Chapter 4

Hayley

I wished that I could say Annie was terribly hideous to look at or that there was something physically wrong with her but I would be lying.

“Luna.” She greeted “Can we talk? I promise that it will be brief.” She said simply and I noted that her hand unconsciously rubbed her still very flat tummy. Envy filled my heart but I played it cool and nodded and when she moved to enter my bedroom, I shook my head.

There was no way I wanted her inside my haven. Plus Damon was here and the last thing I wanted was to be in the same room with the two of them at the same time.

“I’ll meet you in the music room.”

I said and she nodded with a smile, turning around and walking away on her heels.

Veering around, I saw Damon looking even more dejected, having heard who was at the door and I walked past him to wash and prepare my face. The last thing I needed was to look like a mess while talking to my husband’s mistress because it didn’t matter what he said. He had slept with her and she was carrying his child which made her his mistress.

“Hayley” he started as I headed out of the room and I raised my hand to stop him.

“I’ve heard what you have to say, Damon. Now, let’s hear what your mistress wants to say to me.” I didn’t mean for my voice to come out so bitter but I didn’t wait for his reply before I walked out of the room and headed to the music room.

In the dimly lit room, Annie stood tall and confident, her blonde hair cascading in waves down her shoulders. Her striking green eyes were like emeralds, gleaming with a mix of mystery and allure, drawing people in like a captivating spell. With every glance, she looked like someone who could make hearts skip a beat and ignite a spark of curiosity in those around her.

Annie's face was adorned with delicate features, a perfectly shaped nose, and full lips that always seemed to hold a hint of a secretive smile. She possessed an air of confidence that exuded from her, making her presence impossible to ignore. Her slender neck gracefully led down to her collarbone, hinting at the elegance beneath.

I couldn't help but notice her figure and her curves seemed to demand attention. Annie's ample bosom emphasized her femininity, a captivating allure that left many entranced. Her hourglass shape flowed seamlessly into a well-defined waist, and her hips gently swayed with every step she took, leaving an unforgettable impression on anyone who caught a glimpse of her.

As she rose from the chair at my entrance, I realized that she had a way of moving that was both graceful and seductive, drawing eyes without even trying. Annie's choice of attire accentuated her assets, showing just enough to leave one intrigued yet leaving much to the imagination. Her style seemed to echo her personality – confident and daring, yet always leaving a hint of mystery.

She looked like the daughter of an alpha truly and her head inclined in a small bow as I entered the room.

“Luna” she greeted again and when I nodded, we both sat across from each other.

I couldn't believe I was sitting here, face to face with Annie, the woman who had hurt me in the worst possible way. My heart was pounding in my chest, and anger and hurt churned inside me. But I wanted answers, closure, and maybe even a hint of remorse.

Annie fidgeted nervously in her chair, avoiding eye contact, but I held her gaze firmly. "Why did you do it, Annie? Why did you sleep with my husband?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I'm so sorry, Luna. I never meant for any of this to happen. Damon and I had a moment of weakness, and it was a terrible mistake."

Well, it didn’t change that the mistake made me feel like I was drowning right now.

"A mistake that resulted in a pregnancy," I voiced out, my voice laced with bitterness. "How convenient."

Annie looked down at her hands, tears forming in her eyes. "I know, and I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt anyone, especially not you."

"Do you even realize the pain you've caused? The lives you've turned upside down?" I snapped, unable to hold back my anger even though I had come here intending to remain calm. I guessed that was what happened when your world was pulled from under your feet.

She nodded, wiping away a tear. "I know, and that's why I've made a decision. I'm going to leave town after the baby is born. I don't want to cause any more pain or disrupt your life any further."

I was taken aback by her words, but at the same time, a small sense of doubt washed over me. "You're leaving? Just like that?"

Would that even solve anything? Would it bring me the peace that I so much desired after having my entire life destroyed days ago by this news?

"I don't want to be a constant reminder of the pain I've caused," Annie said softly. "I want to give you and Damon a chance to heal and move on without my presence hanging over you."

Part of me wanted to lash out at her, to tell her that leaving wouldn't undo the damage she had done. But another part of me understood her desire to take responsibility for her actions, to try and minimize the damage she had caused.

"I don’t have any answers to give to you right now," I said, my voice still tinged with anger. "But all I can ask of you right now is this. Take care of that child. They didn't ask for any of this."

Annie nodded earnestly. "I will. I promise I'll do everything I can to keep the child in good health. This child is going to be an Alpha, after all."

I had to bite my lip to keep myself from screaming at what I knew should always be a reminder of my husband’s infidelity.

"Good," I said, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.

She stood up, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm truly sorry, Hayley. I never wanted any of this to happen."

I didn't reply. Watching her walk away, a part of me wanted to feel satisfaction in her departure, but all I felt was the weight of the pain she had caused.

What was going to even happen now? Was I supposed to forgive them? And if I chose not to, would that make me such a terrible person? Annie was saying exactly what anyone else would want to hear in this situation but I could not even feel remotely better that it was a mistake like they both claimed. Would I be able to live here knowing that my husband would be fathering a child with another woman who would have to be living with us as well until the baby was born?

Holding my head between my hands, I fought the urge to scream in agony because these next couple of days, weeks, and months were going to happen whether I wanted to or not and I was the one that had a choice to make now. A choice that would determine the trajectory of the future that Damon and I would share moving forward.