I sneered the moment Caleb turned around for he needed to leave early for another “urgent meeting.” I sipped my coffee, the bitterness grounding me as I mentally replayed Zara’s smug words.
“She’s not as blind as you think.”
Zara’s voice dripped with confidence when she stated that. The nerve of her!
I squinted my eyes and sighed to calm myself. She was right—I wasn’t blind. But I had allowed myself to be silent. She could continue rejoicing but it will be no longer.
I had spent the last few days quietly observing, piecing together the clues they so carelessly left behind. Caleb was growing bolder in his deceit, and Zara was more than happy to flaunt her supposed victory. But I wasn’t ready to lose—not yet.
The next step of my plan was the corporate stronghold. The air inside Crescent Moon Tower buzzed with efficiency, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with expensive cologne. Zara was perched behind Caleb’s desk, her manicured fingers tapping at a keyboard.
“Luna,” Zara said, her tone a mix of mockery and forced politeness. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
I ignored her. I gazed over the office, wandering. Caleb’s chair was angled slightly toward hers, their closeness unmistakable. On the desk was a gold locket—one I had seen Caleb gave her at a gala.
“I just wanted to check on the expansion plans for the Bloodstone territory,” I replied, keeping my voice even. Calm.
Her lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, those? Caleb and I discussed them last night. He agrees with me—it's too risky to proceed right now. But of course, we value your input.”
The barb was subtle but clear. She wanted me to feel irrelevant, powerless. I refused to take the bait. I smiled so sweetly that she could get diabetes.
“Good,” I said. “Because I’ll be presenting an updated proposal to the council next week. After all, Caleb does value unity within the pack, right?”
Her smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered. “Of… of course,” she said smoothly after almost stuttering, her gaze sharpening.
Satisfied seeing how I’d left her uneasy with just like that, I turned and walked out. As I stepped into the elevator, my fingers itched to crush the phone in my hand. Instead, I pulled up a number to call.
Ethan—the one I had met at the park nights ago.
I had no idea actually why Ethan looked for me. He said he wanted to help. Even though I was curious about his reasons, still it’s unnecessary to ask. His offer was all I needed. For now.
Ethan answered on the second ring, his voice calm and steady. “Amalia.”
“I’m ready to talk,” I hushed.
Ethan chuckled. I wanna drop the call because he didn't sound serious at all. Then, he informed me where and when we will talk personally. He ended the call and I was left staring at his number on my phone’s screen.
I sighed and went to the penthouse.
That evening, I met Ethan in a secluded corner of the rooftop garden. The city lights glittered below, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. He leaned casually against the railing, his amber eyes reflecting the moonlight.
“So,” he began, his tone teasing, “ready to take down the empire now?”
I folded my arms, meeting his gaze head-on. “Not yet. But I’ll need your help when to start.”
His grin widened, and for a moment, I forgot why I had been so wary of him. Ethan exuded a confidence that was magnetic, reassuring even.
“Smart move,” he said. “But if you want my help, you need to know something first.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”
He stepped closer, the air between us changed. “Caleb isn’t just cheating on you with Zara. He’s been funneling pack funds into secret accounts—accounts tied to Zara’s name.”
The words hit me like a blow, but I didn’t let my expression falter. “How… do you know this?”
Ethan snickered. “Let’s just say I have my sources. And I have proof, if…” he trailed off and stared at my eyes, “if only you’re interested.”
I hesitated. I gulped. The weight of his words sinking in. Ethan wasn’t just offering me a lifeline; he was offering me a weapon.
I gazed at him. Searching for something I didn't actually need to look for. I blinked and stepped back from him.
“Send me the proof,” I said finally, my voice steady. “And don’t think for a second that I trust you.”
His laughter was low and rich, like the rumble of thunder. “Fair enough. But trust me when I say this—Caleb’s downfall will be your salvation, Lia.”
I nodded. I’m out of words looking at him.
Must I trust him?
‘Yes!’ Bella excitedly answered.
“Are you with me or not?” Ethan asked with another grin on his lips.
I nodded slowly.
“I wanna hear confirmation, Lia.”
“Me being here is already a confirmation, Ethan.”
“It’s just yes or no, Lia. Are you with me or not?”
I pursed my lips. “Yes, I am…”
“You are?”
“With you…” I didn’t know why it’s hard for me to say that. Not because I care much for still being married to Caleb. It's just that I felt there was another deep meaning of it as I say it.
“With me.” Ethan smiled widely at me. “Why do I feel you are sounding nervous?”
“Enough with your teasing tone, Mr—” I was lost. I had no idea of his last name. Much as I wanted formality, I can’t go through it because I only know his first name.
“Ethan Wolfhart.” He smiled.
“Mr. Wolfhart then.” I squinted my eyes. “And I meant it, please stop your teasing tone. I’m not used to it and—” I ended what I was saying. I sighed.
“And?”
“I’m not here making friends with you…” I stated. “I hope you get what I mean.”
****
“I told you to fix it!” Caleb barked. He was pacing the living room with his phone pressed to his ear. “I don’t care how it happens—just make sure it’s handled before the council meeting!”
He spotted me hovering at the edge of the room and, like magic, the rage vanished. His face smoothed into something softer, a mask that I’d once believed was real.
“Morning, Lia,” he said with a warm tone. He moved toward me, his smile so polished. “Did I wake you?”
“No,” I lied, watching him closely. “Everything okay?”
“Just pack matters,” he replied with a dismissive wave. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
He leaned in to kiss my cheek, and I let him. His lips brushed my skin, but the gesture was empty, hollow. A habit, not a connection.
As he disappeared into his office, I retreated back to the master’s bedroom. My phone was still on the desk where I’d left it. Ethan’s message from stared back at me.
ETHAN: Check your email.
My heart thudded as I opened the email. The attachments loaded one by one: bank transfers, encrypted messages, photographs of Caleb and Zara in shadowy corners of Crescent Moon Tower. My hands trembled as I scrolled through the damning evidence. Ethan hadn’t been exaggerating. This wasn’t just betrayal—it was calculated, ruthless.
The final attachment was a video, dated last week. I hit play, and the air seemed to drain from the room.
