“Pregnant?” His voice thundered, his brows furrowed, and his eyes burned with unfiltered rage.
“I forgot my pills one time—”
“—and now you’re pregnant?!” he cut me off, glaring at me as if I had committed a crime.
I nodded, lowering my head. If I didn’t know the truth, I would defend myself. I knew he wouldn’t listen because he's the man who kept me only for the wealth tied to my father’s name.
He couldn’t access it yet—my signature was required, and I had refused to sign. Doubt lingered despite his reassurances that he’d never leave me. And yet…
"Shit!" he cursed under his breath, again and again, while I sat in silence, crying.
A month had passed since I uncovered his plan—another month without him coming home. Now, at four months pregnant, my condition was undeniable.
I couldn’t hold back a sob. He heard it, turned away, and left—fully aware I had prepared dinner for us, despite everything he had done.
I knew I’d still do everything for him, hoping he’d love me. But now I am alone, forcing myself to eat through my tears. If Simond didn’t need me, our baby did. I have to eat, To pretend everything will be fine.
Then, amid the silence—heels clicking against the floor. A whistle followed.
“Another misery, my dear sister?” Tati’s voice rang out.
I averted my gaze. She clicked her tongue, clearly mocking me.
“Fix your face. You’re already ugly, and now your makeup is smeared all over. You look even worse,” she sneered, taking the seat meant for Simond. “Maybe stop using makeup altogether. You’re terrifying to look at.”
“R-really?”
She huffed. “Yes. Did he leave because he found you ugly? Or did he just not show up? Maybe he’s already with someone else. I told you to find someone on your level. Stop reaching for ours. Men like him will never take you seriously.”
Her words cut deep. My heart had already shattered, but somehow, it still bled more. Ever since Dad died, no one had truly loved me. Tati only came around when she needed something, and I was sure there was a reason she was here now.
I wiped my tears and tried to put up a strong front. She rolled her eyes.
“Y-you need something?” I asked.
“Well…” A smirk curled her lips before she dropped three things on the table: a card, a bottle of wine, and a small packet. “An invitation to the alpha’s birthday tomorrow. Simond won’t bring you, for sure, but I am inviting you myself because I love you, you know,” she said, feigning sincerity.
I grimaced. Everyone pretended to care about me only because they needed me for their own benefit. No one was ever genuine.
“You’re up to something, Tati.”
She sighed, dropping her pretense immediately. Twirling her hair, she flashed a grin.
“I want to get married. Unlike you, I want a secured future.”
“To whom? The Alpha?!”
“You sound shocked,” she said, smug. “I have to surpass you, after all. If not the beta, then the alpha himself.”
My eyes flicked to the bottle and the packet. “And those? What are they for?”
“Hello? I just told you I need to marry him. And to do that, I need to bed him on his 27th birthday. That’s the time he finds his mate, and it should be me.”
At first, I didn’t understand what she meant. I wasn’t close to the ruling family. Simond never introduced me to them, nor did he ever take me to these parties. But when she pushed the items closer to me, it hit me.
“Is that a drug?” I asked, furious.
She remained unfazed. “Yes. And once we’re done mating and I marry him, I’ll give you thirty percent of my share in Dad’s company.”
I shook my head. I didn’t want any part of this. I turned to leave, but she grabbed me. My eyes widened when I saw the blade in her hand.
“T-Tati…” I stuttered.
She smirked and pressed it to her throat. “Fine. Don’t help me. But just know, I’ll take it as jealousy. That you don’t want me to be happy. So I’ll kill myself.”
A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. I didn’t want her to get hurt—but I couldn’t let myself get dragged into this either.
“If anyone finds out what we did, we’ll be punished! Even you know that—”
“—How will he know? You won’t speak!” She dared me. “And I’ll make him fall crazy in love with me and that’s enough to protect you, I promise!”
She clasped her hands together in mock sincerity. But I knew the truth. If I got involved, my baby and I would be scrutinized. The entire pack would turn against us. And if that happened, I didn’t think Simond would save me.
He would finally have the excuse he needed to be free of me.
Tears spilled from my eyes.
“Please, Tati, stop this,” I begged.
I was already broken—ruined—drowning in loneliness. And now, even she wanted to drag me deeper.
But Tati had always been cruel to me. Always.
She grinned.
“Then if not the alpha… should I go for your husband instead?” she taunted.
My throat went dry. Her smirk deepened as she leaned in closer.
“Do it, Tasha. Help me drug the alpha to make him bed me… or else I’ll bed your husband and take him away from you.”
