로그인Author's povThe Cole patriarch finally snapped. With a roar that froze the air, he hurled his crystal tumbler at Zane's feet, glass exploding across the polished floor."You two disgusting creatures should rot in hell ! "he shouted, his voice raw with decades of buried rage.The room went dead silent. Philip Lawson, who'd tried to grab his arm a moment too late, stood frozen mid-motion.No one blamed him. After losing both his daughter and grandson, watching Zane and Maggie flaunt their twisted affection was more than any father could take.The Coles had already lost everything. Those two should have been begging for forgiveness, not performing their love story for the people they'd destroyed.Martha lowered her head, shame stiffening her shoulders. Her voice came out small, almost mechanical. "Please forgive my son, "she murmured. She couldn't meet anyone's eyes.Maggie had turned pale, her usual calm and graceful look completely gone.Zane wiped the spilled drink from his pants and
Author's povCecilia's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She clearly saw through Maggie's act.Maggie's perfect mask cracked for half a second. Her lashes fluttered, her smile stiffened, and that tiny slip was enough to ripple through the room.A few people pressed their lips together, trying not to laugh.Martha didn't even bother hiding her amusement; she let out a deep, genuine laugh that bounced off the high ceiling, sharp as crystal.The sound made Maggie's expression freeze completely.But years of social training kicked in. In the blink of an eye, she smoothed her face again, her tone syrupy and calm."Cecilia, I truly apologize for my behavior, "she said, voice trembling just enough to sound heartfelt. "I misjudged both Zane and you terribly. I was foolish and wrong. Thank goodness everything has been cleared up now. Cecilia, welcome home ! "Every word was identical to what she'd said before, only this time she layered on even more emotion.Her voice broke a
Author's povAn hour later, the celebration was officially over.Most of the guests had been politely shown out, leaving only the Blacks, Coles, and Lawsons behind.Why were they still here ? Because the night wasn't finished yet.Martha had gathered everyone in the main house's grand receiving room.Some announcements needed witnesses, while others were better kept private.The room was huge, with high ceilings, polished wood floors, and enough seats for a hundred people.Four elegant sofa sets stood in the center, and Martha gestured for the Cole patriarch and the other elders to take the main seats."Please, sit wherever you like, "she said to the rest, though most instinctively grouped up with their own packs.A huge crystal chandelier hung above them, spreading light over silk dresses and diamond jewelry.The room looked like something from a luxury magazine, perfect on the outside but tense inside.Everyone sat up straight, pretending to stay calm while curiosity and doubt filled
Author's povMaggie flinched as if she'd been slapped.She stumbled back and bumped into Liora, who looked just as stunned.The entire Locke family froze, faces pale, eyes wide, as if a ghost had walked into the room.An illegitimate daughter trying to claim a piece of the Locke fortune would've been scandalous enough.But this ? A real heiress, thought to be dead for years, was suddenly standing right in front of them.It wasn't just shocking. It could destroy the family power structure they had worked so hard to build.Who among them would welcome that kind of chaos ?Only Cassian looked genuinely pleased, but that was because he'd never cared about being the heir. He'd always preferred his freedom to boardroom battles.But Zane was the real winner tonight.The dream he had buried years ago came back to life. When his mother confirmed what he had secretly hoped for, he couldn't speak. His chest tightened with emotion."Cece... "He stepped forward, arms open to hug his daughter.Alpha
Author's povMaggie let out a bitter laugh that cut through the silence of the ballroom."Am I making this up ?"Her voice shook with anger she could barely control. "This whole spectacle was planned just to humiliate me, wasn't it ?"The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on.Everyone else seemed frozen, watching the scene unfold like a high-stakes power play."I pretended not to know. I tried to protect your reputation,"she said, her eyes locked on Zane. "And how did you repay me ? You plotted behind my back, knowing I had no power to fight you !"She threw out a hand toward Cecilia, who stood still beside Alpha Sebastian.Alpha Sebastian moved a little, his shoulders straight and tense, his whole posture making it clear that Cecilia was under his protection."You're so shameless,"Maggie's voice rose. "You talk about the ‘true Locke heiress' right in front of me ! So my children mean less than some stranger's bastard ?"A low growl came from Alpha Sebastian's chest, quiet b
Author's povThe ballroom buzzed with restrained energy, the kind that made every breath feel heavier.All eyes were still on Cecilia, standing under the chandelier's golden light like the center piece of a show she never auditioned for.Her smile stayed picture-perfect, that polite, practiced curve she'd mastered long ago. Inside, she just wanted to disappear. The whole "Locke heiress "act felt like a bad reality show she couldn't turn off.If it were up to her, Martha and her grandmother would end this charade and let her go back to Denver. But clearly, she wasn't the one calling the shots tonight."Elder Luna Black, Miss Jessica, "she greeted smoothly, her tone polite, her smile diplomatic.Jessica barely looked at her. Her attention stayed on Martha, her voice shaking just enough to sound sweet and helpless."Grandmother, "she said, her face the picture of hurt.She glanced at Alpha Sebastian, tall and calm, impossible to read, and jealousy burned in her chest."Martha, "Elder Luna
Sebastian's povMy eyes darkened as I gazed at her sleeping form.The memory of that kiss in the early morning hours haunted me—her lips, softer than rose petals and sweeter than strawberry cake.One taste and I knew I'd be addicted.I shouldn't be staring.But I couldn't help myself as I lingered t
Cecilia's pov"All I have is fruit," I said helplessly, gesturing to the plate I'd arranged.Alpha Sebastian's brow smoothed out as he considered the offering, then gave a slight nod of understanding.For a moment, I thought he was going to let it go—but then he pulled out his phone and called for s
Cecilia's povAlpha Sebastian's mockery grew more pronounced. "Isn't his awakening coming a bit too late?"Cassian laughed. "Late doesn't even begin to cover it. If there truly is an afterlife, when they reunite—mother and both children—they'd be justified in tearing him apart piece by piece.""Why
Cecilia's povI managed a smile that felt more like a grimace.Who would ever want to participate in something like that competition?"Can't I join something... better?" I asked, my voice small and vulnerable."Of course," Alpha Sebastian replied without hesitation, nodding with absolute certainty.







