Shock and disbelief still filled when I woke up the next morning.
The room was dark thanks to the light-blocking drapes. I stared at the ceiling in vain. My eyes were tear-stained and swollen from the amount of emotions I had let escape .
What Ethan had said the night before played over and over again in my mind.
No. There must have been so misunderstanding.
It couldn’t have been what I thought it would be...
Slowly, I slid from the bed and stood to my feet. I cringed as the groggy feeling washed over . For a mont, I wished that everything I had heard last night had just been a nightmare that never happened.
"Rosalie–"
I jumped at Ethan’s voice from the living room.
I quickly made my way back to the bed, buried most of my face in the pillow, and pretended to be sleeping.
The bedroom door opened, and I heard his footsteps approaching. Thank goodness the room was dark enough that he wouldn’t be able to see my puffy face.
Then I felt him gently pull up the blanket to cover better.
If it had been yesterday, his gesture would make secretly happy for an entire day. However, all I could feel right now was fear.
I felt his hand brushed a piece of hair behind my ear, causing my body to flinch.
"Rosalie?" His voice was concerned, but his caring tone sent cold shivers down my spine.
I faked a low groan, and murmured, "May I sleep more... please?"
I could tell he was a bit surprised. To make him let it be, I made up an excuse. "Had so bad dreams. I’m so tired... sorry."
My words seed to make him hesitate for a mont, but he quickly accepted what I told him. "Okay, then take it easy today."
His words were ant to be kind, but my voice started to shake uncontrollably, so I nodded my head and grunted, "Um...thank you."
Why was he being so gentle toward ?
Ah... of course. I was carrying his heir – like he said, it was just for the baby.
After last night, I could no longer lie to myself that maybe a small part of his sweetness was for .
"Go back to sleep," he ordered, his voice low and gentle, like a whisper.
If Ethan was going to kill – he wouldn’t act this way towards , would he?
How I wished that I hadn’t woken up to eavesdrop the previous night– and how I wished, again, that what I had heard was really just a bad dream.
While I was lost in my thoughts, Ethan had taken his leave.
I looked around the room, searching for answers in the elegant decor.
Maybe he didn’t really an to order my death? Maybe I had misread it all– had misunderstood what they were talking about?
Did Vicky and Georgia know about this, too? It couldn’t be possible that they faked their friendship with , could it?
Estrella... My doctor and confidant... Did she know?
My eyes shot open. I’d made up my mind.
I had to find out the truth.
***
A couple days passed, and I spent most of my ti in bed and tried not to see anyone. I gave myself that ti to clear my mind. Luckily, I didn’t have that many visitors.
Ethan hadn’t visited since that morning. I was thankful for that, because I didn’t know how I could face him.
"Rosalie?" Vicky’s voice called out as I layed in bed.
I had been refusing to talk much at all. At first, they thought I was not feeling well, and attributed my change in attitude to the pregnancy. But Vicky knew too well to buy that.
I heard her moving in through the bedroom door, but with my back facing her, she couldn’t tell if I was asleep or awake.
"Please tell what’s wrong..." she said, and my heart broke hearing how upset and hurt she was. How could I believe that she was only putting on a show for ?
Vicky had beco my best friend, and I trusted her with all my heart. Should I trust her one more ti?
I turned over to look at her, my face red and puffy and my eyes dry from crying all the tears I had shed over the situation.
She was so terrified when she saw that, as talkative as she usually was, she didn’t let out a word.
"Did you know?" I asked softly, my voice cracking in my raw throat.
Her brow furrowed in confusion at my question. "Know what?"
I sat up to better face her.
"Rosalie, you’re making very worried right now," she said slowly. "Don’t scare . What is it?"
I could tell she was genuinely confused and terrified.
I smiled bitterly. Vicky, Vicky... should I trust that she was really my friend?
"Rosalie...?"
She didn’t give up. That was Vicky.
I looked her in the eyes and decided to take the risk.
"...That Ethan is going to kill once I have the baby."
My flat reply was t with a shocked and horrified expression on Vicky’s face.
"What!?" She exclaid. "Where did that co from... Of course not! That’s ridiculous!"
"Is it?" I said, staring firmly at her.
"The Alpha cares about you, Rosalie! He would never kill you..."
"He had Talon warn you not to get too close to , rember?"
Her eyes filled with disbelief.
Oh, my... Vicky.
She didn’t know either. Just like .
"Yes, but that was because... because..." Then she trailed off and covered her mouth with her hand.
It took her a few seconds to process it, but it had dawned on her that I wouldn’t lie.
"How...how did you find out...?" Her voice was trembling.
It felt a bit strange to that I was the one who was calm. "I overheard Talon and Ethan. Talon was arguing with Ethan about it, and Ethan said they were sticking to that plan. Talon knew—"
A sob escaped my throat while trying to explain. Evidently, I wasn’t as calm as I had thought.
"Talon wouldn’t..." Vicky said hesitantly. "No... he couldn’t!"
"I truly trusted him—"
My statent was ambiguous, but it was directed at both Talon and Ethan. Neither of them cared. It was just a task, like any of their many other tasks.
Vicky rushed to and cradled in her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I won’t let this happen, Rosalie. I’m going to talk to Talon... this isn’t going to happen."
"No!" I exclaid, pulling away from her and shaking my head. "You can’t let them know that I know. Please, Vicky..."
I took a breath.
"If I am to be put to death, I want to at least live the rest of my days in peace..."
But I couldn’t finish my words.
I loved him, and he destroyed .
Vicky stared at firmly and she said before she left, "Rosalie, we still have ti. I won’t let this happen to you."
"You can’t disobey your Alpha, and I know you won’t."
"There must be a way. Give so ti. Please."
After Vicky left, I fell back into my thoughts. A heavy guilt rose in my heart.
’Sorry, Vicky,’ I thought. I hadn’t ant to abuse our friendship and take advantage of her trust. But I had no choice.
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