CHAPTER TWO 

“Doctor, how is the condition of my daughter?”

I grabbed for his elbow enough to force him to look at me before he could take another step a-way from the emergency room. My fingers were still trembling against his white coat, desperate to hear any sign of hope.

He sighed.

“She’s still okay,” he said, voice soft. “But knowing her condition she isn’t fit to walk that long. Elisse’s kidney failure pressured her lungs and heart together.”

I stared past him. The nurses were pushing her bed out now. Elisse looked even smaller under the blanket, her skin nearly translucent, her lips pale and chapped. A plastic mask covered her mouth and nose, and IV tubes trailed from her arms like broken strings.

My knees weakened and stumbled down seeing my daughter in that state. 

This is all my fault. If only I hadn’t drag my daughter into this idea. She wouldn’t even be in this state. All that I wish was for the two of us to start anew, to have an new life away from Kairi’s sight. 

But instead of giving my daughter a better life, all I did was made her health condition worse.

The doctor helped me up gently. “Please stand up, Ms. Untalan. The best thing you can do now is wait and trust that the treatment works for her. There had been waterbuild up around her lungs which made her unable to breathe. We are considering thorasynthesis procedure of the dialysis treatment won’t work on her. The procedure isn’t cheap though.” 

When the doctor said that, I quickly took my phone and texted Kairi.

Where are you? Elisse is in the hospital and needs your help. Come and see her. Elisse really needs you. Kairi... please.

And even after an hour of waiting, there was no sign of him ever responding back.

“I’ll get the money, Doctor.” I whispered to the doctor. “Please do everything to save my daughter.”

He patted my shoulder with pity in his eyes and walked away. I looked down at Elisse again, at the child who was unconscious and struggling to stay alive.

And this urge me to go and find ways to earn the funds needed for the possible procedure needed. Not that long, I arrived at the banquet hall.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting golden halos over the crowd of elites draped in gowns, furs, and thousand-dollar shoes. I moved between them in borrowed heels, a too-tight uniform that chafed against my waist, and a tray of wine glasses trembling in my grasp.

Just three more hours.

Three more hours and I could get the cash transfer. It would cover three days’ worth of Elisse’s treatment and even the possible procedure to remove the water build up around her lungs. Three days of her breathing easier, of less pain.

That was all I wanted.

“Ewww, what’s that awwful smell? What kind of sour taste is that?” a voice rang out, sharp and theatrical.

I froze. It was Helena.

I didn’t need to turn around to know it was her. The scent of expensive perfume and the venom in her tone were all too familiar. Daughter of the current beta. The girl who’d worshipped Kairi since they were kids. The girl who hated me with a fire hot enough to burn through walls.

She stepped in front of me, her heels clicking, her crimson gown trailing behind her like blood. Her eyes swept over me with contempt.

“Oh, how did a bug like you crawl into such a high-class event?” she sneered.

I kept my head down. “Champagne or red wine, miss?” I asked, keeping my voice even.

She leaned in close and whispered through gritted teeth. “You don’t belong next to Kairi Sta. Ana. You’re not even in his world.”

Then she picked up one of the glasses from my tray—slow, deliberate—and dumped it over her dress.

“Ahh!” she shrieked. “Manager! Look at this disaster! Who hired this idiot?”

Guests turned. Eyes stared. My blood ran cold.

And then I heard it.

A familiar voice—strong, steady, wrapped in power. “What happened here?”

I turned toward it before I could stop myself.

Of all people, why does it have to be Kairi.

He was even more breathtaking than I remembered—tall and commanding in a midnight black suit, his golden eyes scanning the room with cool detachment.

But his arm was not empty.

Bianca Britain stood beside him. Beautiful and goddess-looking version of me. I was really a cheaper version of her. Her silver gown shimmered like moonlight. Her blonde hair was swept into a flawless chignon, and her face—yes, from some angles, it looked like mine. But more delicate. More royal. She was the princess of the Wolfpang Pack, she was Kairi’s dream woman.

Kairi’s eyes landed on me, and for a split second, I saw something flicker in them. Guilt? Regret? Then it was gone.

“She poured red wine on my dress!” Helena wailed. “I just told her she was slow, and she snapped!”

Bianca blinked at me, surprise flashing in her eyes.

Kairi frowned, but his voice was low. “Why are you here?”

He didn’t say my name.

Just a question. Dismissive. Like I was a problem he didn’t expect to find at his feet.

I clenched my jaw. “Working,” I said, voice cracking. “I’m just working.”

Bianca tilted her head. “Who is she? Do you know her?”

Kairi didn’t hesitate. “Just a former maid,”

My heart shattered with a quiet, painful snap.

And then he added. “Helena, take her out.”

I stepped forward, my voice trembling. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t spill the wine. Kairi—I need money. Elisse is in the hospital—”

He didn’t look at me.

Helena grabbed my arm with a victorious smirk. “Come on, you pest.”

She yanked me outside, dragging me through the corridor and shoving me near the side entrance. Her heels clacked like gunshots on the marble floor.

“You see?” she hissed. “You don’t belong here. You should crawl back into whatever squatters area you came from.”

I snapped. “And you seriously think you belong here? With Kairi? If you think you deserve him so much, why wasn’t your arm the one he was holding? Why is it that the woman he is with right now, resembles so much of me?”

Her face twisted. “You little—”

She shoved me down. My knees slammed into the ground, and I bit back a cry. The thin waiter’s dress offered no protection. Humiliation burned through me hotter than fire.

“Apologize,” she said, looking down her nose at me. “Apoligize, or I’ll call the police. You’ll lose your job. You’ll owe me for the dress. And this banquet hall? My uncle owns it.”

I stared at her. I needed the money. Elisse needed to live.

I clenched my fists and lowered my head. “I’m sorry, Helena. I… I’m sorry for dirtying your clothes. Please forgive me.”

She laughed. A long, cruel laugh. Then she grabbed a handful of my hair and leaned down.

“You should’ve died with that little bastard you gave birth.”

After hearing that, something in me snapped.

“Take back what you said!” I lunged up, trying to push her off, but two security guards arrived and grabbed me by the arms.

I kicked, twisted, screamed, but their grips were like iron.

“Let me go! Please! My daughter is in the hospital! I just need the money—just three days’ worth! Please, Helena!”

But she was already on her phone. “Yes, Uncle. Fire her. And don’t give her a cent.”

The guards dragged me toward the door.

Inside the banquet hall, I could hear music swelling. I could hear the sound of applause. I heard Kairi’s voice, lifting in celebration as he toasted the arrival of Princess Bianca Britain.

I was dragged out into the snow, mouth covered, heart shattered.

The doors slammed behind me.

And for the second time that day, I dropped to my knees fully devastated.