DAHLIA’S POV
I smiled weakly, trying to play it off. "Oh, I actually just arrived! I was just trying to bring the cake in, and it slipped out of my hands. Silly me, I guess I'm still a little clumsy from being in the hospital."
Tristan rushed to my side, helping me gather the battered cake. "Oh, you're already discharged from the hospital?"
I gave a stiff nod. "Yeah, I healed fast."
Kaylee sauntered over, giving me a once-over. "Aw, our little Dee has always been such a klutz," she teased, shaking her head. "Glad you're alive, though."
Tristan smiled and patted me on the back. "Yeah, I’m relieved you’re better. Don't worry about the cake. I would have eaten it, but I'm full. I'll just put it in the freezer for later."
I stood up, brushing off my hands. "What were you guys celebrating?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Tristan’s amber eyes lit up. "Oh, nothing much. We just landed a major deal at the company. Everyone's already leaving, though."
One by one, the rest of the guests started to filter out until it was just Tristan, Kaylee, and me left.
Kaylee lingered a bit, giving me a death stare before finally heading out the door.
I wished I could claw those eyes of hers out and pull out her stupid hair extensions.
Tristan let out a sigh, running a hand through his jet-black hair. "Whew, what a day, huh? I'm beat." He turned to me, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Hey, would you mind doing me a favor and giving me a little massage now that it’s just me and you? My back's been killing me from sitting at the desk all day."
Before, I would have blushed at the request, thinking he enjoyed having my hands on him.
But now, I knew he was only using me.
Even my mere touches were super relaxing, thanks to my gift.
I wanted to scrunch up my face in disgust, but instead I gave a thin-lipped smile. "Of course. Come on, have a seat, and I'll work my magic."
He sat down, and I began to massage his shoulders.
It wasn’t long before my eyes drifted to the hickey on the base of his neck.
I knew Kaylee must have put it there.
I pointed to the mark, asking what it was casually.
Tristan's eyes widened, and he quickly clasped his hand over the mark. "Oh, uh, yeah, I got stung by a bee, but I’m better now." He chuckled nervously, avoiding my gaze.
I raised an eyebrow, thinking what a dumb excuse.
I knew a hickey when I saw one.
But I pretended to believe him. "Oh, it must hurt so bad."
He stood up, looking uncomfortable. "Yeah, I think I'll go take a shower now. I'll see you soon."
I faked another smile as he kissed my forehead gently and left the room.
My eyes fell on his phone, which he had left behind on the couch.
Picking it up, I tried to open it but quickly realized he changed his password.
After five frustrated guesses, the phone finally unlocked when I used Kaylee's birthday.
It stung that she was the key, but what I uncovered next hurt even more.
First, there was the documentation of the extravagant mansion he had purchased for Kaylee on the French Riviera—a private beach, a helipad, the works.
I felt sick to my stomach, realizing that he had been pouring his resources into this lavish hideaway, all while keeping up with the charade of our relationship.
And then, there were the receipts of the rare, limited-edition sports car that I had been dropping hints about for years.
He always said it was too expensive, and he would get me a cheaper one when we were legally bonded.
When I saw the exact car with Kaylee, she claimed that someone "special" had gifted it to her. Now, I knew the truth—Tristan was that someone who bought it for her.
My eyes then landed on the pictures of her wearing the priceless antique necklace that Tristan had always said he was saving for his future wife.
It was given by his grandmother.
I remembered now how she had been flaunting it on her social media, and I had foolishly assumed it was just another of her materialistic indulgences.
The screen lit up with a new message confirming their tickets to an all-expenses-paid trip to the Maldives, where they would be spending the next few days together.
Oh wow.
So what was going to happen to our supposed engagement party tomorrow now that these tickets were available?
Just as I was about to drop the phone in disgust, it beeped with a new message from Kaylee.
I couldn't resist the urge to see what she had sent.
It was a couple of sexy photos meant for Tristan's eyes only. "I thought you should see how the sexy lingerie you bought for me fits," she captioned it. "You should be taking it off me right now, wink wink."
I couldn't take it anymore. I dropped the phone and burst into sobs, covering my mouth to stifle the sound.
My heart was aching so bad, and I begged my wolf to take my pain away, but she could only whine in sympathy. Tristan had really hurt us.
Just then, I heard him coming from the room. I quickly wiped away my tears and tried to compose myself. "What's wrong?" he asked, noticing my red eyes.
"Something just got into my eye," I lied, hoping I was convincing enough.
He didn't seem to suspect anything, and he casually draped an arm over my shoulder, suggesting that we get some sleep.
But sleep was the furthest thing from my mind as we lay together in his bed with the soft feather sheets.
My heart was heavy with grief and anger. Even being in such close proximity with him felt suffocating now.
By morning, the space next to me had grown cold, and Tristan was gone.
His assistant, Nicolas, a beta, came to inform me that the engagement was being postponed.
He also told me that Tristan had traveled for an Alpha conference that was very important.
I knew it was a bloody lie—he was in the Maldives with Kaylee.
As soon as Nicolas left, I grabbed my phone and began frantically booking a flight to New Orleans. I needed to get away from this place fast.
