Tanya’s POV
Once we arrive to the doctor’s house, I immediately get started on the garden, rolling up my sleeves and putting on gloves I found in one of the sheds. Although I asked Marco to accompany me, I don’t wish to burden him, telling him he can relax on one of the garden chairs.
With the sun high in the sky, I can get on my hands and knees by the soil. One by one, with meticulous effort, I pull out the weeds that taint the garden grounds. I dump each one I extract into a wheelbarrow. And then once I’ve filled up the wheelbarrow, with great exertion I roll it over to the garden bin to empty it.
I maintain this systematic routine, pulling out the weeds, dumping them into the bin, and then starting all over again, going in rows and horizontally making my way across the large expanse of garden space. I’m of course mainly focused on weeding, but every now and then I spare a glance at Marco. He sits quietly, but his leg bou
Tanya’s POVUpon exiting Peyton’s old room, I realize that the entire palace is in chaos. Everyone is panicking over the princess’s physical state. Maids are rushing about with wet towels and water, nobles are alerting the neighboring royal families. Butlers are heading off to call the known doctors. I can see that everyone dearly cares for the princess. As do I. But my job is much different to theirs.I hurry into one of the empty rooms, closing the door to shut out the cluster of apprehension that whiz about outside. I scrape away items off one of the tables and pull out the box, emptying the torn pieces of paper onto the workspace.Step by step, piece by piece, like a child’s puzzle set, I connect the pages, reconnecting torn words and linking the shredded pieces. Soon I have reassembled the entire page. Satisfied, I read through it carefully, my eyes growing wider as they trail down the page.Shock, surprise, and dread
Tanya’s POVAs I hoped, my words somehow inspired Peyton’s desire to live. The wailing of the medical monitors start to quiet down, and soon they beep at a much calmer pace. The surrounding doctors look astonished, but reveal that the measuring machines are showing that Peyton’s physical state is changing for the better. And that although Peyton remains in a coma, she should hopefully awaken within a day’s time.Finally, I turn to face the curious eyes that surround me. I sigh. No one is going to like what I’m about to tell them. But the truth needs to be known. “I found a letter written to Peyton by a gentleman who came to visit from another kingdom about a year ago.”I sigh, unable to face Peyton’s fated mate, Russel. “The gentleman who came to visit secretly fell in love with Peyton and he convinced her that their love was real. I guess, she believed him, and felt like her original mate bond
Tanya’s POVMarco suddenly plants his feet in a stop. I watch him trifle with his emotions as his mouth opens and closes awkwardly. For once. I have caught the Lycan Prince by surprise.Course not for long, his slip up is quickly corrected, and I frown as he hardens his expression again, and he talks with immense stiffness. “I made you sign it because of Claire. She needs a father, as well as a mother. So, I want us to play the role of the perfect loving couple so that she grows up in a happy home. It’s for her.”I sigh. I still don’t believe him. Something in my gut feels like he is just telling me this to avoid embarrassment. However, I can’t prod any further because he then says in somewhat of a retort. “Even if I maybe concealed the truth a little. You also lied to me. You kissed me the other night and the next morning you acted like it was nothing! You completely denied it when I asked you.”I
Tanya’s POVI’m completely frozen solid in place, unable to grasp the situation. My brain is trying to come up with all sorts of reasons that didn’t imply the obvious. There is no one else in the room with me other than Claire, and she is now softly asleep. My eyes snap to my child just to be sure, but as I assume, she’s snoring away.My eyes glance to my surroundings, trying to find another person, not knowing if I really want there to be another person… But all I see and hear is my phone crying out for my attention. To the which the voice once again speaks out. ‘Are you not gonna answer it?’ I don’t have time to respond to the mysterious voice, instead I pick up the phone, hearing that it is Oliver on the other line. “Hey Tanya, I’m very sorry to bother you but…” he sighs, and for a second I worry something bad has happened. “Could you come take Marco home? He&rs
Marco’s POVI wait to hear Tanya step out of the room and that’s when I finally open my eyes again. Trying to pretend I had been drunk was such an annoying affair, but it was necessary in order to have Tanya all to myself without her questioning the truth of my feelings. Course that’s when I hear Manuel speak up.‘Come on man, just tell her you love her. I can’t stand it any longer. I’ve felt so drawn to her, and now she’s starting to emit a scent that I just can’t ignore. She almost smells like Lily. Wait. What if she’s our fated mate? She must be!’I don’t discredit Manuel’s assumptions entirely, but I’m not confirming them either. Not till I’m sure. Instead, I withdraw Tanya’s ruby necklace that I’ve kept hold of. “Don’t worry, I’ve come up with a plan.”‘Another plan? First you used Isabella as an excuse t
Tanya’s POVLily and I are glaring angrily at each other just as Maroc walks in, and he doesn’t hide that he’s overheard the conversation between the two of us. “Tanya has talent. She is not incompetent,” he suddenly states proudly whilst walking over to my side.“Her getting the job wasn’t just because of me. I only mentioned to Vivian through Philip and Thomas that Tanya desired to return to work at the company. It was Vivian who was more than happy to have her, and even praised her talent and her achievement for winning the perfume competition. So Vivian invited Tanya to return to Eau de Luna Parfumerie as a special consultant.”It warms my heart tenderly as Marco defends me, and I’m sincerely touched by his words. But he’s not done. His icy glare then snaps to Lily. “You have no right to belittle her talent,” he cocks his head in piercing look that makes me shiver. “Was it
Tanya’s POVEventually the weekend rolls around, and with Claire off school and me off work, we decide to go visit Vivian’s family for lunch. Marco suggested it actually, and I’m happy to oblige, since I always enjoy Vivian and her son’s company.We arrive and are escorted by the maids into the main sitting room. And whilst I have been to Vivian’s home many times before, I went straight into her perfumery room to work with her. I have rarely seen any other part of the house.The living room is gorgeous. The space compliments Vivian’s personality so well, bright and covered in soft spring colours. Massive windows surround us, letting tons of light filter through to brighten the space.Whilst pastel purples and cream tones are the main thematic colours of the furniture and rugs. Funnily, I don’t know if I can smell actual lavender or it’s just my perception of the room that makes me feel like we are s
Marco’s POVAlthough she tries to hide it, I can hear Lily’s hammering heart as it pounds away in considerable fear as the others filter in behind me. Tanya, Claire, Vivian’s Family. I even called Eric and Oliver to come over and they now join us in the room.‘I’ve got you,’ is the only thing blaring in my mind, I’ve finally caught her. Finally, I’d expose her for who she really is.“You were trying to steal Tanya’s necklace. Weren’t you? Tell us what you were going to do with it. Tell everyone,” my hand gestures to the group behind me, and their attention is clearly on Lily. She initially shrinks back from my accusation, and I see the panic sway in her eyes.But only for a moment. Just a moment.And then like the convincing woman that I have come to realize she is, her posture changes. Her shoulders roll back, trying to display some semblance of confidence. S