her.” I was stunned and thought, “Are we really going to divorce?”

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My son Jack Miller’s PTSD episodes are becoming more frequent. He’s getting irritable, quick to anger, and scared of fire and light. I was kicked by him again and spat blood. Everyone tells me that having a “Firefighting Hero” like Jack as my son is my good fortune. Until the fire brigade’s PR team came to my house, saying they wanted to do a “Firefighting Hero Family Documentary live streaming.” The PR person said to me, “Athena, we want to document Jack’s real life and let society remember the sacrifices of heroes.” Athena Miller is my name. I ran my hand over the coffee cup, avoiding his probing gaze. I replied, “Jack would feel uncomfortable in front of the camera.” He assured, “Athena, don’t worry. We aim for authenticity, and the live streaming will be very discreet.” I agreed. After the live streaming started, flowers and praise flooded toward Jack like a tide. Six years, and the deepest pain of this family is finally about to be uncovered by me. ***** The hidden camera has been installed. I clipped a tiny microphone inside my shirt, held the cake, and knocked on Jack’s door. My ribs ached faintly, the spot where he kicked me last week. I knocked on the door for a long time before Jack finally opened it. Burn scars covered his neck and half of his face. In the dim room, he looked like a monster. I trembled as I forced a smile, then lit the lighter in front of him to light the candles. I said to him, “Jack, today marks your sixth year as a Firefighting Hero. I specially bought a cake to celebrate.” When the flame leapt out, Jack’s eyes widened, and he took half a step back. At this moment, the live streaming comments started scrolling like crazy. [Jack is already burned like that, and she still lights a fire in front of him? Is she out of her mind?] [Celebrate? Didn’t her husband die in that fire?] [Please, just put out the fire. Can’t you see Jack is uncomfortable?] I forced myself to stay calm and held the cake up to Jack’s face. Jack’s breathing grew heavier. I closed my eyes, waiting for the familiar punches and kicks to come. Six years ago, Rowan spoiled me so much that I didn’t have to do any chores. But now, I’ve become a nanny skilled in handling all household tasks. I also became a punching bag for Jack to vent his emotions without restraint. That devastating fire took the life of my husband, Rowan Miller, and ruined my son, Jack. The father and son rushed into the fire seven times and saved thirty-two people. In the end, Jack shielded the trapped child with his body. And Rowan placed his fireproof mask over the child’s face, leaving the hope of survival to them. Later, Jack became a hero but developed severe PTSD. In these six years, anything slightly related to fire would instantly drive him crazy. One time, I just opened the oven to cook. The moment the flames flared up, Jack rushed over and pushed me to the ground. He roared, “You b****! Are you trying to burn me alive?” Jack’s scars twisted with anger, making him look terrifying. He shouted, “Do you know what it feels like when fire burns your skin?” He repeatedly kicked my abdomen. Coughing up blood, I explained to him, “Jack, I just wanted to cook a meal.” “Fire! It’s all fire!” Jack screamed. Then, he smashed everything in the kitchen he could. Since then, I never cooked again, only ate takeout and cold food. It took me a long time to accept this cruel reality. My son, my pride, had turned into a monster who didn’t even recognize his own family. But today, the violence I expected didn’t happen. Jack, with red eyes and a sorrowful voice, said, “I will never forget the screams when Dad was burned to death.” “Mom, are you celebrating so grandly on Dad’s death anniversary because you’ve forgotten him?” My hand trembled, and the cake almost fell to the ground. How could I forget? This is my beloved’s death anniversary. Rowan died, and took the old me with him. Now, all that’s left is Jack’s mother. I am the mother everyone calls great and lucky, who must wholeheartedly care for Jack without any selfishness. But years of domestic violence have left my body and soul utterly exhausted, almost unbearable. As long as netizens see what Jack has done, I can definitely send him to a professional place for treatment. That way, I can be free. Thinking of this, I gathered my courage and stepped closer. The flame flickered, seemingly about to touch the terrifying scar on Jack’s face the next second.

Real-time comments instantly filled with accusations against me. [Rowan is dead, Jack is injured like this. What is there for her to celebrate? Has she abandoned her humanity for money?] [I truly feel sorry for Jack. He lost his father and still has to endure such a neurotic mother.] [This is Jack, who saved countless families. How can she treat a hero like this?] Jack suddenly laughed, a laugh more grating than a cry. He said, “Mom, every time you say you love me and it’s for my own good, yet you insist on using fire to remind me again and again.” His voice was filled with despair. “I’m a failure. I saved so many people, but I couldn’t save my father.” Jack spoke with a heavy nasal tone, making my eyes sting too. He knocked the cake to the ground. The candle grazed my instep, bringing searing pain. I quickly said, “No, Jack, you’re not wrong.” I wanted to say he was just sick. I crouched down to clean up the mess on the ground. After the fire, I immediately took him to see every psychologist in the city, and he never stopped taking his medication. When first diagnosed with PTSD, Jack would hold me and cry with guilt. He said, “Mom, I didn’t mean to, I just can’t control myself.” But later, things escalated from verbal abuse to shoving, and eventually to punching and kicking. At its worst, I was beaten so badly that I couldn’t get out of bed for three days. I once showed the doctor the bruises on my body. But they frowned and told me it was just a rare case, and later they even stopped treating Jack. Not just doctors, even nurses and passersby tried to persuade me. Someone said, “He’s a Firefighting Hero. You’re his mom. You should think more about your child.” Some also said, “You’re his mother. You can’t be selfish at a time like this. You need to stay strong. It’s your responsibility.” Others said, “Even if not for yourself, for society, you must take good care of the hero.” I tried many ways, but none worked. But I didn’t give up. If this hospital doesn’t work, we’ll go to a better one. But Jack grabbed my neck and screamed, “If you mention going to the hospital again, I’ll kill you!” I once cried to his teammates who came to visit, saying Jack’s mental issues were too severe, and I couldn’t hold on any longer. His teammate patted my shoulder and said, “Athena, we know you’re going through a lot.” “Everyone says you’re amazing. “Jack is already pitiful. If you give up first, how will he survive?” The word “amazing” choked back everything I wanted to say. No one believes this hero would beat his mother until she vomited blood. I can only feed this monster devouring me day after day. But now, Jack’s unusual calmness scares me. Normally, he loses control at the sight of a spark, never accusing me with such clear logic like now. A terrifying thought crossed my mind. I thought, “Does he already know about the live streaming?” I instinctively touched the microphone under my collar, my heart pounding like a drum. That’s impossible. The PR staff assured me repeatedly that it was absolutely confidential. The camera was so well hidden, how could he possibly notice it? Jack suddenly stood up and walked toward me. I instinctively protected my head. But he just crouched down and took the cloth from my hand. He said, “Mom, let me tidy up.” Real-time comments started praising him. [Jack is so filial. Even though he feels so unwell, he still helps his mom clean up.] [I’ve seen his photos from before the accident. He was quite a handsome young man. It’s such a pity.] [He’s still quite handsome now. Does he have a girlfriend? I want to marry him.] I have a bad feeling in my heart. I thought in despair, “Why? Could it be that even after risking everything and betting all on this live streaming, I still can’t bring relief to Jack and myself?” If that’s really the case, then I can only disappear completely and go find his dad. At least in that world, someone cared about me. Jack’s back of the head swayed as he mopped the floor. Suddenly, I noticed a fresh wound behind his ear. That was accidentally scratched by me yesterday while struggling. But now, that wound is carefully covered with foundation.

I nervously thought, “Could he really know he’s live streaming now?” “Jack.” I tried to make my voice sound natural. I asked him, “Have you been in touch with your fire brigade teammates recently?” Jack looked up, a hint of confusion in his eyes. He replied, “No. Why are you suddenly asking this?” I forced a smile, trying to brush it off, but the weight in my heart felt even heavier. If he doesn’t know about the live streaming, then what made him so restrained today? I decided to test him again. After tidying up the cake, I pulled out an old photo album from the drawer. Those were old family photos. Inside were photos of Jack in uniform, looking handsome and strong, as well as a picture of him and his son standing side by side in front of a fire truck. “Jack, look at this one,” I said, pointing to one of the photos. That was taken after Jack’s first fire rescue. His face still had soot on it, but he was smiling brightly. I continued, “You were so proud back then.” Jack’s gaze lingered on the photo for a moment, his fingers trembling slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He said softly, “That’s all in the past now.” The live comments started criticizing me again. [What’s wrong with this woman? She’s always bringing up sad things.] [Jack is so strong, staying calm even after seeing all this.] [Does his mom have dementia? Why does she keep bringing up Jack’s sad memories?] This doesn’t seem like the Jack I know. I run my hand over the indented patterns on the heavy album backboard. The last time I took out the album, Jack roared at me, asking why I still kept these memories. He took the hard album and smashed it against my head until I passed out. I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope, thinking, “Could Jack really be better?” “Could my six years of torment finally be coming to an end?” At lunch, I specifically ordered grilled fish that needed to be heated with a small candle. Jack took the initiative to help me clean the table. I stared at him intently. He naturally picked up the small candle, struck a match to light it, and placed it under the grill pan. Jack neither dodged my outburst nor forced my hand into the boiling soup. My heart was pounding. I didn’t know whether to feel sad or happy. I turned on the TV and switched to a channel reporting a fire. Flames soared in the footage as firefighters worked hard to extinguish the fire. “Turn it off,” Jack said in a low voice. I could almost feel an invisible pressure, instinctively tensing my muscles. I explained, “I’ll just watch for a bit. You firefighters really have it tough.” Time passed second by second. But nothing happened. I turned my head and saw Jack standing at the doorway, his back to the TV. He said, “Mom, please. I don’t want to watch this.” After speaking, Jack lowered his head, walked to his room, and closed the door. I stood there in a daze. The crackling sounds of the fire were still coming from the TV. A hope, hard to put into words, sprouted like a tender bud in spring. I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe the medication finally worked, or maybe time truly heals the deepest wounds. I gently touched the microphone under my collar and suddenly felt a wave of guilt. What am I doing? I actually wanted to expose Jack’s pain, to let the whole world see his most vulnerable side. Yet he was silently striving to get better. At that moment, the doorbell suddenly rang. I opened the door, and outside stood Jack’s girlfriend, Anna Scott. My heart sank suddenly, thinking, “Could Jack’s unusual behavior today be because Anna is coming?”

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In my previous life, on the first day my lost sister Layla Harris returned home, I heard her inner voice. She thought to herself, “Back by the river, watching other kids have their dads teach them to swim, I really wished someone would take me just once. The water must feel so cool, right?” The next day, I drove her to the cleanest part of the river in the countryside and taught her how to float and swim. She suddenly screamed and sank abruptly. I desperately dove underwater to pull her up, but she clung tightly to my arm, dragging me deeper. In the end, I forcefully pushed her to the shore, but I passed out from choking on water. Amid the piercing sirens of the ambulance, she curled up in my mother Aurora Harris’s arms, coughing violently and crying heartbreakingly. Aurora slapped me, while my father Miles Harris’s eyes were filled with disappointment. He said, “She’s been wandering outside for over ten years, suffering a lot. You come back and try to drown her right away.” I had so much to say but couldn’t defend myself. Later, she was harassed by thugs outside the school. I “heard” her desperate cries again. She said in her heart, “He said if he doesn’t see me tonight, he’ll burn down my family’s garage. Naomi, help me. Only you can save me.” Naomi Harris is my name. I grabbed a stick and rushed to the small woods behind the school. But she didn’t come. Those thugs, with cruel laughter, easily took away my stick. The leader of the thugs pinned me down by the pond. He said, “Don’t blame us. It was your dear sister Layla who paid half a million dollars for your life.” “She said, as long as you’re dead, the hundreds of millions in inheritance will all be hers.” Before the suffocation consumed me, I saw Layla slowly step out from behind a tree not far away. Her dress was pure white, and her face showed no expression. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Layla was brought home. ***** She looked at me fearfully, her inner voice echoing. Layla thought to herself, “I really want to swim. If only Naomi could take me swimming.” After hearing Layla’s inner voice again, I finally confirmed that I had truly been reborn. Looking at the seemingly harmless Layla in front of me, I just couldn’t believe she wanted to kill me. Right after, her inner voice came through again. She thought to herself, “Back by the river, I saw other kids being taught how to swim. If only Naomi could teach me.” Hearing the exact same inner voice as in my previous life, I couldn’t help but feel a bit concerned. Recalling the drowning incident in my past life, I decided to pretend I didn’t hear it this time. Seeing no reaction from me, Layla’s eyes showed a hint of confusion. Then, she blinked at me and softly said, “Naomi, it’s so hot. Can you take me to play in the water? I want to learn how to swim.” I was a bit surprised but still said, “If it’s hot, just turn on the air conditioner. It’s not safe to go into the water during this season; accidents can easily happen.” Layla was visibly a bit disappointed but didn’t say anything further. Seeing this, I also breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Layla doesn’t get into trouble this time, perhaps the subsequent events won’t happen. But just when I thought this matter was over, the unexpected still happened. Perhaps Layla actively asked Miles and Aurora, and surprisingly, Miles and Aurora rarely organized a family picnic by the lake in the park. That day, I had a bad feeling. So, I sat alone by the lake, trying to stay as far away from Layla as possible. But she somehow appeared beside me without me noticing. At Miles and Aurora’s request, I had to split my attention to keep an eye on her. But in the moment Miles and Aurora turned away, Layla pretended to slip and fell into the lake. I was startled by the sudden situation and hurriedly shouted, “Layla, be careful!” Miles heard the commotion and turned around, quickly jumping into the water to save her, while Aurora stayed put and dialed emergency services. I was so scared that my face turned pale. I only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Miles rescue Layla. Miles held the barely conscious Layla and asked with concern, “Layla, tell us. What happened just now?” Layla glanced at me and didn’t dare to speak. Seeing this, Miles immediately pressed further. He asked, “Layla, speak up. We’ll stand up for you.” Seeing this, Layla finally said fearfully, “It was Naomi who pushed me from behind.” Then she quickly explained, “Dad, don’t blame Naomi. Even though Naomi doesn’t like me, she definitely didn’t do it on purpose.” Hearing this, Miles immediately pointed at me in anger. He shouted, “Naomi, how could you do such a thing?” Aurora also looked at me with a disappointed expression. She said, “Layla has been wandering outside for over ten years, suffering a lot. And you still wanted to drown her?” Hearing the exact same conversation as in my previous life, I was instantly too shocked to speak. I thought, “Could everything be predestined?” Or perhaps, was it intentional by Layla?” I looked at Layla with frightened eyes, but she hurriedly avoided my gaze. She didn’t speak, but her inner voice echoed. She said in her heart, “Stop talking about Naomi. Maybe I really saw it wrong.” My hands trembled as I explained, “I didn’t push her at all. I was at least 10 feet away from the water.” Miles got even angrier. He asked, “Would Layla lie? Why would she deliberately frame you?” I instantly became furious. After looking around, I pointed to the distant surveillance and said, “If you don’t believe me, then check the footage.” Of course, there would be surveillance around the park. Miles immediately stood up, ready to use the footage to shut me up. But Layla hurriedly grabbed Miles. She said, “No, Dad. Maybe someone else pushed me. I must have been mistaken.” Right after, Layla’s inner voice sounded again. She thought to herself, “Could I really have been mistaken? What should I do? I think I misunderstood Naomi.” I looked at Layla, still pretending to be fragile in Miles’ arms, and a chill instantly ran through me. Miles picked up Layla and carried her to the arriving ambulance. Then he said, “No matter what, you failed to take care of Layla. I punish you to walk home alone, no riding.” I lowered my head, silently staring at the map showing over ten miles, without saying a word. Watching them leave quickly, my mood sank to the lowest point. I thought, “Why does Layla’s inner voice always contradict her actions?” Could her inner voice lie too? Maybe that’s not her true inner voice at all.”

Three hours later, when I got home, it was completely dark. My family had already finished dinner, but I was still hungry. Seeing there was no food left in the kitchen, I could only eat the fruits from the platter. At that moment, Layla suddenly appeared before me, bouncing around without a trace of weakness from her recent drowning. So, I somewhat doubted the truth of her drowning. At this moment, she looked at me with a wronged expression, saying nothing, but her inner voice echoed in my ears. In her heart, she said, “I misunderstood Naomi today. Will she forgive me? I was so flustered at the time that I didn’t see clearly, which is why I misunderstood Naomi. I hope she’s not angry.” I felt a bit doubtful but didn’t pay attention and just kept eating fruit. But Layla was still standing nearby. She licked her lips, wanting to speak but not daring to. In her heart, she said, “The mango looks so delicious. I really want to try it too.” I instantly recalled things from my past life. At that time, it was also because of her inner voice that I unknowingly fed her a bite of mango. But she suddenly had an allergic reaction, convulsing all over and foaming at the mouth. For this, Miles slapped me hard, swelling half of my face. At this moment, Layla’s words interrupted my thoughts. She asked, “Naomi, can I have a bite of this mango?” I didn’t hesitate and shook my head directly, saying, “I haven’t eaten. In a couple of days, ask Mom and Dad to buy it for you.” Layla pursed her lips, looking a bit aggrieved. She thought to herself, “Naomi must still be mad at me. She won’t even let me have a bite of the mango.” Seeing that I still hadn’t changed my mind, she left feeling disappointed. However, I didn’t notice that a mango was missing from the fruit plate. Not long after, cries and roars of anger from Miles and Aurora came from the living room. I immediately went to the living room and found Layla collapsed on the floor, unconscious. She was still clutching a half-eaten mango in her hand. We immediately took her to the hospital. After some treatment, her condition quickly stabilized. In the hospital room, Miles’s yelling made my eardrums ache. He yelled, “Naomi, did you already know Layla is allergic to mangoes? Layla is unconscious.” I immediately explained, “How would I know she’s allergic? Besides, I didn’t give her the mango. She ate it on her own.” Aurora was just about to say something when Layla woke up. She rubbed her eyes and then asked, “Where am I?” Seeing her wake up, Aurora immediately comforted, “You probably had an allergic reaction just now. We brought you to the hospital.” “Layla, tell me. Who gave you the mango?” At this moment, a hint of grievance appeared in Layla’s eyes. She said softly, “It was Naomi.” I said, “Layla, you!” I looked at Layla in disbelief, just about to explain, but Aurora interrupted. Aurora said, “Layla said you gave it to her.” “You did it on purpose. How did I end up with such an ungrateful daughter?” Her words broke my heart. I clutched my chest, too angry to say a word, just staring blankly at Layla. She curled up in Aurora’s arms, avoiding my gaze. I wanted to hear her thoughts, but suddenly realized that only if she was willing to let me, could I truly listen. At this moment, I heard nothing. When discharged, Layla and I sat in the back seat. I lowered my voice and asked as calmly as possible, “Layla, I clearly told you not to eat mangoes. Why did you still eat them?” Layla pretended to be innocent and said, “I just never had mangoes before, so I really wanted to try.” I asked, “But why did you say it was me who gave it to you?” When I asked her that, she immediately started crying and said, “I’m sorry, Naomi. I didn’t mean to.” “Because I was afraid Mom and Dad would say I was disobedient, so I said that.” I knew Layla was lying, but there was nothing I could do. Her inner voice always appeared to deliberately guide me and even caused me trouble. The only possibility I can think of is that Layla did it on purpose. It seems I’ll have to guard against her from now on.

Sure enough, a few days later, I heard Layla’s inner voice again. She thought to herself, “What should I do? Those thugs told me to meet them behind the school tomorrow, or they’ll burn down my family’s garage. Only Naomi can save me. No, I can’t trouble Naomi again.” At this moment, Layla was looking at me with a pitiful expression. In my previous life, I trusted Layla’s inner voice, went to the back mountain, and was brutally killed. This time, I decided to ignore it and pretended not to hear. Seeing this, Layla immediately showed a hurt expression and began sobbing softly. She said, “What should I do? I’ll be beaten to death tomorrow.” I looked down at my phone, pretending not to hear, then got up to head back to my room. But she urgently grabbed the corner of my shirt. So, I reluctantly pretended to know nothing and asked in surprise, “What’s wrong, Layla? Were you bullied?” As I asked her, Layla’s tears instantly welled up. She said, “Naomi, some thugs are forcing me to go to the hill behind the school tomorrow. If I don’t go, I’ll die.” “Naomi, please help me, okay? You’re the only one who can help me.” Looking at her innocent expression, I remembered her indifferent face when she appeared at the hill in her past life. Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but feel a bit angry, and I quickly came up with a plan. Then I calmed down and smiled, saying, “Don’t worry. I will make sure the bad guys get what they deserve.” Since I can’t avoid it, I should make good use of this opportunity. The next day, I went to the hill behind the school according to the address Layla gave me. After I reached the designated spot, a few thugs emerged from the shadows of the woods. I looked around but didn’t see Layla anywhere. The leader of the thugs, Daniel Kelly, easily snatched the stick from my hand and then pinned me down beside a filthy puddle. I struggled hard and said humbly, “What do you want? Please let me go.” A harsh voice came from beside my ear. Daniel said, “Stop struggling. You can’t escape.” Horrifying memories from my past life instantly flooded my mind. My hands trembled slightly as I cried and asked, “Who told you to do this? I can give you more money.” Daniel just laughed. He said, “You? How could you give? Your sister Layla gave us a full five hundred thousand dollars.” As he mentioned the five hundred thousand dollars, the strength in his hand gradually increased. He said, “She said that as long as you’re dead, she can inherit that billion-dollar fortune and enjoy endless wealth in the future.” Daniel covered my mouth, leaving me unable to speak, so I could only stare at him in shock. Then, he directly pushed me into the sink. A strong sense of suffocation instantly overwhelmed me. It wasn’t until I had no strength left to struggle and my body went limp that Daniel finally let go. He stood up and whistled. Soon after, Layla slowly emerged from the nearby woods. Her tidy skirt and face barely containing excitement made it impossible for me to connect her with the usually pitiful-looking Layla. Layla nudged me with her foot, then showed a worried expression. She tentatively asked, “Naomi, are you okay?” Seeing no reaction from me, she finally smiled. She said, “You did well. Clean everything up and make it look like an accident. After that, I’ll give you the appropriate reward.” But just as she was smiling smugly, Miles’s voice suddenly came from nearby. He shouted, “Layla, what are you doing?”

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My husband Easton Anderson fell from the third floor. He not only broke both his legs but also injured his genitals. Not only did I not rush to take him to the hospital, but I also sent him to the hospital farthest from us. Just because in his past life, to help his childhood friend Alice Howard, who was interning at the hospital, successfully become a full-fledged doctor, Easton chose to jump from the third floor. He gave up on nearby hospitals and instead went to a faraway one, making me drive over 1,864 miles to find Alice. At the time, I considered that Alice was just a Community College student who got into the hospital through connections and wasn’t qualified to perform surgery, so I refused Easton’s suggestion. However, Easton suddenly slapped me. Easton said, “I just want to use my injury to help Alice get a permanent position. Are you really fussing over such a small matter?” Seeing his insistence on seeking Alice for treatment, I was afraid that delaying too long would leave his leg permanently disabled, so I had to bring his mother, Olivia Anderson, to help persuade him. However, because she didn’t get a permanent position in time, Alice felt overwhelmed with shame and anger and jumped to her death at the hospital. And Easton, thanks to timely treatment, successfully kept his legs. However, on the day he was discharged, I happily went to pick him up, only to be killed by him in a car accident. Before I died, I unwillingly and angrily questioned him, but he looked at me with disgust and said, “If you hadn’t stopped me from making Alice permanent, she wouldn’t have died.” When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day Easton broke his legs. ***** Easton shouted, “Hannah, what are you standing there for? Can’t you see my legs are broken? Hurry up and take me to the hospital where Alice is interning.” Hannah Ramos is my name. At this moment, Easton’s familiar words echoed in my ears. I suddenly snapped out of my daze and saw that I was standing perfectly fine at home. In front of me was Easton, who had fallen from the third floor and couldn’t move. He endured the pain of his broken legs, looking at me with disdain and wariness. “Hannah, if you dare send me to the nearest hospital again and make me lose Alice, I swear I’ll make you die even more miserably than in the last life.” Easton’s words cleared the last bit of confusion in my mind. At this moment, I was certain that I had been reborn, and Easton had also been reborn. In the previous life, Easton saved me from my burning home while pursuing me. Later, I willingly married him, using the inheritance my parents left me to support his dream of starting a business. I helped him become a young CEO in the tech innovation industry. When he got off work, I was still at the company writing proposals for him until midnight. Even when Olivia was sick and had surgery, I personally took care of her and never let anyone replace me. I devoted all my effort and energy to this family and his career. In the end, all my hard work couldn’t compare to Alice’s request for a promotion. Just because I didn’t follow his request to take him to Alice’s hospital, and after Alice failed to get promoted and jumped off the building, he blamed me for not taking him to Alice for treatment, so he drove and killed me. How ridiculous! My sacrifices ended in a bloody, tragic death. Since he wants Alice to perform the surgery, this time, I’ll grant his wish. I wondered, “With a journey over 1864 miles, will his leg still be salvageable by the time we arrive?” Easton shouted, “Hannah, hurry up and take me to Alice’s hospital. She’s waiting for me. If you dare disobey, think about the consequences.” Afraid I wouldn’t listen, Easton kept yelling at me. Olivia came out of the house at this moment. Seeing Easton like this, she was furious. She roared, “Have you lost your mind? Alice’s hospital is 1864 miles away. By the time you get there, can your leg still be saved? No, Hannah, take him to the nearest hospital immediately.” I sneered inwardly but pretended to look troubled as I glanced at Olivia. “But Easton insists on going to Alice’s hospital.” Olivia said, “No way! Who doesn’t know Alice’s education background? A Community College student, what skills does she have to perform surgery? Hannah, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and take Easton to the nearest hospital for treatment.” Easton shouted, “I’m not going. If you don’t take me to Alice’s hospital as I said, I’ll die right here in front of you.” Seeing Olivia’s firm attitude, Easton also resisted strongly, glaring fiercely at me and Olivia. I couldn’t help but sneer, then pretended to sigh helplessly and said, “Olivia, let’s just do what Easton wants. I’ll take him there now.”

Olivia shouted, “No way!” Her attitude was equally firm at this moment. “Easton is being foolish, are you too? What level is Alice at? What illness can she even treat?” Before Olivia could finish her words, Easton shouted like a madman, “I won’t let you talk about Alice like that. Do you think I don’t know if she’s capable or not?” Easton then glared at me viciously. “She just wants to get a promotion, she wouldn’t gamble with my life, let alone harm me. Hannah, you’ve always been narrow-minded. If it weren’t for you acting on your own, Alice wouldn’t have died.” I knew he was talking about the events of the previous life, but I didn’t want to reveal that I was reborn too. Seeing Olivia looking puzzled on the side, I also asked in confusion, “Easton, what are you talking about? How could Alice die?” Easton looked at me suspiciously, seemingly convinced that I wasn’t reborn like him, and a trace of arrogance and glee flashed in his eyes. Then, he said coldly, “Hurry up and take me there. Otherwise, Hannah, if Alice dies, you won’t survive either.” I instantly clenched my fists. My nails dug deep into the flesh of my palms, keeping the hatred in my heart from bursting out. The scene of being run over by a car repeatedly in my previous life instantly flooded my mind. I didn’t want to experience that pain and despair a second time. Since Easton could say this, he must be capable of doing it. But in this life, I won’t give him that chance again. Olivia, still clueless about the reason, continued, “I think you’ve really lost it. Hannah, just tie him up and drag him into the car for me.” At this moment, Olivia was clearly furious with him. I didn’t want to make it too obvious or let Easton realize that I was reborn too, so I pretended to follow Olivia’s words and walked toward Easton. However, Easton suddenly picked up an object nearby and hurled it at my face. “You b*tch! If you dare not take me to Alice’s hospital, I’ll kill you right now.” The heavy object struck my head hard, causing Olivia to gasp in shock. Taking the chance, Easton grabbed my arm and yanked me forcefully to the ground. Then, he raised both fists, ready to slam them down on my head. Even with his legs broken, I couldn’t break free for a moment due to the difference in strength between men and women. Olivia screamed in fear. Seeing that Easton was really about to hit me, she quickly shouted, “Enough! Stop hitting her! If you hurt Hannah, who’s going to take you to Alice?” Finally, Olivia gave in. Easton indeed stopped. I clutched my aching head and got up from the ground. Seeing the smug look on his face, my resentment grew even stronger. This 1864-mile journey took me a day and night of nonstop driving. By the afternoon of the second day, we finally arrived. Olivia and I urgently admitted him to the hospital. Then, Olivia tried to schedule his surgery. The moment Easton saw that the attending doctor wasn’t Alice, he tore up the surgery agreement. Easton shouted, “I said, I only want Alice to perform my surgery.” The nurse nearby kindly reminded, “But Alice isn’t at the hospital today. Your leg looks serious and can’t be delayed any longer. Why not choose another doctor for the surgery?” Olivia anxiously wanted to persuade him, but Easton took out his phone and called Alice on the spot. The moment the call connected, Alice’s sweet voice came through. “Easton, are you there already? Sorry, I thought you wouldn’t arrive so soon. I’m walking my dog right now. Please wait for me. I’ll head over right away.” Olivia stood nearby, fuming with her chest heaving and rolling her eyes nonstop. Easton said, “It’s okay, I’ll wait for you. This time, with me here, you’ll definitely get promoted.” Watching Easton endure the pain while pretending to be gentle, I just found it ridiculous and ironic. I hadn’t rested for a whole day and night, not even had a sip of water. Yet, I didn’t get a single word of concern from him. But now, I don’t need any of that anymore. In this life, I want to see his legs completely rot away. We waited a long time, but Alice still didn’t show up. Seeing the growing urgency and worry on Easton’s face, even the doctor nearby couldn’t hold back. He turned to me and said, “You’re his wife, right? His leg can’t be delayed any longer. If it’s delayed further, his leg will be completely ruined. You’d better find someone else to perform the surgery quickly.” However, Easton’s face instantly darkened. “You just want to take Alice’s job opportunity. Forget it. I insist that Alice perform my surgery.” Immediately, Easton gave me a cold, warning look. “Let me tell you, only Alice can treat my legs. If she doesn’t come, I’ll wait until she does. If you don’t want to force me to divorce you, you better behave.” I didn’t want to talk to him. From the moment I was reborn, I never planned to stay with him. What I’m more interested in now is seeing how an inexperienced intern doctor from a Community College, who got in through connections, will treat him.

An hour later, Alice finally arrived, wearing high heels and heavy makeup. Olivia was already very anxious. Seeing her appear, Olivia quickly pushed the surgical cart, ready to wheel Easton into the operating room. “She’s here. Hurry up and start the surgery now.” However, Alice, who had rushed over, grabbed the hospital bed and asked in confusion, “Weren’t you asking me to perform the surgery on him?” Olivia resisted the urge to roll her eyes and looked her up and down. “How are you supposed to perform surgery dressed like that? Besides, you don’t even have a medical license. You’re just an intern who got in through connections. If something goes wrong with my son, can you afford to take responsibility?” Even the doctor who had been persuading Easton couldn’t help but say, “Alice has never performed a single surgery. The risk is really too high, it might even endanger your life.” I also pretended to persuade on the side, “The doctor and Olivia are right. Besides, operating rooms are sterile. I’ve never seen a doctor perform surgery in high heels and heavy makeup. Easton, think it through. Don’t end up not only losing the use of your legs but also your life.” However, upon hearing my words, Alice pouted and said aggrievedly, “Easton, I dressed like this only because I was in a hurry to get here quickly to perform the surgery for you. Hannah just looks down on me. Since none of you want me, then find someone else. Anyway, if I can’t get a permanent position…” Before she could finish her sentence, my cheek was slapped hard. Easton glared at me with malice and disgust. “Stop showing that ugly face of jealousy and attention-seeking! This time, I must ensure Alice gets the position. Don’t even think about scheming to stop it.” I pressed my burning cheek, the resentment in my eyes turning into deep sarcasm. He thought I was trying to stop it, but I was merely pushing things to escalate faster and worse. This time, I wanted to see him treated by Alice even more than he did. Olivia angrily said from the side, “If she had the ability to get the position, would she still need your body to help her? And does she even look like a doctor?” Easton stubbornly said, “Alice was just worried about me, so she rushed over without changing clothes. Besides, it’s just a leg surgery. So what if it’s not sterilized? How could I possibly lose my life? My leg must be treated by Alice. I trust her skills. Nothing any of you say will change that!” Saying that, Easton grabbed a new surgery contract from the nurse’s hand on the spot and quickly signed it. Easton said, “Now I’ve signed the surgery contract. If you keep stopping me, I’d rather let this leg be ruined than let anyone else treat it.” Hearing his words, Alice put away her aggrieved expression and glanced at me smugly and arrogantly. Then, Alice snatched the surgical cart from Olivia’s hands and swayed her way as she pushed Easton into the operating room. The other doctors had no choice but to agree to Alice as the attending physician for this surgery and followed her into the operating room. Three hours later, with a scream, the operating room doors finally opened.

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I gave my husband Leo Morgan a VIP card for a luxury cruise, one of only three in the world, but it ended up in the hands of a small-time thug. Because of that VIP card, the small-time thug bossed people around arrogantly on the cruise, and no one dared to oppose him. He said, “This table is too low. Squat down and hold the plate. I want to eat.” “Your skirt is so short, who are you trying to seduce? You might as well just be with me.” I couldn’t help but fight back, but they ganged up on me and beat me up. The leader actually claimed to be the brother of Leo’s girlfriend. I laughed in anger and called my dad. I said, “Dad, tell the cruise to turn back to the port. I want Leo to leave the marriage without getting a single cent.” ***** On the day of the banquet, I was assigned to work in the first-class dining department. While serving guests, I kept waiting for Leo to show up. Suddenly, a commotion broke the silence in the first class. Someone said, “Wow, I never thought I’d get a chance to come to such a fancy place in this lifetime.” Another person said, “Of course. We all have to thank Jordan.” “I need to take more photos to impress those women back home.” I looked in the direction of the voice. A few men wearing T-shirts and ripped jeans, with cigarettes tucked behind their ears, walked in. They looked around excitedly. Under his companions’ flattery, the leading Jordan Allen showed a very pleased expression. He was wearing a tailored suit. Although the suit fit well, it somehow felt oddly out of place on him. In the hall, quite a few people were already casting disapproving looks at them. But they didn’t notice at all, still flattering Jordan and laughing loudly. I frowned, wondering to myself, “Why would such a banquet invite people like them?” However, I still put on the standard smile of a cruise attendant and stepped forward. I said, “Gentlemen, hello, and welcome aboard the Symphony Cruise Ship.” “However, in public areas, please mind your volume to avoid disturbing other passengers. Thank you.” As soon as I finished speaking, Jordan looked up and glared at me. Then, he impatiently pulled a card out of his pocket and threw it at my face. He said, “You’re so annoying. How dare you tell me what to do?” “Take a good look. Do you know what this card is? If you see it clearly, then get lost.” The two companions behind Jordan exchanged a glance and let out a “wow” sound. They said, “Jordan is so impressive, really commanding.” The commotion here had already drawn quite a few onlookers. Ella Mitchell, the manager of the dining department who had been observing the situation, immediately stepped forward, picked up the card, and respectfully handed it back to him with both hands. Ella said, “I’m terribly sorry, sir. She’s new and doesn’t understand the situation yet. Please don’t hold it against her.” Jordan rolled his eyes at me, snatched the card from Ella’s hand, cursed, and swaggered away. As he passed by me, he blatantly glanced at my chest with a lewd look. I clenched my teeth. Ella got one thing wrong. Although I’m new, I recognize that card. That’s the Myers Shipping Group’s premium membership card, and there are only three in existence. One is with my parents, one with a family friend, and the other is with me. And I lent it to Leo so he could appear more distinguished when doing business outside. But why is this card in the hands of this unfamiliar thug? Before I could figure it out, Ella suddenly yanked me aside and rolled her eyes impatiently. Ella said, “It’s really my bad luck to be in the same shift as you. Don’t you research the guests’ backgrounds in advance? Do you know who that is?” “That’s Jordan. His sister is Mr. Morgan’s secretary, Ariana Allen.” “How dare someone like you mess with him? You can cause trouble, but don’t drag us into it.” After saying that, she rolled her eyes and walked away. I was stunned, thinking, “Where did Leo get the nerve to secretly find a lover behind my back?” I stood there, starting to recall Leo’s usual behavior. We’ve been married for three years. Leo has always been respectful and considerate towards me, and he behaves well in front of my parents too. Even my parents, who were somewhat dissatisfied with Leo before, have started to change their opinion of him. I thought, “Would someone like Leo really betray me?” “Would he dare to do that?”

I remembered the prenuptial agreement we signed before marriage and felt a bit relieved. I stepped aside, staying on standby while observing Jordan. After my reminder, his behavior didn’t change at all. Seeing him like this, his companions became even more reckless. The entire restaurant was filled with the sound of their loud chatter. Many people couldn’t stand it and went to other floors. Suddenly, Jordan looked up, glancing around as if searching for someone. And just like that, our eyes met in the air. After seeing me, he gave a wicked smile and pointed at me. Jordan shouted, “Hey, get over here!” I already didn’t like him, so I had no intention of paying him any attention. However, he walked over, sat in the seat in front of me, crossed his legs, and leaned back against the chair. Jordan said, “Kneel down and hold the plate for me. I want to eat.” “This table is too low, I feel uncomfortable.” The smile on my face froze. I heard two other people jeering maliciously. One person said, “Jordan, you always pick the pretty ones.” Another person said, “Jordan, my table is pretty low too, can you find someone to help me?” One of them showed a lewd smile, while Jordan looked confident. Jordan said, “Of course. There are a few women over there, just call them over.” The two actually started sizing up the female attendants in the restaurant and casually commenting on them. I stared at them expressionlessly. I said, “We don’t have such rules here.” Jordan dropped his smile, stood up, and kicked the table hard. He said, “What do you mean, waiter?” “You’re determined to go against me today, aren’t you?” Then, Jordan took out that card again and tapped it on my head twice arrogantly. He said, “Open your eyes wide and look carefully. What is this?” “I am God here. Rules? Mess with me, and you’re done for today.” “Unless you apologize to me now and beg for my forgiveness.” “In that case, I’ll let you go.” Jordan adjusted his collar and looked at me mockingly. Seeing him still using that card to humiliate the staff, I couldn’t hold back my anger anymore and sneered at him mockingly. I said, “Sir, is this your card? How dare you openly flaunt it to act impressive?” Jordan obviously knew where the card came from, but he never expected someone to question its origin to his face. As a result, Jordan became furious and swung his fist at me. His two companions also rushed over, each grabbing one side of me, trying to pin me to the ground. They even took advantage of the chaos to grope me. I held back my anger and kept struggling, but I couldn’t overpower the strength of two grown men. I shouted, “Let go of me. Where’s security?” I frantically looked around, only to see that the security guards, who should have stepped in, weren’t even looking this way. They didn’t dare intervene, so they pretended not to see. My heart sank. Seeing this, Jordan became even more arrogant. He said, “Go ahead, call someone! Let’s see who dares to help you.” The two people behind him chimed in as well. One person said, “You guys are really smart. This is the boyfriend of the Morgan Group president’s younger brother.” They both kicked me in the knees. The other person said, “Hurry up and apologize to Jordan.” I fell hard to the ground, my whole body aching. But I refused to bow my head. I said, “Jordan, you will regret this.”

Jordan pointed at me and laughed, as if hearing a joke. He said, “Are you crazy? You make me regret?” “I’m so scared. Come on. I want to see how you can make me regret it.” “If you don’t apologize, don’t blame me for punishing you.” “You two force her to apologize to me.” His two companions were already enjoying the thrill of bullying without restraint. Upon hearing the order, without any hesitation, they placed their hands on the back of my head, trying to push me to the ground. At that moment, the door opened, and someone walked in. The tight dress outlined the woman’s graceful curves. Her wavy long hair draped over her chest. She walked steadily even in very high heels. After seeing who it was, Jordan shouted before the other person could speak. He said, “Ariana, I was bullied by the waitresses. I asked them to apologize, but they made excuses to avoid it. “Have Leo fire her.” I stared at the woman who just arrived, thinking, “Is this Leo’s mistress, Ariana?” Ariana looked over, then quickly walked up and stood beside Jordan, looking at me. She sneered disdainfully. Ariana said, “Bitch, don’t you know the customer is always right in your line of work?” “God demands an apology. Didn’t you hear?” I stared at her without backing down. I said, “We don’t have such a requirement.” Ariana impatiently interrupted me, raising her hand and slapping me hard with her diamond-studded acrylic nails. She said, “Enough. I don’t care what your requirements are.” “My brother is upset, so obviously it’s you servers who have a problem.” “I’ll give you five seconds to do as he says. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you can’t stay here.” I didn’t expect her to suddenly make a move, so I couldn’t dodge in time. In an instant, a burning pain spread across my face, and I even felt liquid trickling down my cheek. I looked up at her angrily. I said, “How dare you?” Seeing me still daring to glare at her, Ariana’s face twisted in anger as she reached out and yanked my hair forcefully. She said, “Idiot. Look at your status and mine. What wouldn’t I dare?” “Even if I throw you, a mere waitress, off the ship to feed the sharks today, no one will help you.” My hands were held, and my hair was almost torn from my scalp. I could only lift my head following her force. Surprisingly, no one around stepped forward to stop her violent behavior. Ariana wanted to slap me on the other side of my face as well. But a man’s voice calling her name came from behind her. Ariana’s fierce expression instantly turned into a normal smile. She let go, then turned around to greet him, her sharp voice turning sweet and soft. Ariana said, “Leo, why are you so late?” She affectionately linked arms with the man, who casually wrapped his arm around her waist. The man was still wearing the suit I had custom-made for him. I let out a cold laugh, thinking, “Leo, your good days are truly over.” Ariana leaned on Leo’s shoulder, and Leo looked down at her. Leo said, “I think I just heard your voice. What’s wrong? Who dares to bully you?” Ariana pouted in grievance. She said, “I was bullied by those crew members.” “I just asked them for a favor. Not only did they refuse, but they also threatened my brother.” Ariana started crying as she spoke. She said, “I came over to ask them to apologize, but that woman glared at me and scolded me.” “They’re too much. How can they bully people like this?” Leo gently patted her head, his face full of concern. He said, “Don’t cry. Someone actually dared to bully you. Don’t worry. I’ll handle it for you.” Ariana was still crying over there, and Jordan couldn’t wait to rush forward, pointing at us. He said, “Leo, it’s these people. Their service attitude is terrible.” Leo didn’t even look up, holding Ariana’s face and wiping her tears. Without asking the reason, he directly started threatening. He said, “You all apologize to them right now.” “Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make you get out of Myers Shipping Group, and even the entire industry.” Hearing his threat, I was furious. How come I didn’t know when Leo gained the ability to interfere in Myers Shipping Group’s affairs? While Jordan’s two companions were still stunned, I shook off their hands, stood up, and coldly looked at Leo. I said, “Leo, you’re really blind. Say it again. Who do you want to apologize?”

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