Ruthless and Self-Centered

Amanda offered her opinion self-assuredly, "I see that you're finally having a wonderful relationship with Blake." she believes that everything is well at the moment. Because I cannot give her a complete account of the circumstance, I have decided to remain mute.

"Y-Yes," I find it difficult to utter the words, yet they did come out of my mouth nonetheless. I lied.

She leaned close and caressed my back as she murmured, "Artemis, you have to train yourself."

"You need to get stronger, and what else do you think others will say of you? Like my son doesn't make your power feel better?" she added. I am somewhat insulted by her comments, but in all fairness, she was correct.

I chose not to respond, and I actively avoided looking at her. This caused her to sigh and remove her hand from my shoulder, expressing what appeared to be regret.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. . . I apologize for accidentally telling you that. I will not pressure you or ask what you can do with your skills. I am only curious, and I wanted to make sure that the two of you stayed together for all of the time." She stated it. I didn't even attempt to demonstrate that I'm afraid I have to disagree with it. I showed her that I agreed with her by nodding my head and saying so.

"I suppose that everyone is prepared. They are on their way to see you!" It came out all at once. I didn't respond to her in any way, but I did follow her into the dining room, where I found both of my parents already seated. I didn't say anything to them when I arrived.

In conversation with Blake's dad . . .

They give me a sideways glance and roll their eyes. They haven't changed their minds about me being an embarrassment yet.

"Where is Blake?" Blake's father questioned while he was looking around—and I could smell him coming along with the sound of his loud footsteps, and my pulse began to race in anticipation of seeing him enter the room. It looks like he has damp hair.

I couldn't help but feel guilty, so I decided to withdraw my hand from the situation. He is donning a pair of brown trousers together with a plain white t-shirt. He did not respond in any way, but I was not surprised when he held my hand and gave me a sneak kiss on each of my cheeks before he sat down.

"Why aren't you acting like a gentleman toward Artemis?"

"I don't believe that's anything that needs to be done to refer to someone as a gentleman!" I claimed it as a joke and sat on the chair next to him.

He is not making any sounds or displaying any signs of emotion.

I turn my attention to my mother. She gave me the evil eye, and I bit my lower lip while internally berating myself for my behavior. I cautiously turned my attention to my father, but he could not even look in my direction.

I'm at a loss on what direction to look in at this point.

This location does not even make me feel secure in any way.

I finally turn my attention to Blake; I see that he is looking at his phone. I feel he is waiting for a response or for someone to call him. I swallowed hard and then pretended to cough because I was uncomfortable.

"Shall we begin at this time?" I questioned.

The eyes of the mother rolled. "Your sister has not arrived at this time. Why should we begin at this time?" I can sense her humiliation as a result of her response. I didn't even really anticipate that she would arrive at this time. I had no idea about that. This has nothing to do with her.

I wouldn't say I like the idea that everything I coveted would eventually end up in her possession. Why am I unable to take pleasure in things? I hate her, and I will continue to feel contempt for her.

"I'm finally here!" she exclaimed after what seemed like an eternity.

Hermione has just entered, and I can already smell the perfume she wears, not to mention notice how revealing her outfit is. Her cleavage is becoming more visible, and the blood in her lips is very obvious. I can't help but stare down at my hands as I clasp my heart. Blake can't help but look at her.

I don't want to show weakness in front of them by crying.

Knowing that they are currently involved in a relationship is both awkward and unpleasant at the same time.

She embraced Blake's parents with warm hugs and kisses as soon as she saw them. She is a phony who would resort to whatever means necessary to acquire what she wants. She sat in front of Blake and tucked her hair behind her ear as she kept her gaze on him.

It's easy for me to see that Blake has extended his legs.

I have no idea what is going on with him.

"So, I assume that brings us up to speed now?" Amanda laughed, which made everyone else snicker, except me and Blake, who gave Hermione the side eye without even making it obvious. Still, in my opinion, they were being obvious.

"Yes, I am delighted that I finally have to see my daughter again, and I wanted to check whether she has made any improvements." Mother hushed as she took a swallow from her wine glass and furrowed her face—both the phrasing and the tone of what she said bothered me.

"But, mom. . ."

"What was it that you were going to say?" It was my father who cut me off. I am simply trying to stand up for myself; he must believe that I am going to disrespect her once more.

"All right, I guess we should let her talk. . ." Amanda stuttered, and she even managed to smile at me while it was. She knows what's going on; she's attempting to cheer me up by reassuring me that everything will be okay.

She was aware that their affection for me was not very strong.

I stutteringly said, "No, it's okay," pretended to eat some fruit, and struggled to hold back my emotions.

I'm not even going to cry because of the disrespectful manner in which my parents have treated me—but I can tell from the way Hermione and Blake look at each other, how they communicate, and how much love they have for each other.

It feels like they are speaking through their eyes, and it must be excruciating for them.

I can't take it any longer.

Hermione was the one who said, "Well, I don't see any improvements." she chuckles after that, and no one reacts in any way; nonetheless, my mother's anger toward me grows as a direct result of the words she just spoke, so I took a deep breath and tried to fight off the agony.

"What exactly are you referring to? Hermione, you hardly ever catch a glimpse of me these days!" I yelled. I was caught off guard when I blurted out those remarks in such a loud voice; as a result, their eyes widened in response.

"Put an end to treating your sister in such a disrespectful manner. I'm sure Blake is aware of this situation." I took a long breath and clinched my palm as I looked at Blake, as my mother laughed at my assertions and scoffed at me.

He was not happy about it. He is furious, but he doesn't know how to show it because he doesn't want it to be clear that he is on Hermione's side.

He is required to act as though he is here with me.

He gave them a sly grin and rolled his eyes before downing one glass of wine and rolling his eyes again. "I guess we should get ready to see her power showing up," he says.

He lied and said that she would eventually demonstrate her strength.

Hermione gave Blake a stern look while rolling her eyes, and Blake gave her the same expression. He wanted to explain that he was only lying, but it made her angry, and I didn't feel good.

"Wow, that was kind of an idiotic move—"

"How dare you say that!?" I cried out as I stood up and tried to attack her, but Blake grabbed my hand, and he stood up with me. Now, they are all looking.

They are all left without words and extremely upset.

"What the heck is going on over there?!?" Blake's father shouted and tried to make us fix this problem.

"Let me go!" I ordered as I pushed Blake away, and h,e rolled his eyes.

"I'm doing my best to make it up to you. . ." They are being led astray by him at this very moment, and he is leading people to believe he did it to protect me.

"You have let me down!" Father asserts.

"I guess you might use some extra time to improve yourself!" He added.

"Let's just try to keep our cool here. . ." Amanda uttered. She is the only one who can defend me right now since she knows what is appropriate and inappropriate.

"I truly apologize. . ." I mumbled under my breath as I wiped away the tears in my eyes and ran away as I heard them shouting my name.

I don't want to listen.

Even worse, I accidentally ran into an omega, and he is the one who has to apologize because of this predicament right now. I immediately ran to the restroom and began to bawl my eyes out there.

I desired to be alone as I sobbed.

It wasn't because of the things she said that got me so angry.

Because of what they had done to me, I was fuming with rage. I couldn't stop sobbing, and eventually, I let myself fall to the ground. I'm feeling hopeless and incredibly compelled to kill them right now, but I simply can't.

He is incredibly stunning, and it breaks my heart to see how much he cares for her. He had a deep love for one another.

I still stood up and wanted to fix what needed to be fixed, and I was supposed to walk out of the bathroom, but I didn't expect Blake to come, and when he did, his hands were in his pocket, and he leaned against the wall, blocking my path. Despite this, I continue to act like I did before he came in.

"W-What exactly are you up to?" It was a mumble.

He gave a smirk and a laugh. "Why are you being rude?" He let out a croak. It makes me laugh.

"I didn't—"

"Yes, you are," he said to cut me off mid-sentence. "Artemis, you are aware that you have messed up a significant number of things. Because of you, I can't even take pleasure in the activities that I had planned to enjoy—"

"Wait! I'm confused as to why you're letting this situation get to you the way that it is right now. You are acting as if I have wronged you at this very moment. Is that because I came so close to hitting Hermione?" I didn't give him any more time before I cut him off. It caused a darkening in his eyes. . . He's lost his mind now.

I laugh. "I understand. . ." I murmured under my breath and started to walk away, but he caught my hand, and the force with which he dragged my hand forced me to groan.

"What on earth does this even mean?" he inquired—and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of white paper; on it was Kade's phone number. I was paying attention but didn't anticipate that he would get it.

"Where did you get it?" I asked. "It's mine—" I didn't even finish what I would say when he hid it, he raised his hand with the paper on it.

He is much taller than I am, and I cannot even get close to him. The insanity and fury are already welling up inside of me. I don't want him to make things difficult for me in any way.

"Your parents did damned hated you," he murmured and laughed. "Isn't it hilarious? Even your parents are unable to see your value. . ." He uttered those words, which caused me to come to a halt and caused me to lose the bridge of my train of thought—as a result, I stopped attempting to catch the paper in his hand.

"There's no attention for you, Artemis," He hushed as he looked away. "It's unlikely that anyone will take what you say seriously. I only wanted to give you a heads-up. . . Please do not believe the men who tell you that they like you because they know your impact. After all, your family is wealthy and powerful. Could you not believe them? They don't know much about you, but it's clear that all they want to do is use you." He continued by saying that the anguish caused by those remarks caused my heart to bleed.

A single tear made its way down from my eyes.

That brings a smile to his face.

I find it hard to imagine that a victim still suffers losses at this hour. I have no idea how to make him regret this decision, and even if I did, I can't do it. . . I continue to believe I do not have every right to get angry.

"You're crying," he murmured. "I'm sorry. I realize that telling the bare truth can be painful," he stretched his remarks as he began to peel the paper off the page. He damaged it. It is against his will for me to call that number.

"I know you got that number with the man who gave you a fucking jacket," he grunted and groaned. "I don't know why, but it makes me upset. . ."

"Artemis, even though I despise you and have no interest in you, you are already my mate. It denotes the fact that you belong to me. It's embarrassing that I can't claim you, but it pisses me off that you're allowing another man to pursue you romantically." He explained. His voice is crisp but has a bit of a roughness to it.

He is pleased with what he has been expressing.

I find it hard to accept that the man who is cheating on me is the one who is accusing me of allowing another man to make a sexual advance toward me.

‘You also did it with another woman, but what's even worse is that you're the one making a move on them, and you're even denying me in front of them.’

That was precisely what I thought, but I could not say it. I can't believe other parts of my brain are convinced I can solve this problem.

I was unable to.

"Blake, you have no right to accuse me of something that you don't even know—"

"Hey!" Hermione appeared out of nowhere and started shouting. I was caught off guard when she barged into our private space in this room.

"Why are you even in this place?" I asked her while feeling disgusted and angry, but all she did was laugh and act kind toward me.

I don't want her to be seen by Blake. It's painful to look at them. I have never seen Blake look at another woman in quite the same manner as he does at her, and I am sure she is the only one.

"Blake was called by his parents," she informed us, giving him a widened smile before he tilted his head and agreed with her. He even smirked before walking away, leaving us.

Hermione and I are the only ones left. . .

Her eyes are starting to get crimson.

"Are you scared. . .?" she stated as a question.

"Scared of what?" I inquired, feeling curious.

"That I'm going to take everything that you have. . . and what you think is satisfying in your life isn't what is it because it will be taken away—by me."