#Chapter 7: Replaced

Tessa’s POV

Evander is looking at me like a suspect now, and I don’t know what to do.

In a flurry of nerves, I tuck the marriage contract underneath one of my legs and fold my hands atop my lap, schooling my expression into one of cool neutrality.

Hopefully he didn’t get too close a look at what I was reading.

"I’m just tidying up the room," I say hastily. "Since, you know, I probably won’t be leaving here for a bit…"

"Right," Evander says slowly, gaze still locked onto me like a vise.

I swallow nervously.

He glances around the room, which–thankfully–isn’t terribly untidy.

So my lie should hold up.

"I’ve already had the news taken care of by the way," he says with a quick shake of his head. "Thanks to your very… public accident…"

My face flushes an embarrassed red, and I look away.

His gaze . "Since it’s inconvenient for you to go out now, you don’t need to go to work anymore."

The panic sets in quick. My heart is already racing a mile a minute.

What’s this about?

Is he ashamed of me, desperately trying to distance himself? Is he trying to cut me off from my own income? Or does he just want me tucked away, out of sight and out of mind so my existence doesn’t stir up too much trouble when news of his Fated mate hits the public?

No matter what it is, it’s certainly not good for me.

"No one–no one at work knows my identity," I stammer out quickly, trying to get the words out as fast as possible. "I’m so sorry this happened–nothing like it will ever happen again."

Evander raises a disbelieving eyebrow.

"I’ll be more careful in the future!" I continue. "And I won’t do anything that would risk  your family’s interests."

Evander. "Are you injured? You can call Dr. Terrance back whenever-"

I remember the clause from the contract–the one that states I don’t have any parental rights over my own unborn child.

He can’t know about the pregnancy.

I feel a tight knot in my chest at the decision.

"I’m fine," I tell Evander in a tone equally cold and stiff.

Evander furrows his brow, clearly unhappy by the way I’ve responded, but suddenly there’s a knock on the door.

"Come in!" I call.

An Omega shuffles into the room, head bowed respectfully.

"Madeleine has invited you both to dinner," the Omega says.

"Tell her we’ll be there shortly," Evander replies.

With that, the Omega steps out of the room.

Evander looks me over . "You’ll need to change," he says.

I glance down. I’m wearing a thin slip–the doctors must have changed my clothes. Still, he’s looking at me as though I’d chosen the outfit myself.

"Yeah," I mutter. "I got hit by a motorcycle."

Evander’s lips twist. "Do you need help changing?" He asks.

My face flushes. "I–I’ve got it!"

"I’ll wait outside for you, then," he says.

With that, he leaves the room and closes the door behind him with a soft click.

As soon as he’s gone, I breathe out a heavy sigh of relief. I quickly pull out the marriage contract from underneath my leg and return it to its place in the dresser drawer.

The door shuts with finality, and all the residual stress ebbs to the back of my mind, if only for a few moments.

Evander can’t know that I’m looking for an out.

And he certainly can’t know I’m looking for any way I might be able to keep my baby.

I change somewhat slowly thanks to the aches and pangs from the accident, and quickly sweep my hair into an elegant updo. To make myself look a bit more decent, I grab a necklace on the desk and fasten it around my throat.

When I open the door to meet Evander, his gaze drops to the pendant immediately.

His brow furrows, but he doesn’t say anything about it.

I look down and realize I grabbed the stunning ruby pendant Evander gave me for our three-year anniversary two years ago. I want to explain that I didn’t wear it on purpose, but I guess that doesn’t really make any difference.

We walk to the dining room in silence. Just as we get there, Mira suddenly appears before us.

Without even bothering to look at me, she flings herself into Evander’s arms.

"I missed you!" She beams, gazing into his eyes. "And Carol gave me a tour of the house–you have a lovely home, Evander. I can’t wait to move in with you."

Anger, sadness, and frustration all braid themselves into unrelenting knots in the pit of my stomach.

The three of us make our way over to the dinner table, where Madeleine and Carol are already seated. Madeleine smiles gently at me, while Carol seems to be trying to shoot daggers into my soul.

Evander takes his usual seat at the head of the table. Just as I’m about to take my seat beside him, Mira sits down immediately.

My eyes widen. I don’t know what to do in this situation. I stand behind the two of them awkwardly.

"I…" I begin slowly.

"Oh, am I in your seat?" Mira asked, not bothering to move an inch.

"It's fine. It’s just a seat," Evander says casually.

"R-right," I stammer out, trying to ignore the pang of disappointment eating me alive.

I can feel everyone’s eyes on me as I make my way around the table and sit down across from him.

"So, Mira," Madeleine begins, gaze landing on Mira. "Tell us a bit about yourself."

"I’m the daughter of an Alpha from a rising pack–the Crescent pack!" She begins eagerly. "I’m eighteen this year, shifted at sixteen. Today was my very first Marking Ceremony, and as soon as we set eyes on one another, Evander and I recognized each other as Fated mates."

Mira’s eyes shine as she continues to speak. "Goodness, it was a beautiful ceremony," she says dreamily. "There was dancing, and there were roses everywhere–beautiful white flowers–and the most romantic music was playing…"

I stare at my empty plate numbly and remain silent, heart heavy with bitterness and jealousy.

What could I even say, at this point?

Please, Evander, don’t do this. Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me for her–

It’s all pathetic.

I don’t want to have to beg for love.

"That all sounds lovely," Madeleine says. Her voice snaps me out of my hopeless thoughts.

Her smile is polite as she looks at Mira.

But then her gaze shifts to her son, and she tilts her head.

"So..." She asks. "Are you planning to marry Mira soon, Evander?"

Filled with anxiety, I look over at Evander.

My heart races as I wait for his response with baited breath.