Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The cold, damp cell seemed to close in on Ivy as she huddled on the narrow bunk. Her trembling hands gripped the edges of the thin, scratchy blanket she had been given. The events of the past few hours weighed heavily on her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that hung in the air like a thick fog.

Her eyes hurt from constantly glancing over at the prison door. "He'll come. He'll definitely come." She whispered to herself over and over again trying to shut down the voice of doubt creeping up in her head. 

He loved her. He'd said it countless times plus she was his mate and there was no way he would just abandon her like that. But why hasn't he come yet? Is he... 

"NO!" She said aloud. "He's probably trying to prove my innocence." 

The sound of footsteps approaching echoed through the walls. Her heart quickened as Marco, his face a mask of indifference, entered the room. 

"I knew you'd come," she said happily. "So?" She asked, finally looking into his eyes. 

And then she saw it, The indifference. There was no trace of the man she knew. His face was stoic and he looked at her with disdain. 

Ivy shook her head slightly as if trying to clear her mind. This wasn't right. He was supposed to look remorseful and... But why is he looking at her like that? 

"Marco?" she called, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Marco remained silent, he only arched his brow, his expression unreadable. Slowly, everything began to sink in. 

"Why?" Her voice trembled as she finally broke the silence that had settled between them. "Why didn't you speak up when you knew the truth, Marco? You could have saved me."

Marco scoffed. "What did you expect me to do?" 

"DEFEND ME? PROTECT ME!" She yelled.  "That's what you do for someone you love." 

Mark's jaw tightened, and he leaned against the cold, steel bars of the cell. His icy blue eyes bore into hers, but there was no warmth, no love, only a distant glimmer of irritation.

"Ivy," he began, his voice low and filled with everything but love, "I can't tell if you're just naive or plain daft."

Ivy's mouth hung open in shock. This was the first time Marco had spoken to her like this. "You don't mean... 

"Let's be real Ivy."  He cut her off. "You know I couldn't back you up in front of everyone. I couldn't risk them finding out that I'm mated to an Omega." 

Ivy's heart sank further, the weight of his words crushing her spirit. She had hoped for a different answer, a shred of loyalty that would redeem the shattered trust between them. But his explanation tore through any remnants of their connection, leaving her feeling nothing but discarded, a mere inconvenience in his pursuit of power and respect.

He paused, his gaze faltering for a moment. "Don't you understand? I'm the next in line Alpha, Ivy. If the news about my mate being an Omega were to come out, I'd lose everything—my respect, my position, everything I've worked for."

Ivy's heart ached at his words, the pain and betrayal etched across her face. She had never imagined that the person she loved, the one who had claimed to love her back, would forsake her so callously. The gravity of his words settled heavily upon her, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope she had foolishly clung onto. 

Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered, "So, you're willing to sacrifice me for your own gain?"

Marco rolled his eyes, sighing afterward. "It is what it is," he said without feeling. 

Ivy's disappointment turned to anger, and she pushed herself off the bunk, standing before him. Her body language spoke of all the emotions she felt at the moment. Hate, pain, anger, sadness. "Get out," she hissed, her voice filled with a mix of hurt and anger. "I don't want to see you anymore. Leave."

Ivy could feel her heart shatter into a million pieces as Marco nonchalantly strolled out of the cell, leaving her all alone. The betrayal cut through her like a hot knife, leaving a painful emptiness that seemed unbearable. It felt as if the world had turned its back on her, leaving her to drown in a sea of sorrow.

 The pain was overwhelming, stabbing at her chest with each beat of her broken heart. How could he leave her like this? It was as if their love meant nothing to him. Ivy's tears flowed freely, the salty drops mixing with her anguish. She had trusted him, believed in him, only to be left abandoned, an afterthought in his mind.

 The ache in her soul was unbearable, a constant reminder of his desertion. She wished she could erase the memory, and forget the pain, but it lingered, consuming her every thought. 

Ivy was still processing her emotions when the door creaked open again and Evelyn walked in. Her presence was suffocating, and Ivy could feel the malice emanating from her.

Evelyn approached Ivy with a cruel smirk playing on her lips. She had always resented Ivy for being Marco's mate, and now that Ivy was locked away, Evelyn saw her chance to gloat.

"Well, well, well," Evelyn purred, circling Ivy like a predator toying with its prey. "Look at you, Ivy. Locked up like the worthless Omega you are. You should be grateful you're still breathing."

Ivy clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing at the woman who had always despised her. "What do you want, Evelyn?"

Evelyn's smirk widened, and she leaned in close, her voice dripping with venom. "What do I want? Hmmm! To gloat." She said and began to laugh. "I never knew it'd be so easy to get rid of you."

Ivy's blood boiled at Evelyn's taunts. She had never been one to back down from a fight, but she was trapped behind bars, powerless. "You won't get away with this, Evelyn. Marco will see through your lies."

Evelyn laughed, a cold, heartless sound. "Marco? The one who just walked out of here leaving you alone?" 

Evelyn's laughter echoed off the cold, stone walls, filling the space with a cruel melody. "Oh, how amusing," she taunted, a glimmer of madness in her eyes. "Do you truly believe that? It's sweet, really.  He won't lift a finger for you now. You're a liability to him, and he knows it. You're on your own, Ivy. But I will make sure you never rise from this abyss I've cast you into."

"You won't get away with this Evelyn. I promise you." 

Evelyn's smile widened, her eyes flashing with a mixture of malice and amusement. "We shall see, little omega," she hissed, her words designed to inflict maximum pain. "But mark my words, your little spark of hope will be extinguished, and you'll be left with nothing."

With those final words hanging in the air, She turned on her heel and made her way toward the exit. The heavy door closed behind her, the sound reverberating through the cell.