"Mom, you look so beautiful."
My mother smiled. "You look beautiful in your new dress too. I wish I could see you in dresses more often, instead of jeans and a plaid shirt or a hoodie."
"Mom. You promised not to comment on my style anymore," I snorted.
My mother laughed, and the makeup artist almost smeared lipstick on her cheek because she moved around.
"Sorry. But seriously, you look so beautiful in that white satin dress."
"Thanks, mom. I feel like a princess today."
I stared at my mother's reflection in the mirror. She looked so happy in her white wedding dress with a train that hung very long on the floor. My mother wore a diamond tiara on her head. A makeup artist was applying nude lipstick to her full, exotic lips. This was the first time I had seen my mother this happy since my father died ten years ago. I almost thought my mother would never be happy again after my father died, but I was wrong. After ten years of draining emotions and tears, my mother finally got her happiness back.
"Fiona, you go to church first. Joshua's driver will pick me up and take me to church."
"Aren't we going to church together?"
"Seriously, there's no way I'm going to church in your beat-up Ford."
"Yeah, even though it's beat-up, it's been with me for three years. And so far, I'm fine with it," I snorted.
My mother always scoffed at my car, but she couldn't even afford to buy me a new one. I bought the car with my own money, the money I earned from working part-time for three full years. My mother had been working as a barmaid since my father died. Her salary wasn't much and was only enough to meet our daily needs.
But ever since my mother started dating Joshua Craig, her life started to change. I often saw my mother coming home with lots of paper bags from famous boutiques. Sometimes, my mother would come home with a lot of food, which I am sure she would not be able to afford with her salary. The food came from a five-star restaurant, which could cost more than three months salary.
Last week my mother also showed me a diamond necklace and a ring. My mother was very happy to have a rich boyfriend. I had never met her boyfriend, because he never got out of the car every time he took my mother home. But I was sure he was very rich because he always came in a luxury car. No wonder my mother made fun of my old car.
"Fiona, why are you daydreaming there? Go to church."
I blinked twice. My mother looked at me in annoyance. The woman who did my mother's makeup had already left the room. She was very quiet. She didn't say a word while doing my mother's makeup.
"Okay, I'll go to church now."
I walked over to my mother and hugged her. Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged her tightly.
"I'm happy for you, Mom."
"Thank you. I hope you'll stay with me after I marry Joshua."
"No, I'm fine staying here. This is Dad's house full of memories."
My tears dripped down my cheeks. This felt like my last hug with my mother, even though we would still see each other after she married her lover. My mother said she would see me often. However, I was a bit unsure about that. If her husband was that rich, Mom would definitely have a lot of new activities after marrying him.
"Let me know if you change your mind. Joshua doesn't mind you staying with us."
I released my hug and smiled softly at her.
"I want to be an independent woman. After I graduate from law school, I will apply for a job at a law firm and become a lawyer like I have always dreamed of. I might move out of town. Maybe LA, New York, I don't know."
"I am proud of you, honey. I am lucky to have you. If your Daddy were with us, he would say the same thing. You are the light of his life."
God!
Her words were like onions, making my tears well up in my eyes. My tears flowed even faster down my cheeks. And I didn't want my mother to get married today. I wanted to take back my words last week when my mom told me that Joshua proposed to her and that he wanted to marry her as soon as possible.
"Don't cry. Go to church now. Joshua's driver will be here any minute."
I wiped my tears with a tissue and nodded. I waved at my mom at the door, then walked straight to my car parked in our yard.
There it was, my beat-up car. The red 2008 Ford Edge that I loved so much. This car had taken me to many places and witnessed countless naughties. I was once ticketed by the police for driving over the speed limit.
"Hey buddy, even though Mom called you a beat-up car, you're still the best. Let's go."
I climbed into the car and started the engine. Before leaving, I looked at my house and sighed softly. The house would be so quiet without my mother's voice.
-00-
My car entered the yard of the largest church in Miami. This church was built with white marble and looked very striking among the luxurious hotels that stood on the beach. According to rumors, only certain people could get married in this church. And it seemed that my mother's future husband was one of them.
Two burly men dressed in black from head to toe stopped my car in front of the church gate. Each of them carried a long-barreled g*n. And I just realized that all the men standing in the yard of this church were carrying guns in their hands. They were all wearing the same clothes. All black. Their faces were cold and stiff.
"Open the window."
I lowered my window and looked at the burly man with a frown.
"I'm Fiona Osborn. I'm going to attend the wedding of Katherine Osborn and Joshua Craig."
"She's her daughter," another man spoke to the man who knocked on my car window.
"She's on the guest list. The boss told you to take her straight into the church."
"Okay."
I snorted at how rude they were. They talked about me as if I wasn't there.
"Hey, can I park my car and go inside the church?" I asked in exasperation.
"Leave your car here. I'll take you inside the church."
"Why can't I park my own car?"
"Please just do as I say. Get out of your car now."
I huffed and grabbed my white purse from the passenger seat. These people were weird. I'd never been to a wedding with such strict rules. What kind of man was my mom going to marry? I probably made the right decision to stay at Dad's house after she married Joshua Craig because my future stepfather was a weirdo.
"Stretch out your arms."
"What?"
Before I could process what the man was saying, someone suddenly stretched out my arms from behind. I let out a startled yelp and turned around. Another man in a suit came over and started scanning my entire body with a red laser wand.
"What the h**l?"
"This is standard procedure."
"Get your hands off my body. You're stealing the opportunity to grope me, huh?"
The man said nothing. His expression remained cold as he groped my hips, even my bu**ocks. I felt like I was being violated.
"I'll report you to the police for this rudeness."
"She's clear. Bring her in."
"Do you think I'm carrying a weapon, huh?"
The man who had knocked on my car window earlier grabbed my elbow and half dragged me towards the main door of the church. The men who had checked me had already dispersed. They returned to their respective places and stood stiffly like statues.
"I don't understand, why did you have to do all that?"
"You'll understand later."
The man released his grip on my elbow once we were standing right in front of the church door. He spoke through the walkie-talkie, and soon the giant door swung open.
I was stunned to see the magnificent interior of the church. The interior was a combination of white marble and gold plating. The ceiling of the church was decorated with paintings with a giant dome made of pure gold. Yeah, I'm sure it was pure gold. It was so dazzling to my eyes from where I was standing now. A long red carpet stretched all the way to the altar. A giant crucifix became the background of the priest's pulpit with various intricate carvings decorating every wall. I thought the carvings were the entire story of Jesus's life before he was crucified by his traitorous followers.
"Your seat is on the second pew on the right."
"Excuse me?"
"Go to your seat and don't make any noise."
I thought the man would escort me to my seat, but he just left after saying a series of words thick with a commanding tone.
He was so annoying.
This marriage sucks.
Mom never told me that her wedding would be this strange. Yeah, mom also never told me in detail about her future husband. All mom showed me so far were expensive gifts from him and all the luxuries that man had.
I walked to my seat awkwardly. The armed men standing in every corner of the church stared at me as if I was the most dangerous prisoner in the world.
"Are you Fiona? Katherine's daughter?"
A pair of the shiniest black shoes I had ever seen stopped in front of me. I looked up and found a man in a tuxedo staring at me intently. His eyes were deep blue, like the ocean at night. My gazes shifted to the left, to the small flower pinned to his jacket pocket. My breath hitched as I realized who the man I was talking to was. He was my future stepfather! He was Joshua Craig.
Chapter 2 TWO. FIONA
"I am. You must be my mother's future husband."
"Go to your seat. The wedding is about to begin."
I gaped in disbelief at his friendliness. On the contrary, he was very cold and even more annoying than his men. He turned around and gave me a view of his straight back as he walked towards the priest.
This was the most sh**ty wedding in my life. I don't know what was going through my mother's mind when she accepted that cold man to be her husband. My father was a warm and humorous man. I was pretty sure my mother's ideal type was a man like my father, not an icy man with ocean-blue eyes like Joshua Craig. Something must be wrong here. Maybe my mother was under the influence of al**hol when she said yes to him. Or maybe my mother was under the threat of a g*n. It seemed very possible considering all the armed men filling this place.
My b**t landed right on the pew that had my name written on it. I sat next to a middle-aged woman who was busy with her cellphone. From her style, she looked like old-money. She was wearing a black long-sleeved dress with swarovski stones sprinkled on her ch**t to waist. Her fingers were full of diamond rings and she wore a gold bracelet that was very dazzling. The other guests looked just as glamorous as the woman next to me. They were wearing expensive tuxedos or expensive dresses with flashy jewelry adorning their bodies. Maybe I was the only poor girl here. The dress I was wearing was even a gift from my mother's future husband. There was no way I could afford this expensive dress with my salary as a waitress at an ice cream shop.
"Boss, the bride has arrived."
"Let's start the wedding now, father."
Everyone straightened their backs and put their phones into their bags or pockets as Joshua Craig spoke to the priest. Classical music began to be played by an orchestra in the right corner of the hall. The atmosphere instantly turned silent and sacred.
I turned to see my mother walking down the aisle holding a bouquet of white lilies. Her face was beaming, and her gaze was only focused on Joshua Craig, who was standing stiffly beside the priest. I began to doubt if my mother said yes to him under threat. My mother would not look that happy if this was a forced marriage.
I wished I could wave at my mother and give her a flying k**s. I was happy for her, even though she married a strange man like Joshua Craig.
Bang!
Bang!
It happened so fast. The white dress that my mother was so proud of this morning suddenly turned red. Bl**d seeped all over her dress. The happiness on her face quickly faded, replaced by a blank stare before my mother fell to the church floor with a thud.
"Mom!"
My voice was drowned out by the deafening sound of gunfire around me. Someone grabbed my wrist and forced me to duck under a pew. The gunfire didn't stop. I saw people being shot dead in cold bl**d. The beautiful marble floor turned into a horrific sea of bl**d.
"Let go of me!"
My heart was pounding so hard in my ribcage. A man who was hiding under a pew, six feet away from me, was suddenly pulled out of his hiding place. He was shot right in the forehead by a masked man before being thrown to the floor.
My palms covered my mouth tightly before I screamed hysterically. The shooting scene was real. Everything that I usually only saw in action movies suddenly really happened before my eyes.
"We've ki**ed the bride. What else should we do?"
"Our boss will be very happy if we can k**l Craig Junior. Get him now."
The masked men were standing very close to where I was hiding. My heart was pounding so hard. Most of the guests had fallen victim to their brutality. The middle-aged woman who had been sitting next to me was nowhere to be found. I hoped she was okay and did not become one of the victims of the shooting.
"Look, what I found down here?"
I gulped nervously. A voice came from behind my back. I didn't have time to turn to see who it was because suddenly he grabbed my elbow and forced me to stand up.
"Let me go. You d**n cruel people. You ki**ed my mother."
I struggled as the masked man dragged me to the altar. I just realized that the condition of this church was worse than terrible. From under the pews, I saw a sea of bl**d, but from the altar, I saw a sea of bl**d with piles of corpses. Many were dead and many were injured. Joshua's surviving men looked overwhelmed by the attacks of the masked men. No one looked at me, or even intended to save me from these masked men. The few guests who survived and were hiding under the pews could do nothing but look at me sympathetically.
"What did my mother do wrong? Why did you k**l her?"
"Who is your mother?"
Tears welled up in my eyes. My mother's body lay in the aisle, in a pool of her own bl**d. The bouquet of white lilies she was holding was thrown a few inches from her hand and turned red.
"You ki**ed her on her wedding day."
"Oh, so you're the bride's daughter, huh? Too bad your mother had to die in the middle of this war. She probably never did anything wrong to our boss. Her only mistake was marrying Joshua Craig."
"If you have a problem with Joshua Craig, settle it with him instead of killing my mother!"
I tried to j**k free from the man's grip on my elbow. He squeezed harder, even pulling my hair. The braid I had worked so hard to make this morning broke, and my hair tie fell to the floor. My dark hair fell in a mess down my back and face.
"Listen, you don't know anything. Joshua Craig has caused trouble with our boss. He deserves this. You'll be joining your mother in h**l soon."
"Let me go, you ba**ard!"
Tears welled up in my eyes. But this time it was from the pain that was shooting through my scalp. The ba**ard was pulling my hair hard and pressing the muzzle of his g*n to my temple.
"Look at all this horror. Record this event well in your head before you meet your maker."
"Ba**ard. If I become a ghost, I will haunt you and k**l you."
I closed my eyes as I heard the soft click of the g*n pressed against my temple. I was going to die. It wouldn't be so bad because my father and mother were waiting for me in heaven. We would be together again and become the most harmonious family in heaven.
Bang!
Something warm splashed onto my face and the man's grip on my hair was released. I hurriedly opened my eyes and was shocked to find the man collapsed at my feet with a gaping hole in his head.
He died? How could that be?
When I turned to my right, I found Joshua Craig standing about five feet away from me. His hand was holding a g*n. He didn't look as shiny as he did a few minutes ago. His suit was wrinkled and stained with bl**d. He stared at me with his blue eyes for a few heartbeats before gripping my arm tightly.
"Move. You have to hide. They're still roaming around here."
"What exactly happened? Why did they sh**t all of us?"
Joshua didn't answer, instead, he pushed me behind the pulpit. The priest was surprised to see us. He was cowering in fear behind the pulpit while muttering a prayer.
"Pray with Father Robert here. Ask God for their death."
Joshua pressed my shoulder to duck under the pulpit before leaving me with the priest.
I rarely pray. I didn't know what the priest was chanting in his mouth. He was still muttering while holding the cross hanging around his neck. I wanted to ask him what he was chanting, but he seemed too frightened to make a sound. I was afraid the priest would faint from fear. His face was so pale. And I was sure his hands were very cold.
I didn't know when it would end or who would win. Joshua wasn't coming back. He hadn't even promised to come back. The masked men had probably already shot him and were celebrating his death.
Chapter 3 THREE. FIONA
Gunshots rang out several times before it suddenly went silent. I was te**ted to peek, but the priest shook his head and motioned for me to stay behind the pulpit.
"Do you think it's over, father?"
"I don't know. May good triumph and evil disappear from the earth forever."
It was hard to tell who was good and who was bad. The masked men had said that Joshua had angered their boss. That meant Joshua had made a very fatal mistake before the men were sent to k**l him.
"Stand up."
I yelped in surprise as someone grabbed my elbow and forced me to stand up.
"Wh-what happened? Are they dead? Is it over?"
Joshua pulled me out of my hiding place. I limped along following his wide steps. My heels stepped on the puddle of bl**d on the floor and it splashed onto the hem of my dress.
Yikes. I wanted to take this dress off and throw it away as soon as possible.
"Stand here."
"What are you going to do?"
"Father Robert, come out. You're safe. Those people are dead."
Father Robert came out of his hiding place hesitantly. Like me, he was horrified by the chaos that had occurred in his church. This holy place had been turned into a bl**dbath.
"Come here, father. We need you."
"What are you going to do? Let me go."
"Shut up," he snapped at me loudly.
I saw anger, exhaustion, and pain, mixed together on his face. He had a bruise under his chin. How many of his men were ki**ed in the firefight today? How much material damage did he suffer?
Tch, why should I worry about him? I had many more important things to worry about. It started with what would happen to me in the next second? How would I cope with my grief over my mother's tragic death?
"We're getting married, father. Please do it quickly."
"Marry? Are you crazy? I don't want to marry you. You should be my stepfather, not my husband."
"I don't accept rejection."
"And I also don't accept coercion. I don't want to marry you."
Something cold suddenly pressed against my ribs. I looked over my shoulder and found the muzzle of his g*n pressing even tighter against my ribs.
"You have to replace your mother as payment for the debt."
"What debt?"
"As expected, your mother didn't tell you," Joshua grinned.
"I-I don't understand."
"Your mother owed me three years ago. She couldn't pay it when it was due. This marriage is a means to pay the debt."
"Bulls**t. That's impossible. My mother doesn't owe anyone."
"Really? What about your education costs all this time? Where do you think your mother got the money to pay for it, huh?"
No. That's impossible. Mom said the money was from her hard work all this time. Mom couldn't possibly owe this horrible man.
"So, you have to replace her to pay her debt to me. You have to marry me today."
-00-
I was still processing what Joshua had just said to me when he roughly pulled my arm to stand at the altar. Father Robert stood in front of us with a thick book in his hand. He looked at me and Joshua in turn.
"Do it now, father. I want to take my bride away from here immediately."
"I'm not your bride."
"Don't make me regret saving you from those ba**ards."
My ribs hurt. Joshua deliberately pressed the muzzle of his g*n tightly. He glared at me.
"Now, father."
"No. I don't want to marry you. Are you deaf, huh?"
Joshua stared at me sharply. His blue eyes turned darker and scarier. I refused to tremble under his intense gaze. Even though this man had saved me from this massacre, it didn't mean I would obey his orders.
"Fine. You have to learn that every rebellion you make will have a price."
Bang!
I screamed in surprise and covered my mouth with my palm. Joshua had just shot one of his men in the leg. The man groaned loudly and fell to the floor holding his bl**ding right leg.
"You see that? He will die if you try to reject me again."
"What are you doing? Why did you sh**t your own men?"
I stared at his palm, which was holding the g*n, in horror. He could sh**t anyone and anytime because of me.
ME!
Oh my God, how could this happen to me?
"This is just the beginning. Next time I won't hesitate to sh**t someone who means something to you. Your lover, maybe. Or your friends on campus."
"Stop. Don't do it again, please."
"You have to marry me now."
I took a deep breath. I've had enough of today's horrific massacre. I didn't want to see any more bl**d. Especially if it was because of me.
"Okay. I'll marry you."
"Good choice."
I watched Joshua lower his hands to his sides. But the g*n was still in his grip. He wasn't letting down his guard one bit. And that meant he was likely going to sh**t someone else if I tried to ruin this wedding.
S**t!
I was caught up in this bl**dy drama.
"Now, father."
Father Robert's voice was shaking as he began to read from his thick book. I barely caught a word of it. My mind was elsewhere. I replayed the memory of waking up this morning with renewed vigor and happiness for my mother. I was so proud to wear this white dress. My first fancy dress. I had intended to keep it and wear it to my graduation party in six months. But right now, all I wanted to do was take this bl**dy dress off my body and throw it away. I would not keep the dress that had been a silent witness to my mother's mu**er.
"Fiona."
Joshua looked at me coldly. He gestured for me to say my piece after Father Robert repeated his words.
"I. I."
My tongue was numb. I couldn't. This was wrong. So wrong. I shouldn't have married my future stepfather.
"Say it," Joshua hissed in my ear.
"I. I do."
Chapter 4 FOUR. FIONA
What had I just done? I had just made the most fatal mistake of my life.
"I pronounce you husband and wife."
There was no applause. There was only a tense silence between us.
"You may k**s your wife," Father Robert said hesitantly.
At that time He clearly knew that I married Joshua Craig at gunpoint and in front of dozens of corpses, one of which was my mother's corpse. Ironic.
"I will k**s you."
I turned my face away. Joshua gripped my chin tightly and forced me to look at him.
"We need to seal our vows with a k**s."
"Bullshit."
I wasn't an innocent girl who would be scared or have her heart pounded when a stranger ki**ed my lips. I felt nothing but anger and sadness mixed together in my heart. I remembered Joshua smirking at me, and I hated it. I hated his lips ki**ing mine.
"F**k! You bit me."
Joshua's head snapped back. He cursed at me as he wiped his bl**ding lip.
"I told you I don't want to be ki**ed by you."
"I'll make you pay dearly for what you did to me. I don't have time to deal with a spoiled girl like you right now. There are bodies to shovel and bury. Let's go."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Home. You're not safe here."
"In fact, I'll never be safe with you."
"You'll be safe as long as you use my last name. I'll make sure they won't touch a single hair on your head."
"Really? What happened to my mother showed otherwise."
"Too bad, Katherine no longer has my last name. And you, you're Fiona Craig now."
I snorted in disgust, hearing my name come out of his mouth along with his last name. It was the most disgusting and ridiculous name ever.
"What about my mother? I need to give her a proper burial."
"Someone will take care of it. We have to go now."
God. I stepped on the bodies that were strewn along the church aisle. Tears filled my eyes again as I passed my mother's body.
"Mom."
I wanted to stop to hug her, but Joshua kept dragging me out of this place.
"At least, let me see my mother one last time."
"She's dead. It won't make any difference to your mother."
"But it does make a difference to me. I want to hug her one last time."
"Get in the car."
Joshua jerked open the car door before shoving me into his shiny sports car. Before closing the door, he took something out of his pocket, then threw it into my lap.
"Your wedding ring. I want you to wear it right now."
And he slammed the door shut hard right in front of my face.
Tsk, so romantic. How could my mother look so happy when she was about to marry a cruel monster like him?
"Are you deaf? I want you to wear the ring right now."
"Can't you just not force me or yell at me for once? I don't want to wear this ring. The marriage is invalid. You threatened me with a g*n."
"The marriage is valid and has been registered in the civil registry. You will get a copy of the document tomorrow afternoon, at the latest."
Joshua grabbed my left hand, then quickly put the diamond ring on my finger.
Da**it!
The ring was perfectly attached to my finger and could not be removed. I was sure the ring was supposed to be for my mother and fit her finger size. However, my and my mom's dress sizes were about the same for the past two years. I assumed our fingers were the same size too.
"Never take off that ring as long as you are my wife."
"Or what?"
"Or I will make you regret challenging me."
The car roared softly before speeding away, leaving the churchyard in chaos. I was sure Joshua's car had run over several bodies on its way out of the churchyard.
I hoped all of this was just a nightmare that would disappear when I woke up. I hoped my mother never met Joshua and owed him.
"My mother never told me about the debt."
"I bet she didn't."
"How much did my mother owe you all this time? I will pay it off."
"Your mother couldn't even pay it off until she decided to sell herself to me."
"I will pay it off in installments. I promise, I won't run away. How much does my mother owe you?"
"Five million dollars."
I was shocked to hear the amount Joshua mentioned. Five million dollars. What did Mom do with that much money?
"You must be lying. My college tuition wasn't that much. If my mother had five million dollars, she wouldn't work in a club day and night."
"She screwed a customer three years ago. The customer reported her to the police. Your mother would be in prison unless she paid nearly four million dollars in fines and penalties."
"That's crazy. What did my mother do wrong to have to pay that much?"
"She hit him over the head with a beer bottle while he was groping her a*s."
"And they sentenced my mother instead of that pervert?"
"He wasn't just any man. He definitely had the power to make your mother miserable."
"Then why did my mother's debt reach five million dollars if the fine she had to pay was only four million dollars?"
"All those expensive jewelry and dresses weren't free. She was supposed to marry me, but she died, and the marriage failed."
"You d**n ba**ard," I clenched my fists in my lap.
"This world is crazy. The rich oppress the poor like us. And you, you're no different. You take advantage of my mother's weakness for your own pleasure."
"Just take your fate as the poor."
Da**it!
I hate this Craig guy.
I wanted my life back in peace. I wanted my mother back. The diamond ring on my finger was like mocking my bad luck. I had just married a psychopath in a bl**d-stained dress, and my wedding was witnessed by bodies strewn across the church floor. Wow. This wedding should be in the Guinness World Record. This was the scariest wedding of all time.
"I don't know who you are. Are you something? Someone famous? A billionaire? What?"
"Lident. Ever heard of that name?"
I shook my head. Forgive my limited knowledge. My twenty-four hours were spent studying at college, working at an ice cream shop, and working on papers from my professors. I didn't have time to think about anything else. Especially about a name like Lident.
"This is the first time I've heard that name."
"Chicago Outfit."
Wait. I think I know that. I saw a documentary in college about mafia clans around the world. One of them was the Chicago Outfit.
What?
Did he just say Chicago Outfit.
"I guess you already know who I am."
My neck stiffly turned to face him. This Craig guy was smirking at me with a very thick arrogance emanating from his entire body.
"You. Don't tell me you're a Don."
"Congratulations, baby. You just married a Don."
Chapter 5 FIVE. FIONA
I wished this was April Fool's Day. I wished it was all a dream. The worst nightmare ever. I wished it was just part of a reality show prank where the crew likes to create weird prank scenarios and set up hidden cameras on street corners.
I waited for them all to come out of hiding, laughing and showing off some of their cameras. And the guy next to me would probably be the one laughing the hardest because he managed to f**l me in his annoying charade. But after almost an hour of driving in silence, not a single member of the TV crew came forward to tell me that this was all a prank. There were no hidden cameras. There were no bad actors assigned to f**l their target, which was me.
"We're here."
"Where are we?"
"Home. Get off."
Home? This place didn't look like a home at all. It was a beach house built on a steep cliff. Down below, I could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. It was the perfect place for a vacation or a way to unwind from the stresses of life. However, this place was definitely not the home I had imagined.
"I have my own house and life. I have to finish my final paper before my graduation in six months. I can't stay here."
"I don't have time to talk about your life right now. Come on."
Joshua grabbed my wrist tightly and half dragged me up to the porch of his house. This place was very quiet. There were no men in black suits with full weapons guarding this place. Joshua took the key from under the pot, then opened the door in a hurry. He was very alert. Joshua always looked back to make sure none of the masked men were following us.
I was pulled into the house before Joshua closed the door with the tip of his heel. The humid air mixed with the scent of new furniture infiltrated my sense of smell. This place seemed like a vacation home. There were no photos or decorations on the walls. The living room was standard with a set of sofas, a coffee table, and a Persian rug.
"I want to go back to my own house. There are many things we need to talk about."
"I believe there is. But like I told you earlier, I don't have time to talk about your s**t life right now. And about the house, you're my wife now. So you'll be staying at my house."
"Haha, funny. Don't tell me I'll be sl**ping in your room too," I folded my arms across my ch**t.
He didn't laugh at all. He stared at me coldly, as if I were a flat freak from Mars.
So am I right? I'm going to sl**p in his room? With him?
No s**t!
"Let's go."
"Hey, where are you taking me?"
I struggled as Joshua dragged me toward the stairs. I was gripped by fear at the thought of what was going to happen next. There was no one in this house but the two of us. And the location of this house was so remote. I didn't even see another house within a mile radius. No one would help me if Joshua ra**d me, then ki**ed me, and threw my body into the sea.
"Hey, you're hurting my arm. You've been holding it so tight since the church."
"I have a name, and I'm your husband. Show me some respect."
"You don't deserve my respect at all. I don't want this marriage. Give me back my peaceful life. Give me back my mother!"
I don't know where the urge came from, but I hit Joshua's arm hard. He didn't flinch at all. His body was three times bigger than mine with very hard muscles. I was only as tall as his neck with my hellish ten-centimeter pointed heels. He was like a giant compared to my petite body. My punches barely had any effect other than tickling. But at least, I tried to defend myself. I wouldn't just stand by while someone else crushed my life into dust.
"Enough, Fiona!"
Joshua grabbed my wrist before throwing me onto the bed.
"You stay here. Don't try to escape or you will face the consequences."
"Where are you going? Joshua?! Don't leave me here."
I stood up with difficulty and almost tripped over the train of my dress as I tried to chase Joshua who had just locked the door to this room. I banged on the door loudly, screaming and cu**ing as hard as I could, but Joshua still didn't respond to me. I heard his loud footsteps moving away from this room and down the stairs.
"Da**it! You d**n ba**ard! Get me out of here, Joshua Craig!"
I ran to the window. Joshua's car left the beach house yard and disappeared around the corner. I was completely alone in this house. That d**n man probably wanted to k**l me slowly here.
But no. I wasn't going to give up so easily.
I banged on the window so hard that my palms turned red. The d**n window was locked. I rushed to the bathroom to find another escape route, but again I had to swallow my disappointment because the bathroom had no windows. The ventilation came from a vent with iron bars the size of a mouse. My body couldn't possibly fit in there. This house seemed like it was prepared to lock someone up.
Was Joshua going to lock my mother up here once they were officially married?
Da**it
That man was truly terrifying. I didn't understand why Mom had to deal with a man like Joshua and even intended to marry him. Mom never even told me about the debts.
I fell down on the bed. Suddenly, I felt incredibly tired. I leaned my back against the headboard and hugged my knees to my ch**t. I had just had a long and bl**dy day. I never imagined that such a terrible thing would happen to me.
"Mom. Why did you leave me like this? I love you."
Tears streamed down my cheeks. Memories of my mother for the past ten years flooded my mind. I wanted to see her and hold her hand. I wished I could give her a proper burial. I wanted to bury her next to my father's grave.
"Rest in peace, Mom. I love you."
&1&
"Mom, you look so beautiful."
My mother smiled. "You look beautiful in your new dress too. I wish I could see you in dresses more often, instead of jeans and a plaid shirt or a hoodie."
"Mom. You promised not to comment on my style anymore," I snorted.
My mother laughed, and the makeup artist almost smeared lipstick on her cheek because she moved around.
"Sorry. But seriously, you look so beautiful in that white satin dress."
"Thanks, mom. I feel like a princess today."
I stared at my mother's reflection in the mirror. She looked so happy in her white wedding dress with a train that hung very long on the floor. My mother wore a diamond tiara on her head. A makeup artist was applying nude lipstick to her full, exotic lips. This was the first time I had seen my mother this happy since my father died ten years ago. I almost thought my mother would never be happy again after my father died, but I was wrong. After ten years of draining emotions and tears, my mother finally got her happiness back.
"Fiona, you go to church first. Joshua's driver will pick me up and take me to church."
"Aren't we going to church together?"
"Seriously, there's no way I'm going to church in your beat-up Ford."
"Yeah, even though it's beat-up, it's been with me for three years. And so far, I'm fine with it," I snorted.
My mother always scoffed at my car, but she couldn't even afford to buy me a new one. I bought the car with my own money, the money I earned from working part-time for three full years. My mother had been working as a barmaid since my father died. Her salary wasn't much and was only enough to meet our daily needs.
But ever since my mother started dating Joshua Craig, her life started to change. I often saw my mother coming home with lots of paper bags from famous boutiques. Sometimes, my mother would come home with a lot of food, which I am sure she would not be able to afford with her salary. The food came from a five-star restaurant, which could cost more than three months salary.
Last week my mother also showed me a diamond necklace and a ring. My mother was very happy to have a rich boyfriend. I had never met her boyfriend, because he never got out of the car every time he took my mother home. But I was sure he was very rich because he always came in a luxury car. No wonder my mother made fun of my old car.
"Fiona, why are you daydreaming there? Go to church."
I blinked twice. My mother looked at me in annoyance. The woman who did my mother's makeup had already left the room. She was very quiet. She didn't say a word while doing my mother's makeup.
"Okay, I'll go to church now."
I walked over to my mother and hugged her. Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged her tightly.
"I'm happy for you, Mom."
"Thank you. I hope you'll stay with me after I marry Joshua."
"No, I'm fine staying here. This is Dad's house full of memories."
My tears dripped down my cheeks. This felt like my last hug with my mother, even though we would still see each other after she married her lover. My mother said she would see me often. However, I was a bit unsure about that. If her husband was that rich, Mom would definitely have a lot of new activities after marrying him.
"Let me know if you change your mind. Joshua doesn't mind you staying with us."
I released my hug and smiled softly at her.
"I want to be an independent woman. After I graduate from law school, I will apply for a job at a law firm and become a lawyer like I have always dreamed of. I might move out of town. Maybe LA, New York, I don't know."
"I am proud of you, honey. I am lucky to have you. If your Daddy were with us, he would say the same thing. You are the light of his life."
God!
Her words were like onions, making my tears well up in my eyes. My tears flowed even faster down my cheeks. And I didn't want my mother to get married today. I wanted to take back my words last week when my mom told me that Joshua proposed to her and that he wanted to marry her as soon as possible.
"Don't cry. Go to church now. Joshua's driver will be here any minute."
I wiped my tears with a tissue and nodded. I waved at my mom at the door, then walked straight to my car parked in our yard.
There it was, my beat-up car. The red 2008 Ford Edge that I loved so much. This car had taken me to many places and witnessed countless naughties. I was once ticketed by the police for driving over the speed limit.
"Hey buddy, even though Mom called you a beat-up car, you're still the best. Let's go."
I climbed into the car and started the engine. Before leaving, I looked at my house and sighed softly. The house would be so quiet without my mother's voice.
-00-
My car entered the yard of the largest church in Miami. This church was built with white marble and looked very striking among the luxurious hotels that stood on the beach. According to rumors, only certain people could get married in this church. And it seemed that my mother's future husband was one of them.
Two burly men dressed in black from head to toe stopped my car in front of the church gate. Each of them carried a long-barreled g*n. And I just realized that all the men standing in the yard of this church were carrying guns in their hands. They were all wearing the same clothes. All black. Their faces were cold and stiff.
"Open the window."
I lowered my window and looked at the burly man with a frown.
"I'm Fiona Osborn. I'm going to attend the wedding of Katherine Osborn and Joshua Craig."
"She's her daughter," another man spoke to the man who knocked on my car window.
"She's on the guest list. The boss told you to take her straight into the church."
"Okay."
I snorted at how rude they were. They talked about me as if I wasn't there.
"Hey, can I park my car and go inside the church?" I asked in exasperation.
"Leave your car here. I'll take you inside the church."
"Why can't I park my own car?"
"Please just do as I say. Get out of your car now."
I huffed and grabbed my white purse from the passenger seat. These people were weird. I'd never been to a wedding with such strict rules. What kind of man was my mom going to marry? I probably made the right decision to stay at Dad's house after she married Joshua Craig because my future stepfather was a weirdo.
"Stretch out your arms."
"What?"
Before I could process what the man was saying, someone suddenly stretched out my arms from behind. I let out a startled yelp and turned around. Another man in a suit came over and started scanning my entire body with a red laser wand.
"What the h**l?"
"This is standard procedure."
"Get your hands off my body. You're stealing the opportunity to grope me, huh?"
The man said nothing. His expression remained cold as he groped my hips, even my bu**ocks. I felt like I was being violated.
"I'll report you to the police for this rudeness."
"She's clear. Bring her in."
"Do you think I'm carrying a weapon, huh?"
The man who had knocked on my car window earlier grabbed my elbow and half dragged me towards the main door of the church. The men who had checked me had already dispersed. They returned to their respective places and stood stiffly like statues.
"I don't understand, why did you have to do all that?"
"You'll understand later."
The man released his grip on my elbow once we were standing right in front of the church door. He spoke through the walkie-talkie, and soon the giant door swung open.
I was stunned to see the magnificent interior of the church. The interior was a combination of white marble and gold plating. The ceiling of the church was decorated with paintings with a giant dome made of pure gold. Yeah, I'm sure it was pure gold. It was so dazzling to my eyes from where I was standing now. A long red carpet stretched all the way to the altar. A giant crucifix became the background of the priest's pulpit with various intricate carvings decorating every wall. I thought the carvings were the entire story of Jesus's life before he was crucified by his traitorous followers.
"Your seat is on the second pew on the right."
"Excuse me?"
"Go to your seat and don't make any noise."
I thought the man would escort me to my seat, but he just left after saying a series of words thick with a commanding tone.
He was so annoying.
This marriage sucks.
Mom never told me that her wedding would be this strange. Yeah, mom also never told me in detail about her future husband. All mom showed me so far were expensive gifts from him and all the luxuries that man had.
I walked to my seat awkwardly. The armed men standing in every corner of the church stared at me as if I was the most dangerous prisoner in the world.
"Are you Fiona? Katherine's daughter?"
A pair of the shiniest black shoes I had ever seen stopped in front of me. I looked up and found a man in a tuxedo staring at me intently. His eyes were deep blue, like the ocean at night. My gazes shifted to the left, to the small flower pinned to his jacket pocket. My breath hitched as I realized who the man I was talking to was. He was my future stepfather! He was Joshua Craig.
Chapter 2 TWO. FIONA
"I am. You must be my mother's future husband."
"Go to your seat. The wedding is about to begin."
I gaped in disbelief at his friendliness. On the contrary, he was very cold and even more annoying than his men. He turned around and gave me a view of his straight back as he walked towards the priest.
This was the most sh**ty wedding in my life. I don't know what was going through my mother's mind when she accepted that cold man to be her husband. My father was a warm and humorous man. I was pretty sure my mother's ideal type was a man like my father, not an icy man with ocean-blue eyes like Joshua Craig. Something must be wrong here. Maybe my mother was under the influence of al**hol when she said yes to him. Or maybe my mother was under the threat of a g*n. It seemed very possible considering all the armed men filling this place.
My b**t landed right on the pew that had my name written on it. I sat next to a middle-aged woman who was busy with her cellphone. From her style, she looked like old-money. She was wearing a black long-sleeved dress with swarovski stones sprinkled on her ch**t to waist. Her fingers were full of diamond rings and she wore a gold bracelet that was very dazzling. The other guests looked just as glamorous as the woman next to me. They were wearing expensive tuxedos or expensive dresses with flashy jewelry adorning their bodies. Maybe I was the only poor girl here. The dress I was wearing was even a gift from my mother's future husband. There was no way I could afford this expensive dress with my salary as a waitress at an ice cream shop.
"Boss, the bride has arrived."
"Let's start the wedding now, father."
Everyone straightened their backs and put their phones into their bags or pockets as Joshua Craig spoke to the priest. Classical music began to be played by an orchestra in the right corner of the hall. The atmosphere instantly turned silent and sacred.
I turned to see my mother walking down the aisle holding a bouquet of white lilies. Her face was beaming, and her gaze was only focused on Joshua Craig, who was standing stiffly beside the priest. I began to doubt if my mother said yes to him under threat. My mother would not look that happy if this was a forced marriage.
I wished I could wave at my mother and give her a flying k**s. I was happy for her, even though she married a strange man like Joshua Craig.
Bang!
Bang!
It happened so fast. The white dress that my mother was so proud of this morning suddenly turned red. Bl**d seeped all over her dress. The happiness on her face quickly faded, replaced by a blank stare before my mother fell to the church floor with a thud.
"Mom!"
My voice was drowned out by the deafening sound of gunfire around me. Someone grabbed my wrist and forced me to duck under a pew. The gunfire didn't stop. I saw people being shot dead in cold bl**d. The beautiful marble floor turned into a horrific sea of bl**d.
"Let go of me!"
My heart was pounding so hard in my ribcage. A man who was hiding under a pew, six feet away from me, was suddenly pulled out of his hiding place. He was shot right in the forehead by a masked man before being thrown to the floor.
My palms covered my mouth tightly before I screamed hysterically. The shooting scene was real. Everything that I usually only saw in action movies suddenly really happened before my eyes.
"We've ki**ed the bride. What else should we do?"
"Our boss will be very happy if we can k**l Craig Junior. Get him now."
The masked men were standing very close to where I was hiding. My heart was pounding so hard. Most of the guests had fallen victim to their brutality. The middle-aged woman who had been sitting next to me was nowhere to be found. I hoped she was okay and did not become one of the victims of the shooting.
"Look, what I found down here?"
I gulped nervously. A voice came from behind my back. I didn't have time to turn to see who it was because suddenly he grabbed my elbow and forced me to stand up.
"Let me go. You d**n cruel people. You ki**ed my mother."
I struggled as the masked man dragged me to the altar. I just realized that the condition of this church was worse than terrible. From under the pews, I saw a sea of bl**d, but from the altar, I saw a sea of bl**d with piles of corpses. Many were dead and many were injured. Joshua's surviving men looked overwhelmed by the attacks of the masked men. No one looked at me, or even intended to save me from these masked men. The few guests who survived and were hiding under the pews could do nothing but look at me sympathetically.
"What did my mother do wrong? Why did you k**l her?"
"Who is your mother?"
Tears welled up in my eyes. My mother's body lay in the aisle, in a pool of her own bl**d. The bouquet of white lilies she was holding was thrown a few inches from her hand and turned red.
"You ki**ed her on her wedding day."
"Oh, so you're the bride's daughter, huh? Too bad your mother had to die in the middle of this war. She probably never did anything wrong to our boss. Her only mistake was marrying Joshua Craig."
"If you have a problem with Joshua Craig, settle it with him instead of killing my mother!"
I tried to j**k free from the man's grip on my elbow. He squeezed harder, even pulling my hair. The braid I had worked so hard to make this morning broke, and my hair tie fell to the floor. My dark hair fell in a mess down my back and face.
"Listen, you don't know anything. Joshua Craig has caused trouble with our boss. He deserves this. You'll be joining your mother in h**l soon."
"Let me go, you ba**ard!"
Tears welled up in my eyes. But this time it was from the pain that was shooting through my scalp. The ba**ard was pulling my hair hard and pressing the muzzle of his g*n to my temple.
"Look at all this horror. Record this event well in your head before you meet your maker."
"Ba**ard. If I become a ghost, I will haunt you and k**l you."
I closed my eyes as I heard the soft click of the g*n pressed against my temple. I was going to die. It wouldn't be so bad because my father and mother were waiting for me in heaven. We would be together again and become the most harmonious family in heaven.
Bang!
Something warm splashed onto my face and the man's grip on my hair was released. I hurriedly opened my eyes and was shocked to find the man collapsed at my feet with a gaping hole in his head.
He died? How could that be?
When I turned to my right, I found Joshua Craig standing about five feet away from me. His hand was holding a g*n. He didn't look as shiny as he did a few minutes ago. His suit was wrinkled and stained with bl**d. He stared at me with his blue eyes for a few heartbeats before gripping my arm tightly.
"Move. You have to hide. They're still roaming around here."
"What exactly happened? Why did they sh**t all of us?"
Joshua didn't answer, instead, he pushed me behind the pulpit. The priest was surprised to see us. He was cowering in fear behind the pulpit while muttering a prayer.
"Pray with Father Robert here. Ask God for their death."
Joshua pressed my shoulder to duck under the pulpit before leaving me with the priest.
I rarely pray. I didn't know what the priest was chanting in his mouth. He was still muttering while holding the cross hanging around his neck. I wanted to ask him what he was chanting, but he seemed too frightened to make a sound. I was afraid the priest would faint from fear. His face was so pale. And I was sure his hands were very cold.
I didn't know when it would end or who would win. Joshua wasn't coming back. He hadn't even promised to come back. The masked men had probably already shot him and were celebrating his death.
Chapter 3 THREE. FIONA
Gunshots rang out several times before it suddenly went silent. I was te**ted to peek, but the priest shook his head and motioned for me to stay behind the pulpit.
"Do you think it's over, father?"
"I don't know. May good triumph and evil disappear from the earth forever."
It was hard to tell who was good and who was bad. The masked men had said that Joshua had angered their boss. That meant Joshua had made a very fatal mistake before the men were sent to k**l him.
"Stand up."
I yelped in surprise as someone grabbed my elbow and forced me to stand up.
"Wh-what happened? Are they dead? Is it over?"
Joshua pulled me out of my hiding place. I limped along following his wide steps. My heels stepped on the puddle of bl**d on the floor and it splashed onto the hem of my dress.
Yikes. I wanted to take this dress off and throw it away as soon as possible.
"Stand here."
"What are you going to do?"
"Father Robert, come out. You're safe. Those people are dead."
Father Robert came out of his hiding place hesitantly. Like me, he was horrified by the chaos that had occurred in his church. This holy place had been turned into a bl**dbath.
"Come here, father. We need you."
"What are you going to do? Let me go."
"Shut up," he snapped at me loudly.
I saw anger, exhaustion, and pain, mixed together on his face. He had a bruise under his chin. How many of his men were ki**ed in the firefight today? How much material damage did he suffer?
Tch, why should I worry about him? I had many more important things to worry about. It started with what would happen to me in the next second? How would I cope with my grief over my mother's tragic death?
"We're getting married, father. Please do it quickly."
"Marry? Are you crazy? I don't want to marry you. You should be my stepfather, not my husband."
"I don't accept rejection."
"And I also don't accept coercion. I don't want to marry you."
Something cold suddenly pressed against my ribs. I looked over my shoulder and found the muzzle of his g*n pressing even tighter against my ribs.
"You have to replace your mother as payment for the debt."
"What debt?"
"As expected, your mother didn't tell you," Joshua grinned.
"I-I don't understand."
"Your mother owed me three years ago. She couldn't pay it when it was due. This marriage is a means to pay the debt."
"Bulls**t. That's impossible. My mother doesn't owe anyone."
"Really? What about your education costs all this time? Where do you think your mother got the money to pay for it, huh?"
No. That's impossible. Mom said the money was from her hard work all this time. Mom couldn't possibly owe this horrible man.
"So, you have to replace her to pay her debt to me. You have to marry me today."
-00-
I was still processing what Joshua had just said to me when he roughly pulled my arm to stand at the altar. Father Robert stood in front of us with a thick book in his hand. He looked at me and Joshua in turn.
"Do it now, father. I want to take my bride away from here immediately."
"I'm not your bride."
"Don't make me regret saving you from those ba**ards."
My ribs hurt. Joshua deliberately pressed the muzzle of his g*n tightly. He glared at me.
"Now, father."
"No. I don't want to marry you. Are you deaf, huh?"
Joshua stared at me sharply. His blue eyes turned darker and scarier. I refused to tremble under his intense gaze. Even though this man had saved me from this massacre, it didn't mean I would obey his orders.
"Fine. You have to learn that every rebellion you make will have a price."
Bang!
I screamed in surprise and covered my mouth with my palm. Joshua had just shot one of his men in the leg. The man groaned loudly and fell to the floor holding his bl**ding right leg.
"You see that? He will die if you try to reject me again."
"What are you doing? Why did you sh**t your own men?"
I stared at his palm, which was holding the g*n, in horror. He could sh**t anyone and anytime because of me.
ME!
Oh my God, how could this happen to me?
"This is just the beginning. Next time I won't hesitate to sh**t someone who means something to you. Your lover, maybe. Or your friends on campus."
"Stop. Don't do it again, please."
"You have to marry me now."
I took a deep breath. I've had enough of today's horrific massacre. I didn't want to see any more bl**d. Especially if it was because of me.
"Okay. I'll marry you."
"Good choice."
I watched Joshua lower his hands to his sides. But the g*n was still in his grip. He wasn't letting down his guard one bit. And that meant he was likely going to sh**t someone else if I tried to ruin this wedding.
S**t!
I was caught up in this bl**dy drama.
"Now, father."
Father Robert's voice was shaking as he began to read from his thick book. I barely caught a word of it. My mind was elsewhere. I replayed the memory of waking up this morning with renewed vigor and happiness for my mother. I was so proud to wear this white dress. My first fancy dress. I had intended to keep it and wear it to my graduation party in six months. But right now, all I wanted to do was take this bl**dy dress off my body and throw it away. I would not keep the dress that had been a silent witness to my mother's mu**er.
"Fiona."
Joshua looked at me coldly. He gestured for me to say my piece after Father Robert repeated his words.
"I. I."
My tongue was numb. I couldn't. This was wrong. So wrong. I shouldn't have married my future stepfather.
"Say it," Joshua hissed in my ear.
"I. I do."
Chapter 4 FOUR. FIONA
What had I just done? I had just made the most fatal mistake of my life.
"I pronounce you husband and wife."
There was no applause. There was only a tense silence between us.
"You may k**s your wife," Father Robert said hesitantly.
At that time He clearly knew that I married Joshua Craig at gunpoint and in front of dozens of corpses, one of which was my mother's corpse. Ironic.
"I will k**s you."
I turned my face away. Joshua gripped my chin tightly and forced me to look at him.
"We need to seal our vows with a k**s."
"Bullshit."
I wasn't an innocent girl who would be scared or have her heart pounded when a stranger ki**ed my lips. I felt nothing but anger and sadness mixed together in my heart. I remembered Joshua smirking at me, and I hated it. I hated his lips ki**ing mine.
"F**k! You bit me."
Joshua's head snapped back. He cursed at me as he wiped his bl**ding lip.
"I told you I don't want to be ki**ed by you."
"I'll make you pay dearly for what you did to me. I don't have time to deal with a spoiled girl like you right now. There are bodies to shovel and bury. Let's go."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Home. You're not safe here."
"In fact, I'll never be safe with you."
"You'll be safe as long as you use my last name. I'll make sure they won't touch a single hair on your head."
"Really? What happened to my mother showed otherwise."
"Too bad, Katherine no longer has my last name. And you, you're Fiona Craig now."
I snorted in disgust, hearing my name come out of his mouth along with his last name. It was the most disgusting and ridiculous name ever.
"What about my mother? I need to give her a proper burial."
"Someone will take care of it. We have to go now."
God. I stepped on the bodies that were strewn along the church aisle. Tears filled my eyes again as I passed my mother's body.
"Mom."
I wanted to stop to hug her, but Joshua kept dragging me out of this place.
"At least, let me see my mother one last time."
"She's dead. It won't make any difference to your mother."
"But it does make a difference to me. I want to hug her one last time."
"Get in the car."
Joshua jerked open the car door before shoving me into his shiny sports car. Before closing the door, he took something out of his pocket, then threw it into my lap.
"Your wedding ring. I want you to wear it right now."
And he slammed the door shut hard right in front of my face.
Tsk, so romantic. How could my mother look so happy when she was about to marry a cruel monster like him?
"Are you deaf? I want you to wear the ring right now."
"Can't you just not force me or yell at me for once? I don't want to wear this ring. The marriage is invalid. You threatened me with a g*n."
"The marriage is valid and has been registered in the civil registry. You will get a copy of the document tomorrow afternoon, at the latest."
Joshua grabbed my left hand, then quickly put the diamond ring on my finger.
Da**it!
The ring was perfectly attached to my finger and could not be removed. I was sure the ring was supposed to be for my mother and fit her finger size. However, my and my mom's dress sizes were about the same for the past two years. I assumed our fingers were the same size too.
"Never take off that ring as long as you are my wife."
"Or what?"
"Or I will make you regret challenging me."
The car roared softly before speeding away, leaving the churchyard in chaos. I was sure Joshua's car had run over several bodies on its way out of the churchyard.
I hoped all of this was just a nightmare that would disappear when I woke up. I hoped my mother never met Joshua and owed him.
"My mother never told me about the debt."
"I bet she didn't."
"How much did my mother owe you all this time? I will pay it off."
"Your mother couldn't even pay it off until she decided to sell herself to me."
"I will pay it off in installments. I promise, I won't run away. How much does my mother owe you?"
"Five million dollars."
I was shocked to hear the amount Joshua mentioned. Five million dollars. What did Mom do with that much money?
"You must be lying. My college tuition wasn't that much. If my mother had five million dollars, she wouldn't work in a club day and night."
"She screwed a customer three years ago. The customer reported her to the police. Your mother would be in prison unless she paid nearly four million dollars in fines and penalties."
"That's crazy. What did my mother do wrong to have to pay that much?"
"She hit him over the head with a beer bottle while he was groping her a*s."
"And they sentenced my mother instead of that pervert?"
"He wasn't just any man. He definitely had the power to make your mother miserable."
"Then why did my mother's debt reach five million dollars if the fine she had to pay was only four million dollars?"
"All those expensive jewelry and dresses weren't free. She was supposed to marry me, but she died, and the marriage failed."
"You d**n ba**ard," I clenched my fists in my lap.
"This world is crazy. The rich oppress the poor like us. And you, you're no different. You take advantage of my mother's weakness for your own pleasure."
"Just take your fate as the poor."
Da**it!
I hate this Craig guy.
I wanted my life back in peace. I wanted my mother back. The diamond ring on my finger was like mocking my bad luck. I had just married a psychopath in a bl**d-stained dress, and my wedding was witnessed by bodies strewn across the church floor. Wow. This wedding should be in the Guinness World Record. This was the scariest wedding of all time.
"I don't know who you are. Are you something? Someone famous? A billionaire? What?"
"Lident. Ever heard of that name?"
I shook my head. Forgive my limited knowledge. My twenty-four hours were spent studying at college, working at an ice cream shop, and working on papers from my professors. I didn't have time to think about anything else. Especially about a name like Lident.
"This is the first time I've heard that name."
"Chicago Outfit."
Wait. I think I know that. I saw a documentary in college about mafia clans around the world. One of them was the Chicago Outfit.
What?
Did he just say Chicago Outfit.
"I guess you already know who I am."
My neck stiffly turned to face him. This Craig guy was smirking at me with a very thick arrogance emanating from his entire body.
"You. Don't tell me you're a Don."
"Congratulations, baby. You just married a Don."
Chapter 5 FIVE. FIONA
I wished this was April Fool's Day. I wished it was all a dream. The worst nightmare ever. I wished it was just part of a reality show prank where the crew likes to create weird prank scenarios and set up hidden cameras on street corners.
I waited for them all to come out of hiding, laughing and showing off some of their cameras. And the guy next to me would probably be the one laughing the hardest because he managed to f**l me in his annoying charade. But after almost an hour of driving in silence, not a single member of the TV crew came forward to tell me that this was all a prank. There were no hidden cameras. There were no bad actors assigned to f**l their target, which was me.
"We're here."
"Where are we?"
"Home. Get off."
Home? This place didn't look like a home at all. It was a beach house built on a steep cliff. Down below, I could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. It was the perfect place for a vacation or a way to unwind from the stresses of life. However, this place was definitely not the home I had imagined.
"I have my own house and life. I have to finish my final paper before my graduation in six months. I can't stay here."
"I don't have time to talk about your life right now. Come on."
Joshua grabbed my wrist tightly and half dragged me up to the porch of his house. This place was very quiet. There were no men in black suits with full weapons guarding this place. Joshua took the key from under the pot, then opened the door in a hurry. He was very alert. Joshua always looked back to make sure none of the masked men were following us.
I was pulled into the house before Joshua closed the door with the tip of his heel. The humid air mixed with the scent of new furniture infiltrated my sense of smell. This place seemed like a vacation home. There were no photos or decorations on the walls. The living room was standard with a set of sofas, a coffee table, and a Persian rug.
"I want to go back to my own house. There are many things we need to talk about."
"I believe there is. But like I told you earlier, I don't have time to talk about your s**t life right now. And about the house, you're my wife now. So you'll be staying at my house."
"Haha, funny. Don't tell me I'll be sl**ping in your room too," I folded my arms across my ch**t.
He didn't laugh at all. He stared at me coldly, as if I were a flat freak from Mars.
So am I right? I'm going to sl**p in his room? With him?
No s**t!
"Let's go."
"Hey, where are you taking me?"
I struggled as Joshua dragged me toward the stairs. I was gripped by fear at the thought of what was going to happen next. There was no one in this house but the two of us. And the location of this house was so remote. I didn't even see another house within a mile radius. No one would help me if Joshua ra**d me, then ki**ed me, and threw my body into the sea.
"Hey, you're hurting my arm. You've been holding it so tight since the church."
"I have a name, and I'm your husband. Show me some respect."
"You don't deserve my respect at all. I don't want this marriage. Give me back my peaceful life. Give me back my mother!"
I don't know where the urge came from, but I hit Joshua's arm hard. He didn't flinch at all. His body was three times bigger than mine with very hard muscles. I was only as tall as his neck with my hellish ten-centimeter pointed heels. He was like a giant compared to my petite body. My punches barely had any effect other than tickling. But at least, I tried to defend myself. I wouldn't just stand by while someone else crushed my life into dust.
"Enough, Fiona!"
Joshua grabbed my wrist before throwing me onto the bed.
"You stay here. Don't try to escape or you will face the consequences."
"Where are you going? Joshua?! Don't leave me here."
I stood up with difficulty and almost tripped over the train of my dress as I tried to chase Joshua who had just locked the door to this room. I banged on the door loudly, screaming and cu**ing as hard as I could, but Joshua still didn't respond to me. I heard his loud footsteps moving away from this room and down the stairs.
"Da**it! You d**n ba**ard! Get me out of here, Joshua Craig!"
I ran to the window. Joshua's car left the beach house yard and disappeared around the corner. I was completely alone in this house. That d**n man probably wanted to k**l me slowly here.
But no. I wasn't going to give up so easily.
I banged on the window so hard that my palms turned red. The d**n window was locked. I rushed to the bathroom to find another escape route, but again I had to swallow my disappointment because the bathroom had no windows. The ventilation came from a vent with iron bars the size of a mouse. My body couldn't possibly fit in there. This house seemed like it was prepared to lock someone up.
Was Joshua going to lock my mother up here once they were officially married?
Da**it
That man was truly terrifying. I didn't understand why Mom had to deal with a man like Joshua and even intended to marry him. Mom never even told me about the debts.
I fell down on the bed. Suddenly, I felt incredibly tired. I leaned my back against the headboard and hugged my knees to my ch**t. I had just had a long and bl**dy day. I never imagined that such a terrible thing would happen to me.
"Mom. Why did you leave me like this? I love you."
Tears streamed down my cheeks. Memories of my mother for the past ten years flooded my mind. I wanted to see her and hold her hand. I wished I could give her a proper burial. I wanted to bury her next to my father's grave.
"Rest in peace, Mom. I love you."
&1&
"Mom, you look so beautiful."
My mother smiled. "You look beautiful in your new dress too. I wish I could see you in dresses more often, instead of jeans and a plaid shirt or a hoodie."
"Mom. You promised not to comment on my style anymore," I snorted.
My mother laughed, and the makeup artist almost smeared lipstick on her cheek because she moved around.
"Sorry. But seriously, you look so beautiful in that white satin dress."
"Thanks, mom. I feel like a princess today."
I stared at my mother's reflection in the mirror. She looked so happy in her white wedding dress with a train that hung very long on the floor. My mother wore a diamond tiara on her head. A makeup artist was applying nude lipstick to her full, exotic lips. This was the first time I had seen my mother this happy since my father died ten years ago. I almost thought my mother would never be happy again after my father died, but I was wrong. After ten years of draining emotions and tears, my mother finally got her happiness back.
"Fiona, you go to church first. Joshua's driver will pick me up and take me to church."
"Aren't we going to church together?"
"Seriously, there's no way I'm going to church in your beat-up Ford."
"Yeah, even though it's beat-up, it's been with me for three years. And so far, I'm fine with it," I snorted.
My mother always scoffed at my car, but she couldn't even afford to buy me a new one. I bought the car with my own money, the money I earned from working part-time for three full years. My mother had been working as a barmaid since my father died. Her salary wasn't much and was only enough to meet our daily needs.
But ever since my mother started dating Joshua Craig, her life started to change. I often saw my mother coming home with lots of paper bags from famous boutiques. Sometimes, my mother would come home with a lot of food, which I am sure she would not be able to afford with her salary. The food came from a five-star restaurant, which could cost more than three months salary.
Last week my mother also showed me a diamond necklace and a ring. My mother was very happy to have a rich boyfriend. I had never met her boyfriend, because he never got out of the car every time he took my mother home. But I was sure he was very rich because he always came in a luxury car. No wonder my mother made fun of my old car.
"Fiona, why are you daydreaming there? Go to church."
I blinked twice. My mother looked at me in annoyance. The woman who did my mother's makeup had already left the room. She was very quiet. She didn't say a word while doing my mother's makeup.
"Okay, I'll go to church now."
I walked over to my mother and hugged her. Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged her tightly.
"I'm happy for you, Mom."
"Thank you. I hope you'll stay with me after I marry Joshua."
"No, I'm fine staying here. This is Dad's house full of memories."
My tears dripped down my cheeks. This felt like my last hug with my mother, even though we would still see each other after she married her lover. My mother said she would see me often. However, I was a bit unsure about that. If her husband was that rich, Mom would definitely have a lot of new activities after marrying him.
"Let me know if you change your mind. Joshua doesn't mind you staying with us."
I released my hug and smiled softly at her.
"I want to be an independent woman. After I graduate from law school, I will apply for a job at a law firm and become a lawyer like I have always dreamed of. I might move out of town. Maybe LA, New York, I don't know."
"I am proud of you, honey. I am lucky to have you. If your Daddy were with us, he would say the same thing. You are the light of his life."
God!
Her words were like onions, making my tears well up in my eyes. My tears flowed even faster down my cheeks. And I didn't want my mother to get married today. I wanted to take back my words last week when my mom told me that Joshua proposed to her and that he wanted to marry her as soon as possible.
"Don't cry. Go to church now. Joshua's driver will be here any minute."
I wiped my tears with a tissue and nodded. I waved at my mom at the door, then walked straight to my car parked in our yard.
There it was, my beat-up car. The red 2008 Ford Edge that I loved so much. This car had taken me to many places and witnessed countless naughties. I was once ticketed by the police for driving over the speed limit.
"Hey buddy, even though Mom called you a beat-up car, you're still the best. Let's go."
I climbed into the car and started the engine. Before leaving, I looked at my house and sighed softly. The house would be so quiet without my mother's voice.
-00-
My car entered the yard of the largest church in Miami. This church was built with white marble and looked very striking among the luxurious hotels that stood on the beach. According to rumors, only certain people could get married in this church. And it seemed that my mother's future husband was one of them.
Two burly men dressed in black from head to toe stopped my car in front of the church gate. Each of them carried a long-barreled g*n. And I just realized that all the men standing in the yard of this church were carrying guns in their hands. They were all wearing the same clothes. All black. Their faces were cold and stiff.
"Open the window."
I lowered my window and looked at the burly man with a frown.
"I'm Fiona Osborn. I'm going to attend the wedding of Katherine Osborn and Joshua Craig."
"She's her daughter," another man spoke to the man who knocked on my car window.
"She's on the guest list. The boss told you to take her straight into the church."
"Okay."
I snorted at how rude they were. They talked about me as if I wasn't there.
"Hey, can I park my car and go inside the church?" I asked in exasperation.
"Leave your car here. I'll take you inside the church."
"Why can't I park my own car?"
"Please just do as I say. Get out of your car now."
I huffed and grabbed my white purse from the passenger seat. These people were weird. I'd never been to a wedding with such strict rules. What kind of man was my mom going to marry? I probably made the right decision to stay at Dad's house after she married Joshua Craig because my future stepfather was a weirdo.
"Stretch out your arms."
"What?"
Before I could process what the man was saying, someone suddenly stretched out my arms from behind. I let out a startled yelp and turned around. Another man in a suit came over and started scanning my entire body with a red laser wand.
"What the h**l?"
"This is standard procedure."
"Get your hands off my body. You're stealing the opportunity to grope me, huh?"
The man said nothing. His expression remained cold as he groped my hips, even my bu**ocks. I felt like I was being violated.
"I'll report you to the police for this rudeness."
"She's clear. Bring her in."
"Do you think I'm carrying a weapon, huh?"
The man who had knocked on my car window earlier grabbed my elbow and half dragged me towards the main door of the church. The men who had checked me had already dispersed. They returned to their respective places and stood stiffly like statues.
"I don't understand, why did you have to do all that?"
"You'll understand later."
The man released his grip on my elbow once we were standing right in front of the church door. He spoke through the walkie-talkie, and soon the giant door swung open.
I was stunned to see the magnificent interior of the church. The interior was a combination of white marble and gold plating. The ceiling of the church was decorated with paintings with a giant dome made of pure gold. Yeah, I'm sure it was pure gold. It was so dazzling to my eyes from where I was standing now. A long red carpet stretched all the way to the altar. A giant crucifix became the background of the priest's pulpit with various intricate carvings decorating every wall. I thought the carvings were the entire story of Jesus's life before he was crucified by his traitorous followers.
"Your seat is on the second pew on the right."
"Excuse me?"
"Go to your seat and don't make any noise."
I thought the man would escort me to my seat, but he just left after saying a series of words thick with a commanding tone.
He was so annoying.
This marriage sucks.
Mom never told me that her wedding would be this strange. Yeah, mom also never told me in detail about her future husband. All mom showed me so far were expensive gifts from him and all the luxuries that man had.
I walked to my seat awkwardly. The armed men standing in every corner of the church stared at me as if I was the most dangerous prisoner in the world.
"Are you Fiona? Katherine's daughter?"
A pair of the shiniest black shoes I had ever seen stopped in front of me. I looked up and found a man in a tuxedo staring at me intently. His eyes were deep blue, like the ocean at night. My gazes shifted to the left, to the small flower pinned to his jacket pocket. My breath hitched as I realized who the man I was talking to was. He was my future stepfather! He was Joshua Craig.
Chapter 2 TWO. FIONA
"I am. You must be my mother's future husband."
"Go to your seat. The wedding is about to begin."
I gaped in disbelief at his friendliness. On the contrary, he was very cold and even more annoying than his men. He turned around and gave me a view of his straight back as he walked towards the priest.
This was the most sh**ty wedding in my life. I don't know what was going through my mother's mind when she accepted that cold man to be her husband. My father was a warm and humorous man. I was pretty sure my mother's ideal type was a man like my father, not an icy man with ocean-blue eyes like Joshua Craig. Something must be wrong here. Maybe my mother was under the influence of al**hol when she said yes to him. Or maybe my mother was under the threat of a g*n. It seemed very possible considering all the armed men filling this place.
My b**t landed right on the pew that had my name written on it. I sat next to a middle-aged woman who was busy with her cellphone. From her style, she looked like old-money. She was wearing a black long-sleeved dress with swarovski stones sprinkled on her ch**t to waist. Her fingers were full of diamond rings and she wore a gold bracelet that was very dazzling. The other guests looked just as glamorous as the woman next to me. They were wearing expensive tuxedos or expensive dresses with flashy jewelry adorning their bodies. Maybe I was the only poor girl here. The dress I was wearing was even a gift from my mother's future husband. There was no way I could afford this expensive dress with my salary as a waitress at an ice cream shop.
"Boss, the bride has arrived."
"Let's start the wedding now, father."
Everyone straightened their backs and put their phones into their bags or pockets as Joshua Craig spoke to the priest. Classical music began to be played by an orchestra in the right corner of the hall. The atmosphere instantly turned silent and sacred.
I turned to see my mother walking down the aisle holding a bouquet of white lilies. Her face was beaming, and her gaze was only focused on Joshua Craig, who was standing stiffly beside the priest. I began to doubt if my mother said yes to him under threat. My mother would not look that happy if this was a forced marriage.
I wished I could wave at my mother and give her a flying k**s. I was happy for her, even though she married a strange man like Joshua Craig.
Bang!
Bang!
It happened so fast. The white dress that my mother was so proud of this morning suddenly turned red. Bl**d seeped all over her dress. The happiness on her face quickly faded, replaced by a blank stare before my mother fell to the church floor with a thud.
"Mom!"
My voice was drowned out by the deafening sound of gunfire around me. Someone grabbed my wrist and forced me to duck under a pew. The gunfire didn't stop. I saw people being shot dead in cold bl**d. The beautiful marble floor turned into a horrific sea of bl**d.
"Let go of me!"
My heart was pounding so hard in my ribcage. A man who was hiding under a pew, six feet away from me, was suddenly pulled out of his hiding place. He was shot right in the forehead by a masked man before being thrown to the floor.
My palms covered my mouth tightly before I screamed hysterically. The shooting scene was real. Everything that I usually only saw in action movies suddenly really happened before my eyes.
"We've ki**ed the bride. What else should we do?"
"Our boss will be very happy if we can k**l Craig Junior. Get him now."
The masked men were standing very close to where I was hiding. My heart was pounding so hard. Most of the guests had fallen victim to their brutality. The middle-aged woman who had been sitting next to me was nowhere to be found. I hoped she was okay and did not become one of the victims of the shooting.
"Look, what I found down here?"
I gulped nervously. A voice came from behind my back. I didn't have time to turn to see who it was because suddenly he grabbed my elbow and forced me to stand up.
"Let me go. You d**n cruel people. You ki**ed my mother."
I struggled as the masked man dragged me to the altar. I just realized that the condition of this church was worse than terrible. From under the pews, I saw a sea of bl**d, but from the altar, I saw a sea of bl**d with piles of corpses. Many were dead and many were injured. Joshua's surviving men looked overwhelmed by the attacks of the masked men. No one looked at me, or even intended to save me from these masked men. The few guests who survived and were hiding under the pews could do nothing but look at me sympathetically.
"What did my mother do wrong? Why did you k**l her?"
"Who is your mother?"
Tears welled up in my eyes. My mother's body lay in the aisle, in a pool of her own bl**d. The bouquet of white lilies she was holding was thrown a few inches from her hand and turned red.
"You ki**ed her on her wedding day."
"Oh, so you're the bride's daughter, huh? Too bad your mother had to die in the middle of this war. She probably never did anything wrong to our boss. Her only mistake was marrying Joshua Craig."
"If you have a problem with Joshua Craig, settle it with him instead of killing my mother!"
I tried to j**k free from the man's grip on my elbow. He squeezed harder, even pulling my hair. The braid I had worked so hard to make this morning broke, and my hair tie fell to the floor. My dark hair fell in a mess down my back and face.
"Listen, you don't know anything. Joshua Craig has caused trouble with our boss. He deserves this. You'll be joining your mother in h**l soon."
"Let me go, you ba**ard!"
Tears welled up in my eyes. But this time it was from the pain that was shooting through my scalp. The ba**ard was pulling my hair hard and pressing the muzzle of his g*n to my temple.
"Look at all this horror. Record this event well in your head before you meet your maker."
"Ba**ard. If I become a ghost, I will haunt you and k**l you."
I closed my eyes as I heard the soft click of the g*n pressed against my temple. I was going to die. It wouldn't be so bad because my father and mother were waiting for me in heaven. We would be together again and become the most harmonious family in heaven.
Bang!
Something warm splashed onto my face and the man's grip on my hair was released. I hurriedly opened my eyes and was shocked to find the man collapsed at my feet with a gaping hole in his head.
He died? How could that be?
When I turned to my right, I found Joshua Craig standing about five feet away from me. His hand was holding a g*n. He didn't look as shiny as he did a few minutes ago. His suit was wrinkled and stained with bl**d. He stared at me with his blue eyes for a few heartbeats before gripping my arm tightly.
"Move. You have to hide. They're still roaming around here."
"What exactly happened? Why did they sh**t all of us?"
Joshua didn't answer, instead, he pushed me behind the pulpit. The priest was surprised to see us. He was cowering in fear behind the pulpit while muttering a prayer.
"Pray with Father Robert here. Ask God for their death."
Joshua pressed my shoulder to duck under the pulpit before leaving me with the priest.
I rarely pray. I didn't know what the priest was chanting in his mouth. He was still muttering while holding the cross hanging around his neck. I wanted to ask him what he was chanting, but he seemed too frightened to make a sound. I was afraid the priest would faint from fear. His face was so pale. And I was sure his hands were very cold.
I didn't know when it would end or who would win. Joshua wasn't coming back. He hadn't even promised to come back. The masked men had probably already shot him and were celebrating his death.
Chapter 3 THREE. FIONA
Gunshots rang out several times before it suddenly went silent. I was te**ted to peek, but the priest shook his head and motioned for me to stay behind the pulpit.
"Do you think it's over, father?"
"I don't know. May good triumph and evil disappear from the earth forever."
It was hard to tell who was good and who was bad. The masked men had said that Joshua had angered their boss. That meant Joshua had made a very fatal mistake before the men were sent to k**l him.
"Stand up."
I yelped in surprise as someone grabbed my elbow and forced me to stand up.
"Wh-what happened? Are they dead? Is it over?"
Joshua pulled me out of my hiding place. I limped along following his wide steps. My heels stepped on the puddle of bl**d on the floor and it splashed onto the hem of my dress.
Yikes. I wanted to take this dress off and throw it away as soon as possible.
"Stand here."
"What are you going to do?"
"Father Robert, come out. You're safe. Those people are dead."
Father Robert came out of his hiding place hesitantly. Like me, he was horrified by the chaos that had occurred in his church. This holy place had been turned into a bl**dbath.
"Come here, father. We need you."
"What are you going to do? Let me go."
"Shut up," he snapped at me loudly.
I saw anger, exhaustion, and pain, mixed together on his face. He had a bruise under his chin. How many of his men were ki**ed in the firefight today? How much material damage did he suffer?
Tch, why should I worry about him? I had many more important things to worry about. It started with what would happen to me in the next second? How would I cope with my grief over my mother's tragic death?
"We're getting married, father. Please do it quickly."
"Marry? Are you crazy? I don't want to marry you. You should be my stepfather, not my husband."
"I don't accept rejection."
"And I also don't accept coercion. I don't want to marry you."
Something cold suddenly pressed against my ribs. I looked over my shoulder and found the muzzle of his g*n pressing even tighter against my ribs.
"You have to replace your mother as payment for the debt."
"What debt?"
"As expected, your mother didn't tell you," Joshua grinned.
"I-I don't understand."
"Your mother owed me three years ago. She couldn't pay it when it was due. This marriage is a means to pay the debt."
"Bulls**t. That's impossible. My mother doesn't owe anyone."
"Really? What about your education costs all this time? Where do you think your mother got the money to pay for it, huh?"
No. That's impossible. Mom said the money was from her hard work all this time. Mom couldn't possibly owe this horrible man.
"So, you have to replace her to pay her debt to me. You have to marry me today."
-00-
I was still processing what Joshua had just said to me when he roughly pulled my arm to stand at the altar. Father Robert stood in front of us with a thick book in his hand. He looked at me and Joshua in turn.
"Do it now, father. I want to take my bride away from here immediately."
"I'm not your bride."
"Don't make me regret saving you from those ba**ards."
My ribs hurt. Joshua deliberately pressed the muzzle of his g*n tightly. He glared at me.
"Now, father."
"No. I don't want to marry you. Are you deaf, huh?"
Joshua stared at me sharply. His blue eyes turned darker and scarier. I refused to tremble under his intense gaze. Even though this man had saved me from this massacre, it didn't mean I would obey his orders.
"Fine. You have to learn that every rebellion you make will have a price."
Bang!
I screamed in surprise and covered my mouth with my palm. Joshua had just shot one of his men in the leg. The man groaned loudly and fell to the floor holding his bl**ding right leg.
"You see that? He will die if you try to reject me again."
"What are you doing? Why did you sh**t your own men?"
I stared at his palm, which was holding the g*n, in horror. He could sh**t anyone and anytime because of me.
ME!
Oh my God, how could this happen to me?
"This is just the beginning. Next time I won't hesitate to sh**t someone who means something to you. Your lover, maybe. Or your friends on campus."
"Stop. Don't do it again, please."
"You have to marry me now."
I took a deep breath. I've had enough of today's horrific massacre. I didn't want to see any more bl**d. Especially if it was because of me.
"Okay. I'll marry you."
"Good choice."
I watched Joshua lower his hands to his sides. But the g*n was still in his grip. He wasn't letting down his guard one bit. And that meant he was likely going to sh**t someone else if I tried to ruin this wedding.
S**t!
I was caught up in this bl**dy drama.
"Now, father."
Father Robert's voice was shaking as he began to read from his thick book. I barely caught a word of it. My mind was elsewhere. I replayed the memory of waking up this morning with renewed vigor and happiness for my mother. I was so proud to wear this white dress. My first fancy dress. I had intended to keep it and wear it to my graduation party in six months. But right now, all I wanted to do was take this bl**dy dress off my body and throw it away. I would not keep the dress that had been a silent witness to my mother's mu**er.
"Fiona."
Joshua looked at me coldly. He gestured for me to say my piece after Father Robert repeated his words.
"I. I."
My tongue was numb. I couldn't. This was wrong. So wrong. I shouldn't have married my future stepfather.
"Say it," Joshua hissed in my ear.
"I. I do."
Chapter 4 FOUR. FIONA
What had I just done? I had just made the most fatal mistake of my life.
"I pronounce you husband and wife."
There was no applause. There was only a tense silence between us.
"You may k**s your wife," Father Robert said hesitantly.
At that time He clearly knew that I married Joshua Craig at gunpoint and in front of dozens of corpses, one of which was my mother's corpse. Ironic.
"I will k**s you."
I turned my face away. Joshua gripped my chin tightly and forced me to look at him.
"We need to seal our vows with a k**s."
"Bullshit."
I wasn't an innocent girl who would be scared or have her heart pounded when a stranger ki**ed my lips. I felt nothing but anger and sadness mixed together in my heart. I remembered Joshua smirking at me, and I hated it. I hated his lips ki**ing mine.
"F**k! You bit me."
Joshua's head snapped back. He cursed at me as he wiped his bl**ding lip.
"I told you I don't want to be ki**ed by you."
"I'll make you pay dearly for what you did to me. I don't have time to deal with a spoiled girl like you right now. There are bodies to shovel and bury. Let's go."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Home. You're not safe here."
"In fact, I'll never be safe with you."
"You'll be safe as long as you use my last name. I'll make sure they won't touch a single hair on your head."
"Really? What happened to my mother showed otherwise."
"Too bad, Katherine no longer has my last name. And you, you're Fiona Craig now."
I snorted in disgust, hearing my name come out of his mouth along with his last name. It was the most disgusting and ridiculous name ever.
"What about my mother? I need to give her a proper burial."
"Someone will take care of it. We have to go now."
God. I stepped on the bodies that were strewn along the church aisle. Tears filled my eyes again as I passed my mother's body.
"Mom."
I wanted to stop to hug her, but Joshua kept dragging me out of this place.
"At least, let me see my mother one last time."
"She's dead. It won't make any difference to your mother."
"But it does make a difference to me. I want to hug her one last time."
"Get in the car."
Joshua jerked open the car door before shoving me into his shiny sports car. Before closing the door, he took something out of his pocket, then threw it into my lap.
"Your wedding ring. I want you to wear it right now."
And he slammed the door shut hard right in front of my face.
Tsk, so romantic. How could my mother look so happy when she was about to marry a cruel monster like him?
"Are you deaf? I want you to wear the ring right now."
"Can't you just not force me or yell at me for once? I don't want to wear this ring. The marriage is invalid. You threatened me with a g*n."
"The marriage is valid and has been registered in the civil registry. You will get a copy of the document tomorrow afternoon, at the latest."
Joshua grabbed my left hand, then quickly put the diamond ring on my finger.
Da**it!
The ring was perfectly attached to my finger and could not be removed. I was sure the ring was supposed to be for my mother and fit her finger size. However, my and my mom's dress sizes were about the same for the past two years. I assumed our fingers were the same size too.
"Never take off that ring as long as you are my wife."
"Or what?"
"Or I will make you regret challenging me."
The car roared softly before speeding away, leaving the churchyard in chaos. I was sure Joshua's car had run over several bodies on its way out of the churchyard.
I hoped all of this was just a nightmare that would disappear when I woke up. I hoped my mother never met Joshua and owed him.
"My mother never told me about the debt."
"I bet she didn't."
"How much did my mother owe you all this time? I will pay it off."
"Your mother couldn't even pay it off until she decided to sell herself to me."
"I will pay it off in installments. I promise, I won't run away. How much does my mother owe you?"
"Five million dollars."
I was shocked to hear the amount Joshua mentioned. Five million dollars. What did Mom do with that much money?
"You must be lying. My college tuition wasn't that much. If my mother had five million dollars, she wouldn't work in a club day and night."
"She screwed a customer three years ago. The customer reported her to the police. Your mother would be in prison unless she paid nearly four million dollars in fines and penalties."
"That's crazy. What did my mother do wrong to have to pay that much?"
"She hit him over the head with a beer bottle while he was groping her a*s."
"And they sentenced my mother instead of that pervert?"
"He wasn't just any man. He definitely had the power to make your mother miserable."
"Then why did my mother's debt reach five million dollars if the fine she had to pay was only four million dollars?"
"All those expensive jewelry and dresses weren't free. She was supposed to marry me, but she died, and the marriage failed."
"You d**n ba**ard," I clenched my fists in my lap.
"This world is crazy. The rich oppress the poor like us. And you, you're no different. You take advantage of my mother's weakness for your own pleasure."
"Just take your fate as the poor."
Da**it!
I hate this Craig guy.
I wanted my life back in peace. I wanted my mother back. The diamond ring on my finger was like mocking my bad luck. I had just married a psychopath in a bl**d-stained dress, and my wedding was witnessed by bodies strewn across the church floor. Wow. This wedding should be in the Guinness World Record. This was the scariest wedding of all time.
"I don't know who you are. Are you something? Someone famous? A billionaire? What?"
"Lident. Ever heard of that name?"
I shook my head. Forgive my limited knowledge. My twenty-four hours were spent studying at college, working at an ice cream shop, and working on papers from my professors. I didn't have time to think about anything else. Especially about a name like Lident.
"This is the first time I've heard that name."
"Chicago Outfit."
Wait. I think I know that. I saw a documentary in college about mafia clans around the world. One of them was the Chicago Outfit.
What?
Did he just say Chicago Outfit.
"I guess you already know who I am."
My neck stiffly turned to face him. This Craig guy was smirking at me with a very thick arrogance emanating from his entire body.
"You. Don't tell me you're a Don."
"Congratulations, baby. You just married a Don."
Chapter 5 FIVE. FIONA
I wished this was April Fool's Day. I wished it was all a dream. The worst nightmare ever. I wished it was just part of a reality show prank where the crew likes to create weird prank scenarios and set up hidden cameras on street corners.
I waited for them all to come out of hiding, laughing and showing off some of their cameras. And the guy next to me would probably be the one laughing the hardest because he managed to f**l me in his annoying charade. But after almost an hour of driving in silence, not a single member of the TV crew came forward to tell me that this was all a prank. There were no hidden cameras. There were no bad actors assigned to f**l their target, which was me.
"We're here."
"Where are we?"
"Home. Get off."
Home? This place didn't look like a home at all. It was a beach house built on a steep cliff. Down below, I could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. It was the perfect place for a vacation or a way to unwind from the stresses of life. However, this place was definitely not the home I had imagined.
"I have my own house and life. I have to finish my final paper before my graduation in six months. I can't stay here."
"I don't have time to talk about your life right now. Come on."
Joshua grabbed my wrist tightly and half dragged me up to the porch of his house. This place was very quiet. There were no men in black suits with full weapons guarding this place. Joshua took the key from under the pot, then opened the door in a hurry. He was very alert. Joshua always looked back to make sure none of the masked men were following us.
I was pulled into the house before Joshua closed the door with the tip of his heel. The humid air mixed with the scent of new furniture infiltrated my sense of smell. This place seemed like a vacation home. There were no photos or decorations on the walls. The living room was standard with a set of sofas, a coffee table, and a Persian rug.
"I want to go back to my own house. There are many things we need to talk about."
"I believe there is. But like I told you earlier, I don't have time to talk about your s**t life right now. And about the house, you're my wife now. So you'll be staying at my house."
"Haha, funny. Don't tell me I'll be sl**ping in your room too," I folded my arms across my ch**t.
He didn't laugh at all. He stared at me coldly, as if I were a flat freak from Mars.
So am I right? I'm going to sl**p in his room? With him?
No s**t!
"Let's go."
"Hey, where are you taking me?"
I struggled as Joshua dragged me toward the stairs. I was gripped by fear at the thought of what was going to happen next. There was no one in this house but the two of us. And the location of this house was so remote. I didn't even see another house within a mile radius. No one would help me if Joshua ra**d me, then ki**ed me, and threw my body into the sea.
"Hey, you're hurting my arm. You've been holding it so tight since the church."
"I have a name, and I'm your husband. Show me some respect."
"You don't deserve my respect at all. I don't want this marriage. Give me back my peaceful life. Give me back my mother!"
I don't know where the urge came from, but I hit Joshua's arm hard. He didn't flinch at all. His body was three times bigger than mine with very hard muscles. I was only as tall as his neck with my hellish ten-centimeter pointed heels. He was like a giant compared to my petite body. My punches barely had any effect other than tickling. But at least, I tried to defend myself. I wouldn't just stand by while someone else crushed my life into dust.
"Enough, Fiona!"
Joshua grabbed my wrist before throwing me onto the bed.
"You stay here. Don't try to escape or you will face the consequences."
"Where are you going? Joshua?! Don't leave me here."
I stood up with difficulty and almost tripped over the train of my dress as I tried to chase Joshua who had just locked the door to this room. I banged on the door loudly, screaming and cu**ing as hard as I could, but Joshua still didn't respond to me. I heard his loud footsteps moving away from this room and down the stairs.
"Da**it! You d**n ba**ard! Get me out of here, Joshua Craig!"
I ran to the window. Joshua's car left the beach house yard and disappeared around the corner. I was completely alone in this house. That d**n man probably wanted to k**l me slowly here.
But no. I wasn't going to give up so easily.
I banged on the window so hard that my palms turned red. The d**n window was locked. I rushed to the bathroom to find another escape route, but again I had to swallow my disappointment because the bathroom had no windows. The ventilation came from a vent with iron bars the size of a mouse. My body couldn't possibly fit in there. This house seemed like it was prepared to lock someone up.
Was Joshua going to lock my mother up here once they were officially married?
Da**it
That man was truly terrifying. I didn't understand why Mom had to deal with a man like Joshua and even intended to marry him. Mom never even told me about the debts.
I fell down on the bed. Suddenly, I felt incredibly tired. I leaned my back against the headboard and hugged my knees to my ch**t. I had just had a long and bl**dy day. I never imagined that such a terrible thing would happen to me.
"Mom. Why did you leave me like this? I love you."
Tears streamed down my cheeks. Memories of my mother for the past ten years flooded my mind. I wanted to see her and hold her hand. I wished I could give her a proper burial. I wanted to bury her next to my father's grave.
"Rest in peace, Mom. I love you."
&1&
To him, she was the only woman who could give him the perfect s*x. Yet after that night, she vanished. He never imagined the ugly woman he'd been searching for was his Luna. He decisively drove away her despicable ex-mate and publicly declared his love for her.
=====
"You used me! Mating with me was your ladder to power, Roderick! Your Pack climbed the ranks because of me! Now that you've achieved your ambition, you don't need the ugly girl anymore, is that it? But you were willing to mate with me a year ago!"
I sobbed, crying to my mate who just rejected me.
"Oh, spare me!" Roderick rolled his eyes. "Don't act like you didn't know I'd have left you at some point. Hold on, did you really think I'd have made you the Luna of my Pack? I can barely stand the sight of you, Lyric. How do you expect me to take you to Alpha meetings and present you to others? You are disgusting!"
"But I did not give this scar to myself!" I cried bitterly. "And you promised you'd take me to the best doctors. You didn't do any of that, Roderick! It'd have helped!"
"What? Even your own family doesn't care enough to take you to doctors, and you think I would? Quit, dreaming, Lyric and get out of my Pack!"
Tears blurred my vision. It wasn't the first time I was being called ugly, but it hurt more each time it came from Roderick.
I knew Roderick had no love for me when my family paired me with him a year ago.
For a year, we lived like strangers despite being mated. I was still a vi**in as he could not even bring himself to touch me.
It wasn't my fault I was ugly. I was burnt with a silver-base branding iron when I was a kid, leaving a huge scar by the side of my face.
I still didn't know who was responsible for it, but I've had to grow up with this sting of rejection. Even my own family hated me and were embarrassed by my appearance.
But I thought Roderick would be different. I thought he'd love me. Apparently, in a world where ranks mattered the most to Pack Leaders, deceit was bound to happen.
I glared at him. I'd truly loved this man and wished he'd love me back. But now, I wish he'd suffer for what he did to me.
"You are a monster," I gritted the words. "And I hope you pay for this someday."
He threw back his head and laughed, a hollow sound. "Cu**ed Lyric, how exactly is that going to happen? I am currently the third most powerful Alpha now. My Pack is up the ranks while your family is beneath me! There is nothing you can do to me anymore. You have always been and will always be worthless!
"Listen, I have rejected you already, and you have accepted. Although, there is one final formality left, but as far as I'm concerned, you're not longer anything to me. So, get your disgusting face out of my pack! This instant, before I have the guards throw you out!"
His glare was icy, and before I could respond, he walked out.
After I managed to pull myself together, I left Roderick's Pack and decided to head home-to my father's Pack.
I hadn't been home since I moved into Roderick's Pack, and I hoped they'd be willing to take me in.
My family had never really liked me. Everything started falling apart after my mother left-abandoning me when I was four.
My father chose a new mate and suddenly didn't have enough time for me. Then, I got my scar and he became even more distant.
The guards let me through the gate, but when I rang the bell of the lounge, my stepsister and her mother opened up. To my surprise, they wouldn't let me in.
"Go back to Roderick and beg him some more, Lyric. There is no room for you here," Nora said after I explained everything to them.
Despite my attempt to get them to pity me, letting them understand I had nowhere else to go, they ordered the guards to see me out.
They've always taken me to be a disgrace to the family and were happy when I left for Roderick's Pack. Now, they didn't want me back.
By evening, I was seated in a b*r, my favorite b*r-Faceless Drunk.
Over here, they mixed portions strong enough to get a wolf drunk, and you didn't have to worry about being recognized and judged as every customer made use of masks.
It had been my favorite b*r for years. If people had to see my face, they'd think I was getting drunk because I was ugly.
"You're too ugly." I'd heard those words too many times, I could recite them in my sl**p without missing a beat.
But above all, it was Roderick's betrayal that cut deep. It was even more painful that I could not do anything for him.
His Pack was very powerful now, and I was an ugly, rejected girl who didn't even have a family to return to. Nobody could ever want me. What was the point of living?
I emptied the last of my drink and was trying to stand when someone spoke from nowhere: "A refill for the lady, please."
I turned in surprise to find a man taking the seat beside me. The ba**ender nodded and proceeded to get a refill.
I furrowed my brows in surprise as I looked at the newcomer. I couldn't see his face as he was wearing a mask just like me, but something about the way he appeared told me he was sophisticated.
His suit was a Mason Étoile brand, and his watch was an Aristo Tempus watch. An average Wolf couldn't afford these things.
"You've been coming here to drink alone for some time now," he said, surprising me.
His voice. It was soothing and impossible to ignore.
I lowered my eyes, feeling a little ashamed. How can he even tell? "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Your mask." He tipped his chin toward me. "You've never changed it."
Oh. "That means you also come here a lot."
"I do. It's not quite up to my standard, but it's my favorite place. I like it when I don't get judged by anyone."
The barman returned with my drink. I thanked the newcomer before drinking from my glass.
"From the look of things, you must be troubled. I am, too. So, why don't we make a deal, Miss? Have fun for the night and go our separate ways by morning?"
I looked at him in shock. He was offering a one-ni**t affiar!
"But y-you don't even know me," I muttered shyly.
"I do not need to. It is simply for fun."
There was something about the way he spoke. I could tell he was a man who didn't care about the feelings of others and was only out to get what he wanted.
"Although, I must warn you," he asked. "It will be a long night. I have. problems fi**shing on a woman. I never. So, like I said, it is simply for the fun of it."
Huh? He could not cl**ax during in**macy? But I heard that was the best part of it. How could he enjoy in**macy if he had never fi**shed on a woman before? The thought of it was sad.
Despite how absurd it sounded, a part of me was te**ted. I'd always been curious about intimacy. No one has ever liked me because of my scar, not even my mate-ex-mate.
After much conviction from the newcomer, I gave it a thought.
"Can we keep our masks on?" You'll hate me just like the others if you see how ugly I am.
"Sure." He shrugged. "Your wish is my command, Princess."
Princess? My stomach churned.
Oh, no. He didn't know I looked like a monster. If he knew, he'd run off like the others.
I was tempted to cry. Sometimes, I really did wish I were treated like a 'Princess.'
Chapter 2 LYRIC'S POV 02
We left the b*r together, heading to his ho**l as he called it. We drove off in his Arcanis GT. It was one of the most expensive cars in the world.
Whoever this man was, he was filthy rich. Could he possibly be an Alpha?
A part of me had been tempted to ask questions, but none of it mattered. We were simply going to m**e l**e and never see each other again.
It was the best night of my life.
The stranger had been shocked to know I was a vi**in. The entire session, he kept asking if I was fine and needed him to be more gentle.
For the first time, someone cared about my feelings.
But something unusual happened during the process.
Everything had been going so fine until he suddenly jerked and came with a deep gr**n.
I was shocked, but we were both in the moment and could not ask questions.
He got off me almost immediately, sitting on the edge of the b*d.
"That is strange," he muttered to himself.
I was equally confused.
He looked at me, and from how long it was, I could tell he was staring at me like I was a puzzle.
"Who are you?" He ran a finger along my jaw. The touch was electric.
I swallowed hard. I am just an ugly girl who has been abandoned by everyone she's ever come across.
To my surprise, he took off his mask.
My mouth fell open in shock at the face before me. Good Moon! If he wasn't the most stunning man I'd ever met!
He was too good-looking. I could never have someone like him. He was too good for me.
I pulled the duvet further to conceal my body.
"You should've told me you were a vi**in at the bar," he said.
What did it matter? I didn't care anymore.
Slowly, his hand reached for my face. Realizing what he had in mind, I gasped and recoiled.
"No." I shook my head, gripping the duvet tight.
"Why? You've seen my face."
Still, I shook my head.
"Our deal still stands. There's nothing to be afraid of." He added.
You don't understand! You'll hate me if you see my face.
The night was going too smoothly. I didn't want anything to ruin it.
"I'm ugly." I mumbled, dipping my head.
He seemed surprised.
He reached for my face again and this time, I didn't try to stop him. This was my fate.
He pulled off the mask, put a finger under my chin and tipped my head up to meet his gaze.
Tears glistened in my eyes as I stared into his silver charming eyes.
He was staring right at my face, at my scar. He was going to run away now.
I shivered and closed my eyes when he ran a finger along the scar. What was he doing?
"What happened?" His tone was soft, his fingers still ca**ssing my face.
I met his gaze and so far, there was no resentment in his eyes.
"S-Someone attacked me." I swallowed. "I was abducted and blindfolded while they hurt me. I've visited a lot of doctors, but none have been able to help."
Seconds passed. He didn't take his eyes off me.
"You're beautiful," he murmured. I frowned. What was he talking about? "You really think the scar makes you ugly?"
I shook my head, pulling my face away from his grasp. "I am ugly. Everyone tells me."
More to my surprise, he pulled me in beside him, wrapping his arms around my shoulder. "Until tonight, I don't think I've ever met a lady as stunning as you, Princess."
My heart quickened as I listened to his heartbeat with my head on his ch**t. Uncontrollably, a tear escaped my eye. He was lying. He only wanted me to feel better.
"Do you think we could adjust our deal? I'd love to spend another day with you," he said, shocking me to the core.
What!? This was not possible.
"I-I-"
"Please."
My heart melted instantly. For the first time in my life, I was being begged to stay. Not leave.
I buried my face in his ch**t as I responded: "I'd love to.".
But like everyone else, he lied to me.
Like everyone else, I was deceived.
By morning, he was gone.
I woke up and couldn't find him. There was no note, no trace that he had even been with me aside from the ache in-between my legs.
And to make it worse, someone showed up at the door, asking me to leave.
"The man I came with last night, do you think he'd come back?" I asked the man, my heart racing in my ch**t.
"No. It was his idea to get you to leave. He said he doesn't want to see you anywhere near this property. Please, leave this instant," the man said and left.
And just like that, my heart was shattered all over. But surprisingly, it hurt more than when I had been rejected by Roderick.
Chapter 3 LYRIC'S POV 03
"I'm sorry, ma'am; but I'm here to pick someone. I can't give you a free ride, if that's what you're asking." I struggled to hold back my laughter as I listened to Rufus, one of my father's oldest guards say, his eyes darting past my shoulder, looking out for the person he had been assigned to pick from the airport.
"I know. You have been sent to pick Lyric Harper, right? It's me, Rufus."
His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "You still haven't told me how you know my name. And. And how can you be Lyric? It's not possible." He shook his head. "Lyric is-"
"Ugly?" I finished for him, a broad smile on my face.
He frowned as he shook his head. Back then, Rufus was the only one that had never been able to call me ugly.
He was among the very few that had cared about my feelings, and even now, to a stranger, he still couldn't call me ugly.
I laughed. "Well, would it help if I reminded you that your favorite soup was butternut squash and you and little Lyric used to play Chutes and Ladders?"
Recognition beamed in his eyes. His jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Seraphis have mercy! Lyric, it's really you!" He opened his arms, and I didn't hesitate to fall in for a warm hug.
Back then, Rufus and I barely had time together, but he always made the few times we met worth it. He was the closest thing I had to a parent.
"How is this possible?" He inquired after asking how I was. "Your face. My goodness! You look gorgeous! You've only been gone for five years and. I-I can't believe this."
"It's a long story, Rufus. But for now, let's just say fates decided to smile on me."
"Oh, Lyric! You do not know how happy I am to see you. I am sure your father must be delighted seeing you're not.un-beautiful anymore." I laughed at his attempt not to use the word 'ugly' on me.
Well, as for my father, I rolled my eyes in my head. I felt a little sad that I was forced to return here after five years because of him. My life was perfect in Draconis.
"Here. I'll take this to the car," Rufus said, taking my luggage.
"You do that and I'll meet you in the car. I need to pick up an extra luggage. Don't worry, I'll be quick."
I turned around and had barely taken three separate Rufus called my attention, "You dropped something."
Looking at the floor, I found the scanned image. My heart jumped into my throat as I quickly crouched to retrieve it.
Rufus watched with me with surprise. Obviously, he had seen the X-ray and would be wondering why the h**l something of that nature had been in my back pocket.
Oh, Lyric. You couldn't be a little careful?
"It's-It's not mine," I cleared my throat, hoping my lie was plausible. I mean, who carried X-ray photos of fetuses in their back pocket?
Tucking it back into the pocket, I hurried away.
I had my hands crossed over my ch**t as I waited at the collecting center. My extra luggage would be brought to me at any moment.
As I waited idly, disturbing thoughts ran through my mind. Father wanted me home for two reasons. The first was to completely cut ties with Roderick.
In our world, when two wolves were getting mated, they tied a ribbon as a sign of their union and had it stored in a temple.
So, when they wanted to part ways, there were two steps involved. First, they'd have to denounce themselves as mates with the words of their mouths, and secondly, cut the ribbon together.
After Roderick denounced me as his mate, we didn't get the chance to see each other again. Circumstances happened that pulled me away.
But now, he was desperate to finish the final steps. Apparently, he'd chosen a new mate but couldn't accept her when he was still partially bound to me.
Well, I'd been looking forward to the day when I get to end things with the as**ole. He was my past, and the st**id ribbon was the final thing holding us together.
"Excuse me, Ms. I'd like a moment of your time, please," someone said behind me.
I turned to see a well-built man in a black suit and dark shades over his eyes. I didn't need anyone to tell me he was a guard.
"Can I help you?" I furrowed my brows.
"Kind of. The Alpha over there demands an audience with you."
I looked to where he pointed-a mini b*r-but couldn't see the man he was referring to. His face was shielded by a counter.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. These days, it was tiring. It was obvious there would never be a day where I'd step out without garnering attention from the opposite gender.
"I'm in a hurry. Tell him I'm sorry." I responded.
The guard's jaw tightened. "You can't ignore him." I read the unspoken words from his tone: He's a powerful Alpha. You can't simply ignore his request.
But I really wasn't interested in meeting anyone. "I'm sorry. I really am."
I looked away. It was disrespectful to ignore an Alpha's call.
In a world where ranks mattered, he could be one of the powerful ones and could punish me severely, but I really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.
"It's Alpha Roderick of Nightshade." The guard added as if to entice me. But he had no idea, he had just reopened old wounds.
My eyes moved to him, then quickly flicked to the b*r where the man was seated.
Roderick? As in my ex-mate Roderick? The one I was here to end things with? No way.
My ch**t tightened with pain and it was all I could do to keep my emotions intact.
"More reason not to see him," I mumbled, turning away.
"Did you say something?"
"I said I am not seeing him." I gritted the words, my nails digging into my palms.
The guard gave me a disapproving stare before walking away, and I released a shaky breath.
Now, where the h**l was my luggage?
I met one of the workers and demanded an update, and he assured me it'd be here any minute.
Unfortunately, they were not fast enough as shortly, I saw Roderick approaching me.
Chapter 4 LYRIC'S POV 04
Roderick Fletcher.
The one man I'd hoped would love me but never did.
The mind was a bi**h. I thought I was over Roderick's betrayal and wouldn't feel a thing when I met him.
But watching him as he approached me, looking like he was the one in charge made my eyes rim with tears.
I sniffled and looked away, forcing the tears back in.
"So, I had to come over to speak to you myself," he leaned against the counter beside me. "How daring."
My throat was tight, unable to find any words. I feared there would be a crack in my voice if I managed to speak.
Three guards hovered beside him, their eyes darting around. Roderick looked sophisticated, like he'd obviously been having a good life.
What was he even doing here? Was he picking someone?
"What's the name?" He tilted his head as he asked.
I said nothing, won't even look at him.
"Hello?"
"I don't feel like disclosing my name to strangers," I finally managed. My voice was tight.
His eyes beamed with amusement. And here was a man who never smiled at me when we were together for one year.
"Let's just say I'm overly excited today," he sighed.
"I'm here, waiting for a certain bi**h to arrive." When I gave him a puzzled look,he added, "Ex-mate. We are through with the first step and just have the tiny little step to go. I'd finally be free of her."
I scoffed. He was unbelievable.
"I'd have done this sooner, you know? But the horrid girl has been missing for years. Stressed us the h**l out to find her." He spoke with raw disdain.
"What makes you call her horrid?" I found myself asking before I could stop.
He chuckled. "Trust me, honey; she's a monster. If you see her, you'd have the same opinion. She's the ugliest thing I've ever seen."
Something hot exploded in my ch**t. It was all I could do not to let my emotions rush out.
No. This was not the right place.
But Roderick was the true monster. He had no idea he was standing before the very woman he despised. What would proud he do if he gets to know?
It made sense why he was waiting at the airport. He clearly wanted to drag me to the temple to cut the ribbon. Well, I wouldn't let him humiliate me in public. Not again.
Fortunately, my luggage finally arrived.
"Sorry for the delay, ma'am," the young man said as he rolled it to me.
Not looking at Roderick, I made to leave. That must have surprised him. "I'd love to speak to you some other time. Your contact, if you don't mind."
For a moment, I stood with my back to him, contemplating my words. I turned around when I found the most polite one I could give; "Even if I have to give up my number to save myself from you, I wouldn't do it. Alpha."
When my words sank in, surprise danced in her eyes, followed by a hint of hurt.
Something blossomed in my ch**t. It was pride.
So, I rolled my luggage away, leaving him standing there in shock.
****†****†
Rufus and I arrived home to the party. It was my stepmother's birthday party.
Not that I had any intention of attending-may the moon forbid it-I just arrived at a coincidentally perfect time.
I wasn't dressed for the party. Had my simple jeans and shirt on with my hair in a ponytail. Yet, when I entered the hall, heads turned in my direction.
I felt awkward for a moment. The whole attention thing was still new to me.
I never knew I could receive so much compliments until I was free of my scar. Now, people could hardly stare at me without telling me how beautiful I was.
My stepsister, Nora, walked up to me with a smile. "Hi! You're a little late for the party. What's your name?"
Typical Nora. From young, she's always wanted to be friends with the hot girls. She despised me so much as I brought a 'stain' to her name. A scarred lady being her sister.
Five years ago, she had slammed the door inh face, not letting me in despite my pleas. Now, she was being all nice.
"I'm not here for the party," I answered her coldly and looked away, scouring around for my father.
I found him in a corner with my stepmother and some guests. He was the reason I was here. I needed to know what was so urgent aside from cutting ties with Roderick.
He had his eyes on me, staring suspiciously. I went toward him.
"Hey! Who are you?" Nora came after me, sounding a little hurt.
But I ignored her until I reached father.
My father was a well known Alpha, hence the party filled with dignitaries. I did well to bow my head to them as I stood before father.
"Who are you?" My stepmother asked.
I met her gaze with a smirk. "Am I that different that you can't recognize me?" I looked to father. "What about you, father? Am I too different?"
Audible g**ps rippled around me. Nora's hand went over her mouth.
"It's not possible," she muttered, shaking her head.
"Lyric?" Father's eyes were filled with shock and recognition.
"Who's this impersonator?" My stepmother snapped. "Do you think we lack knowledge of what Lyric looks like? You think we'd fall for this scam?"
I focused my gaze on dad. "I'm only here 'cause you said there was something important you needed to talk to me about. If you don't mind, I'd like for us to have that conversation now."
Father took me to his study, leaving numerous shocked persons behind who couldn't utter a word.
I wouldn't deny how good it felt to know I was the reason they were speechless. They couldn't call me ugly. As a matter of fact, I'd never be called ugly by anyone, ever again.
"What happened to you, Lyric? Your scar was impossible to get rid of," Father asked.
"I don't wish to discuss it now." Or the horrible things that happened within five years. I was still trying to run from them. "Just tell me why you needed me here."
"Yes, that." his countenance soured. "You have no idea how happy I was when. I found you after searching for years. You just. vanished." He sighed.
"We have a problem, Lyric. Our Pack is in a deep mess with Darkspire. I-I made some mistake and lost a lot of money-a whole lot-making me indebted to Darkspire."
Okay, I did not like where this was headed.
Darkspire was a generational wolf pack, known to produce only the strongest Alphas. The Alphas that always ranked first in the hierarchy system. They were avoided as much as possible as they were known to be vicious. One did not get tangled with them for any reason.
"If word of this gets out, we'd be doomed. We'd go down the ranks, and coming from a pack that was used to being at the top, believe me, it is not a good thing for us. But they're willing to let it go."
I furrowed my brows. It didn't make any sense. I sensed a huge 'But' coming.
"But they need a Luna from this family, for just a year."
Chapter 5 LYRIC'S POV 05
It had to be a joke. Or at the very least, not what I was thinking.
Father's eyes turned more serious as he moved toward me.
"I thought of offering Nora to him, but she's already with someone else, and the Alpha King might become furious if he thinks we're trying to offer him someone else's woman. This is the reason you're the only choice we have, Lyric. And. you have no idea how perfect it is that you have your face back. Initially, I had been worried we'd have issues with the Alpha King accepting you, but now, I am confident he'll be thrilled."
"Hold on," I scoffed, placing a hand on my thigh. "Please don't tell me you made me travel all the way from Draconis just to be told that I am about to be sacrificed to a demon."
No wolf was stranger to the name ' Darkspire'. Even me who knew little of Pack matters still knew how dangerous they were and nobody wanted to have anything to do with them; not in this life, not in another.
"Alpha Jaris is not a demon," Father said with surprise.
"But that is exactly what he is. Years ago, you said the same thing."
Alpha Jaris Dreadmoor was the most vicious man I'd ever heard about. Tales of how he had conquered his enemies-and sometimes, his friends-were no news to the Pack.
Being from a family that produced only the strongest Alphas, he was currently the Alpha King of Darkspire, a man everyone feared and didn't wish to end in his bad books.
I didn't know what he looked like. I'd never been privileged enough to meet someone like Jaris Dreadmoor. Not that I ever wanted to.
"There are rumors that he k**led his own father and brother!" I raised my hand in the air. "How do you want me to be with someone like that?"
"Those are mere speculations, Lyric. Besides, you'll only be with him for a year."
"You don't need a year to k**l someone, dad. All it takes is a minute, tops. But for someone like Jaris, I'm sure half a minute would do. Besides, why does it even have to be for a year?"
From what I heard, Darkspire didn't have a Luna yet since Jaris' rise to ascension. But if he wanted to take up a Luna, wouldn't it be long term or something? Why was he only asking for a year?
"Honestly, I don't know, Lyric."
"And you don't care," I cut in, pain edging toward my heart. "All you care about is giving him a Luna so you can get the problem off your back. You don't care about the problem you're putting on mine."
For a fraction of a second, wonder flashed across his face. The Lyric he knew would never argue with him. She'd have humbly agreed to anything he wanted.
Well, let's just say I got to know my worth when I realized how beautiful I was. This Lyric was tired of being people's puppets.
Father came close enough to take my hand. This time, he looked so troubled, I feared he might go on his knees.
"Lyric, please." He gave my hand a little squeeze. "This is the last I'll ask of you as your father. Just do this for me, for only a year. And I promise, you'll make me the happiest father."
*****
Hours later, I stood in my room-or what used to be my room-staring at my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing a long red dress with my hair falling over my shoulder.
I was fully ready to meet Alpha Jaris, even though I'd rather I don't.
Something didn't feel right. Him wanting a Luna for only a year.it was wrong. But father had nearly gone on his knees begging me earlier.
I could disappoint him. Besides, before he got mated to his second wife, there were times he'd been good to me.
I tried to resist the te**tation as I stared at the drawer before me. But failing woefully, I still opened it and retrieved the scan. My heart fractured completely, old wounds reopening.
It was the one picture in the world that had the power to k**l me every single time I looked at it, yet it was like a d**g to me. I was addicted and could barely go an hour without touching it. Feeling it.
A tear dropped from my eye as I glided my finger across the images outlining the shapes of the unborn babies in the womb.
Five years, yet still the best thing that's happened to me. And the worse. But I'd rather hold onto the fact that it was the best.
It hurt so bad staring at them, but I couldn't stop.
The sound of someone trying to open my door broke into my thoughts.
I jerked back to reality and quickly hid the picture. I'd made sure to lock the door a while ago, not wanting anyone to see me with the photo.
Getting the door, I found Nora, fuming.
"How did you get rid of your scar?" Her voice blared with indignation. "And what exactly is your plan? You want everyone to see the beautiful you, don't you?"
I rolled my eyes, my earlier pain dissolving temporarily. "Please, don't tell me you knocked on my door just to whine about how good I look. What, you really thought I'd look that heinous forever?"
Her glare turned even icier. "Well, just so you know, this won't change a thing between you and Roderick. Soon, he'll be here, both of you would go to the temple and finish your breakup."
It dawned on me instantly. Oh, no.
"Wait," I blinked. "You and Roderick?"
A triumphant smile played on her lips. "Years ago, things didn't work between us. But now, he's ready to choose me."
Well, if Roderick wasn't a bigger ba**ard.
"Ugh, you disappoint me, Nora. Using my leftovers?" I tsked. "Considering you've always thought yourself the pretty one, I expected better from you."
A tense glare pulled her brows together. She opened her mouth to say something, but I caught her off.
"You don't have to worry. I'm done with Roderick and can't wait to fully end things with him." I slammed the door in her face.
A while later, father and I arrived Darkspire in one of his luxury cars. The Pack, which was known to be the biggest and wealthiest, was just as beautiful as people said.
I was dazzled by the sight and couldn't believe for a moment that I'd be Luna here.
Alighting our car, father and I were led into one of the buildings by some maids while his guards remained outside.
The Grand Luna-Jaris' mother-was in the large living room to welcome us.
"Bennett! I am so glad you made it," the Luna said, her eyes holding little amusement.
"Greetings, Luna." I dipped my head.
She regarded me with surprise. "Is this your daughter?" She asked dad. "Well, bless Seraphis, she's gorgeous!"
I couldn't help my smile. Luna Isolde, during her time, was a formidable Luna.
She had ruled beside her late husband with an iron fist, destroying everyone who dared cross her path. I'd always wished to meet her.
"Please, come sit while we wait for Alpha Jaris. He'll be joining us shortly," she showed us to the couch.
Her version of 'shortly' turned out to be almost an hour later. Father and I were already exhausted and kept staring at the door, wondering how long it'd take the Alpha to arrive.
Wasn't he aware he'd be having guests? His. new Luna?
At a point, Isolde looked angry and left. When she returned, she reassured us he'd soon be here. And indeed, he did come.
The air shifted in the room the second the door opened, revealing a man and two others behind him.
The Luna drew in a breath of relief as she rose to her feet. Father and I did same.
It was easy spotting who the Alpha was as the two other men flanked him. But the moment I had a clear view of his face, my world shattered.
No. No.
Horror gripped my ch**t, squeezing it until I felt pain. This had to be some twisted joke.
Because how in Selene's name was I staring at the face of the very man that had ruined me five years ago?.
What happens next?
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&5&
As an Omega, she never expected to be chosen as the fated mate by the most sought-after Alpha, becoming Luna to the strongest Alpha.
======
1
Allison P.O.V
"Stop staring at him." My best friend Teresa told me as she shook her head.
I averted my gaze from Ethan Iversen, who was chatting with his friends at the specific table in the right corner.
My eyes were always on him which he could never see.
He was the soon-to-be Alpha of our Moonlight Crown Pack and I was just an ordinary Omega.
I was sitting in the canteen of our school with Teresa. It was our break time so we came here to chit-chat.
I sighed and turned my head to Teresa.
"I was just-"
"Yeah yeah, you were looking around and your eyes suddenly fell on him." She said and chuckled. I smiled and looked away.
Teresa was my best friend. She knew everything about me.
"You are this pack's beta's daughter. He can't let you down." She let out.
I shook my head. "No, I want him to look at me as an ordinary girl, not as his father's beta's daughter."
"You are beautiful. He will love you back for sure. Otherwise, I will break his nec-"
"Ssshhh. He will listen to you." I pressed my hand over her mouth to stop her.
It was time for our next lesson to begin. We walked to the classroom.
It was a Brand Promotion class. The best part was that it was one of the few classes where seniors and juniors could sit together.
I was waiting outside with Teresa when I saw Ethan headed this way.
I gasped and waited for us to enter together, not knowing whether we would be able to sit together.
I was ready to enter the classroom when I felt a push from my right side and collided with Ethan.
He gripped my waist and pulled me up straight. His veiny hands and muscular arms were wrapped around me. I nearly passed out. His warmth completely enveloped me.
My attention was drawn to his fair forehead with a little fringe scattered, a sharp nose, and dark eyes.
"Are you okay?"
I could hear him. I realized I was staring at his attractive features. He was in his fourth year of our 'Moonlight University'.
In contrast, I was a first-year student. Everyone glanced at us as they came to a halt.
I took a step back after clearing my throat.
"Y-Yeah, thank you." I responded timidly.
He nodded and walked inside the classroom.
I could see other girls glaring at me. They were all madly in love with Ethan. He was the most handsome boy they had ever seen and cherry on the top, he was their future Alpha.
But I did not like Ethan due to his attractive looks or posture. I liked him since he once saved my life when I was in danger. Who knows what might have happened if he had not saved me?
"How was that?"
A whisper was heard. I twisted my head and softly punched Teresa's arm.
"Ouch! I was expecting a kiss on the cheek from you. But you are slamming into me!"
My best friend was attempting to matchmake me with Ethan, just as she had pushed me towards him moments ago.
"He will get angry. Teresa, don't do that again."
She sighed and rolled her eyes. "I am not sure how you are going to win his heart with such candor."
I laughed and locked her arm with mine. We walked inside the classroom. The class was completely crowded. I looked for a seat and saw a few vacant chairs. Unfortunately, they were not near Ethan.
We walked to our seats, which were rather far away from Ethan's.
The professor arrived and began our class.
"Dear students, today we will learn how to select the best sponsor for your product. You must choose the best backer for it."
I concentrated on the lesson. I paid close attention in every lesson. I wanted to do well in school and make my parents proud.
"Like Alpha Ethan, he is the face of our school. We are fortunate to have him here." The professor said.
Everyone, including me, was staring at Ethan.
He scowled and said, "Ethan"
The professor was perplexed by what he had just said.
"Y-Yes?"
"Call me Ethan."
"Yes, yes. It's a great honor." The professor grinned.
Everyone tried hard not to chuckle.
"Begin buttering! Everyone around here loves to butter him. Huh!" Teresa murmured.
After hearing her remarks, I burst out laughing. I saw Ethan concentrating on his book. But I might argue that his focus was not on the book and that he was thinking about something else.
He was a reserved person. We were familiar with each other. Not only was my father his father's beta, but he was also his father's closest buddy.
But Ethan had a past.
Ethan was not the son of our current Alpha, Neil Iversen. He was the son of Alpha Neil's brother, Evan Iversen.
However, he lost his parents when he was just five years old. Alpha Neil accepted him totally after that.
Everyone described Ethan as Alpha Neil's shadow. Alpha Neil wanted him to be the pack's next Alpha.
But there was something more.
Alpha Neil has a son as well. He and Ethan were the same age.
Everyone knew Alpha Neil and his son Ryan Iversen had a strained relationship.
Ryan was also someone I knew. I had not seen him since I was eleven years old. It had been almost eight years since his father had sent him abroad.
"Will you go tonight?"
I emerged from my thoughts. "Huh?" Teresa was the one who asked the question.
"Ryan Iversen is returning today. Seniors are giving him a welcoming party."
I scowled. "He is not even a student at our school."
"He will join our school," A girl in my front seat said to us.
"We observed that four pack fighters came to see the Dean today, and a professor told our boys that Ryan is our new transfer student."
"I see." I muttered.
Ryan was not the same as Ethan. He was the complete opposite of him. In our childhoods, I only witnessed him become furious at everyone.
"Will you accompany me?" Teresa asked.
"No."
"Consider it. Ethan is definitely going."
When I glanced at Ethan, I sighed. He was now focused on his phone.
After all the classes, Teresa dropped me off at home since my house was on her way.
I saw there was no one in my house. I dialed my mother's number.
"Mom?"
I said as soon as she received the call. "Where have you gone?"
"Are you back at home, honey? You must be starving. Enter the kitchen. I made you lunch before I came to the pack house."
"Pack house? What brought you there?"
"Ryan is returning today. So Luna Ella contacted me to ask if I could help her in cooking her son's favorite foods. You know how much Ryan used to like my food when he was a kid."
"Okay, mom."
I hung up the phone.
My mother adored both Ethan and Ryan. My mother was also friends with Luna Ella, therefore we were really close family friends. We went to every gathering and celebration together.
I went to my room and took a shower. Following that, I had a late lunch.
Teresa came to my house in the evening. I was dressed casually in blue jeans and a loose black shirt. My hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. I did not want to draw attention to myself.
"Let's go." I said to Teresa.
We hopped in her car and drove to the club where our seniors were throwing the party.
We walked inside the club. My attention was drawn to the smoke and the loud music. I had never been to a club before, so it was a whole new experience for me.
"Let's go out and have some drinks." Teresa remarked, pulling me along with her.
I saw that practically every popular student in our school had attended this party.
Suddenly, I saw Ethan conversing with someone.
"I am coming right away." I said to Teresa before walking up to Ethan.
We were not strangers; we were family friends.
I approached him and came to a halt behind him.
"Ethan"
He turned to face me. I smiled at him, but then I saw his ex-girlfriend Julie standing in front of him.
"Yes?" He asked.
I had no idea what to say to him or how to greet him.
"H-Hi."
He just nodded his head and turned around without replying. I took a step back, but I could hear the girl.
"You know her?"
"Hmm."
"Like she is someone who can be yo-"
"She is not my type."
I overheard his response. Did he know I was still standing behind him? How could he possibly say such a thing to others? I was not his type? Why?
I clenched my fists. My tears had made my eyes glossy.
Nothing was clearly visible to me. I saw a haze. I took a few steps back.
My back was suddenly crushed against a hard chest.
I turned back right away but could not see anything since I was in tears.
I blinked a few times, and my vision started to clear.
I saw a pair of black eyes staring at me.
My gaze was pulled to the facial features.
Black hair, a strong jawline, thick brows, and a fair and clean face.
I saw his eyes going down to my clothes before returning to my face.
Then I heard his deep, icy voice.
"Who are you?"
2
"Who are you?"
I came back to my senses and backed away from the boy.
"I-I…" I looked away and tried to find my words.
"From your looks, I can say you don't belong here."
I wiped away my tears. I glared at the boy because of his rude statement. My glare made him speechless.
I turned my head to glance at Ethan, who was still conversing with Julie. Then I walked past the boy who had just spoken rudely to me.
He could not possibly claim that I did not belong here.
What exactly did he mean? I could not come to the club because I was not wearing a short dress?
I was also irritated at Ethan. In truth, I was mostly upset with him. I had feelings for him for a long time. But he destroyed my heart without even speaking to me.
I went back to Teresa. She looked at my face carefully and asked,
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"What nothing? Didn't Ethan break up with her two years ago? Why is he with her now? Or are they just talking about random things?"
"Something like that." I mumbled.
When we heard a boy's voice over the speakers, everyone started cheering for something.
We turned our attention to the dance floor, where a senior year student held a microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's meet the most eligible bachelor who drew everyone's attention with a single glance, whose lifestyle is the dream lifestyle for us boys, who returned today to his pack and his pack's people, who will join our school tomorrow to shake all the girls' hearts.
Please welcome Ryan Iversen."
Everyone cheered and applauded loudly.
I almost became deaf when the girls next to me started screaming.
'What's so good about this Ryan Iversen?' I thought.
But my eyes went wide when I saw who Ryan Iversen was.
"It's him!"
I muttered when I saw the boy who I had just bumped into a few minutes ago.
I heard other girls' voices.
"Oh my God! He is so handsome!"
"He is so hot! Look at his hairstyle! He indeed came from abroad with a dashing look and well-built body. Can't ignore his stunning face either."
"I thought only Ethan could be so handsome like this! But now I can say someone is more handsome than him!"
"Oh! Come on. Ethan is more handsome. Take a look at him. He will be our Alpha in the future. Ryan can't have the aura he has. And I heard Ryan is a playboy. He only likes to play. The two brothers are totally opposite from each other."
So much bickering was going on here and there among girls where boys seemed envious as they looked at Ryan. It might be because of his carefree lifestyle.
Teresa turned to me and spoke out,
"I can say, a new dumbo joined our school."
I looked at her and chuckled. "Why?"
"Look at this young man. Wasn't his brother enough to cause a drama? Now that he has joined, we can expect more girls to scream over both of them. I believe our students are watching too many school dramas. As a result, they are emulating it in order to experience such drama in real life."
I cast a peek toward Ryan, who had just opened the bottle of champagne. Everyone drew their glasses closer to him.
"One thing I must say," Teresa said.
"What?"
She whispered, "He is indeed more handsome than your Ethan."
I groaned and grabbed her wrist.
"What happened?"
"Can we leave now?"
"Please stay for a while. We just got here. At least for half an hour? Please?"
I could not say no to Teresa. She enjoyed attending parties. Just because I did not like it or was offended by Ethan did not mean I had to spoil Teresa's happy times.
I nodded, and she led me to the bar.
"Just ignore that jerk," Teresa murmured to me, motioning to Ethan.
We sat a bit away from Ethan. He appeared to be in a bad mood. I remembered his mood being low in the morning as well. Did he truly have a rough relationship with his brother?
Julie spoke something to him, and Ethan shifted his tool towards us.
I was surprised when he glanced at me. I could not look away from his deep, dark eyes.
He averted his gaze and returned his attention to Julie before shaking his head. Julie said something again and laughed.
"This girl must be up to something. She is clinging to Ethan like super glue. They broke up and haven't gotten back together after all these times. So, why now?" Teresa said.
"Yeah." I nodded as I did not have the answer either. I glanced at the waiter.
"What would you like to drink, Miss?"
"Water."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
Teresa requested a drink of beer, and the waiter gave me a glass of water. I did not enjoy drinking. It was not like my parents would chastise me for it, but I did not like it.
The loud music began to make people's heads spin. People started dancing as they had never danced before. There were many boys and girls drinking. Some of them began to make out as if it was the best place for it.
Teresa introduced me to two girls named Lily and Eliza. They seemed to be cheerful girls. Teresa encouraged me to join them in the dance, but I refused. I assured her she may go to the dance and that I would wait patiently for her return.
She was first concerned, but Lily persuaded her that I would be fine sitting there.
I could see Teresa dancing on the dance floor. At the party, she was having a fantastic time.
I grinned as I saw her smile and bounce to the music.
I started to become bored after a few minutes. When I took out my phone, I discovered five missed calls.
"Shoot!"
I scolded myself when I saw the missed calls from my father's phone number.
Teresa, who was dancing, caught my eye. I did not bother her and went in search of a quiet place to call my father.
I proceeded to the far left side corner of the club. I could hear the music starting to fade as I stepped inside.
But my steps halted when I spotted a guy making out with a girl.
The boy's hands tightened around the girl's waist. His face was buried in her neck.
My phone's screen lit up, and a ringtone began to play.
As if his make-out session had been interrupted, the boy shifted his enraged gaze to my side.
In the dim light, I could see his face.
"YOU!"
3
"YOU!"
It was none other than Ryan Iversen. I felt disgusted. He had only recently returned to this pack and was already making out with girls!
He arched an eyebrow and replied,
"Yeah, it's me, and for your kind information, it's my party, baby."
I got angry when he addressed me as "Baby".
My phone kept ringing, so I ignored him and continued walking. I came to a stop a short distance away and received the call.
"Dad"
"Where are you, Allison?"
"W-Well Dad, I came to a party."
"A party? What party?"
My father's voice came out desperately. He always cared about me a lot. Since I was an Omega, he and my mother cared about my safety.
"My school's party. I came here with Teresa. So don't worry, Dad. She will drop me off at home."
"That's a relief. You were not receiving calls, so your mom got worried."
"Tell her that I will come back soon."
"Okay, take care and come back safely."
"Yes, Dad."
He hung up the call, and I sighed. I did not tell him that I was in a club. I was not a kid anymore. So they did not need to worry about me.
I turned around to go back to Teresa.
But the moment I turned, I gasped.
"Done talking?"
I glared at Ryan. "You almost scared me to death."
The left corner of his lips lifted slightly. "Well, most of the girls died on my handsome face, baby."
He winked at me and chuckled after seeing my stunned reaction.
He did not look like someone I could mess with. His black clothing gave him a dark aura.
I did not tell him who I was. He might not recognize me, just like I didn't when I first saw him.
I took a step to pass by his side, but he stopped me.
"Where are you going?"
"Let me go," I said with a cold tone.
"Tsk. What about the damage you caused?"
When I heard his words, I looked up at him. He was very tall. He was indeed handsome, but it did not grab my attention. He was not a good boy.
"What damage are you talking about?" I asked.
"You just ruined my sweet time with a beauty. Now who will pay the compensation?"
I was confused. What exactly was he talking about?
He took a step closer to me, and I was startled.
The buttons on his shirt were undone. Under the dim light from behind me, I could see his chest.
“Esto quod es”
It was written across the right side of his ribcage. It was almost six inches high, wrapping around the majority of his side, and it was hard to miss.
Before his body almost touched mine, I pushed his chest hard with my hands.
"Stay away from me."
I rushed out of the corner but bumped into another person.
'How come I keep bumping into people today?' I sighed and grumbled.
Unfortunately, it was Ethan. When he noticed me coming around the corner, he grimaced. When he peered behind me, his expression became solemn.
Ryan appeared around the corner as I turned my head. He smirked at Ethan when he spotted him.
I returned my gaze to Ethan.
"Excuse me."
I moved away from Ethan and reached the dance floor.
Teresa was nowhere to be found. I started to look for her.
To locate Teresa, I continued lightly pushing people on the dance floor.
A hand grabbed my hand and drew me away from the crowd.
"Here you are! Where were you? When I came back to the barside, I could not find you." Teresa said while huffing.
"Dad called me, so I went to take his call."
"I thought I lost you at the club," Teresa said and hugged me.
"Let's go back," I murmured.
She nodded at me, and we went out of the club.
I took a deep breath as the fresh air reached my face.
I felt smothered on the inside until I got out and felt alive.
Partying was definitely not my thing. Clubs were not my place. I was happy with a simple life. These people were not like me. Their lives were drastically different from mine.
We walked to Teresa's car and got in. Teresa started the car.
"Where were you, by the way? I looked for you in almost the whole club."
"I was in a corner."
"Oh. I didn't search the corners. My bad."
"Hmm." I glanced outside.
"Why is your mood off?"
"I met the most ridiculous man I have ever seen."
"Who?"
"Someone who only knows how to disturb girls."
I heard the sound of a chuckle. I turned my head toward Teresa.
"What?" I asked.
"You look irritated. Who made my bestie angry?"
"That Ryan Iversen." I muttered.
"WHAT?" She shouted.
"Hey, stop shouting. Focus on the road. I don't want to die."
"Allison, what did he do?"
"Nothing. I ruined his lovely time, so he asked for a substitute."
"What!"
"Yeah, exactly. I pushed him hard before he could get close to me."
"That bastard!"
I exhaled when Teresa started to curse Ryan.
"Allison, stay away from Ryan. I got to know many things about him. He was a playboy at his last school. Everyone from the outside knows him, especially girls. He is very popular among girls. He does not date but only fu-"
"OKAY OKAY STOP IT."
I shouted and stopped her from telling me more.
"I don't want to hear those stupid things."
"Okay." Teresa shut her mouth and kept driving quietly.
We reached my home. I got out of the car. "Thanks, Teresa."
"I should not have asked you to go with me. I only made you feel bored."
"No, I enjoyed the moment with you. So thanks again. It was a new experience."
Teresa nodded and smiled, then she drove away.
I entered my house and saw my parents waiting for me.
We had dinner together, then I went to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up early.
After I had finished getting dressed for school, my mother insisted that I eat breakfast before leaving the house.
My father chuckled,
"What's the hurry?"
"Dad, I will be late."
"Tell them your father took your time, so you became late."
I shook my head. "Dad, no one knows that I am the beta's daughter."
"Why?"
"I don't want to grab any attention. They will start to treat me differently, which I don't want. Just like they treat Ethan."
My mother spoke out,
"Ryan is also going to join your school."
I nodded and kept eating.
"Luna Ella told me to tell you if you could show him around since he is new."
I paused and thought,
'Yeah, he is new and has started to make out with girls already.'
Suddenly, my father shook his head.
"No, he is not like Ethan. You can be friends with Ethan, but not Ryan. I don't want you to be around him, okay?"
I looked at my father with confused eyes, but then I realized that everyone knew about Ryan's personality. So it was good to be far away from him.
"Don't worry, Dad. I will stay away from him."
My mother did not say anything. We had breakfast silently after that.
I caught a bus to go to school. When I arrived at my school, I noticed that the girls were in a variety of moods. Some of them appeared pleased, while others were depressed.
I was strolling through the hallway. My gaze was drawn to Ethan. Julie was there with him. Their arms were locked, and they headed to a class.
'Did they patch up last night?' I wondered. I felt heartbroken.
I turned aside and went to the locker room. I unlocked my locker but was taken aback when someone slammed the door and stood behind me.
In shock, I turned around.
"What made you think I could not recognize you, Allison Clark?"
4
I stared at Ryan. There was an amazement in his eyes as if he had just caught me red-handed.
He raised a brow. "What?"
I averted my gaze from him and looked around to see if anyone had heard him. Everyone was looking at us while whispering to each other.
He was not loud enough to be heard. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
I opened my eyes and looked up at him.
"Can you just move?"
"Why?"
"What do you want, Ryan?"
"Why didn't you tell me about yourself when I asked you who you were?"
I rolled my eyes. "I didn't find it important to tell you about myself. And we are not that close anyway."
He was silent. I glanced at him, thinking I might be a little bit rude.
But I was so wrong! He was smirking. I wanted to smack his smirk.
"Ryan, what are you doing with her?"
I heard a voice and looked behind him. It was Sophia. She was our pack's Delta's daughter. Everyone knew about her identity, and that was why she roamed around our school like a queen. Her first target was Ethan; however, he never gave a damn about her.
Ryan moved back from me and turned around.
"Nothing, Sweety. I thought I needed someone to show me around the school."
"What? You should tell me that. Let's go. I will show you around." Sophia said happily. A few girls looked interested too.
I felt sick looking at them. How could they like a boy like Ryan? Unless they were also up for a one night stand like him.
Ryan turned to me.
"And you."
I looked at him. I was afraid he would tell everyone about me.
"Nice to meet you, baby." He snickered and winked at me.
I was dumbfounded. He turned around and walked to Sophia. He wrapped his hand around her waist, and they headed to see around the whole school.
Everyone was still looking at me. I felt so angry that I could not explain it. I was fuming. He just gave others a reason to pay attention to me, which I did not like from the start.
Teresa rushed to me. "Is everything okay?" She asked with a worried face.
"What would happen?"
"I saw Ethan and Julie. Then I saw Ryan and Sophia coming out from this side. Now everyone is staring at you."
"Nothing happened. Ryan was annoying me."
"He what? Why?"
I shook my head and opened my locker again.
"What are you all looking at?"
I heard Teresa yelling at others. Everyone looked away from me.
Teresa had an aura to shut anyone down, I must say. She was a beta female.
She also took out her books, and we went to our classes.
When it was the last class, it was a combined class with all-year students.
Schedule-wise, Teresa was not in the class with me today.
I was not friendly with others, so every time, I had to attend the class alone.
However, Ethan was also in this class. I looked around and saw there were two empty seats at the back, beside the window. But then I saw who was sitting in front of those seats.
Ethan and Julie were sitting there.
I bit my lips nervously and walked ahead. I did not look at Ethan. The way he insulted me last night was enough to make me avoid him, and he had a girlfriend again. So I should retain myself.
I sat on the seat behind Julie. I tried to avoid looking in front.
I looked outside from the window. The sky was clear today. It was a sunny day. Sunlight fell on my bench from the window.
"Mr. Iversen, you are late."
I heard Professor William's voice. I turned my head and saw Ryan standing at the door.
"Well, I was busy roami- I mean looking around, Professor." He replied carelessly.
Professor William was tough. He did not even treat Ethan like a king, so Ryan was not special to him either.
"It's your first class, so I'm letting it go. Next time, don't be late. Otherwi-"
"Otherwise, give me detention or cut my marks. It's okay, Professor. Take it easy."
The way Ryan interrupted Mr. William, it made others shock.
Ryan looked around, and his eyes met mine. His infamous smirk came back to his face.
"Look how hot he is!"
I heard some girls. How could they whisper so loudly!
I tried to hide my face with my hands from Ryan immediately.
Ethan turned his head to me as if he saw who Ryan was looking at.
I did not look at Ethan. Why would I? Didn't he say I was not his type?
"Stop hiding, baby. You are not even hiding properly. Come here. Let me hide you in my jacket."
Everyone heard Ryan and laughed.
I moved my hands from my face and glared at Ryan, who was now standing beside me.
"ATTENTION, EVERYONE."
Professor William shouted at everyone. I glanced at the other girls. They were glaring at me as if I had committed a crime.
'What? Do they think I am with him? He just came back yesterday. What's wrong with them?'
"Focus, focus. Or do you want to go on a detention with me?" I heard Ryan again.
I closed my eyes and tightened my fists.
This boy was getting on my nerves.
Why was he even talking to me? We did not know each other that well.
Well, I sometimes went to the pack house with my mother when I was a kid. So I saw him for quite some time. That was it. Or we played one or two times, maybe, not more than that.
I avoided him and tried to give my attention to the class.
"Please try to understand everything, and I will not repeat it again." Professor William said this and turned to the projector to show something.
However, my eyes were on Ethan. He did not look okay in his seat there. His face was gloomy. I did not see Julie talk to him in the whole class.
Another thing I noticed was that these two brothers never talked to each other. There was a rumor that they did not like each other. Why was that?
I somehow got lost in Ethan's side profile. He was the only one for me. No matter who came in front of me, I would choose him without any second thought. However, his face also reminded me of what he said last night in the club.
Suddenly, I felt a breath in my right ear. I almost gasped loudly but prevented myself when I heard Ryan.
"I see. You are in love with him."
5
It had been one week since I started to avoid Ethan.
That day, I did not reply to his brother, Ryan. He said I was in love with Ethan. I was surprised at first, but then I realized he could read my eyes when I was looking at his brother.
After that day, he did not come to bother me again.
He became very popular in our school. As Teresa said, he did not date. I only saw him with different girls each time.
Ethan also looked strange whenever he was around me. I did not know why. Since I was avoiding him, I should not think about it either.
"My honey's birthday is tomorrow. I am so excited."
I heard Teresa cheer up about my birthday.
It was going to be my eighteenth birthday. I somehow felt nervous. It was the time when werewolves found their mates. If before that someone marked me, I could be his mate. But I had not mated with someone yet, so I would get someone as my mate.
"What are you thinking?" Teresa patted my shoulder.
I shook my head. "Nothing."
"Are you still thinking about Ethan?"
I sighed. I was not, but at the same time, yes, I was thinking about him.
His relationship with Julie was not clear. He did not declare it either. But I was not his type, and my birthday was tomorrow, so I had to think only about my mate.
Since he did not like me, I should not think about him either.
"I am worried about my mate." I explained to Teresa.
"Don't worry. He will understand you. You know a mate can change your life with happiness."
I nodded my head. But it was not that.
I always felt like Ethan was my mate. I felt that for a long time. I felt somehow connected with him. I was sure he could not feel that otherwise; he would at least try to talk to me about it.
We talked for some time and then went back to our classes.
After my last class, I was waiting for Teresa. I was passing a few classrooms when I heard growls.
My legs stopped. I turned my head towards the classroom and went close to the door.
The hallway was empty. I looked around and discovered that I was the only one there.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a thud. I immediately opened the door and saw two boys holding each other's collars.
I was shocked when I saw their faces.
"Ethan!"
I shouted and rushed to him. But before I could reach him, Ryan had already thrown a punch in his face.
Blood was coming out of the corner of Ethan's lip.
Ethan backed away, and his back rested on a wall. I cupped his cheeks and asked,
"A-Are you o-okay? What is happening?"
He frowned when he saw me. He slightly moved my hand from his face.
My own actions astounded me. Ethan wiped the blood off his lips with his thumb.
I looked at Ryan, who was glaring at me.
"What's happening? Why are you hitting him?" I asked him.
He stared at me for a few seconds, and his eyes became dark, which made me frightened. In those days, he only behaved childishly with me. I had never seen him like this.
I remembered when he was a kid, he always got mad at others.
Without my realization, Ethan walked to him and punched him hard.
I was shocked. They started to fight again. Like wild beasts, they were up to each other's necks.
"Can you both stop?" I said and tried to move Ethan.
I did not know what to do. Should I call someone for help? One of them broke his lips, and the other broke his cheek.
What would I do?
I tried again to move them but got pushed by them.
"Aaah!"
I fell on a wall and got hurt in my head. I held my forehead.
Ethan and Ryan both stopped fighting and looked at me. They looked stunned. They did not think that I would get hurt.
" What happened to you?" Ethan said and rushed to me.
Ryan was standing where he was while looking at me.
I felt dizzy.
"D-Don't fight."
I felt darkness engulf me and everything blanked around me.
When I woke up I saw a white ceiling. I tried to sit up but felt a hand pushing my shoulder lightly.
"Don't sit up. You need some rest."
I heard Teresa. I turned my head to the right side and saw that she was sitting on a tool close to the bed.
I touched my forehead and felt a bandaid on the left side of my forehead.
"What happened?" I asked her.
I remembered the fight and then suddenly I got hurt.
"I called you. Ethan received the call and told me to come to this infirmary."
"Ethan? How is he?"
"He looked fine to me. Just a cut in his lips."
"Where is he?"
"He left the moment I came here."
I nodded and closed my eyes.
I took some rest and Teresa waited for me for an hour while sitting there.
I stood up. The nurse told me I was fine to go. I took a painkiller and went out of the hospital with Teresa.
She dropped me home and told me to take care of myself.
When I entered my home, my mom saw my forehead and asked,
"What happened to you? You got hurt!"
"Mom, I was feeling weak then I slipped."
"You need to eat more. Should we go to the pack doctor for a check up?" She looked hella worried.
"No, mom. I am totally fine. I just need some rest."
She stroked my head and nodded. I went to my room and lay on my bed. I thought about today's fight. Why were they fighting?
When it was night time, I was going to have dinner when my mother came with a bag.
"Wear this and come down, honey."
It was a beautiful brown colored dress inside the bag. I took it out and smiled.
"Mom, you did not have to do this."
She kissed my forehead and said,
"Your dad threw a party tonight. Teresa is waiting for you downstairs."
I was not surprised. Every year my father called Teresa and arranged a small party for us four, on my birthday night. I was happy with it.
"Okay, mom." I replied with a bright smile.
But my smile froze when I heard my mother's next sentence.
"It's such an honor that Alpha Neil and his family also came tonight to celebrate your birthday with us."
6
"Allison, my dear, everyone is waiting for you downstairs. Come fast."
My mother shouted from downstairs.
I was in a daze when my mother left my room.
She told me that Alpha Neil's family had come. That meant Ethan also came here. I shook my head.
'No, no. I can not think about him anymore,' I told myself.
I glanced at myself in the mirror. I was in a long brown dress. It was a simple yet pretty dress. My mother chose it for me. It was my birthday gift from her.
I was not particularly eager to put on much makeup, so I only applied mascara and light pink lipstick.
I left my room and went downstairs.
I was stunned when I saw the decorations in my own house. It appeared to be rather fascinating. There were so many flowers everywhere, and the fragrance of roses tickled my nostrils.
'When did they do all of these?' I thought.
I smiled and went to the living room.
The moment I entered, a pair of arms wrapped around my body and hugged me.
"You look so pretty."
I smiled at my best friend. My parents loved her too. She was my best friend, so my birthday party without her was impossible.
"Thank you, bestie," I replied.
She moved away from me, and I noticed others in the room.
My father, mother, Alpha Neil, Luna Ella, and the Iversen brothers.
Ethan looked disturbed, and I did not know why. On the other hand, Ryan looked at me as if he were amazed.
I looked away from them.
"My child, come here. Your daughter is a big girl now, Glen." Alpha Neil said this to my father and reached out a hand to me.
I smiled lightly. I walked to him and held his hand.
"Alpha"
"I last saw you two years ago. After that, your mother never took you to the pack house with her." He complained.
My mother shook her head. "My apologies, Alpha. I will take her with me next time."
"How beautiful she is looking! Joey, we should meet more." Luna Ella said to my mother while stroking my hair.
I blushed when I heard her.
We sat and talked about the old days. I glanced at Ethan.
Surprisingly, he was also looking at me. I wanted to look away, but my eyes did not listen to my mind, but to my heart.
He averted his gaze, took out his phone, and started to use it.
I took a close look at him. He was dressed in a white shirt and black jeans. His fair neck complemented the white shirt. His muscles were practically visible through his shirt.
I was about to look away but stopped when I felt a gaze over me. My eyes moved to the right side of Ethan.
Ryan was staring at me. His black jacket and black pants gave him a mafia look.
'He must be feeling bored since he could not see any girls here to flirt with.' I thought.
Luna Ella noticed me looking at Ryan.
"Do you know Ryan?" she asked me.
Before I could answer, Alpha Neil replied,
"How could she know him? She is a good girl. Your son could not be on a good girl's knowing list."
Everyone became silent. It looked like the rumor was correct. Alpha Neil and Ryan definitely did not have a good relationship.
"Dad"
I heard Ethan's voice and turned my head to him. He called Alpha Neil 'Dad' and Luna Ella 'Mom' from his childhood after his parents' deaths.
Ethan shook his head at Alpha Neil, as if telling him not to argue.
"Yes, you are right, Alpha. I think I should not have come to this party either."
Ryan's voice echoed in the room. He stood up and headed to the main door.
"Ryan"
Ethan stood up and went on behind him. They went out of our house.
"What drama are they doing? Did they plan to ruin my best friend's birthday?" Teresa muttered angrily.
I held her hand softly to stop her from whispering at that moment.
"Alpha, calm down." My father said to Alpha Neil. Luna Ella looked upset.
I glanced outside and saw Ethan grab Ryan's arm and pull him somewhere.
"Two minutes left." Teresa stood up and tried to ease the atmosphere. She went to the kitchen room and came out with a big cake.
"Wow," I mumbled.
It was a beautiful cake with white-pink colored decorations. '1' and '8' candles were lit up in the center of the cake to show that the birthday girl was going to turn eighteen years old.
When the clock turned 12 a.m., I stood up, and everyone gathered around me.
I did not think about anyone else at that moment. I closed my eyes and made a wish for myself in my mind.
"I hope I will get my mate soon and move on with my life."
I opened my eyes and blew out the two candles. Everyone clapped and cheered for me.
I cut the cake, and everyone wished me luck. My mother almost cried when I turned eighteen. It was an age when werewolves became adults and started to find their mates; after that, they started their families.
"Happy Birthday."
Teresa made me eat a whole big piece of the cake. I giggled and took a tissue to wipe my lips. Others laughed at us.
"Where are they? Let me check." Luna Ella said she wanted to go outside to check on Ethan and Ryan.
"It's okay, Luna. Allison, go and call them inside." My father stopped her and asked me to go outside.
I could not deny him. I headed to the main door.
When I came out of my house, I started to feel strange.
My breath stirred to become heavy, and my heart began to beat fast.
I felt the scent of dark chocolate. It had not only a chocolaty smell but also something addictive.
I stepped to find the scent, to search for the owner of this scent. I strolled ahead and started to walk on the road.
Suddenly, my steps halted when I saw two figures standing beside the road.
I could see their backs facing me. I was a little farther from them.
My wolf started to growl in happiness because she had finally found her mate.
It was one of them!
My wolf began to chant, 'Mate.'
But the moment one of them turned around with red eyes, I could not control my tongue and let out,
"MATE?"
&4&
He always believed his wife would wait for him no matter what he did. But she didn't want to play the devoted fool anymore. She ended the pr**nancy, signed the divorce papers, and returned as a marvelous musician, living for herself. The once cold man crumbled.
=====
"Let's get a divorce. She has stomach cancer and has only six months left to live."
After their in**mate encounter, Brandon Watson sat up and said in a detached voice.
Millie Bennett, still breathing hard from the encounter, turned to him slowly, a wild look of disbelief in her eyes.
They had been married for a year. What did he mean by suddenly saying he wanted a divorce?
"Her final wish is to be my wife," Brandon added, almost offhandedly.
He said, lighting a ci**rette. The sm**e rose in slow spirals around his face.
Millie gawked at him, stunned. Silence spread across the room like mist.
The bedside lamp glowed faintly, casting long shadows across the wall, making them seem farther apart than they were.
Brandon glanced at her and gave a faint frown.
"It's only to comfort her," he explained. "We'll remarry after six months. She won't be here long, Millie."
His voice was steady, almost detached, like someone passing along a message that didn't concern him.
Millie watched Brandon wordlessly, her eyes fixed on his profile.
He spoke like his words were instructions, not suggestions.
Their relationship had always been one-sided. She had chased it from the start, drawn in by youthful affection.
She had stayed by his side for years, moving through each rough season without letting go.
Millie still remembered that day, under the heavy rain that soaked them both, Brandon had stood between her and her stepfather, gripping a cracked stick, and said with fire in his voice, "Touch Millie again, and you'll regret it."
That moment had etched itself into her heart. Even when she was weak and bl**ding, she saw him--unmoving, protective, fierce.
From that point on, she was his.
She loved him without pause, met his requests with everything she had, carrying them out more flawlessly than anyone else ever could.
He would always pat her head, light and warm, and say in a low voice, "You did so well, Millie."
But Brandon's praises never lasted, his ki**es barely stayed, and whatever affection they shared always felt just out of reach. But Millie told herself it was just how he was.
Even when others called her naive, she stayed--devoted and trusting.
She had given seven years of her life to him.
A year earlier, Brandon's grandfather, Derek Watson, had fallen into poor health. The family, hoping to lift his spirits, decided Brandon should marry.
Perhaps the joy of a wedding would give the old man something to hold on to.
So Brandon went on to marry Millie.
She thought it was finally their moment. But after the vows, something changed. He began to pull away. Sometimes, he looked at her like she was a stranger.
"Millie, are you listening?" Brandon scowled as he caught the far-off look in Millie's eyes.
"Does it have to be like this?" she asked softly.
He didn't answer. Instead, he said, "She's going through so much, Millie."
Millie's ch**t tightened. "And what about me?"
Brandon didn't answer right away. His eyes, dark and steady, flickered with a trace of impatience.
Then, after about three seconds, he said, "Millie, she's dying. Maybe you don't know, but she's in love with me. Because we were married, and she didn't want to hurt you, she never let things go too far between us. Even when I tried to make it up to her, she never let me. She's a good person. Please, let her have this. Don't make me think you're being heartless."
His words, spoken so calmly, pierced her more than if he had shouted.
So in Brandon's eyes, a woman in love with a married man, who promised to hold back but never really let go, was a saint.
And a wife who simply wanted to keep her husband to herself was heartless.
Millie stared at his face. The same face she had fallen for--intense eyes, prominent nose, beautiful lips.
When had things started to crumble?
Maybe it was the day the woman showed up.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Millie asked, steadying herself.
Brandon said nothing, pursing his lips.
Finally, he opened his mouth to respond. "Yes, you--"
"Alright." Millie cut him off before he could finish.
Brandon looked up, clearly surprised. He frowned, studying her closely.
"Millie, you're getting clever," he said, a flicker of irritation in his voice. "You know I need your consent to go through with it. Are you thinking of using it to get under my skin?"
Millie didn't answer. She just stared at the white wall, watching how their shadows stretched.
Brandon put out his ci**rette andsaid no more, pulling on his clothes quickly and storming out.
He didn't stop to consider how she felt. Nor did he pause to acknowledge how humiliating or painful his request was.
He knew she couldn't leave him.
He was utterly sure about that.
The door slammed shut behind him.
And just like that, Millie was alone.
She sat motionless by the bed, staring at the door as if it might open again.
Her phone buzzed beside her.
A message lit up the screen.
She picked up the phone.
It was from a familiar number. "He came to see me again."
The text came with a photo. Brandon's face was captured in the reflection of a glass door, a soft smile playing on his lips, eyes warm in a way Millie had never seen.
She froze. Then, slowly, she scrolled upward through the previous messages. "He said he has feelings for me."
"Rainy nights aren't lonely for me because he's here with me. What about you?"
"The one who isn't loved is truly the other woman. Millie, you were never his first choice; you were just the one he settled for. He sees beauty the way I do, shares my taste in things, and he loves me."
The messages continued that way, proving Brandon's betrayal.
The man who had always treated her with distance these past seven years had apparently mastered tenderness for someone else.
Millie kept scrolling until she reached the very first message. "You should know who I am. Do you like the flowers in your living room today? I sent them. He said they were beautiful."
Of course, Millie knew who it was.
Vivian Simpson, the famous floral designer known for filling her wealthy clients' grand villas and lavish parties with carefully and beautifully arranged blooms.
Millie had shown Brandon the messages before. He'd brushed them off and said there was no proof they were from Vivian.
He had even said maybe Millie sent them herself just to stir trouble. Most of the messages didn't have pictures, and the few that did were vague--taken from afar, hard to pin down.
But not today's. Today's was clear.
Millie thought about showing him the photo. Then her eyes drifted toward the bedside drawer. She reached down and pulled it open.
There it was. The pr**nancy test result she'd gotten earlier that day.
She was pr**nant with Brandon's child. At the worst possible moment.
Her tears fell, soaking the paper and smudging the ink.
But what did it matter anymore? Brandon's heart had been gone for a long time.
Millie wiped her face dry and picked up the lighter he'd left behind. Flames flickered as she held the test result to the fire.
Brandon had no idea that saying yes to the divorce would be the final thing she'd ever do for him.
She had given him back what she owed--not in money, but in seven full years of her life.
She would never love him again.
Chapter 2 Terminate The Pregnancy
The next day, parked just outside the courthouse, Brandon sat in his Maybach, quietly tapping the steering wheel with his left hand.
"Brandon, you and Millie have been married for a year now. Don't you think it's time to start planning for a baby?" An elderly voice drifted from the phone's speaker.
Brandon's face softened, a trace of frustration flickering through, but his patience didn't waver.
"Grandma, we're still young. There's no need to rush. You and Grandpa should focus on staying healthy. He."
"What do you mean by 'There's no need to rush'?" The elderly voice rose in annoyance.
"Your grandfather's condition might have improved, but we're not getting any younger. We don't know how much time we've got left."
"Grandma."
"Don't give me that! I've heard things, Brandon. Whatever's going on, be good to Millie."
Silence fell over the line for a few seconds.
"Brandon, did you hear me?" the elder asked.
Brandon rubbed his forehead in frustration. "I understand, Grandma."
They exchanged a few more words before he ended the call.
Brandon resumed tapping the steering wheel with his fingers, this time slower, more distracted. He stared through the windshield toward the courthouse.
He clenched his jaw. Then, he opened the messaging app on his phone.
His thumb hovered over a familiar profile picture--a simple floral image, tagged "My Love." He skipped past it and opened the thread with Millie.
The last message he'd sent her simply reminded her of the time and place to meet for the divorce.
She still hadn't shown up.
With a scowl, Brandon sent a new message. "Where are you?"
A knock on the window followed almost instantly. He turned to see Millie standing outside, her face a little pale.
She opened the door and slipped into the passenger seat, giving him a blank look.
He hadn't changed out of yesterday's clothes--the same ones she had picked out for him.
Through the years, it had always been her--choosing his ties, picking his cologne, arranging every detail down to the fit of his tailored shirts and suits.
"Why are you late?" Brandon asked.
Millie looked away.
"I'm not late," she said quietly.
She was simply no longer the girl who would always arrive early and wait for him without thinking.
Brandon's fingers stilled against the wheel. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her.
Millie looked a little pale, maybe from a sleepless night after he mentioned the divorce last night.
Still, she looked fine.
"My grandma called earlier," Brandon muttered, looking away. "Don't tell them about the divorce. They're too old to handle something like that."
Millie didn't respond right away. Instead, she asked, "What did your grandma say?"
"She wants us to have a baby," Brandon said flatly, a flicker of irritation slipping into his voice.
Silence settled in the car.
After a while, Millie let out a small soft laugh.
Brandon curled his hand into a fist and turned his face to the window.
There were moments when he used to imagine what their child might look like.
He remembered holding her from behind, pressing a hand gently over her belly, whispering, "Millie, when will you give me a baby?"
But it hadn't happened.
Anyway, they could always remarry in six months and start planning for a baby. There would still be enough time.
Vivian, however, only had six months left.
Outside, passers-by came and went.
Then Millie spoke up. "Just once more, Brandon. Are you completely sure you want to go through with the divorce?"
"Having second thoughts?" Brandon barked, looking genuinely upset.
Vivian was still waiting for him at the studio.
After confirming once more, Millie didn't say another word. She reached into her bag, pulled out a document, and handed it to Brandon.
He took it with a frown, flipping through the pages. It was a property division agreement.
"If we're getting divorced," she said, "we should make everything clear. I'll only take what I'm entitled to from the Watson family. And from this moment on, anything either of us earns belongs to us individually."
Then Millie pulled out a pen and placed it beside him.
"If that's okay with you, just sign it."
Brandon's eyes stayed on the document, but his frown deepened as he read.
The agreement was too simple. She really wasn't asking for much. And her signature was already there.
He didn't get it.
What was she trying to do? It was basically just a fake divorce.
Vivian only had six months left. He planned to spend those months by her side. After that, he'd return to Millie--no one else needed to know the divorce ever happened.
To him, Millie had always seemed blindly loyal.
Brandon had never thought of her as someone with pride or boundaries.
There was a time he'd grown bored of her, pushing her into things that chipped away at her pride on purpose.
But Millie never declined.
She'd still return with a soft smile, holding out the results like a trophy. "Brandon, look--I did it. Isn't it great?"
She was a good wife. Meek. Obedient. For seven years, he'd seen it play out over and over.
If it weren't for Vivian, their marriage probably would have gone on like that.
But.
A flash of memory--Vivian, weak and coughing bl**d, still trying to smile--stabbed at his ch**t. The pain was raw and unshakable.
Brandon looked outside the car window again.
Millie's reflection stared back at him--blank, expressionless.
Was this her way of threatening him?
After all, she had once faked messages to frame Vivian.
She hated Vivian.
Chuckling dryly, Brandon picked up the pen and signed his name.
No one could force his hand. Not even her.
There were two copies of the agreement.
Millie calmly took her copy after he signed both.
They both stepped out of the car and headed into the courthouse. Together, they filed for divorce.
Next time they came back here, they would finalize everything and collect the official decree.
Once all the formalities were done, the two of them stepped out of the courthouse together.
The sun was already blazing, and the warmth settled on Millie's skin.
Brandon scanned the people moving about.
It wasn't hard to tell the couples getting married from those getting divorced. Some people chose to have their weddings at the courthouse.
A couple walked by, hand in hand.
The woman's smile triggered something in Brandon. He remembered that same look on Millie's face a year ago, when they first got married.
Brandon glanced over at Millie, but her face was blank.
"I'll keep transferring money to your account during the next six months," he said. "And don't say anything to my grandparents."
He didn't wait for a reply. Just turned and walked off.
Millie stood there quietly, watching his car disappear around the corner.
Her cab arrived not long after.
And then, the two cars went opposite directions.
One turned toward Vivian Floral Design.
The other headed for Crobert Hospital.
Brandon walked into Vivian's studio, where she greeted him with a gentle smile.
He told her, "It's done. She didn't make a scene."
Meanwhile, Millie stepped into the ob-gyn wing and quietly sat opposite the doctor.
The doctor reached over and pulled the curtain
"Millie. are you sure you want to terminate the pr**nancy?" Her best friend and doctor, Alexia Hussain, looked at her with concern.
"You were so determined to have a baby. You even worked so hard to get yourself ready for co**eption."
Millie reached into her bag and placed the divorce filing receipt on the side table.
"Yes," she replied calmly. "Let's terminate it. I don't want it anymore."
Chapter 3 Signs Of Miscarriage
Alexia stared at the filing receipt, surprised.
She and Millie had been close friends for more than ten years, and in all that time, Alexia had seen just how hard Millie loved Brandon.
There was a time Millie could have died for him, and nobody would have questioned it.
They got married a year ago. Alexia had smiled at the wedding, even though something about their pairing felt off.
But still, Millie had gotten what she wanted. That had been enough for Alexia.
Now this.
What had happened?
"I don't love him anymore," Millie said, before Alexia could ask.
She looked over and gave a small, calm smile.
In that smile, Alexia caught a glimpse of the old Millie--the one from before everything collapsed, before grief carved deep lines into her, before her father's death and the fall of the Bennett family changed her.
It brought Alexia a strange sense of calm.
"Brandon doesn't know I'm pr**nant," Millie said calmly. "And before the divorce becomes final, I don't want to take any risks. It's better if he doesn't know."
If either party changed their mind before the divorce was finalized, they could take back the application, and the procedure would no longer go through.
And that was when Alexia knew that Millie wasn't playing around about divorcing Brandon.
After taking it all in, Alexia did what needed to be done: she booked Millie's medical tests and then advised carefully, "Wait a few days before the surgery."
Millie frowned in confusion. "Why?"
"You know your bl**d type--Rh-negative. It's rare. We need time to prepare bl**d, just in case. I've already contacted the bl**d bank. They said it might take a week."
Millie went quiet. The sadness in her eyes was unmistakable.
She had gotten that bl**d type from her father. And now she missed him all over again.
If he were still here.
"Okay." Millie nodded slowly. A smile tugged at her lips, but her eyes turned red.
"You also have early signs of mi**arriage. You need to be careful these next few days," Alexia added, her voice full of concern.
They'd grown up together, and Alexia knew Millie's sadness too well.
She held Millie's hand. "Wait for me. My shift's almost over. I'll go home with you."
Millie nodded, and then went to wait in the hallway.
She looked down at her stomach.
Early signs of mi**arriage.
Did the baby know what she'd decided and want to leave first?
Pursing her lips, Millie walked toward the lab for the tests.
Her phone buzzed. It was a bank notification.
She had opened a new account--one that Brandon wouldn't know about. She was keeping her money cleanly separate before the divorce was finalized.
Every cent she earned from now on would live in that account.
A second message followed. "Payment for composition and lyrics has been completed. Finance has sent the transfer. Kindly confirm."
Before she married Brandon, Millie had worked quietly as an anonymous songwriter.
Music had always been her first love. Back when her father was alive, life had been generous, and she lacked nothing.
As the Bennett family's only daughter, she had the freedom and the means to grow her gift.
The turns her life had taken had taught her things she hadn't known she needed to learn.
Maybe her father never thought that the pastime he once encouraged would one day be the very thing keeping her afloat.
Millie paused, and then typed back, "Money received. Thank you."
The reply came quickly. "It's what you deserve. You've written a lot of hits over the years. Why don't you return? There's a new show coming up. It fits you perfectly. I've sent details to your email. Reserved a contestant slot just for you."
Millie opened her email. A new message sat at the top, inviting her to join a music competition show.
The format was familiar, like others she had seen before, but this one wanted something original.
She typed out a quick reply. "I'll think about it."
Then she set her phone down. A light cramp curled in her lower belly.
She thought of her father again.
The second time today.
Meanwhile, the Internet was buzzing with updates.
#VivianSimpsonStomachCancer
#FloristVivianSimpsonCountdown
#LastSixMonths
The most trending post was a video featuring a reporter summarizing the news about Vivian.
"Sources confirm that the well-known floral designer, Vivian Simpson, has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. She's been given six months to live. But instead of retreating, she's choosing to document her remaining time--she wants to share her life with the world as it winds down."
The video cut to Vivian. She looked at the camera with a sad smile.
"In these last six months, I'll be posting updates about my life. I'm not doing it for attention. I just want to offer some comfort to others going through the same thing. I hope you all stay strong."
Then the reporter came back on screen.
"There have long been whispers about Miss Simpson and Mr. Brandon Watson, CEO of Watson Group. But Mr. Watson is married. It remains to be seen if he'll reconnect with Miss Simpson during her final months."
In the background, Vivian seemed to have heard that part. She stepped forward, stopped beside the reporter, and gently cut in.
She faced the camera.
"I'm not ashamed to say I like Brandon. He's an incredible man," she said. "I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. But I want to make it clear--I'm not going to break up someone's marriage. That's not who I am."
Having said that, she walked off, leaving the reporter behind.
She wove through the small crowd with a smile and climbed into a waiting car.
The foreign caregiver from Flaville passed her a glass of water, hand paused in midair, unsure.
"You look like you want to say something," Vivian said, her voice cold. "Go ahead. The driver's one of ours."
The caregiver leaned in and lowered their voice. "Miss Simpson, your diagnosis. it's a stomach ulcer. Having our facility change that into cancer is already risky. But now you're sharing it with the public online?"
Vivian gave a sharp laugh, startling the caregiver.
"Your facility--is it a licensed medical facility?" she asked.
The caregiver nodded.
"And does it manage my medical record privately?"
The caregiver gave another nod.
"Is that what my medical record says--that I have six months left because of terminal stomach cancer?"
The caregiver hesitated before nodding again.
"Exactly!" Vivian leaned back with a smile. "It's official, then. No one can question it."
"But you don't actually have stomach cancer. What happens later."
"There are two ways out," Vivian said, cutting in. Her voice was sharper now, her eyes harder. "One: I make a miraculous recovery during treatment at your facility or somewhere else, maybe because of all the love I've received. Two: your facility gets blamed for a diagnostic error and months of wrong treatment."
She turned her face fully to the caregiver, looking more intimidating. "Which option do you prefer?"
The caregiver looked panicked but forced out the words. "I'm sorry, Miss Simpson. I understand. You've already thought everything through."
Vivian gave a short, cold smile.
"Where should we go next, Miss Simpson?" the caregiver asked in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Vivian glanced at her phone. "Crobert Hospital."
The caregiver stiffened. "But--"
"Relax. I'm only going in for pain relief with my medical record," Vivian said, and then reached for her phone and sent Brandon a message, telling him to meet her at the hospital later.
Almost instantly, he replied, "Sure."
Meanwhile, Millie stood in the hospital restroom, a steady ache pulling at her lower stomach. In her hand was a tissue, the smear of bl**d clear against the white.
It was an early sign of a mi**arriage.
Chapter 4 She Would Have No Ties With Brandon
As Vivian made her way to Crobert Hospital, the Internet was filled with comments about her diagnosis. Her name appeared across countless threads.
"To be honest, I think Vivian's brave. She's clear about her feelings as well as boundaries. Quite impressive, actually."
"Exactly. A lot of people like Brandon. As long as she's not wrecking his marriage, her feelings are her own business."
"Her older videos and that livestream from Crest Villa gave me a glimpse into rich people's lives. It's sad she won't be around much longer."
"Who's Brandon's wife, though? She should just let him be with Vivian. The girl has only six months left."
"I know her. It's Millie Bennett, a musician. She stopped working after she got married and became a full-time housewife.".
At Crobert Hospital, Millie's phone kept buzzing. Calls and messages came one after another.
Some people acted concerned. Others wanted information. A few tried to mock her. All of it was about Vivian and Brandon.
Millie had read just enough of the headlines to understand what was going on with Vivian's illness.
She didn't click on anything else.
It didn't matter anymore.
Once the divorce was finalized, Brandon would no longer be a part of her life.
She checked the time. When she looked up, she saw Alexia walking toward her.
"How are you feeling?" Alexia asked, concerned. "Any pain?" She saw the strain on Millie's face and, without needing to be asked, reached out to help her rise.
Millie gave a small smile and shook her head.
She had made up her mind. Some things simply had to be faced.
Alexia understood, but she just sighed and helped Millie up. They took the elevator.
The elevator doors soon opened at the ground floor.
The hospital was packed. Even more than usual. Millie noticed a few reporters scattered in the crowd.
"So many people today. Probably another celebrity here for a check-up," Alexia said.
"They always bring this kind of attention." She stopped at once, her face changing. She had seen something and quickly tried to lead Millie in the other direction.
But there was no point. Millie had already spotted them.
Brandon stood tall, striking in a way that drew attention without effort.
The noise and movement around him didn't touch him--his hair perfectly in place, his suit smooth and sharp, like the chaos didn't dare come close.
Vivian stood beside him. She looked small and weak, her face pale, which made her seem even more fragile.
She lost her balance slightly. Brandon stepped in to catch her, shielding her from the cameras and the crowd.
"Don't look," Alexia said quickly, stepping in front of Millie, her tone sharp with anger.
"Alexia, let's go," Millie said, her voice calm. She had made up her mind; Brandon didn't need to know she was there, and she had no interest in crossing paths with him now.
"Why should we go?" Alexia snapped, growing more furious. "You're not divorced yet. He's still your husband. And he's here holding another woman like it's nothing. It's shameless."
Husband.
Millie looked away, sighing.
There was a time she had secretly smiled just thinking about Brandon being her husband.
But not anymore.
"I don't feel well, Alexia. Let's just go," Millie said, changing the topic.
Alexia gave her full attention now and stopped looking in Brandon and Vivian's direction.
They left. Across the lobby, Vivian glanced over. A flicker of pride passed through her face.
"I'm sorry, Brandon. I didn't mean to drag you into this mess," she said, a tinge of remorse in her voice. "I know you hate being in the spotlight."
"It's fine," Brandon replied. "Let's go see the doctor first." His face stayed calm, but something stirred in his thoughts--something brief, hard to name.
They stepped into the consultation room.
Vivian handed over her medical record to the doctor.
The doctor read through it, slowly, and frowned.
"This looks serious," he said.
Vivian gave a faint smile. "I know," she said quietly. Then she took a slow breath. "Please prescribe something strong for the pain."
"In your current condition, I suggest you stay in the hospital and begin treatment," the doctor said. "You should try. There's still a chance we can extend your life."
"What's the point?" Vivian gave a sad smile.
She brushed away the tears building in her eyes, and then said quietly, "I don't want treatment."
Brandon's fingers curled tighter around hers.
She gave a small shake of her head.
"Doctor, I just want to spend the last phase of my life with some dignity," she said. "So, please prescribe some strong painkillers."
The doctor sighed deeply but finally nodded in understanding.
Outside, reporters were taking photos and recording videos without pause before posting them online.
People watching were emotional.
"Good heavens, this is a real person whose life is ending."
"I cry when I'm in mild pain. I can't imagine what late-stage cancer feels like. But she still manages to smile. She's really strong."
"I couldn't hold back tears when she said she wouldn't go through treatment. Only people who've faced serious illness understand this feeling."
Public sympathy for Vivian reached its highest point.
Vivian soon got her medicine, and as she and Brandon walked out of the hospital, Millie was sitting on a bench nearby. She was waiting for Alexia, who had gone to get the car.
Before Millie could respond to what was happening, paparazzi noticed her and rushed over.
The camera flashes came all at once.
Brandon saw her too. He frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Millie stood up, glanced at Brandon, and then at Vivian's hand resting on his arm.
She didn't speak yet. The crowd didn't give her the chance.
"Mrs. Watson, did you come because of what's online? Are you trying to catch them together?"
"What do you think of your husband being out in public with someone else?"
"Mrs. Watson, what are you planning to do about Vivian?"
People quickly decided that Millie had shown up on purpose--to face Vivian directly, to start something.
Even Brandon thought the same.
He looked annoyed.
"Vivian is sick. Didn't you know?" he barked.
Brandon's voice was brimming with menace.
Millie felt like laughing.
So that was what he believed--that she was picking a fight on purpose with someone who was ill.
Brandon really didn't know her.
Seeing Millie didn't answer, the reporters turned to Vivian, asking questions about breaking up someone's marriage.
Brandon looked at Millie again. "Millie!" he called. He wanted her to defend Vivian.
Like always, he expected her to do what he wanted.
But the will to please him was gone.
She was walking away from him--there was no reason left to obey.
Millie placed her right hand over her stomach. The dull ache was still there.
"I came to visit a friend," she said finally.
She didn't want to say more. Her pr**nancy wasn't something she wanted to share--not before the divorce was finalized, not with all eyes on her.
Her reply to his question earlier was simple.
Having answered Brandon, Millie turned to leave.
But the reporters didn't back off. They crowded in around her.
"Mrs. Watson, people online are asking you to step aside and let Mr. Watson be with Vivian. What do you say to that?"
"Vivian doesn't have long. Are you still going to fight her?"
"Mrs. Watson--"
Millie didn't bother responding; she just wanted to get away.
The crowd, thrilled to see the three of them in the same place at last, had no intention of letting it end.
Brandon stood still, saying nothing, and that silence gave someone the boldness to shove Millie with force.
She staggered, her arms moving at once to shield her stomach.
Chapter 5 To Let Go Of The Past
Millie landed hard, her back hitting the ground first.
Cameras flashed wildly, capturing the fall from every angle.
She looked toward Brandon by instinct. But his face gave nothing--just a cold, still stare.
And in that moment, she understood what he wanted her to do, and it stung her heart.
He wanted her to speak for him. To tell the press it was all a misunderstanding. That Vivian was ill, and he had only come out of concern. That it was kindness, not betrayal.
Clutching her belly, Millie lowered her head and let a faint smile slip across her face.
The sky above was clear, and sunlight streamed through gaps in the crowd. But none of it touched her.
She steadied herself and rose slowly.
Then, without looking back, she said calmly, "I feel sorry for Miss Simpson. But that's all."
Someone nearby, unaware, asked, "So, are you friends with her?"
Millie gave a short laugh. "Friends? No. I wouldn't call someone clinging to my husband a friend."
She turned and waved to Alexia, who had just pulled up.
"Millie!" Brandon called after her, his face red with rage.
But she didn't turn around. She stood tall and kept walking.
Alexia got out and moved quickly toward her friend, scoffing as they left, "You'd think they were the married couple confronting the home-wrecker. Absolutely ridiculous."
Vivian's lips parted to respond. "You."
But Alexia cut in before she could say a word. "What? Tell me I'm wrong. If you're planning to use the press to scare me, go ahead. I've got nothing to hide."
Vivian's face turned even paler, looking as if she might faint.
Reporters scrambled, voices rising all at once.
Alexia ushered Millie into the car, not sparing another glance behind them.
"Don't worry," she said. "She's definitely faking it. I've seen enough of these cases to tell in a second."
Millie gave her a small smile. "I'm not worried about her. I'm worried about you. What if this mess affects your job?"
At a red light, Alexia grinned and nudged her. "Don't forget my dad's the hospital director."
Millie raised an eyebrow. "The same dad you swore you'd never speak to again?"
Alexia shrugged. "You never know when a connection comes in handy. Honestly, sometimes I wish all the powerful people out there were my dads."
They both laughed, the tension slowly easing from Millie's face. As the light turned green, the car moved forward again.
"I've got the afternoon free," Alexia said, stretching. "Whatever you need, I'm ready."
Playing along, Millie turned to her with a sly grin. "Great. I need help with something."
"What is it?" Alexia asked curiously.
"Help me move." She grabbed Alexia's wrist. "You can't back out now."
Alexia gr**ned but gave in.
Before long, the two of them arrived at the house Millie had shared with Brandon, along with a team of movers and organizers.
The house had come together quickly after their rushed wedding.
Everything--furniture and layout--had felt temporary at first. But over the year, Millie had made a home out of it, filling it with warmth.
At least, she tried.
Alexia directed the workers while Millie moved quietly around the room, her hands light on every object. On a shelf, she spotted a bottle of Chanel No. 5.
The first gift Brandon ever gave her. He'd brought it back from a business trip.
He came straight to her from the airport.
He had pulled her into his arms. His ki**es were quick, urgent. They had been just like any young couple in love back then.
She opened the bottle and sprayed it once. The scent filled the room.
She remembered how he had ki**ed her lightly after spraying it on her skin.
"Should I pack this too?" Alexia asked, seeing the perfume.
Millie glanced over and shook her head. "Leave it."
She slipped off the wedding ring Brandon had picked without thought, placing it gently on the table.
But as the movers shuffled back and forth through the space, she paused. Then, quietly, she opened a drawer and put both the perfume and the ring inside.
Soon, the house had been cleared of every trace of her. Only that bottle and that ring remained.
Packing up had been tiring, but once the decision was made, it moved quickly.
It was the same with her feelings.
The wind moved softly through her hair as the car headed toward her new place. Behind her, the mansion faded in the rearview mirror.
Sometimes, to move forward, one had to leave parts of oneself behind.
Millie had things to do.
The fall of the Bennett family, the unanswered questions around her father's sudden death--she was going to find the truth.
Her life had always been shaped by what others needed.
Now it was time to live for herself.
She decided to begin with the music show. It would bring in money, and more importantly, might reconnect her with people linked to her father's past.
She pulled out her phone, found the right contact, and typed her message. "I'm joining the music program.".
Vivian was still crying.
Brandon sat beside her, muttering words of comfort. But his thoughts were filled with the image of Millie standing with her back to him, saying those words.
She had known exactly what he wanted her to say. And she had chosen not to.
He had sent her message after message. She hadn't replied any of them.
She had been acting strangely lately.
The change in her was too sharp, too sudden. She was provoking him on purpose.
She had done it when they filed for divorce. And again at the hospital.
Brandon remembered the look in her eyes the night before, when she asked if he truly made up his mind about the divorce.
She had been sad but also calm.
An unexpected fear filled his heart.
"Brandon, don't be angry at Millie," Vivian said through tears. "I know she's upset. After seeing the videos online, she must've come to confront us. And I understand."
She burst into tears. "After all. I'm the one who took something from her. I'm taking six months from your marriage--what's left of it. If she lashes out at me, I deserve it."
As she spoke, she started coughing--hard.
A second later, she spat bl**d into her hand.
"Vivian!" Brandon jumped up, reaching for his phone to call for an ambulance.
As for Millie's sudden change, he brushed it off as moodiness. In his mind, she wouldn't dare walk away.
Vivian reached out and stopped him, still smiling faintly. "It's the cancer. It's late-stage. This happens. Don't worry."
Her caregiver helped her lie back down.
Brandon turned away, already thinking of confronting Millie. As soon as he left the room, Vivian calmly wiped her mouth and pulled out a small bl**d bag hidden in her cheek.
She laughed. "What do you think he'll say to Millie now?" she asked the caregiver. "I'm honestly looking forward to it."
Then she began to go through the news reports excitedly.
The entire online community seemed against Millie.
"Vivian didn't even go for life-saving treatment--she just wanted pain meds. Millie really made a scene for no reason."
"Vivian's dying, and Millie still wants to pick fights?"
"Mr. Watson and Vivian look perfect together. Like a real power couple."
"Millie's fall was so embarrassing. I cringed."
"Millie, just step aside already!"
"Millie, divorce Brandon!"
"Yeah, divorce Brandon!"
"Divorce!"
Vivian chuckled as she read the comments. Then she sent a message to a contact and gave a few instructions.
"Today's move was perfect. Keep the pressure up. Make sure Millie stays where she is--down. Oh, and find out why she went to the hospital today.".
What happens next?
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&4&
To him, she was the only woman who could give him the perfect s*x. Yet after that night, she vanished. He never imagined the ugly woman he'd been searching for was his Luna. He decisively drove away her despicable ex-mate and publicly declared his love for her.
=====
"You used me! Mating with me was your ladder to power, Roderick! Your Pack climbed the ranks because of me! Now that you've achieved your ambition, you don't need the ugly girl anymore, is that it? But you were willing to mate with me a year ago!"
I sobbed, crying to my mate who just rejected me.
"Oh, spare me!" Roderick rolled his eyes. "Don't act like you didn't know I'd have left you at some point. Hold on, did you really think I'd have made you the Luna of my Pack? I can barely stand the sight of you, Lyric. How do you expect me to take you to Alpha meetings and present you to others? You are disgusting!"
"But I did not give this scar to myself!" I cried bitterly. "And you promised you'd take me to the best doctors. You didn't do any of that, Roderick! It'd have helped!"
"What? Even your own family doesn't care enough to take you to doctors, and you think I would? Quit, dreaming, Lyric and get out of my Pack!"
Tears blurred my vision. It wasn't the first time I was being called ugly, but it hurt more each time it came from Roderick.
I knew Roderick had no love for me when my family paired me with him a year ago.
For a year, we lived like strangers despite being mated. I was still a vi**in as he could not even bring himself to touch me.
It wasn't my fault I was ugly. I was burnt with a silver-base branding iron when I was a kid, leaving a huge scar by the side of my face.
I still didn't know who was responsible for it, but I've had to grow up with this sting of rejection. Even my own family hated me and were embarrassed by my appearance.
But I thought Roderick would be different. I thought he'd love me. Apparently, in a world where ranks mattered the most to Pack Leaders, deceit was bound to happen.
I glared at him. I'd truly loved this man and wished he'd love me back. But now, I wish he'd suffer for what he did to me.
"You are a monster," I gritted the words. "And I hope you pay for this someday."
He threw back his head and laughed, a hollow sound. "Cu**ed Lyric, how exactly is that going to happen? I am currently the third most powerful Alpha now. My Pack is up the ranks while your family is beneath me! There is nothing you can do to me anymore. You have always been and will always be worthless!
"Listen, I have rejected you already, and you have accepted. Although, there is one final formality left, but as far as I'm concerned, you're not longer anything to me. So, get your disgusting face out of my pack! This instant, before I have the guards throw you out!"
His glare was icy, and before I could respond, he walked out.
After I managed to pull myself together, I left Roderick's Pack and decided to head home-to my father's Pack.
I hadn't been home since I moved into Roderick's Pack, and I hoped they'd be willing to take me in.
My family had never really liked me. Everything started falling apart after my mother left-abandoning me when I was four.
My father chose a new mate and suddenly didn't have enough time for me. Then, I got my scar and he became even more distant.
The guards let me through the gate, but when I rang the bell of the lounge, my stepsister and her mother opened up. To my surprise, they wouldn't let me in.
"Go back to Roderick and beg him some more, Lyric. There is no room for you here," Nora said after I explained everything to them.
Despite my attempt to get them to pity me, letting them understand I had nowhere else to go, they ordered the guards to see me out.
They've always taken me to be a disgrace to the family and were happy when I left for Roderick's Pack. Now, they didn't want me back.
By evening, I was seated in a b*r, my favorite b*r-Faceless Drunk.
Over here, they mixed portions strong enough to get a wolf drunk, and you didn't have to worry about being recognized and judged as every customer made use of masks.
It had been my favorite b*r for years. If people had to see my face, they'd think I was getting drunk because I was ugly.
"You're too ugly." I'd heard those words too many times, I could recite them in my sl**p without missing a beat.
But above all, it was Roderick's betrayal that cut deep. It was even more painful that I could not do anything for him.
His Pack was very powerful now, and I was an ugly, rejected girl who didn't even have a family to return to. Nobody could ever want me. What was the point of living?
I emptied the last of my drink and was trying to stand when someone spoke from nowhere: "A refill for the lady, please."
I turned in surprise to find a man taking the seat beside me. The ba**ender nodded and proceeded to get a refill.
I furrowed my brows in surprise as I looked at the newcomer. I couldn't see his face as he was wearing a mask just like me, but something about the way he appeared told me he was sophisticated.
His suit was a Mason Étoile brand, and his watch was an Aristo Tempus watch. An average Wolf couldn't afford these things.
"You've been coming here to drink alone for some time now," he said, surprising me.
His voice. It was soothing and impossible to ignore.
I lowered my eyes, feeling a little ashamed. How can he even tell? "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Your mask." He tipped his chin toward me. "You've never changed it."
Oh. "That means you also come here a lot."
"I do. It's not quite up to my standard, but it's my favorite place. I like it when I don't get judged by anyone."
The barman returned with my drink. I thanked the newcomer before drinking from my glass.
"From the look of things, you must be troubled. I am, too. So, why don't we make a deal, Miss? Have fun for the night and go our separate ways by morning?"
I looked at him in shock. He was offering a one-ni**t affiar!
"But y-you don't even know me," I muttered shyly.
"I do not need to. It is simply for fun."
There was something about the way he spoke. I could tell he was a man who didn't care about the feelings of others and was only out to get what he wanted.
"Although, I must warn you," he asked. "It will be a long night. I have. problems fi**shing on a woman. I never. So, like I said, it is simply for the fun of it."
Huh? He could not cl**ax during in**macy? But I heard that was the best part of it. How could he enjoy in**macy if he had never fi**shed on a woman before? The thought of it was sad.
Despite how absurd it sounded, a part of me was te**ted. I'd always been curious about intimacy. No one has ever liked me because of my scar, not even my mate-ex-mate.
After much conviction from the newcomer, I gave it a thought.
"Can we keep our masks on?" You'll hate me just like the others if you see how ugly I am.
"Sure." He shrugged. "Your wish is my command, Princess."
Princess? My stomach churned.
Oh, no. He didn't know I looked like a monster. If he knew, he'd run off like the others.
I was tempted to cry. Sometimes, I really did wish I were treated like a 'Princess.'
Chapter 2 LYRIC'S POV 02
We left the b*r together, heading to his ho**l as he called it. We drove off in his Arcanis GT. It was one of the most expensive cars in the world.
Whoever this man was, he was filthy rich. Could he possibly be an Alpha?
A part of me had been tempted to ask questions, but none of it mattered. We were simply going to m**e l**e and never see each other again.
It was the best night of my life.
The stranger had been shocked to know I was a vi**in. The entire session, he kept asking if I was fine and needed him to be more gentle.
For the first time, someone cared about my feelings.
But something unusual happened during the process.
Everything had been going so fine until he suddenly jerked and came with a deep gr**n.
I was shocked, but we were both in the moment and could not ask questions.
He got off me almost immediately, sitting on the edge of the b*d.
"That is strange," he muttered to himself.
I was equally confused.
He looked at me, and from how long it was, I could tell he was staring at me like I was a puzzle.
"Who are you?" He ran a finger along my jaw. The touch was electric.
I swallowed hard. I am just an ugly girl who has been abandoned by everyone she's ever come across.
To my surprise, he took off his mask.
My mouth fell open in shock at the face before me. Good Moon! If he wasn't the most stunning man I'd ever met!
He was too good-looking. I could never have someone like him. He was too good for me.
I pulled the duvet further to conceal my body.
"You should've told me you were a vi**in at the bar," he said.
What did it matter? I didn't care anymore.
Slowly, his hand reached for my face. Realizing what he had in mind, I gasped and recoiled.
"No." I shook my head, gripping the duvet tight.
"Why? You've seen my face."
Still, I shook my head.
"Our deal still stands. There's nothing to be afraid of." He added.
You don't understand! You'll hate me if you see my face.
The night was going too smoothly. I didn't want anything to ruin it.
"I'm ugly." I mumbled, dipping my head.
He seemed surprised.
He reached for my face again and this time, I didn't try to stop him. This was my fate.
He pulled off the mask, put a finger under my chin and tipped my head up to meet his gaze.
Tears glistened in my eyes as I stared into his silver charming eyes.
He was staring right at my face, at my scar. He was going to run away now.
I shivered and closed my eyes when he ran a finger along the scar. What was he doing?
"What happened?" His tone was soft, his fingers still ca**ssing my face.
I met his gaze and so far, there was no resentment in his eyes.
"S-Someone attacked me." I swallowed. "I was abducted and blindfolded while they hurt me. I've visited a lot of doctors, but none have been able to help."
Seconds passed. He didn't take his eyes off me.
"You're beautiful," he murmured. I frowned. What was he talking about? "You really think the scar makes you ugly?"
I shook my head, pulling my face away from his grasp. "I am ugly. Everyone tells me."
More to my surprise, he pulled me in beside him, wrapping his arms around my shoulder. "Until tonight, I don't think I've ever met a lady as stunning as you, Princess."
My heart quickened as I listened to his heartbeat with my head on his ch**t. Uncontrollably, a tear escaped my eye. He was lying. He only wanted me to feel better.
"Do you think we could adjust our deal? I'd love to spend another day with you," he said, shocking me to the core.
What!? This was not possible.
"I-I-"
"Please."
My heart melted instantly. For the first time in my life, I was being begged to stay. Not leave.
I buried my face in his ch**t as I responded: "I'd love to.".
But like everyone else, he lied to me.
Like everyone else, I was deceived.
By morning, he was gone.
I woke up and couldn't find him. There was no note, no trace that he had even been with me aside from the ache in-between my legs.
And to make it worse, someone showed up at the door, asking me to leave.
"The man I came with last night, do you think he'd come back?" I asked the man, my heart racing in my ch**t.
"No. It was his idea to get you to leave. He said he doesn't want to see you anywhere near this property. Please, leave this instant," the man said and left.
And just like that, my heart was shattered all over. But surprisingly, it hurt more than when I had been rejected by Roderick.
Chapter 3 LYRIC'S POV 03
"I'm sorry, ma'am; but I'm here to pick someone. I can't give you a free ride, if that's what you're asking." I struggled to hold back my laughter as I listened to Rufus, one of my father's oldest guards say, his eyes darting past my shoulder, looking out for the person he had been assigned to pick from the airport.
"I know. You have been sent to pick Lyric Harper, right? It's me, Rufus."
His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "You still haven't told me how you know my name. And. And how can you be Lyric? It's not possible." He shook his head. "Lyric is-"
"Ugly?" I finished for him, a broad smile on my face.
He frowned as he shook his head. Back then, Rufus was the only one that had never been able to call me ugly.
He was among the very few that had cared about my feelings, and even now, to a stranger, he still couldn't call me ugly.
I laughed. "Well, would it help if I reminded you that your favorite soup was butternut squash and you and little Lyric used to play Chutes and Ladders?"
Recognition beamed in his eyes. His jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Seraphis have mercy! Lyric, it's really you!" He opened his arms, and I didn't hesitate to fall in for a warm hug.
Back then, Rufus and I barely had time together, but he always made the few times we met worth it. He was the closest thing I had to a parent.
"How is this possible?" He inquired after asking how I was. "Your face. My goodness! You look gorgeous! You've only been gone for five years and. I-I can't believe this."
"It's a long story, Rufus. But for now, let's just say fates decided to smile on me."
"Oh, Lyric! You do not know how happy I am to see you. I am sure your father must be delighted seeing you're not.un-beautiful anymore." I laughed at his attempt not to use the word 'ugly' on me.
Well, as for my father, I rolled my eyes in my head. I felt a little sad that I was forced to return here after five years because of him. My life was perfect in Draconis.
"Here. I'll take this to the car," Rufus said, taking my luggage.
"You do that and I'll meet you in the car. I need to pick up an extra luggage. Don't worry, I'll be quick."
I turned around and had barely taken three separate Rufus called my attention, "You dropped something."
Looking at the floor, I found the scanned image. My heart jumped into my throat as I quickly crouched to retrieve it.
Rufus watched with me with surprise. Obviously, he had seen the X-ray and would be wondering why the h**l something of that nature had been in my back pocket.
Oh, Lyric. You couldn't be a little careful?
"It's-It's not mine," I cleared my throat, hoping my lie was plausible. I mean, who carried X-ray photos of fetuses in their back pocket?
Tucking it back into the pocket, I hurried away.
I had my hands crossed over my ch**t as I waited at the collecting center. My extra luggage would be brought to me at any moment.
As I waited idly, disturbing thoughts ran through my mind. Father wanted me home for two reasons. The first was to completely cut ties with Roderick.
In our world, when two wolves were getting mated, they tied a ribbon as a sign of their union and had it stored in a temple.
So, when they wanted to part ways, there were two steps involved. First, they'd have to denounce themselves as mates with the words of their mouths, and secondly, cut the ribbon together.
After Roderick denounced me as his mate, we didn't get the chance to see each other again. Circumstances happened that pulled me away.
But now, he was desperate to finish the final steps. Apparently, he'd chosen a new mate but couldn't accept her when he was still partially bound to me.
Well, I'd been looking forward to the day when I get to end things with the as**ole. He was my past, and the st**id ribbon was the final thing holding us together.
"Excuse me, Ms. I'd like a moment of your time, please," someone said behind me.
I turned to see a well-built man in a black suit and dark shades over his eyes. I didn't need anyone to tell me he was a guard.
"Can I help you?" I furrowed my brows.
"Kind of. The Alpha over there demands an audience with you."
I looked to where he pointed-a mini b*r-but couldn't see the man he was referring to. His face was shielded by a counter.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. These days, it was tiring. It was obvious there would never be a day where I'd step out without garnering attention from the opposite gender.
"I'm in a hurry. Tell him I'm sorry." I responded.
The guard's jaw tightened. "You can't ignore him." I read the unspoken words from his tone: He's a powerful Alpha. You can't simply ignore his request.
But I really wasn't interested in meeting anyone. "I'm sorry. I really am."
I looked away. It was disrespectful to ignore an Alpha's call.
In a world where ranks mattered, he could be one of the powerful ones and could punish me severely, but I really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.
"It's Alpha Roderick of Nightshade." The guard added as if to entice me. But he had no idea, he had just reopened old wounds.
My eyes moved to him, then quickly flicked to the b*r where the man was seated.
Roderick? As in my ex-mate Roderick? The one I was here to end things with? No way.
My ch**t tightened with pain and it was all I could do to keep my emotions intact.
"More reason not to see him," I mumbled, turning away.
"Did you say something?"
"I said I am not seeing him." I gritted the words, my nails digging into my palms.
The guard gave me a disapproving stare before walking away, and I released a shaky breath.
Now, where the h**l was my luggage?
I met one of the workers and demanded an update, and he assured me it'd be here any minute.
Unfortunately, they were not fast enough as shortly, I saw Roderick approaching me.
Chapter 4 LYRIC'S POV 04
Roderick Fletcher.
The one man I'd hoped would love me but never did.
The mind was a bi**h. I thought I was over Roderick's betrayal and wouldn't feel a thing when I met him.
But watching him as he approached me, looking like he was the one in charge made my eyes rim with tears.
I sniffled and looked away, forcing the tears back in.
"So, I had to come over to speak to you myself," he leaned against the counter beside me. "How daring."
My throat was tight, unable to find any words. I feared there would be a crack in my voice if I managed to speak.
Three guards hovered beside him, their eyes darting around. Roderick looked sophisticated, like he'd obviously been having a good life.
What was he even doing here? Was he picking someone?
"What's the name?" He tilted his head as he asked.
I said nothing, won't even look at him.
"Hello?"
"I don't feel like disclosing my name to strangers," I finally managed. My voice was tight.
His eyes beamed with amusement. And here was a man who never smiled at me when we were together for one year.
"Let's just say I'm overly excited today," he sighed.
"I'm here, waiting for a certain bi**h to arrive." When I gave him a puzzled look,he added, "Ex-mate. We are through with the first step and just have the tiny little step to go. I'd finally be free of her."
I scoffed. He was unbelievable.
"I'd have done this sooner, you know? But the horrid girl has been missing for years. Stressed us the h**l out to find her." He spoke with raw disdain.
"What makes you call her horrid?" I found myself asking before I could stop.
He chuckled. "Trust me, honey; she's a monster. If you see her, you'd have the same opinion. She's the ugliest thing I've ever seen."
Something hot exploded in my ch**t. It was all I could do not to let my emotions rush out.
No. This was not the right place.
But Roderick was the true monster. He had no idea he was standing before the very woman he despised. What would proud he do if he gets to know?
It made sense why he was waiting at the airport. He clearly wanted to drag me to the temple to cut the ribbon. Well, I wouldn't let him humiliate me in public. Not again.
Fortunately, my luggage finally arrived.
"Sorry for the delay, ma'am," the young man said as he rolled it to me.
Not looking at Roderick, I made to leave. That must have surprised him. "I'd love to speak to you some other time. Your contact, if you don't mind."
For a moment, I stood with my back to him, contemplating my words. I turned around when I found the most polite one I could give; "Even if I have to give up my number to save myself from you, I wouldn't do it. Alpha."
When my words sank in, surprise danced in her eyes, followed by a hint of hurt.
Something blossomed in my ch**t. It was pride.
So, I rolled my luggage away, leaving him standing there in shock.
****†****†
Rufus and I arrived home to the party. It was my stepmother's birthday party.
Not that I had any intention of attending-may the moon forbid it-I just arrived at a coincidentally perfect time.
I wasn't dressed for the party. Had my simple jeans and shirt on with my hair in a ponytail. Yet, when I entered the hall, heads turned in my direction.
I felt awkward for a moment. The whole attention thing was still new to me.
I never knew I could receive so much compliments until I was free of my scar. Now, people could hardly stare at me without telling me how beautiful I was.
My stepsister, Nora, walked up to me with a smile. "Hi! You're a little late for the party. What's your name?"
Typical Nora. From young, she's always wanted to be friends with the hot girls. She despised me so much as I brought a 'stain' to her name. A scarred lady being her sister.
Five years ago, she had slammed the door inh face, not letting me in despite my pleas. Now, she was being all nice.
"I'm not here for the party," I answered her coldly and looked away, scouring around for my father.
I found him in a corner with my stepmother and some guests. He was the reason I was here. I needed to know what was so urgent aside from cutting ties with Roderick.
He had his eyes on me, staring suspiciously. I went toward him.
"Hey! Who are you?" Nora came after me, sounding a little hurt.
But I ignored her until I reached father.
My father was a well known Alpha, hence the party filled with dignitaries. I did well to bow my head to them as I stood before father.
"Who are you?" My stepmother asked.
I met her gaze with a smirk. "Am I that different that you can't recognize me?" I looked to father. "What about you, father? Am I too different?"
Audible g**ps rippled around me. Nora's hand went over her mouth.
"It's not possible," she muttered, shaking her head.
"Lyric?" Father's eyes were filled with shock and recognition.
"Who's this impersonator?" My stepmother snapped. "Do you think we lack knowledge of what Lyric looks like? You think we'd fall for this scam?"
I focused my gaze on dad. "I'm only here 'cause you said there was something important you needed to talk to me about. If you don't mind, I'd like for us to have that conversation now."
Father took me to his study, leaving numerous shocked persons behind who couldn't utter a word.
I wouldn't deny how good it felt to know I was the reason they were speechless. They couldn't call me ugly. As a matter of fact, I'd never be called ugly by anyone, ever again.
"What happened to you, Lyric? Your scar was impossible to get rid of," Father asked.
"I don't wish to discuss it now." Or the horrible things that happened within five years. I was still trying to run from them. "Just tell me why you needed me here."
"Yes, that." his countenance soured. "You have no idea how happy I was when. I found you after searching for years. You just. vanished." He sighed.
"We have a problem, Lyric. Our Pack is in a deep mess with Darkspire. I-I made some mistake and lost a lot of money-a whole lot-making me indebted to Darkspire."
Okay, I did not like where this was headed.
Darkspire was a generational wolf pack, known to produce only the strongest Alphas. The Alphas that always ranked first in the hierarchy system. They were avoided as much as possible as they were known to be vicious. One did not get tangled with them for any reason.
"If word of this gets out, we'd be doomed. We'd go down the ranks, and coming from a pack that was used to being at the top, believe me, it is not a good thing for us. But they're willing to let it go."
I furrowed my brows. It didn't make any sense. I sensed a huge 'But' coming.
"But they need a Luna from this family, for just a year."
Chapter 5 LYRIC'S POV 05
It had to be a joke. Or at the very least, not what I was thinking.
Father's eyes turned more serious as he moved toward me.
"I thought of offering Nora to him, but she's already with someone else, and the Alpha King might become furious if he thinks we're trying to offer him someone else's woman. This is the reason you're the only choice we have, Lyric. And. you have no idea how perfect it is that you have your face back. Initially, I had been worried we'd have issues with the Alpha King accepting you, but now, I am confident he'll be thrilled."
"Hold on," I scoffed, placing a hand on my thigh. "Please don't tell me you made me travel all the way from Draconis just to be told that I am about to be sacrificed to a demon."
No wolf was stranger to the name ' Darkspire'. Even me who knew little of Pack matters still knew how dangerous they were and nobody wanted to have anything to do with them; not in this life, not in another.
"Alpha Jaris is not a demon," Father said with surprise.
"But that is exactly what he is. Years ago, you said the same thing."
Alpha Jaris Dreadmoor was the most vicious man I'd ever heard about. Tales of how he had conquered his enemies-and sometimes, his friends-were no news to the Pack.
Being from a family that produced only the strongest Alphas, he was currently the Alpha King of Darkspire, a man everyone feared and didn't wish to end in his bad books.
I didn't know what he looked like. I'd never been privileged enough to meet someone like Jaris Dreadmoor. Not that I ever wanted to.
"There are rumors that he k**led his own father and brother!" I raised my hand in the air. "How do you want me to be with someone like that?"
"Those are mere speculations, Lyric. Besides, you'll only be with him for a year."
"You don't need a year to k**l someone, dad. All it takes is a minute, tops. But for someone like Jaris, I'm sure half a minute would do. Besides, why does it even have to be for a year?"
From what I heard, Darkspire didn't have a Luna yet since Jaris' rise to ascension. But if he wanted to take up a Luna, wouldn't it be long term or something? Why was he only asking for a year?
"Honestly, I don't know, Lyric."
"And you don't care," I cut in, pain edging toward my heart. "All you care about is giving him a Luna so you can get the problem off your back. You don't care about the problem you're putting on mine."
For a fraction of a second, wonder flashed across his face. The Lyric he knew would never argue with him. She'd have humbly agreed to anything he wanted.
Well, let's just say I got to know my worth when I realized how beautiful I was. This Lyric was tired of being people's puppets.
Father came close enough to take my hand. This time, he looked so troubled, I feared he might go on his knees.
"Lyric, please." He gave my hand a little squeeze. "This is the last I'll ask of you as your father. Just do this for me, for only a year. And I promise, you'll make me the happiest father."
*****
Hours later, I stood in my room-or what used to be my room-staring at my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing a long red dress with my hair falling over my shoulder.
I was fully ready to meet Alpha Jaris, even though I'd rather I don't.
Something didn't feel right. Him wanting a Luna for only a year.it was wrong. But father had nearly gone on his knees begging me earlier.
I could disappoint him. Besides, before he got mated to his second wife, there were times he'd been good to me.
I tried to resist the te**tation as I stared at the drawer before me. But failing woefully, I still opened it and retrieved the scan. My heart fractured completely, old wounds reopening.
It was the one picture in the world that had the power to k**l me every single time I looked at it, yet it was like a d**g to me. I was addicted and could barely go an hour without touching it. Feeling it.
A tear dropped from my eye as I glided my finger across the images outlining the shapes of the unborn babies in the womb.
Five years, yet still the best thing that's happened to me. And the worse. But I'd rather hold onto the fact that it was the best.
It hurt so bad staring at them, but I couldn't stop.
The sound of someone trying to open my door broke into my thoughts.
I jerked back to reality and quickly hid the picture. I'd made sure to lock the door a while ago, not wanting anyone to see me with the photo.
Getting the door, I found Nora, fuming.
"How did you get rid of your scar?" Her voice blared with indignation. "And what exactly is your plan? You want everyone to see the beautiful you, don't you?"
I rolled my eyes, my earlier pain dissolving temporarily. "Please, don't tell me you knocked on my door just to whine about how good I look. What, you really thought I'd look that heinous forever?"
Her glare turned even icier. "Well, just so you know, this won't change a thing between you and Roderick. Soon, he'll be here, both of you would go to the temple and finish your breakup."
It dawned on me instantly. Oh, no.
"Wait," I blinked. "You and Roderick?"
A triumphant smile played on her lips. "Years ago, things didn't work between us. But now, he's ready to choose me."
Well, if Roderick wasn't a bigger ba**ard.
"Ugh, you disappoint me, Nora. Using my leftovers?" I tsked. "Considering you've always thought yourself the pretty one, I expected better from you."
A tense glare pulled her brows together. She opened her mouth to say something, but I caught her off.
"You don't have to worry. I'm done with Roderick and can't wait to fully end things with him." I slammed the door in her face.
A while later, father and I arrived Darkspire in one of his luxury cars. The Pack, which was known to be the biggest and wealthiest, was just as beautiful as people said.
I was dazzled by the sight and couldn't believe for a moment that I'd be Luna here.
Alighting our car, father and I were led into one of the buildings by some maids while his guards remained outside.
The Grand Luna-Jaris' mother-was in the large living room to welcome us.
"Bennett! I am so glad you made it," the Luna said, her eyes holding little amusement.
"Greetings, Luna." I dipped my head.
She regarded me with surprise. "Is this your daughter?" She asked dad. "Well, bless Seraphis, she's gorgeous!"
I couldn't help my smile. Luna Isolde, during her time, was a formidable Luna.
She had ruled beside her late husband with an iron fist, destroying everyone who dared cross her path. I'd always wished to meet her.
"Please, come sit while we wait for Alpha Jaris. He'll be joining us shortly," she showed us to the couch.
Her version of 'shortly' turned out to be almost an hour later. Father and I were already exhausted and kept staring at the door, wondering how long it'd take the Alpha to arrive.
Wasn't he aware he'd be having guests? His. new Luna?
At a point, Isolde looked angry and left. When she returned, she reassured us he'd soon be here. And indeed, he did come.
The air shifted in the room the second the door opened, revealing a man and two others behind him.
The Luna drew in a breath of relief as she rose to her feet. Father and I did same.
It was easy spotting who the Alpha was as the two other men flanked him. But the moment I had a clear view of his face, my world shattered.
No. No.
Horror gripped my ch**t, squeezing it until I felt pain. This had to be some twisted joke.
Because how in Selene's name was I staring at the face of the very man that had ruined me five years ago?.
What happens next?
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&5&
*RENEE*
When I got home that evening, I found my parents and my sister, Catherine, seated on the couch. It seemed as if they were waiting for me.
My father, Rocco, stood up to his feet.
"Catherine just told us that you found out about her involvement with Andrew."
"So you all knew she was having an a**air with Andrew?"
"Well, they like each other. It's only natural they got together."
I almost laughed at that. "What about me?"
"Jessica King is searching for a wife for her son. The prize money could change our life forever. You are going to marry Marcelo King."
"What are you saying! Marcelo is Andrew's cousin. I was Andrew's fiancée until a few hours ago, and now you want me to be the wife of his cousin?!"
"Yes. I told Jessica you and Andrew ended things, and she said she's okay with it as long as you are capable of taking care of her son."
"Why should it be me who has to marry Marcelo?! What about Catherine?!"
"Oh, sh*t up!" My mother, Grace, yelled as she stood up. You would have been dead if it wasn't for us! And now you expect *my* daughter to marry a cripple?!"
Tears pricked my eyes.
This was the saddest part of it all. I wasn't related to the Hudsons.
Grace moved closer to me. "If you can't do this for anyone, then do it for Nana. You know that if things were up to us, we'd have stopped funding her medication. She's old anyway, and it's time she dies."
"Don't you dare say that!" I yelled tearfully.
Nana had been the family's housekeeper for years. She had fallen sick a year ago. She was the only person who had ever shown me genuine love.
My fists clenched.
Maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all. This could give me the freedom. I could also pay for Nana's medical bills.
"Fine. I will marry Marcelo King."
************
Renee's foster family and cheating ex thought she was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man.
But this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
&7&
Chapter 1
A spike of pain, sharp and blinding, ripped through the darkness. It was the first thing she felt. The second was heat, a suffocating, damp heat that clung to her skin like a second layer of clothing.
Her eyelids felt glued shut. Forcing them open took a physical effort, a command sent from a brain that felt like it was submerged in syrup. The room was black, unfamiliar. The scent of expensive perfume and stale ch**pagne hung in the air.
She tried to sit up, but her body refused to cooperate. It felt heavy, wrong. A wave of nausea rolled in her stomach. She reached a hand to her face, and her fingers met puffy cheeks, a constellation of bumps across her skin. Acne.
This wasn't her face.
Memory fragments slammed into her consciousness, a high-speed collision of two entirely different lives.
Eliza Solis. From the trailer park on the edge of town. Her brother, Ricky, told her to come to this party. He said it was a chance.
The memory was weak, hazy, like a poorly recorded home video.
Then another, colder and sharper than a shard of ice, sliced through the fog.
Nyx. Asset Nine. Hand-to-hand combat specialist. Expert in infiltration and data analysis. Target neutralized.
The two realities warred inside her skull. The pain intensified, a physical manifestation of a soul being torn in two. She was Eliza, a girl who weighed over 180 pounds and dreamed of escaping her life. She was Nyx, a weapon honed by a government that would deny her existence.
She was both, and it was breaking her.
The heat inside her body was building, a chemical fire spreading through her veins. It wasn't just confusion. It was a d**g. Her training, the Nyx part of her, screamed the diagnosis. She'd been dr**ged.
A sound from across the room. The click of a door.
She froze, her body tensing with an instinct that the soft flesh of Eliza Solis had never known.
The bathroom door swung open, spilling a sliver of light into the room. A silhouette stood there, tall and broad-shouldered. He swayed slightly, one hand braced against the doorframe.
He was a soldier. The rigid posture, the economy of movement even when impaired-it was unmistakable.
"Who the h**l are you?" His voice was a low growl, thick with the same dr**ged haze that clouded her own mind. "Get out."
He took a step forward. Julian Malone. The name surfaced from Eliza's murky memories. The golden boy. Son of a dynasty.
His eyes, even in the dim light, were unfocused, pupils blown wide. He was fighting the d**g, she could see it. But he was losing. Just like she was.
The chemical fire inside her reached its peak. Logic, reason, the cold control of Nyx-it all melted away, leaving only a primal, desperate need. It wasn't about pleasure. It was about survival, about two drowning people clinging to each other in a storm.
It was a collision of bodies in the dark, a frantic, graceless struggle driven by a poison they couldn't fight.
The world returned with the sound of a door splintering off its hinges.
Sunlight, harsh and unforgiving, flooded the room. A cacophony of clicks and flashes erupted, a machine-g*n volley of cameras capturing every detail of their shame.
Eliza's head throbbed. The man beside her, Julian, shot upright. The dr**ged fog was gone, replaced by a sharp, cold fury. He moved with lightning speed, grabbing the silk sheet and wrapping it around her, shielding her from the cameras. His touch was rough, impersonal, like handling a piece of contaminated evidence.
A woman shrieked. "Julian!"
Beatrice Malone, Julian's mother, stood in the doorway, her face a mask of horror and disgust. Beside her, his father, Harrison, looked like he was carved from stone, his expression grim.
Behind them, a smaller, more frightened group was being pushed forward by the tide of reporters. Eliza's parents. Her mother, Brenda, had a hand over her mouth, her face pale as a gh**t. Her brother, Ricky, was there too, his eyes wide.
Julian's gaze swept the room, taking in the reporters, his family, her family. His eyes, clear and sharp now, were filled with a murderous rage. He understood. This was a setup. A perfectly executed character assassination.
An older man with a ramrod-straight back stepped forward. A retired general, the patriarch of the Malone clan. He surveyed the scene, his face unreadable. Then he spoke, his voice booming over the chaos.
"There is only one way to handle this," he declared, his eyes locking onto Julian. "For the good of this family, you will marry her."
"Absolutely not!" Beatrice's voice was venomous. She pointed a trembling finger at Eliza. "We will not have that. that trailer park tr**h sullying our name! She will ruin him!"
Ricky, her own brother, avoided her gaze, muttering under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear, "God, Eliza. I told you this was a chance, not. not this. How could you mess it up so badly?"
Through it all, Eliza-Nyx-remained silent. She was an observer, a data analyst processing a catastrophic intelligence failure. The body of Eliza Solis was a pawn. And now, she was the one left to play the game.
Julian's jaw was a hard, tight line. He looked at his grandfather, then at the reporters, their cameras still flashing. He was trapped. A scandal of this magnitude would derail his military career, jeopardize the billion-dollar defense contracts his family's company was vying for.
He made the calculation. The cold, hard math of damage control.
He turned his head, and his eyes met hers. The look in them was pure, undiluted loathing. He wasn't looking at a woman. He was looking at a contamination he was now forced to contain.
"Fine," he bit out, the word sharp enough to cut. "I'll do it."
The general nodded, his expression unchanged. "Lawyers will draft the prenuptial agreement. The wedding is in one week."
The chaos subsided into a tense, controlled retreat. Brenda rushed forward, pulling a robe around Eliza's shoulders, her hands shaking. She guided her daughter out of the room, through the gauntlet of silent, judging eyes.
In the car, the silence was heavy. Brenda was crying softly, tears tracing paths down her worn cheeks. She reached over and took Eliza's hand, her grip surprisingly strong.
"Don't be scared," she whispered. "Mom's here."
Eliza looked at this woman, this stranger who was her mother. She felt the warmth of her hand, saw the genuine fear and love in her eyes. But inside, where Nyx resided, there was nothing. No fear. No gratitude. Only the cold, clear assessment of a new reality.
A compromised body. A forced marriage. A powerful, hostile family.
Her mission was simple.
Survive.
Chapter 2
The wedding day felt like a state funeral.
Eliza sat before a gilded mirror in a dressing room at the Malone estate. The room was opulent, suffocating in its luxury. A makeup artist worked diligently, applying layers of foundation like spackle over a crumbling wall. It couldn't hide the acne, but it created the illusion of a smooth surface.
In the reflection, a stranger stared back. A woman in a white dress that was far too expensive for the body it contained.
The door opened and her cousin, Hephzibah Pruitt, glided in. She was one of the bridesmaids, dressed in a pale gold gown that highlighted her slim figure and sun-ki**ed skin. Her smile was bright, brittle, and utterly fake.
"Eliza, honey. You look. presentable," she said, her eyes doing a quick, dismissive scan. "Who would have thought? A girl from the trailer park, landing Julian Malone."
Eliza didn't respond. She simply watched her cousin in the mirror. Nyx's training kicked in, analyzing the micro-expressions. The slight tremor in the corner of Hephzibah's smile. The way her eyes darted towards the door. She was nervous. And malicious.
"The makeup artist can take a break," Hephzibah announced, waving a dismissive hand. "I have a special gift for the bride."
Once they were alone, Hephzibah produced a small, exquisitely wrapped box. She opened it to reveal a limited-edition pressed powder compact.
"Every bride needs a little touch-up," she cooed, her voice dripping with false sincerity. "Let me do it for you. To make you absolutely radiant."
She opened the compact. As the lid lifted, no unusual scent emerged, only the cloying floral perfume of the powder. But Nyx's senses, trained to perceive the imperceptible, detected a subtle shift in the air pressure around the compact, a faint shimmer of airborne particles under the light that betrayed the presence of a weaponized agent. It was BZ, an odorless military-grade hallucinogen designed to be undetectable to the common person.
The plan was simple. Make her have a psychotic break at the altar. Turn the sham wedding into a complete circus, cementing her as a lunatic in the eyes of the world.
Eliza let a slow, greedy smile spread across her face, a perfect imitation of the girl she was supposed to be. "Oh, wow. That's so expensive. For me?"
She took the compact, her fingers brushing against Hephzibah's.
A flicker of triumphant contempt crossed her cousin's face. "Of course, honey. Only the best for you today."
Hephzibah took the powder puff, dabbing it generously. She leaned in, her smile widening as she brought the puff towards Eliza's cheek.
In that instant, Eliza moved.
Her hand shot out, her fingers wrapping around Hephzibah's wrist like a steel clamp. The motion was a blur, impossibly fast for a body of her size.
Hephzibah gasped, a yelp of pain escaping her lips. The powder puff fell from her nerveless fingers.
"What are you doing?" she stammered, her eyes wide with shock and fear.
Eliza smiled, but it was Nyx's smile. Cold, sharp, and devoid of all warmth. "A gift this nice," she said, her voice a low, chilling wh**per, "it would be a shame for you not to try it first, cousin."
With a smooth, powerful twist, she turned Hephzibah's hand back on itself. She picked up the powder puff with her other hand and, before her cousin could scream, pressed it firmly against Hephzibah's powdered cheek, smearing a thick, chalky white streak across her skin.
The door swung open again. Hephzibah's mother, Temperance, swept in with a gaggle of other relatives, their faces arranged in practiced, polite smiles.
The smiles vanished.
They saw Eliza, the trailer park girl, gripping a whimpering Hephzibah's wrist, her face a mask of what looked like pure aggression.
"What is the meaning of this?" Temperance shrieked, rushing forward. She began clawing at Eliza's arm. "You ungrateful lunatic! How dare you attack my daughter after she was kind enough to help you!"
Eliza let go, stumbling back as if pushed. She arranged her face into an expression of fear and confusion, playing the part of the overwhelmed, bullied girl.
"She's crazy!" Hephzibah sobbed, running to her mother. "She just attacked me for no reason!"
A chorus of accusations filled the room. "Violent." "Tr**h." "She doesn't deserve to be here."
Eliza stood silently and watched.
Then, it began.
Hephzibah's eyes went glassy. A slow, silly grin spread across her face. She giggled. Then she pointed a shaking finger at a gilded mirror.
"The walls," she whispered, her voice filled with awe and terror. "The walls are crawling with snakes."
The d**g had taken hold.
The room fell silent. Hephzibah began to scream, tearing at the bodice of her bridesmaid dress, babbling about spiders in her hair. She shoved her own mother away, calling her a monster with a thousand eyes.
It was a complete psychotic breakdown, happening in real-time.
Eliza calmly bent down and picked up the fallen powder compact. She looked at Temperance, whose face had drained of all color. The woman understood. She understood what her daughter had tried to do, and she understood the terrifying precision of Eliza's response.
Eliza walked over to the estate's head of security, who had been drawn by the commotion. She handed him the compact.
"I think," she said, her voice perfectly level, "you should have this tested."
She turned back to the mirror, adjusted a stray piece of hair, and smoothed the front of her wedding dress. When she looked up, every person in the room was staring at her. The disdain was gone. In its place was a new, raw, and unmistakable emotion.
Fear.
Chapter 3
The walk down the aisle was a walk through a field of silent judgment.
The drama in the dressing room had been swiftly contained. Hephzibah was discreetly escorted away, her sudden "illness" attributed to a bad reaction to shellfish. But whispers followed Eliza like a shadow as her father, Earl, walked her across the perfectly manicured lawn.
She saw him standing by the floral arch. Julian. He was in his formal military dress uniform, a cascade of medals on his ch**t. He looked impossibly handsome, and as cold and remote as a distant star.
When her father placed her hand in Julian's, his touch was brief, his fingers cool and stiff. It was like handling a live grenade.
The ceremony was a farce. Julian recited his vows in a clipped, monotone voice, his eyes fixed on a point somewhere over her shoulder. He was completing a mission, nothing more.
When the officiant asked, "Do you, Julian, take this woman." he paused. The silence stretched for a full five seconds. The air grew thick with tension. Every guest held their breath.
Finally, he spoke, the two words sounding like a death sentence.
"I do."
When it was her turn, Eliza answered immediately, her voice clear and steady. It was a business transaction. She was confirming the terms.
He slid the ring onto her finger with a rough, impatient movement. The k**s was a brief, bl**dless press of lips against hers, over before it truly began.
At the reception, the fragile peace shattered.
Beatrice Malone cornered her son near the ch**pagne fountain, her voice a furious, sibilant wh**per that carried across the lawn. Eliza stood alone, an island in a sea of hostility, watching the confrontation.
"You cannot let this stand, Julian! You will not allow this. this creature to carry the Malone name for one day longer than necessary!"
Beatrice's voice rose, shedding any pretense of discretion. "I will not have it! If you don't have your lawyers start the annulment process by Monday, I will freeze your trust fund. You won't see another dime."
Julian's father, Harrison, stood beside his wife, his expression a tacit agreement. "This marriage is a political liability, son. A liability we must neutralize."
Julian's face was a thundercloud. He despised Eliza, but the raw, controlling power of his mother's threat clearly infuriated him. The Malone family was imploding in public, and the guests were eating it up, their eyes wide with morbid curiosity.
That's when Brenda Solis moved.
She marched across the lawn, her jaw set, her cheap dress looking like armor. She planted herself in front of Beatrice, a small, fierce lioness protecting her cub.
"My daughter," Brenda said, her voice shaking but firm, "is Mrs. Malone now. It's legal. It's done."
Beatrice let out a laugh that sounded like breaking glass. "Legal? My dear woman, in our world, the law is merely a suggestion."
Brenda took a deep breath. She pulled out her worn smartphone. "Maybe the law is," she said, her voice suddenly as cold as steel. "But a story is a story." She held up her phone, showing a half-written text message on the screen. "I don't know much, but I know people love drama. A war hero. his rich mom cuts him off 'cause his new wife ain't good enough. I bet some reporter on the internet would pay good money for a tip like that. You want to see if I'm right?"
The effect was instantaneous. Beatrice's face went slack with shock. Harrison's eyes widened. They didn't care about Eliza's feelings, but they cared deeply about public perception, stock prices, and political capital. Julian was on the cusp of a major promotion. A story like that would be poison.
Harrison was the first to recover. He stepped forward, placing a placating hand on his wife's arm. He looked at Brenda, truly looked at her, for the first time. He saw not a piece of trailer tr**h, but a threat.
"Beatrice is just. emotional. She loves her son," he said, forcing a smile. "Of course, we welcome Eliza to the family."
He raised his glass to the guests, making a toast to the happy couple, his voice booming with false cheer. The storm had passed, for now.
Julian shot a look at Eliza and her mother, a look that was impossible to read but held no warmth. Without a word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into a crowd of uniformed colleagues.
Brenda's shoulders slumped in relief. She grabbed Eliza's hand, her palm slick with cold sweat.
"You're on your own now, baby girl," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Eliza looked at her mother's brave, terrified face. And for the first time since waking up in this new world, she felt something stir within her. A flicker of warmth, alien and unfamiliar, in the cold, hard core of Nyx. The warmth was a foreign sensation. Eliza's memories, fragmented as they were, responded to it with a surge of emotion that Nyx had to consciously suppress. This body had attachments. They were a weakness. and a complication.
Chapter 4
The house was a gilded cage.
After the reception limped to a conclusion, Eliza's family drove her to a separate wing of the Malone estate. It was a sprawling, beautifully furnished mansionette, clearly intended for a new couple.
Julian was not there. He had sent a text. "Called back to base. Don't wait up." It was a lie, and they both knew it.
The house was silent, empty. The air was cold.
Her brother, Ricky, whistled as he looked around. "Well, look at you, Eliza. Hit the jackpot." The words were meant to be a joke, but they were laced with a bitter envy.
"Ricky, that's enough," her father, Earl, said, his voice stern.
Before they left, Brenda pulled Eliza aside, pressing a thin plastic card into her hand. A debit card.
"It's everything your father and I have," Brenda whispered, her eyes welling up. "A little over fifty thousand dollars. If they hurt you, you take this and you come home. You hear me? You come home."
Eliza closed her fingers around the card. The weight of it felt immense. The sum total of two people's lives of hard work, offered up without a second thought. The flicker of warmth she'd felt earlier intensified, a small, stubborn flame in the icy landscape of her soul.
She gave her mother a small, real smile. It felt stiff, unused. "I'll be okay, Mom. I can take care of myself."
After they left, she was truly alone. Her first instinct, Nyx's instinct, was to secure the perimeter. She walked through every room, her eyes scanning for threats. She found them quickly. Tiny, nearly invisible lenses embedded in the sm**e detectors and light fixtures. The house was bugged. Every room, that is, except the master bedroom and bathroom. A quick scan confirmed they were clean-likely a professional courtesy, or a hard rule, to protect the privacy of a high-ranking officer like Julian. They were watching her, but they wouldn't cross the line into monitoring him.
Later that evening, a soft knock came at the door.
Eliza opened it to find a young woman holding a dinner tray. She looked to be in her late teens, with the same dark hair and aristocratic features as Julian.
"My mother sent this," the girl said, her tone clipped and hostile. She set the tray down on a nearby table with a clatter. "Don't get used to it."
This was Julian's younger sister, Meredith Malone. The family file Nyx had built in her head supplied the information. Or her identical twin, Genevieve. The file noted they were notorious for switching places, a detail filed away as a potential tactical advantage or complication.
Eliza looked at her, her gaze calm and analytical. She didn't respond to the hostility. Instead, she said, "Thank you, Genevieve."
The girl froze. Her head snapped up, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What did you say? How did you.?"
Eliza's voice was quiet, matter-of-fact. "The piercing in your left ear is a millimeter higher than the one in your right. A common mistake with a piercing g*n. Your sister, Meredith, suffers from mild rhinitis, which causes faint discoloration on the sides of her nose. You're identical twins, but you're not identical."
The girl-Genevieve-was speechless. Her jaw hung slightly open. She and her sister had been switching places since they were children, a game that fooled teachers, friends, even their parents sometimes. Their mother had sent her, the sweeter-tempered twin, disguised as the notoriously difficult Meredith, to deliver a first dose of psychological warfare.
And this woman, this fat, st**id girl from a trailer park, had seen through it in less than ten seconds.
The hostility in Genevieve's face evaporated, replaced by a mixture of shock and awe.
"Who. who are you?" she breathed.
Eliza picked up a fork from the dinner tray. "Tell Meredith that the next time she wants to pull a prank, she should wash her signature perfume off her sister's wrists first."
Genevieve instinctively sniffed her own wrist. The faint scent of her sister's Dior perfume was there. Her face paled.
She watched Eliza calmly begin to eat her dinner, as if she hadn't just performed an impossible feat of observation.
This new sister-in-law was nothing like the rumors. Nothing at all.
Without another word, Genevieve turned and fled the room, her mind reeling.
For the first time since this nightmare began, someone in the Malone family was looking at Eliza Solis with something other than contempt.
They were looking at her with curiosity.
Chapter 5
The bed was the size of a small country, and it was empty.
On the second day of her marriage, Eliza woke up alone. Julian had not come back. A single text message was his only communication: "Urgent mission. Returned to base. Do not contact."
This is yet another escape.
Eliza deleted the message without a flicker of emotion.
She walked to the full-length mirror and took a long, hard look at the body she now inhabited. It was soft, undisciplined, and weak. The excess weight strained the seams of the borrowed pajamas. This was her prison. This was her greatest liability.
For Nyx, her body was her primary weapon. This one was a dull, broken bl**e.
It was time to re-forge it.
In the massive walk-in closet, she found a set of workout clothes, still with the tags on, clearly bought for a much smaller woman. In a drawer, she found a small sewing kit left by the estate's housekeeping staff. Using the tiny, sharp scissors within, she expertly sliced the seams, modifying the garments until they were wearable, if not comfortable.
The early morning mist was cool on her skin as she left the house. The Malone estate backed onto a private mountain range, a sprawling wilderness of trails and trees.
She started to run.
The first ten minutes were h**l. Her lungs burned. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. The soft, unused muscles screamed in protest.
But her mind-Nyx's mind-was a cold, precise machine. She ignored the pain, focusing on her breathing, using the rhythmic techniques of special forces soldiers to regulate her heart rate and oxygen intake.
The estate's gardeners and security patrols watched her pass, their expressions a mixture of surprise and disbelief. The new Mrs. Malone, who they'd heard was lazy and slovenly, was running.
An hour later, she was deep in the mountains. Sweat soaked her clothes, but her stride was now steady, powerful. The body was learning. The mind was in control.
She found a sturdy tree branch and began a set of pull-ups, the motion strained but controlled. She found large rocks and used them for weighted lunges. This wasn't a morning jog. This was a reclamation.
At the top of a ridge, she paused to catch her breath, her eyes scanning the terrain. A sound drifted on the wind. A child's cry, thin and terrified.
Eliza moved toward the sound, her fatigue forgotten.
On the edge of a steep cliff, a small boy, maybe seven or eight, was clinging to a root, his feet dangling over a hundred-foot drop. A small drone lay smashed on a ledge just out of his reach. He had clearly gone after it and slipped.
His screams were choked with panic.
Nyx's brain went into combat mode. Distance: fifty yards. Wind: negligible. Optimal route: direct descent down the shale slope.
There was no time to go around. She planted her heels and slid down the steep incline, using her hands to control the descent, a textbook military maneuver.
Just as the boy's fingers started to slip, she reached the edge. She lunged forward, her hand shooting out and clamping around his wrist.
Her strength, forged in the fire of her training and now being reawakened, was shocking. With a single, explosive pull, she hauled the boy back onto solid ground.
A woman, the boy's mother, came scrambling up the path, her face streaked with tears. "Timmy! Oh, my God, Timmy!"
She saw her son, safe, and collapsed in a heap of gratitude, thanking Eliza over and over. The woman was Wanda Kowalski, wife of a business associate of Harrison's, who had been invited for a weekend stay. Her perception of the new Malone bride was being rewritten in real-time.
"Watch your son," Eliza said, her voice flat. She turned to leave.
But then she saw it. Not the toy drone, but another one, professional-grade, was hovering silently high above, its camera lens pointed directly at them. Its markings were unfamiliar. Not commercial, not estate security. It was observing. Recording. Her rescue was now actionable intelligence for an unknown party. That footage could not be allowed to exist.
Without breaking stride, her hand dipped down and her fingers closed around a smooth, flat stone. In one fluid motion, she spun, her arm whipping forward. Her fingers uncurled, and the stone flew, a dark speck against the bright sky.
There was a faint 'tink' sound that was lost in the rustle of the wind through the pines. One of the drone's four rotors shattered. The machine, small and dark against the vast sky, wobbled, spun out of control, and plummeted into the dense forest far below.
The entire sequence took less than a second. Wanda was on her knees, clutching her son, her face buried in his hair, her own sobs muffling any sound of the distant crash in the dense undergrowth. They saw nothing.
Eliza turned her back on them and started the long run home. Her body ached, but it was a good ache. It was the feeling of a weapon being sharpened.
Nyx was taking back control. One painful step at a time.
&2&