51

Zach’s POV

The moment my eyes landed on her, everything else blurred into nothing.

Livia stood across the grand hall like a memory that refused to die, elegant, composed, breathtaking in a way that felt almost cruel. 

The soft lights above only made her glow more, her presence commanding attention without even trying.

My chest tightened just like that night… The first time I had seen her again after years apart, how my world had tilted, how my control had slipped for a brief, dangerous second. Back then, I had mistaken her silence for weakness, and I almost scoffed now.

My jaw clenched as another memory forced its way in. The slap, the sharp, stinging crack that had echoed louder than any words she could have said. I could still feel it, the heat on my cheek, the shock that had rippled through my entire body, the way my pride had shattered in front of her. 

And now? Now she looked at me like I was nothing. No… worse like I was something filthy.

My gaze dropped slightly, just in time to see her pull her daughter closer, instinctively, protectively, as if she was shielding the child from me.

It was like I was a threat. I froze as something ugly twisted deep inside me. "So that’s what I am to you now?" I muttered under my breath, my voice low, almost dangerous, but she didn’t hear me, or maybe… she chose not to.

Without a second glance, Livia turned and walked away, her grip firm on her daughter’s hand. Not a pause, no hesitation, and not even the courtesy of pretending. She erased me completely.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as my chest rose and fell with restrained frustration.

“Sir?” The voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I turned slightly and saw one of the staff members hovering nearby, uncertain.

“Nothing,” I said curtly, waving him off, but the damage was already done because the moment I lifted my head again, my eyes met Hayden’s.

Hayden stood a few feet away, his phone still pressed to his ear, but his attention was no longer on the call. It was on me, watching, observing, and calculating.

My expression hardened instantly. What did you see?

Hayden’s brows furrowed slightly, his gaze flickering in the direction Livia had just disappeared from before returning to me.

That single glance was enough and I felt it. That shift, that suspicion.

My heart skipped once, but my face remained unreadable. Damn it…

Slowly, Hayden ended his call, lowering the phone but still not breaking eye contact.

“What were you looking at?” Hayden asked, his tone calm, just too calm.

I let out a dry chuckle, forcing ease into my posture. “Nothing important,” I replied smoothly. “Just admiring the event. You outdid yourself.”

Hayden didn’t respond immediately, but he just studied me, and I hated that.

I hated the way Hayden’s silence felt heavier than accusations and for a brief second, a thought crossed my mind…

Did Bella say something? My jaw tightened.

If there was one person I didn’t trust right now, it was Bella.

Unpredictable, emotional, and dangerous when cornered.

“She wouldn’t dare…” I muttered internally, though I didn’t believe that completely.

Because Bella? Bella always dared.

A flicker of irritation passed through me.

If she opened her mouth…

I inhaled deeply, forcing my thoughts to settle as I could not afford to lose control here, not now, and not in front of everyone, because suddenly the cameras were on me.

There were flashes, whispers and voices calling my name. “Alpha Zach!”

“Where is your wife?”

“Is she attending tonight?”

My expression shifted instantly, perfect, composed, every inch the leader they expected me to be.

“My wife,” I began as I cleared my throat, my voice steady, carrying just enough concern to sound believable, “needed rest.”

The murmurs softened as I continued, my tone measured. “After what happened the last time, I thought it best she stay away from unnecessary stress.”

A few nods, a few sympathetic looks as that's exactly what I needed.

I gave a small, controlled smile before adding, “But I must say… I’m grateful.” I said as my eyes moved to Hayden.

“For the support given to my family,” I said. “It didn’t go unnoticed.”

The room quieted slightly as attention shifted.

Hayden stepped forward, his expression neutral but polite.

“There’s no need for that,” Hayden replied. “We all look out for each other.”

I extended my hand and there was a brief pause. Then, Hayden took it. Our handshake was firm and strong, but beneath it? There was tension and unspoken words.

I leaned in slightly, my voice low enough for only Hayden to hear.

“You have been very involved lately,” I said.

Hayden didn’t flinch. “Someone had to be,” he replied just as quietly.

Our eyes locked, a silent challenge passing between us.

I smirked faintly, pulling back. “Careful. You might start enjoying responsibilities that aren’t yours.” I said.

Hayden’s lips curved just a little but there was no humor in it. “Or maybe I just take care of what matters,” he said.

The words hit harder than they should have as my expression darkened for a split second, and then a. sound cut through the moment.

A car is pulling up outside. The faint rumble of the engine echoed just enough to draw attention.

My head turned instinctively toward the entrance. My lips pressed into a thin line.

Perry? Of course, right on time.

“Speak of the devil,” I muttered, but as the doors opened, something felt off.

Perry stepped out first, as expected, calm, composed and infuriatingly unreadable, but he wasn’t alone.

My brows furrowed slightly.

Who could be with her? But then I saw her.

My breath caught as the time seemed to slow.

“No…” I whispered under my breath, disbelief crashing into me because walking beside Perry with her chin lifted high, her eyes cold, and her presence radiating quiet authority was his wife, Bella.

To me, this is not the Bella I knew, no.

This one looked like a storm I wasn’t ready for.

My jaw tightened as my eyes darkened, something dangerous flickering within them.

“What the hell…” I muttered.

Because the way she walked beside Perry was unbothered, untouched, like she belonged there.

It was like she didn’t need me anymore.

It didn’t just confuse me, but it provoked me deeply, and for the first time that night, I felt it.

That sharp, unsettling shift in control. Something had changed, and whatever it was, I was no longer the one holding the upper hand.