Chapter 18
Scarlett’s POV
Once I heard Clay and Maxwell close their doors, I finally let my tears fall. In the quiet of the empty living room, I allowed myself to cry, letting the pain and frustration slip free in silence.
Why this? After years of enduring life with my father, years of surviving his cruelty and neglect, why did fate have to tie me to people who despised me solely for my bloodline? I had expected a mate–a single person who might offer acceptance, maybe even love. Instead, I got three, and one of them was a bigger nightmare than my father himself. I was exhausted, drained from trying to maintain the strength to face each day.
As night fell and the silence grew heavier, none of them returned. I reached for the blanket Clay had given me and wrapped myself tightly in it, bracing against the cold. I tried to pull warmth from memories of the South, from the days when I’d believed in some future freedom, but the chill seeped too deeply into my bones. My body continued to shiver as I lay on the floor, whispering a quiet prayer to the goddess for strength.
After a while, I couldn’t bear it anymore. Desperate for warmth, I searched the kitchen for tea, but found nothing. Lucian’s voice echoed in my mind, all his harsh words, his accusations of theft and worthlessness. Fine, I thought. I would live up to his expectations. Moving to the cabinet, I grabbed a bottle, took a long swig, and then wrapped myself back up on the floor, feeling the burn of the alcohol dulling the cold. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted off.
When I opened my eyes again, daylight streamed through the window. I blinked, trying to piece together the night before, and as I sat up, I noticed Lucian and Maxwell sitting at the dining table, their expressions unreadable. Lucian’s eyes were fixed on me, a smug
look of vindication flickering in them.
Busted.
I took a deep breath, bracing myself. I knew the words that were coming, the insults he’d throw my way. But this time, I didn’t care, I was past caring about anything he had to say.
“You’ve given yourself a holiday?” Maxwell said, his voice neutral but not exactly warm. I didn’t respond, unsure if he was teasing or genuinely annoyed. He tilted his head slightly,
Chapter 18
his expression more thoughtful than harsh.
“You took some booze last night?” he asked, and I nodded before I could think it through. His eyes softened, though, while Lucian laughed, a sharp, mocking sound that made me want to shrink away. But something about Maxwell’s gaze held me in place, made me feel
like maybe he deserved an explanation.
“I was freezing,” I said, my voice small. “There was no tea in the flask, so I took a sip to help me sleep. I wasn’t trying to steal…” My words trailed off, and Maxwell nodded slightly.
“It’s fine,” he said, his voice calm. “Feel free to drink as much as you like.” With that, he turned and left for his room, leaving me alone with Lucian, whose mocking smile only deepened. I felt the familiar scowl return to my face. Why wouldn’t he just reject me? There was no way I’d ever accept this bond with him.
As I met his cold stare, I suddenly felt a strange warmth on my feet. Glancing down, I realized I was wearing the socks Lucian had bought, the very ones I’d handed back in protest. I could only assume one of them had put them on me while I was asleep, probably Clay or Maxwell, but the thought made my blood boil. How dare they? I wasn’t some charity case to be cared for or pitied.
Furious, I bent down to rip them off, refusing to accept any token of kindness from people who had made my life a waking nightmare.
“Relax,” Lucian said as he saw me reach for the socks. “Your feet were cold last night. I had no choice but to warm them up for you with socks.” With that, he got up and left, leaving me torn between frustration and a strange flicker of gratitude I didn’t want to
admit.
Soon enough, Lucian returned, carrying the bag of clothes he’d bought for me. He held it out. “Take it,” he said flatly. I shook my head, reluctant to accept anything from him.
“You don’t have to say thank you. Just take it as payment for all the maid work you’ve done here,” he added, his tone neutral. Though I was hesitant, I knew I needed something to change into, so I finally took it.
He gave me a hard look. “Stasia will be coming by today. I want you to be nice. Don’t wear that scowl–it’d really mean a lot if you didn’t make her uncomfortable.”
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Chapter 18
I shrugged, not caring what this Stasia thought of me, but knowing I’d do whatever I could to avoid any further conflict. After he left, I took a long shower, brushed my teeth, and, for the first time since arriving, combed and tied my hair back. Free of the chores, I had little to do but sit on the couch and watch the minutes crawl by,
I soon learned Clay had traveled, leaving me alone in the house with Maxwell and Lucian When Lucian returned later, he stormed in, visibly seething with anger. The surge of his emotions hit me like a wave, the strength of the mate bond pulling me into his fury. I
In’t want to be anywhere near him when he was like this, so I quickly got up from the uch and tucked myself into a quiet corner, hoping to escape his notice.
“What’s the matter?” Maxwell asked him, his voice tense but calm.
“Stasia found out I have a mate,” Lucian spat, his voice laced with frustration. “She gave me an ultimatum.” I forced myself to stay still, pretending I wasn’t listening, but his words lingered in the silence. The room grew quiet, as though both of them were processing the news, and I could feel the weight of it settle heavily in the air.
Finally, Lucian’s anger softened into something deeper, something conflicted, and I knew this would be a breaking point for all of us.
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