Chapter 1

Discovery and Decision

I fidgeted with my dress, I glanced at my watch for what felt like the hundredth time.

What was taking Vincent so long? Today is his daughter’s birthday and he still hasn't arrived. What could be more important than his daughter’s birthday, I wondered.

Mackenzie's birthday party was already in full swing. Little kids screamed and ran about the house having the time of their lives.

"Hey, Chloe, what's wrong?" Rachel asked, noticing my distress.

I hesitated, "Just worried about Vincent. He's running late." I forced a smile.

Rachel's eyes became sympathetic. "I'm sure he'll be here soon. He wouldn't miss Mackenzie's party for anything."

I chuckled drily, not quite feeling the humor. How could Vincent not be in attendance for his daughter's birthday party? It was his daughter for God's sake!

As I left the kids in the garden I went inside, most of the parents were inside the house.

Some of them lay in compromising positions, I stared away, not daring to look any longer. When wolves found their mates, they tended to be overly clingy. A pang of regret bit me, I hadn't experienced any of that with Vincent. The thought made me sigh.

"Mom!" Mackenzie came up to me, her hands clinging around me. "Where's dad?"

My smile froze. "Uhh, he's on his way, I'm sure he'll soon be here." I lied, making up an excuse,"Happy birthday Mackenzie, mummy loves you so much!" I pecked her on the cheek. Mackenzie smiled at me before she ran off.

"Pretty girl, too bad her mother's useless." A cold voice muttered behind me,my heart sank. I turned around, staring into the cold eyes of Jacinta.

She was Vincent's mother, my mother-in-law. She'd been against Vincent making me his mate, she hated me to my guts and it didn't help that I was wolfless. I couldn't shapeshift, I was a disgrace to the family like she always said.

"Hello, Jacinta," I stared down at the ground. The other guests stared

at us, enjoying the show. No one stood up to intervene, they all revealed mocking expressions.

"If it wasn't for my grandchild I wouldn't be here, spare me your words." Jancita snorted coldly.

Rachel, sensing the tension, rushed up to us with a tray carrying drinks. "Care for a sip Aunty Jacinta? They're really nice." Rachel urged. Jacinta smiled,a total contrast from her reaction to me, my stomach churned at the sight.

"Where's Vincent?" Jacinta demanded, her eyes locked on mine.

"I… I don't know, he's on his way." I stuttered. I didn't dare test her reaction by saying I had no idea where Vincent was.

"Hmph! He's out there with better women than you. I still wonder what Vincent saw in you, a mixed breed that can't transform. You can't even satisfy my son! I'm sure he's out there with someone who can, good riddance." Jacinta sneered.

She didn't spare me a further glance before walking away.

There was an uproar, everyone's eyes watching the scene intently.

Thank God Mackenzie and the kids were outside I thought.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry." Rachel rushed to me.

I kept my eyes down, too embarrassed to look around, "It's fine, I want to make use of the restroom ." So much for hosting a birthday party, I thought, feeling slightly regretful.

Everyone there knew me, I was the mate of Vincent, the one he'd mated with out of pity. I shook my head, repressing some bad memories that crossed my mind.

I made my way to the restroom. As I stared at myself in the mirror I sighed. Tears started rolling down my eyes uncontrollably. I pulled myself together and resolved to tidy up”.

I sighed, I'd just started cleaning up my face when I heard footsteps approaching. My eyes widened and I hid behind the shower curtain, I didn't want any guests seeing me in my present messed up situation. I'd be so embarrassed.

I heard voices, I'd resolved to ignore them when I heard one of them mention Vincent.

"Did you see that girl Jacinta belittled?" I heard a cheery voice ask

"You mean Vincent's mate?"

"More like a flatmate," the first voice scoffed, "Vincent doesn't care about her, in fact…" the lady lowered her voice. "He's been having an affair with different girls, he changes girls frequently. Poor girl doesn't know she's being used."

"Poor girl," they chuckled together, my eyes widened as I listened.

What! My breath caught in my throat as I listened to them. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Vincent, having an affair? No, it couldn't be true.

I waited until they'd left before I came out. I walked outside, my mind was reeling.

I took out my phone, I needed to talk to Vincent. My hands trembled as I dialed his number.

"Vincent, where are you?" I demanded when he finally answered.

"Something came up Chloe, I'm running late. I’m not sure I can make it. Do something nice for Mackenzie to make her happy ?" Vincent answered but his voice sounded distant and detached.

"There's something we need to talk about, it's important!" I said, not revealing anything.

There was a pause, and for a moment, I thought I heard a female voice in the background. My pulse quickened.

"Vincent, who's there?" My voice hitched, sounding hysterical.

"Chloe, listen—"

"I heard a Lady's voice Vincent, who are you with?" I asked, I blinked my eyes furiously to keep back my tears.

"Hahahah!" Mocking laughter echoed through the phone, and my heart shattered into a million pieces.

A cold voice came through the phone. "You're really clueless, aren't you? ," Priscilla sneered.

"Can't you do something as easy as attending a party without bothering him? Do something special for Mackenzie. You're interrupting something." Her words hinted at something deeper.

"Urghh!" Priscilla suddenly moaned, she chuckled, "I'm here satisfying your husband, making him happy in ways you never could, wanna watch?"

My heart broke into pieces, what!

"I guess not," Priscilla chuckled, she was still laughing when the line went dead.

I stood staring into space, my vision blurred as tears streamed down my cheeks. How could Vincent do this to me? How could he? After everything I have been through to keep this marriage , I thought he loved me . My heart is so broken,what am I going to do? I screamed mentally, feeling a surge of pain claw at me.

It'd started drizzling but I didn't notice, I wanted to feel something, anything, as long as it wasn't this heart wrenching pain that clawed at my heart.

"Chloe, what are you doing? Come out of the rain." I heard a voice call out. I turned around, Rachel was standing on the balcony waving. A crowd of onlookers stared at me, their eyes full of pity and disgust.

I shouldn't be here, I thought before I turned to leave. I ignored Rachel's calls behind me, my feet heavy with sorrow.

****************

The house was empty when I walked in, I was drenched from head to toe. I headed into my room to change. As I was changing my eyes glanced over the little framed picture of I and Vincent.

I'd been so happy that day, dreams of building a happy home with my mate had filled me that day. But now? My eyes cracked and tears flooded my face.

I didn't know how long I cried, my eyes stung me, raw from crying.

I couldn't continue like this, I wiped my eyes. Echoes of Priscilla's condescending tone echoed in my mind. 'You're pathetic, Chloe.'

Determination burned in my heart. I can't continue to be in this marriage , I cant be with a man who has been lying to me , the betrayal, I cant deal with this anymore”

I stumbled out of my bed, my hands rummaged on the bedside drawer. I grasped my phone.

I dialed Rachel's number. She picked up immediately, her voice was drawn with worry.

"I've been so worried Chloe, what happened? Has–"

"How's Mackenzie?" I interrupted her,I sniffed. " I couldn't let her see me in this state." My voice cracked, tears welling up in my eyes as I thought about my daughter's innocent face. How could Vincent do this to me? To us?

Rachel's expression softened, her eyes filled with sympathy. "She's fine, Chloe. But Chloe–"

I interrupted her, my desperation spilling out. "Rachel, I need to get a lawyer. Can you help me? Please." My voice was laced with urgency.

I couldn't take It anymore, the feeling of betrayal pressed against me, I could hardly breathe.

Rachel gasped, apparently in confusion. "Lawyer? What for?"

I took a deep breath, my voice firm, resolute. "I want to get a divorce." The word felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulder. I was done I thought, my eyes welled up in tears.