Sandra’s POV The next day, there was another meeting. Another gathering of familiar faces that now felt foreign. Everyone was there because of the poisoning, the truth that had finally come to light. The elders spoke, one after the other, each with a different tone. Some spoke with regret, others with authority, and a few tried to find a middle ground, to balance what had happened with what was still left unsaid.But as they talked, I sat there, silent. Still.The words bounced off the walls, off their lips, and off me. I heard them, but I couldn’t feel them. Not the way they probably intended. They were trying to bring peace. Trying to restore order. Trying to act like what happened was something that could be wrapped up neatly and placed in the past. But I wasn’t there yet.Because peace wasn’t something you could summon with speeches.It wasn’t something that showed up just because the truth finally did.I looked around the room and saw faces I used to trust. Faces that had on
Sandra’s POVAnother meeting.This wasn’t the first meeting, and it probably wouldn’t be the last, but it was the third since everything came to light. Since the lies unraveled. Since the truth had been dragged out into the open like an old, rotting corpse that had been hidden for far too long.And now, everyone wanted to act like they cared. Like they were shocked. Like they hadn’t known, or suspected, or played a part in letting it get this far. It was strange how quickly people could clean their hands and pretend they were never dirty.But me? I wasn’t pretending. I was just tired.Tired of being the girl who always had to be strong. Tired of being the one who people looked at with pity on their faces and questions in their eyes. Tired of fighting to be seen as more than just someone who survived.I wasn’t there to make anyone feel better. Not today.This meeting, just like the others, was meant to bring "closure." I stood by the door for a moment, just breathing. Taking it all in
Susan’s POVThey said justice had spoken. That truth had won. That the monster had been unmasked.But I wasn’t dead.Not even close.A dirty secret. A mistake no one wanted to claim.And that was what hurt the most.Like I was nothing more than a shadow they accidentally stood next to once.I could still feel the sting in my chest, that slow burn of humiliation that refused to fade. It had settled deep, becoming a part of me. I remembered how they used to sit in my home, in the very living room I decorated with so much love, laughing at the stories I told. They made toasts. They danced. They claimed we were family. That we were connected by more than blood or history—we were connected by loyalty.But now?Now those same people could barely meet my eyes. Now, when I walked into a room, they shifted in their seats, cleared their throats awkwardly, avoided saying my name altogether. As if by not acknowledging me, they could pretend their hands were clean. That they hadn’t once benefit
Sandra’s POVI knew something was off the moment I woke up that morning.There wasn’t a sound. Not the usual distant hum of the city or even birds chirping like they usually did outside our window. Just stillness. Thick, almost eerie silence. I sat up slowly, scanning the room like something or someone was waiting to jump out at me.But it was just the quiet.I shook it off and padded into the kitchen, where Eric was already making coffee. He smiled when he saw me, and for a moment, things felt normal again. “Did you sleep okay?” he asked, sliding a mug toward me.I nodded, even though I hadn’t. My dreams had been cluttered again fragments of Susan’s face, distorted in anger, floating in and out of memory. Whispers I couldn’t place. Things I couldn’t unsee. And that strange feeling of being watched.“I’m fine,” I lied, taking a sip.The taste was familiar, warm, and comforting but it did nothing for the weight pressing on my chest.The day didn’t get any better.By noon, I got the fi
Sandra’s POVThe weight of everything had been crushing me for weeks. I didn’t need to sit with it to feel it anymore; the pressure was always there, lurking behind every conversation, every glance. But there was something about the silence that had settled over me that day, a calm before a storm. I realized something in that silence: I was tired of feeling like a victim in my own life.I could have fallen deeper, letting Susan win. I could have let her bitterness, and her manipulations pull me into a world where I was constantly battling shadows. But I wasn’t that woman anymore. At least, I wasn’t going to be.I’d spent the last few days spiraling, questioning myself, wondering if maybe this was my fault. But something in me snapped back into focus. I wasn’t just a pawn in this twisted game. And I certainly wasn’t going to let Susan or anyone else turn me into one.It started with something small, almost unnoticeable at first. I stopped pretending. I stopped pretending to be okay
Sandra’s POVThe weight of everything had been crushing me for weeks. I didn’t need to sit with it to feel it anymore; the pressure was always there, lurking behind every conversation, every glance. But there was something about the silence that had settled over me that day, a calm before a storm. I realized something in that silence: I was tired of feeling like a victim in my own life.I could have fallen deeper, letting Susan win. I could have let her bitterness, and her manipulations pull me into a world where I was constantly battling shadows. But I wasn’t that woman anymore. At least, I wasn’t going to be.I’d spent the last few days spiraling, questioning myself, wondering if maybe this was my fault. But something in me snapped back into focus. I wasn’t just a pawn in this twisted game. And I certainly wasn’t going to let Susan or anyone else turn me into one.It started with something small, almost unnoticeable at first. I stopped pretending. I stopped pretending to be okay
Sandra's POVThe chat from earlier, the one that was sent to Eric about me using him, had circulated on most blogs. I was being called names for deceiving him even after he picked a common girl like me over a more cultured Susan, made me his Queen and Luna and supported my every decision without an ounce of doubt.“Let them talk”, I whispered. I put off my phone after reading some of the derogatory remarks made. I refuse to falter. Even if I was very scared. Even though I was wondering what people would say or think of me. Not that their opinions mattered after all.I was becoming worried though, about the whole thing. I didn't want my family to be affected, not the kids or Eric. I didn't want anyone badmouthing Eric even if I knew he'd handle it. I didn't want the kids to be isolated or discriminated either. My reputation had already been burned to the ground. The truth about Susan and the poisoned food at the gala was supposed to have done some damage control to my reputation but of
Eric's POVI had gone to the my office after talking to Sandra this morning. I could see that she was badly hurting but she didn't want to accept the fact. She kept saying that I shouldn't help but I couldn't just sit still and watch them tear her down. I knew that she was very strong but this was too much for her. The pain in her eyes, the way she trembled whenever I talked about helping, like she was scared I'd get hurt in the process. Although I didn't know what way Susan would strike, I talked with my Beta on strengthening the security around the castle. I also made arrangements for secret guards for my kids, Sandra and my mother. My mother was supposed to be supportive of Sandra, helping her out and giving her solutions to most of the problems but she kept acting nonchalant and I didn't appreciate that at all. She was the one who chose Sandra for me, so she was supposed to have a soft spot for her at least. She had no right to compare her to that sly snake, Susan. She knew what S
Susan's POVI was sitting in my room, doing my nails when a call came in. I checked the caller ID of the number. It was Luke. I wondered why he was calling. After our last meeting, I didn't expect any calls from him for a while so I was surprised when I saw the call. I picked it up. “ You were supposed to lay low for the time being and not cause any problems no matter how pained you are. You were supposed to sit down in your freaking house and do nothing. You were supposed to work on the future plans. There were better plans which when well developed would cause more destruction than the little stones you throw daily". I could tell he was very angry. Anger was an understatement though. He was furious. For what reason though ? I couldn't tell. He had just called and started ranting about what I didn't know about.“ Woah, woah, woah. Calm down big guy. What's making you so mad because I literally have no idea what you're talking about". “ You have no idea, really ?",he asked.“Yeah, I
Sandra's POVI had woken up exactly thirty minutes after I had fallen asleep. I went to the bathroom and had a quick shower and cleaned up. Afterwards, I wore a simple sundress, fixed my hair in a ponytail and wore the hospital flip flops. I sat on the bed waiting for Eric. The discharge process wouldn't take much time and in a little while, I would be on my way home to see my little bundles of joy...I had waited for almost an hour and Eric had not yet come. I decided to take a walk. I picked up a piece of paper and wrote a short note telling him I was going to take a walk and where I would be. I placed the note on my bags and left the room. The hospital was very quiet unlike it's usual noisy atmosphere. I decided to take the stairs instead of the usual lift. Walking a little wouldn't hurt. I realized I had made the wrong decision choosing to go down using the stairs. I laughed at myself as I sat on the stairs to take a rest. I continued my journey a few minutes after and it didn't
Sandra's POVI was getting discharged today. The doctors had confirmed that I was healing quickly and very well. It had been three weeks since the incident. I hadn't seen Hayden and Hadley for these three weeks. Claire couldn't also come because she was staying with the kids. Eric had told her to not let the kids out of her sight. She was also with Mrs Axel. They were not in the palace though. Eric thought it was safer to keep everyone away from the house in case of any other attacks. Eric had not let me out of his sight ever since I woke up. He was keeping a close eye on me. He would follow me even when I went to take a bath or take a walk. It was like he was suspicious of me. But why though? I was very sure I didn't leave any clues when executing my plans and I had made Claire swear that she would not let anyone know about the plan. Not even Eric.I could not tell Eric of the plan. He would never allow me do it and it would be worse if I told him now, after taking action already.
Susan's POVI was sitting in my room, doing my nails when a call came in. I checked the caller ID of the number. It was Luke. I wondered why he was calling. After our last meeting, I didn't expect any calls from him for a while so I was surprised when I saw the call. I picked it up. “ You were supposed to lay low for the time being and not cause any problems no matter how pained you are. You were supposed to sit down in your freaking house and do nothing. You were supposed to work on the future plans. There were better plans which when well developed would cause more destruction than the little stones you throw daily". I could tell he was very angry. Anger was an understatement though. He was furious. For what reason though ? I couldn't tell. He had just called and started ranting about what I didn't know about.“ Woah, woah, woah. Calm down big guy. What's making you so mad because I literally have no idea what you're talking about". “ You have no idea, really ?",he asked.“Yeah, I
Sandra's POVI opened my eyes and shut it immediately as I adjusted to the bright light in the room. I tried sitting up but I felt trapped, like something was holding me down. I kept trying to no avail. I got tired and started slipping into the darkness again. I struggled to stay awake but it was just too much. I gave in and let the darkness take me.I was drifting between consciousness and unconsciousness. Sometimes I'd hear voices around me and sometimes, it was just silent. I'd try to sit up each time but I never succeeded. It was getting frustrating each time. I was worried, my mind kept going to my kids, Eric and Claire. I tried remembering what had happened but each time I tried, my head ached so badly and I'd force myself to go back to sleep. It was pure torture. Sometimes, the memories of what happened came in blue and by the time I woke up, I couldn't remember a thing.* * * * * * * * I opened my eyes and this time, the lighting in the room was just perfect. I moved my legs
Eric's POV I rushed home to meet the citizens of Lycan Groove outside the palace. Sandra was on a makeshift podium and Claire stood beside her. I hurried to meet her to stop her from doing what she planned. “Never", I heard her say in a very firm voice. “Talk all you want"......Her voice was drowned out by murmurs around me. I surged forward, my eyes still on her. She noticed me and gave me a small smile. I felt more at ease but I continued moving towards her. She ended her speech and waited for any comments from the citizens. No comment. Better, they had better not make any derogatory remarks else I'd make sure whoever made such remark paid dearly either with their lives or more. She swayed a little and Claire hurriedly handed her a bottle of water which she drank quickly. There were still no comments from anyone, they all stood like they were frozen in place. She had started leaving when someone called her attention “Excuse me", a voice called out from the crowd. She turned around
Eric's POV I was still very angry when I got to my office. How could they? How dare they think so little of her ? After everything she'd done. I was very disappointed in every single member of the Council, from the ones who brought up the idea, the ones who had let the enemy mess with their reasoning, the ones who had been silent throughout, not supporting, playing neutral, afraid they'd offend whoever was backing the opposers. Once this was over, I'd make sure to change each and every single member of my Council. Maybe the elders weren't needed to make decisions anymore since they'd the devil mess with them so easily. * * * * * * * * * “Sir, there's a problem. The Luna, she's gathering everyone", one of my guards reported.I wondered what Sandra was up to this time as I hurriedly packed up my things. I had this eerie feeling that everything was going to fall apart soon. My head throbbed as I tried calming myself. It'd better not be what I'm thinking. Sandra wouldn't take such dras
Susan's POVI had been in this room for almost a week, never stepping foot out even once. I looked around me, empty beer and wine bottles strewn around. I walked to the light switch and flicked it on, shielding my eyes as bright light flooded the room. My head was pounding fiercely thanks to all the alcohol. I opened the window curtains and looked out the glass window. I stumbled to the mirror and took a good look at myself. I was a mess, my hair looked like a bird's nest, dark circles were underneath my eye and old smudged make-up was still on my face. My face screamed for help as dark spots and acne that hadn't been on my face took up significant space on my face. I reeked of alcohol and so did the room. I picked up my phone and tried turning it on. Shit. It was off. How would I get to my sources now!!I opened my room door as fresh air streamed in.. I walked to the kitchen to find the cook preparing breakfast. “Get someone to prepare my bath ASAP", I ordered. He nodded and hurried
Eric's POVI had gone to the my office after talking to Sandra this morning. I could see that she was badly hurting but she didn't want to accept the fact. She kept saying that I shouldn't help but I couldn't just sit still and watch them tear her down. I knew that she was very strong but this was too much for her. The pain in her eyes, the way she trembled whenever I talked about helping, like she was scared I'd get hurt in the process. Although I didn't know what way Susan would strike, I talked with my Beta on strengthening the security around the castle. I also made arrangements for secret guards for my kids, Sandra and my mother. My mother was supposed to be supportive of Sandra, helping her out and giving her solutions to most of the problems but she kept acting nonchalant and I didn't appreciate that at all. She was the one who chose Sandra for me, so she was supposed to have a soft spot for her at least. She had no right to compare her to that sly snake, Susan. She knew what S