Chapter 3

 

Evelyn's POV

"Sometimes I wonder what runs through that tiny brain of yours. What exactly did you see in that little fox?" Luna Janet glared at Seth.

Seth shifted uncomfortably in his seat, sweat beading his hairline as he kept his gaze on the coral rug like it was something fascinating.

"I've told you several times, mum. Veronica is innocent, she's lovely and brilliant. You don't know that because you haven't been close to her enough to--" he started but she immediately cut him off with a scoff.

"I believe Evelyn's has more of an idea about the kind of person Veronica is. She's a snake and a distraction," she snapped.

"Mum, she's not a snake or a distraction," his voice was almost inaudible.

"Then explain why you performed very poorly in the Silver Universe Pack's heir training course. You didn't only disappoint me and your father but also the entire pack," her voice was laced with frustration and I could see disappointment in her eyes.

My gaze moved between them, and it felt like the room held its breath.

Seth gave me a side glance before he responded. "That also has nothing to do with Veronica," he defended again and each time, Luna Janet's frown deepened.

"Falling to graduate after three years while other heirs from different Pack's had completed their training. She's a distraction and you've brought nothing but shame. This isn't who we raised you to become," her anger was palpable.

"Mum--" he began but she raised a hand to stop him.  

"Your father is waiting for you in his study room.  Don't keep him waiting," she almost growled at him. His jaw set as he stood up to leave the living room.

She suddenly turned to look at me, her eyes softened. "I'm sorry for all the drama. You don't deserve it but I'd never regret the day I made you my daughter-in-law. You're smart, strong and kind. Whatever it is that he has for Veronica would never change our minds. To us, you're the only daughter-in-law we have," her words brought a fluttering feeling in my heart.

It was so reassuring and it warmed my heart. She had been nothing but kind to me.

She scooted closer and placed a hand above mine on my thighs. Luna Janet had been by my side even after I attempted suicide. I never expected her to show me much affection when even my own mother failed to. She was constantly encouraging me, pulling me out of the black hole.

"Thank you," I whispered, the word 'mother' was just at the tip of my tongue. She had been the mother I never had.

I wondered what her reaction would be if she found out about my request for a divorce. I knew she'd been shocked and worried, and that was why I'd been hesitating to divorce Seth. My feelings for him had long died but my love for his family held me back from leaving their home and starting anew.

"Just know whatever happens, we'll be here for you. You're like a daughter to me," she wrapped her arms around me and it took everything in me to hold back the tears that threatened to drop.

"We love you," she pulled back and the look in her eyes made my stomach flip and tears rolled down my cheek which she wiped away gently.

"I love you both too," I replied while fighting back more tears. I needed to leave before I became a sobbing mess. "I think I need to change up for dinner," I said as I stood up to leave.

I kept my eyes on the staircase while battling with emotions. Sometimes I felt lucky and sometimes I didn't and it was becoming a pattern lately.

I took a turn around a corner while heading towards my room but halted when I heard muffled voices coming from the Alpha's study room. The door was ajar and as I strained my ears, the words became more clearer.

"Don't you dare speak to your Alpha in that manner! You've brought nothing but disgrace to this Pack. Your actions have been questioned by the members and they dim you not fit to be the next Alpha. Neither do I plan to give up the position I worked so hard for to someone who doesn't see the value," his anger was obvious.

"What do you want me to do father? I've tried my best to please the Pack but all my attempts were futile," Seth replied promptly.

"Because you're selfish and arrogant. You betrayed the only person who loved you so dearly. And if you ever dare divorce Evelyn, you'll lose the inheritance," Alpha Raymond's voice was cold and firm.

"What? Are you serious dad? All because of a commoner you're threatening to strip me off my inheritance? How can you pick her over your own blood? She is not even the legitimate daughter of Orion Pack Alpha," his voice was louder than usual.

My throat tightened and my heart pounded painfully within my ribcage. I leaned on the wall to stabilize myself. I could feel the disdain in his words.

The sound of something slamming against a table made me jerk back.

"You ungrateful brat! You don't have the right to say something bad about Evelyn. I have watched her grow for years and she's been perfect. She's more of a family than you're. You might be my blood but you're nothing like me," he growled, his fist slamming on the table again.

My lips trembling as his words wrapped me like a blanket around me. A smile curled my lips, feeling the protectiveness in his words. I couldn't repay them for their kindness.

Sighing in relief, I turned to walk back to my room. I stepped inside, letting the facade fall as Seth's words came rushing back.

My muscles tense again when someone banged on the door.

"Seth?" I arched a brow as I scanned him with confusion.

"You must be happy after hearing his words. After taking all my properties you also plan to take my position, don't you?" His voice was laced with anger and frustration.

"Seth, please leave," I tried to shut the door, but his hand pressed against the door as he pushed his way in.

"What did you say to my parents to get them on your side? Is this your way of getting back at me for simply falling in love with Veronica?" His brows drew together while the room shrunk with his presence.

"Simply falling in love? Is that what you call it to cover up your actions? Even when those actions were the same reason you've lost your parents' trust?" I said indignantly.

His face hardened and his eyes burned in rage. "And you think you're the saint? You're arrogant and prideful and no man would want someone like you!" He said through gritted teeth.

A felt a pang of pain but I was too angry to acknowledge it and too enraged to back down. "Your ignorance astounds me. You're accusing me of gaining your parents' trust whereas over the past three years you never for once contacted them because you cared more about Veronica," I retorted, causing his lips to thin and his nose to flare.

Scoffing at him, I realized how little he was and the room only felt small because he was standing so close to me.

"You're unfilial. A disappointment," I said each word without breaking eye contact.

A muscle ticked on his jaw as he met my gaze. "And you think you're any better? You might be the center of attention but don't forget who you truly are," he leaned forward, forcing me to hold my breath. "You're calculative and the blood of a murderer runs through your veins."

I gulped deeply, feeling the intensity of his words. I took a step forward and he moved back instantly, looking at me cautiously. I would never let him see the effect of his words on me.

Crossing my hands over my chest, I shrugged my shoulders. "Did I say you're unfilial and a disappointment? Well I forgot to add that you're selfish. You claim to be in love with Veronica yet you came back because you couldn't bear to lose your inheritance," I leaned forward. "You might fool everybody but you can't fool me because in your eyes, the inheritance means more to you than Veronica," I finished with a sneer and the veins in his neck popped. His face turned a darker shade of red.

I could tell that my words had struck a nerve and his insecurities were gnawing at him.

"You bitch!" He raised his hand in the air and all the blood drained from my face as I stared in horror.

I instinctively closed my eyes, waiting for the pain but nothing came. Instead the knock on the door grew louder.

"Ms. Evelyn, dinner is ready." A maid announced.

I snapped my eyes open, observing as his hand slowly dropped and his eyes staring at me in disbelief. I felt sick just by looking at him.

Reaching for the doorknob, I pulled it open. "Get out," I demanded.

He hesitated for a while but finally stepped out of my room. I used the opportunity to recollect my breath as the sound of his footsteps faded down the hallway.

After adjusting my dress and raking my fingers through my hair, I stepped out of the room.

I got to the dinning room where Luna Janet and Alpha Raymond sat together and Seth sat across. I occupied the seat next to Luna Janet and a long silence engulfed us as the maid dished out the food.

I tried my best to keep my gaze away from Seth while struggling to remove the knot in my stomach after his confrontation.

Once the maid was done, she stepped out of the room and I forced myself to scoop a spoonful of food.

Alpha Raymond cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Seth, you're to begin working at the Pack house tomorrow. There's an important development project being led by Silver Universe Pack," he began with a stern voice.

"It's obvious that you don't know the current economic situation of the Pack since you've been away for three years but we're in dire need of assistance so securing this project is vital for Pack. Other Packs are also competing for the contract," he swept his gaze across the table until they settled on Seth.

His expression turned cold. "But in order for us to secure the project, we have to win over a specific person. Is that understood?"