It was already dark when I arrived at the packhouse. The living room was empty, so I thought Maro wasn't yet home. But then I sniffed in the air and caught a faint whiff of his scent. I followed it, and my feet led me to the backyard, where I found a table with a lot of freshly cooked food laid out. Scented candles lit the room, and I could see Marco standing by the table. He picked the flowers on the table and walked towards me with a sheepish smile, saying, "Happy birthday, Fiona."
Marco’s eyes glimmered with tenderness as he pulled out a chair at the table. He gestured for me to sit, and though every instinct screamed at me to leave, I forced myself to stay. This was part of the act, after all—pretending everything was fine until I could disappear from this life for good.
"Where have you been?" he inquired nonchalantly as he sat down beside me in his chair. "I tried reaching your phone."
This was the question I have expected. "I was inspecting our jewelry stores at the city," I countered unflappably.
He leaned over and caressed my shoulders. While I felt my body responding positively to his touch, the mind of me kept shrieking at me to guard myself. "Fiona, are you fine? You seemed tired."
I nodded, pushing the big lump forming in my throat back. "Just a long day," I whispered.
Sorry I wasn't able to be there with you, love. I was supervising at the mines today on-site. You know, these rogue clans have just started hitting up territories left and right. I did not want to leave them vulnerable for this one's safety," he explained kindly.
My heart was breaking at the excuse. So Kira was one of those miners, and he was digging in her cave! "It's okay," I mumbled, trying to muster up a small smile.
He didn't ask for more but instead reached for a stack of brochures on the table. "By the way, I wanted to show you these before dinner," he said, spreading them out in front of me. "These are the new gems we're adding to our stores. Imported from the finest sources."
I nodded, barely looking at the shining stones in the photos. My head was elsewhere, with all my attention to stifle the anger that just barely didn't erupt.
Marco took up another folder, which was thinner. "Also, about the upcoming promotions, I think we should use models this time, not celebrities."
That made me take notice. "Why?" My voice came out harder than I intended.
He shrugged off. "Celebrities are too demanding. Models are more flexible and easier to work with. It's better for the budget and the timeline."
His words felt like a knife twisting in my chest. Models. Of course. He meant Kira. My stepsister was a model. I stared at the papers in front of me, my vision blurring as my wolf whirled in despair.
But I couldn't let him see my pain. Not now. I took the pen he offered and signed the documents with a steady hand, sealing my part in this sham of a partnership. It didn't matter. I'd be gone soon enough.
Dinner passed in strained silence. Marco talked about plans for the pack and the boutiques in the city, while I nodded and occasionally hummed in agreement. Every word he spoke was a bitter reminder of the man he was pretending to be—the man I once loved.
As I drank my wine, Marco leaned back in his chair. "Why don't we go for a swim?"
"I'm exhausted," I said quickly with a sigh.
He frowned, regarding me. "Come on, Fiona. It'll calm you down. The pool is warm."
I hesitated. My bruises hadn't healed enough yet, and I wasn't about to let him catch sight of them. But before I could say anything, his posture stiffened. His eyes glazed over-the sure sign of a mindlink.
"Who is it?" I asked.
He hesitated, then shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "It's my father. There's an urgent matter with their pack. You should sleep while I take care of this."
I didn't believe him, but I said nothing as he carried me to the bedroom, laying me gently on the bed. He pulled out the bottle of vitamins I'd been taking and handed me two pills.
"Take these. You need to rest."
I swallowed the pills in front of him, forcing a small smile as he kissed my forehead and whispered, "Goodnight, Fiona."
As soon as he left the room, I sprinted to the bathroom and tried to vomit the pills into the sink. My body trembled as I leaned against the counter and could only shake my head, catching my own reflection in the mirror.
I knew his plan now. Every time I slept, he left for her. With Kira. My heart was aching, but I clenched my fists, forcing myself to be straight.
"Just a few more days," I told myself. A few more days, and I would get out of this nightmare.
