Chapter 4
“What did you say, sister? You want to divorce Alpha Kennard? Did something happen?”
A soft, delicate voice floated in from the doorway, syrupy enough to make one cringe.
I looked up. There she was–Alpha Cynthia, draped in a pristine white dress that screamed innocence, her hand resting delicately on the doorknob. Her expression was one of perfect worry, her lips parted in
concern.
“None of your damn business,” I replied coldly.
If my feelings toward Alpha Kennard were of hatred, my feelings toward Alpha Cynthia
were of sheer disgust.
When my parents found me again, I was the one forced to tread carefully around her feelings, to shrink myself so she wouldn’t feel “threatened.”
Even after my marriage, I allowed her to call my husband “Alpha Kennard,” to linger in spaces that should have been ours.
And how did she repay me?
She played the victim flawlessly, painting me as the intruder in a life that was rightfully mine.
Crying to my parents behind my back, claiming I’d “stolen everything” from her, while inserting herself into every private moment I shared with Alpha Kennard. Her sugary façade was nothing but poison.
I saw through her facade long ago.
Now, she stood in the doorway, clutching a lunchbox like the fragile, selfless sister she pretended to be.
Alpha Kennard turned to see her and immediately jumped up to take the lunchbox from her hands.
“You should’ve had the maid bring this over. Why did you bother coming yourself?”
He gazed at Alpha Cynthia, brows furrowed with concern and tenderness in his eyes.
Pain stabbed my heart like a needle.
Whenever KAlpha Kennard and I traveled, I carried all our bags–he always told me he didn’t want me to be the kind of woman who
depended on others for everything.
Yet with Alpha Cynthia, he was overprotective, not letting her lift a finger.
Alpha Cynthia shook her head with a smile, grabbing Alpha Kennard’s hand with a worried look.
“Alpha Kennard, did you and sister have a fight? Is it because of me? If it is, I’ll leave right away. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
Her voice cracked, and she glanced at me, as if she were the martyr in this story.
“Alpha Kennard, sister has always had a… temper, she continued, her tone delicate but filled with meaning. “Dad, Mom, and I have always tried to understand her. You’ve done so well managing it all.”
Bad temper? Understanding?
I clenched my fists, biting back the urge to cool laugh.
If there were Oscars for manipulation, Alpha Cynthia would have her own shelf of golden trophies.
Unfortunately, there will always be those who believe even the worst performances.
Alpha Kennard chuckled softly, tapping her forehead with an affectionate smile.
“Don’t blame yourself for things that aren’t your fault, silly. You always take things too personally!”
Then, as if the lunchbox were made of lead, he examined her pale hands with exaggerated concern.
“Your hands must hurt. Let me take care of them.”
“No, it doesn’t hurt! Alpha Kennard, you’re the best!”
Alpha Cynthia hopped with joy, like an innocent, exuberant child, snuggling up to Alpha Kennard’s neck in a playful manner.
I was disgusted, unable to bear it anymore, so I coughed twice.
It was only then the two seemed to remember my presence, hurriedly pulling apart.
He returned to my side, setting the lunchbox down in front of me with care, as if that act alone could erase everything else.
6/8
“Emma,” he began, his voice soft, “no matter what’s happening, you need to focus on your health. Once you’re discharged, I’ll take you anywhere you want. Just name it.”
I stared at the man I’d spent five years of my life with, and all I felt was revulsion.
“Where does sister want to go?” Cynthia chirped, her voice bright and eager. “Let’s make it a trip for the three of us!”
Alpha Cynthia suddenly chimed in excitedly, with a naive look on her face.
I forced a smile, my pale lips forming just two words:
“Hell.”
“What?” Cynthia’s expression faltered, her carefully composed façade cracking just
7/8
slightly.
I leaned forward, my voice low and cutting. “I said I’d take you both to hell”
Her pale face turned crimson, her lips opening and closing like a fish gasping for air.
Alpha Kennard’s brows furrowed, but before he could speak, I pushed the lunchbox aside, rising to my feet.
“Enjoy your meal,” I spat, brushing past them both.
Let them choke on it.
