MONETTE
The sharp scent of cigarette smoke lingered in the air, curling through the dimly lit bedroom. Edward stood near the window, wearing nothing but his ripped jeans, his bare back illuminated by the faint glow of the city lights.
I lay on the bed, my tiny nightgown barely covering me, the haze of alcohol dulling my senses—but not enough to silence the question that had been haunting at me.
Summoning courage, I finally asked, "When are you going to sever your mating bond with Olivia? I mean, I already rejected my fated mate for you—for this relationship to even have a chance."
Edward flicked his cigarette into the bin before turning to face me. His calloused hands cupped my face, his lips pressing a brief kiss against mine. When he pulled back, our gazes locked.
"She's my mate," he said. "And she will be—at least until the LaFleur Grand Ball."
Another kiss. A distraction.
"Our Alpha wants stability. No conflicts, no loose ends. If I can make it seem like my mating bond with Olivia is intact, there's a strong chance I'll secure a deal with the LaFleur Clan." His words slipped smoothly from his lips as he slowly eased me back onto the bed.
"Okay…" I murmured, even though I didn't agree with his decision. "I love you, Edward. I can't wait for the day we don't have to hide anymore. I deserve more than to be just your mistress."
"I love you too, Monette. Please, just be patient a little longer," he whispered before trailing kisses down my neck.
The hunger between us was insatiable, desperate, and reckless. We surrendered to it, losing ourselves in each other through the night.
Morning arrived, and I woke up at six. Edward still lay naked and asleep beside me. My fingers traced the sharp lines of his face. Then, I leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.
Goddamn, he looked so beautiful.
At that moment, it hit me all over again.
This man wasn't mine.
A sharp pang twisted in my chest as my thoughts darkened. Olivia had the right to touch him too. To hold him. To claim him in ways I never truly could.
That's when jealousy burned through me.
"Edward… you feel so good next to me. I don't want to wait anymore. I don't want to share." My voice was a sultry whisper.
Slowly, I slipped out of bed, my movements silent as I reached for his phone on the bedside table. He had entered his passcode last night, and I had memorized it effortlessly.
I unlocked the screen and scrolled through his contacts, searching for a specific number. When I finally found it, a slow smirk curved my lips.
I began typing.
[Room 354. Vendora Hotel. Be here at 7 AM, babe. I have a surprise to show you.]
With a single tap, the message was sent. And just as quickly, I erased it.
Next, I picked up the room's phone and dialed the front desk. "We're expecting a guest in Room 354. Please let her in when she arrives."
I hung up.
The plan was set.
Ensuring the door was unlocked, I let my silk nightgown slip from my shoulders, pooling at my feet. Then, I climbed back into bed, pressing myself against Edward's warm body beneath the sheets.
And I waited.
OLIVIA
The whole night, I tossed and turned, wondering where Edward was. I had fallen asleep waiting for him to arrive, yet he hadn't.
But then, as the morning light slipped through the curtains, my phone buzzed with a message.
Edward: [Room 354. Vendora Hotel. Be here at 7 AM, babe. I have a surprise to show you.]
The words jolted me fully awake.
Just like that, all my doubts about his loyalty melted away.
A surprise. Maybe that's why he hadn't come home last night—he had been busy preparing something special for me.
Heart fluttering with renewed excitement, I quickly typed a reply.
[Really? Okay, babe. I'll see you.]
Slipping out of bed, I rushed to the closet, searching for the perfect dress. But as I sifted through the hangers, my fingers froze.
The diamond ring was gone.
I let out a loud scream, jumping around in excitement. "Is this it? Is today the day he finally proposes? Is he really going to do it now?!" My heart raced at the thought.
Determined to make this moment perfect, I took my time in the bath, letting the warm water soothe my nerves. I applied elegant makeup, slipped into a delicate white dress, and styled my brunette hair neatly. A final touch—his favorite perfume—before stepping out of the house, beaming. I even greeted strangers along the way.
Hailing a cab, I arrived at the hotel in just fifteen minutes. I took a deep breath before stepping inside. The receptionist greeted me warmly and, without hesitation, granted me access to Room 354.
Standing before the door, I rehearsed my words one last time. "There's no one else I'd rather marry but you. Making our mating bond official and sacred has always been my dream. So yes, Edward, I would marry you." My voice wavered, and heat crept up my cheeks.
I could already imagine his reaction!
But the moment I twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open, my world came crashing down.
Edward was there, as expected, but there were no flowers or petals scattered on the floor. He wasn't wearing a suit either or holding out a ring while kneeling in front of me. In fact, he was naked and still asleep.
Beside him, just as bare, was Monette.
She didn't even flinch seeing me. Instead, she met my gaze with a slow smirk and whispered, "Did you like your mate's surprise, hmm?"
