Chapter 6

MAXIMILLIAN

Alessia ignoring my call was unusual. For a moment, I stared at the screen before lowering the phone.

Still, I couldn’t say I was surprised. She was probably still sulking after I asked her to apologize to Clementine—likely convinced I was taking Clementine’s side, when all I wanted was to keep things from becoming more complicated.

Honestly, I had no idea what had gotten into her lately. Her behavior had become increasingly childish, as if every small issue had to turn into a scene.

Fine.

I would deal with it later. I would speak to her myself.

“Alpha.”

The voice pulled me from my thoughts. 

I turned to see Doctor Myra standing a short distance away.

“How is Lady Clementine’s condition?” she asked politely, though I knew well enough she had never been particularly fond of her.

“She’s fine,” I replied shortly.

“If you’re not busy, could we talk for a moment?” she asked.

I gave a small nod.

“I wanted to tell you about Luna’s preg—”

A sudden crash shattered the quiet.

The sharp sound of glass breaking came from Clementine’s ward, instantly putting my senses on alert. Without another word, I left Myra behind and pushed the door open.

Relief loosened the tightness in my chest the moment I saw Clementine standing unharmed. Only a glass lay shattered across the floor.

“Don’t pick that up,” I said quickly, stepping toward her. “I’ll call a nurse to bring another.”

She nodded softly.

I rubbed the back of my neck, irritation creeping back in. “Alessia is being stubborn again, she won’t even answer my calls now. I honestly don’t know what the hell has gotten into her.”

“It’s okay, Max.” Clementine reached out and lightly placed her hand on my arm, her touch gentle, almost hesitant. “If she doesn’t want to talk, you shouldn’t force her.”

She lowered her gaze, her voice softening.

“Actually… maybe it’s my fault she’s upset.”

My brows furrowed. “Why would you say that?”

Clementine gave a small, uneasy smile, as if she was reluctant to say more.

“Alessia must be angry that you brought me to stay in your house..." she said quietly. “I could feel it from the very first day I arrived. She never really spoke to me, and whenever we crossed paths, she would avoid me.”

She paused, fingers tightening slightly around the blanket.

“I can’t blame her, though,” Clementine looked up again, her expression fragile. “But please believe me, Max—I never meant to become a burden to you or come between you and Alessia. All I wanted was a safe place for my baby.” Her voice trembled slightly. “I don’t have anyone left now… you’re the only one I can rely on.”

Then she quickly shook her head, as if correcting herself.

“But don’t worry,” she added with a faint smile. “Once the baby is born, I’ll leave. I won’t stay and make things harder for you.”

Something inside me hardened at her words.

So that was it.

I had never imagined Alessia could be this selfish.

I stayed with Clementine a while longer, keeping her company until exhaustion finally pulled her into sleep. Only after she drifted off did I quietly leave the hospital and drive back home.

The house was quiet when I arrived.

I headed straight for the guest room where Alessia had been staying.

The door was locked.

I knocked once.

Then harder.

Still no answer.

My patience began to wear thin. I banged on the door again, irritation rising with every passing second.

Nothing.

“Wait.” I stopped an omega passing through the hallway. “Do you know whether Alessia is inside?”

The omega hesitated before answering. “I think so, Alpha. But… she’s been locking herself in her room lately.”

I scoffed under my breath.

See? Another one of her childish games.

She had even gone so far as to lie to me—claiming she was injured and staying in the hospital.

The thought only fueled my irritation.

That was when something caught my eye.

An envelope lay on the small desk near her door.

Frowning, I picked it up and slid the paper out.

The moment my eyes fell on the first line, my entire body went still.

"Termination Agreement of the Marriage between…"