CHAPTER FIVE

ARIA’s POV….

“I—I—“ I turned around slowly, my heart beating faster than a ticking time bomb as I swallowed.

Having him stand just a few inches away from me, even if we weren’t making physical contact, was causing me to feel weak in the limbs and making my wolf to jump so much within me and I hated my body and wolf for betraying me in times like these.

“You were what?” He sounded impatient, like he couldn’t wait to be done talking to me even though he’d been the one who came all the way into my bathroom.

“I was taking medicine. That was just trash.” It sounded like the perfect thing to say especially as I’d just returned from the hospital.

He stared at me, a hint of doubt evident in his eyes, but he blinked it away in a second, returning to his usual cold and expressionless face.

He looked behind me, to the containers on the sink as he let out a soft exhale. It’d been soft but it’d felt like I was in front of a heater as I grabbed on to the sides of my dress, doing my best to remain rooted to the spot.

He took two steps closer as I moved to the side before he took the containers, examining them carefully as his brows twitched slightly and it felt like my heart had been caught in my throat.

My entire being froze the moment he grabbed the container of ‘stomach flu’ medicine. What if he found out the truth?

I felt a little bit of life return to me when I saw his face relax, seemingly not so suspicious of me. He kept the container gently on the sink as he turned to me, making me unable to miss the aloof look he still had on his face even though he did a good job masking it.

“It’s just three more months. I hope you don’t do anything that’ll leave Ashley suspicious of whatever happened between us.” He warned. Didn’t he have enough from hurting me already?

“And, I hope you’ve been consistent with the birth control pills.” My heart froze as he stared at me like he was trying to pick a reaction.

“We can’t have you pregnant for me.” He said coldly like his words hadn’t passed through me like a burning arrow.

My hands released the sides of my dress as I took a fragile step towards him. “Three years,” I could hear my voice start to crack, but I chose to keep going. After today, I would probably never get the chance to talk to him about this anymore.

“In these three years, did I really not leave any memories? Anything that would cause your heart to soften? Maybe something that you’d look back on and smile at?” I knew the answer already, but still, I anticipated what his answer would be.

His eyes remained on me, still cold, like he’d been programmed to be so cold around me for goodness knew whatever reason. “Memories?” The word came out as a scoff but I refused to waver.

“What’s there to miss or remember about an omega like you?” My heart clenched.

An omega like me. His words stung. Harder than a bee would.

His eyes softened a tad bit as he ran his fingers through his hair, revealing the sleek texture of his wonderful dark hair. “You can start handing over the Luna Affairs to Beta Luke— and, if there’s anything you need these coming three months, compensation, maybe, we can talk it out. Just come to me.”

Compensation. I’d never felt more insulted my whole life. Yes, the reason we’d ever gotten into this arrangement in the first place had been to pay off debts I hadn’t even owed, but in the first few months, it’d evolved from that.

Money, luxury, goods, the luna status— I didn’t care for any of these. I only wanted one thing; his love. The only man’s love I’d ever longed for my entire life.

Despite yearning for his love more than anything else, I wouldn’t stand him treating me like this, like I was nothing more than a few bucks.

“I don’t want compensation.” My voice almost came out in a yell and I had to pinch myself to soften my voice as I almost broke into a sob. “Raymond, don’t you see it? All I want is—“

Interrupting me, he continued what he was saying. “Ashley will move into my chambers tomorrow. Clear out whatever things you still have there. I do not want a single thing that’ll give off even the suspicion that I’ve ever had anything to do with you. Have I made myself clear?”

I couldn’t stop my eyes from watering anymore. From making love to me so roughly and gently a few days ago, he now wanted nothing to do with me, wanting not even a single trace of my presence in his life. If this was what he wanted, why did he still keep me here? What was the point of keeping me around when he now had Ashley? What did he stand causing me all this pain?

“Terminate the contract then. If you’re so disgusted by the fact that you’ve ever had something to do with me in the past, why not let me go before the end of the three months? What’s the point of—“ I couldn’t get the rest of the words out as immediately, he grabbed my neck, his fingers digging deep into my skin as I tapped his hand, tears freely streaming down my cheeks as I coughed.

“Ra—“ his grip tightened around my neck as I started to feel my vision become blurry while I struggled to get free. He smirked as his thumb gently caressed the side of my neck in a way that only he knew how to and I felt my entrance start to dampen.

“I am the Alpha here.” He pushed me aside with so much force as I placed my hand to my neck, more tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Only I can terminate the contract of doing it. You— you have no say.”