Chapter 3

Nat's POV

Knowing is one thing, seeing it is another. My heart clenches so hard it becomes momentarily hard to breathe.

It's obvious whom the woman in his arms is.

[He is so hateful!] Noelle cries, voice thick with anger.

I calmly turn my gaze away and continue searching for Erina.

Their conversation drifts into my ears.

"Miss Thalie, I'm glad you have recovered."

"Your face is practically glowing."

"Welcome back."

"Thank you. It's all thanks to Ivan's care."

"Alpha Ivan, you're such an amazing man. You two deserve each other."

Suddenly, I feel a gaze on me. It is sharp, fixed, and assessing, as if they want to bore a hole into me. Raising my head, my eyes collide with Thalie.

Noelle snickers. [This is it? The Thalie he has reverently discussed? The one he compares to the sun while assuming you as dirt?]

The first impression she gives is very feminine, and then weak. Her face is pale, and her lips barely have any color. Alongside her platinum hair color, she looks truly fragile, as if she'd collapse if hit by too much breeze.

Moreover, what takes me aback is her face. She looks older than I expect—like she’s in her late twenties.

She flashes me a smile, laces her fingers with Ivan, and approaches.

"Nat!" she calls.

A frown settles on my face instantly.

"Who are you?" I ask coldly, arms crossing. Not everyone gets to call me that moniker.

She gives a bright smile while practically draping herself over Ivan. She holds out her hand, and I notice the thin black bracelet on her wrist, which contrasts sharply with her pale color. Not because it stands out, but because I’ve seen it in Ivan's office.

“You’re Natasha, right? I’m Thalie, Ivan’s bestfriend. Thanks for taking care of him while I was gone.”

I stare at her silently, then at her hand with zero intention of taking it. “It isn’t hard. He’s easy to take care of.”

A glint crosses her eyes, but that pitiful smile never disappears. “Is that so? He is indeed considerate. But…” She thrusts her hand out again. “Why aren’t you shaking my hand? Or is there something going on that I don’t know?”

I can already see where her little game is headed, and I’m not the type who entertains people like her. If she wants to play, she needs another opponent.

“Shaking hands isn’t necessary, is it?”

She tilts her head. “You’re so stubborn.” She then looks at Ivan, rubbing his back. “Poor you. She’s exactly as unfriendly as you said.”

Her eyes are back on me, the pretentious warmth and fragility already receded. “Since you’re taking my politeness the wrong way, then I’ll just return the same energy you’re giving.”

“I would appreciate that,” I reply calmly, but she cuts right in.

“From what I’ve heard, you’re just an Omega, an orphan too. I'm quite curious, how did you get in here?” She twirls her hair. “I’m just curious by nature. There aren’t many ways for an Omega to enter this kind of setting. Could it be what I’m thinking?” She steps closer, her eyes scrutinizing.

“Now that I’m back together with Ivan, are you so threatened you’re already looking for a new elite to fund your…” Her eyes drag from my head to my toes. “Your pretty expensive-looking lifestyle?”

She tsks. “All Omegas are truly cut from the same cloth.”

“This is the first time we’ve met, isn’t it?” I stare at her. “You sound like you know a lot about me. And… Is this the manner of the so-called Miss Thalie? Throwing wild accusations like some ill-bred?” I glance at Ivan. “Considering how highly he spoke of you, I thought you were a different species altogether. It’s truly eye-opening listening to your bold claim.”

Her lips press into a thin line, her smile vanishing as she stares at me with an unfriendly gaze.

I flip my hair back. “Also, why do you keep projecting? If anyone is suspicious, it’s the woman boldly calling herself the girlfriend of a man she knows damn well already has a mate. I’m not like you, Miss Thalie. I come here by invitation. And you? Can I see yours?”

Her face turns stiff.

My calculations are right. She got back only yesterday; how could she have received an invitation? She’s clearly just his date.

Ivan clears his throat. “Don’t be harsh, Nat. Thalie is just concerned about me.”

He doesn’t stop there. “However, Thalie has a point. The Popov Mansion isn’t a place where anyone can just enter. How did you get in?”

I sneer. “Through the gate, just like you.”

His gaze turns fiercer. “You know damn well that wasn’t what I meant. Tell me, Nat, how did you get an invitation? Did you do something disgusting behind my back so you could level up? Is it because I haven’t given you a status yet? Is that what you’ve been chasing all along?”

My hands clench. “Did the two years mean nothing to you? You’d rather believe this woman’s speculation than trust me?”

He pauses and then says confidently, “Why wouldn’t I? You’re defensive all of a sudden. You’re definitely hiding something!”

His accusations make my eyes burn. “Fine.” I squeeze out the word while pulling out the invitation card, which clearly has my name printed on it. “Say whatever you want. Erina gave me this invitation herself. And since you’ve decided to act like we have no relations in public, then keep up the act and stop buzzing around.”

“Erina gave this to you?” Thalie scoffs like she hears the joke of the century. “Quit lying. What relationship could you two possibly have?” Her eyes flash, and she suddenly snatches the invitation before I can react and tears it into shreds. The pieces flutter into the air.

“What are you doing?”

She declares arrogantly, her hands on her hips. “I’m helping you avoid embarrassing yourself—and Ivan—when they find out your invitation is fake. Get out now before you’re caught. Or I’ll call the guards myself.”