8

Leonardo wasn’t having it with Victoria—he was pissed to the bones. “You are my stepsister, and if you think anything is going to happen between me and you, then think again,” he hissed with irritation.

Victoria wasn’t surprised he wasn’t moved by her.

The liquor left her body the same way Leonardo left the room. With shame and sadness, she got off the bed and walked to her room. Tears spilled down both sides of her cheeks. She washed herself in the bathroom, and when she came out, she met Ray in her room.

“What do you look like that for?” he asked, gesturing with his hand.

Victoria said nothing as she walked to her bed.

“Well, I came to tell you that we are in deep shit. I saw the witch while I was going back. She asked about you, and I told her what happened with the potion. She said there was trouble. First, for you—you might never be able to bear any child again. And for the slut that took the potion, something terrible is going to happen because the potion was prepared for you. Just you!” Ray explained, his eyes filled with sadness for her.

Victoria gently sighed and sat on the bed. Her body shook with terror. “I will not be able to have kids?” she let out softly, her eyes laced with tears that ran down both sides of her cheeks.

Ray went and squatted beside her, tapping his fingers gently on her thighs. “You don’t have to cry,” he said.

“It is all because of that slut. I swear I will find her and kill her with my very hands. She will go through so much pain and wish to die—but I will not kill her,” Victoria growled. Tears wouldn’t stop streaming down her cheeks.

Just then, her brother—the Beta, Jethro—walked into her room.

“It is all your fault!” she growled, pointing accusing fingers at his face. “All of this happened because of you!”

She got on her feet. Jethro frowned and quickly scooted back to shut her door properly. It was a good thing each room was soundproof, otherwise anyone could hear her.

“It was you who helped that slut escape! You think I wouldn’t know that you helped her?” she added, her tone filled with rage.

“Yes, the same way you paved the way for the death of my lover. You told the Alpha of Blue Moon about our plans to overthrow Leonardo. Isn’t that the reason she got killed?” Jethro glared at her, his voice raised with equal anger.

He was also seething.

The duo, who were twins, had hated each other from birth—always against one another.

“You think that I will allow you and your stupid childhood lover to kill the man that I love?” One tear slipped from Victoria’s eyes.

“And you think I will watch you have a happy ending with the man that I hate? I know all of your plans, and I will always ruin them. Because of you, Bianca was killed—the one woman I loved. Sister, beware. Every time you have a chance at true love, I will destroy it!” Jethro growled.

Victoria chuckled darkly. “Well, too bad, brother. I just heard I may never be able to produce children again. So you should be scared of me instead.”

Jethro’s eyes softened for a second before his expression hardened again. He looked away and said, “Leonardo would like to see us. Come to the meeting room.” With that, he turned and walked away.

Ray, who had been standing behind Victoria the entire time, sighed. “How can you two hate each other so much? You’re practically twins—you two shared the same placenta!” He couldn’t even imagine the level of their hatred. It was so thick, it could be tasted in the air.

“I hate him so much. He caused all of this. If he hadn’t interfered, that slut wouldn’t have escaped.”

“You should blame the messenger. He was the one who got careless with the potion,” Ray replied.

Victoria got dressed and went to the meeting room, where Leonardo and Jethro were already waiting. Leonardo looked furious—his eyes sharp, his jaw clenched. He glared at her as she approached him.

Victoria felt fear; her hands shook slightly. She loved him so much, yet he looked at her with nothing but disgust and deep hatred.

“From now on, Victoria is no longer allowed in my chambers. The guards will be extremely strict with her. My library, office, and room are no longer open to her—and I want you, Jethro, to make sure of that,” Leonardo ordered, his voice cold and unforgiving.

Victoria gripped the side of her dress, her fingers digging into the fabric. She bit down on her lips at the amount of humiliation she was being made to endure.

“You may leave, Victoria,” Leonardo dismissed her, then turned to Jethro.

“What about the restaurant lady—what’s her name again?” Leonardo asked.

“Maya,” Jethro responded.

“Yes, what about her and her children? You said she had twins?” Leonardo asked, curiosity flashing in his eyes. He still felt a deep sense of regret over how he’d barged into her restaurant.

“We sent the items you asked to her, but she refused them. She sent them back with a note which said she wants nothing to do with you,” Jethro reported.

“She is still angry,” Leonardo sighed.

“I doubt she would be willing to do business with me. But I have a business idea in mind for her. The orphanage home needs good cooks, and I heard she’s one. I want to make a business deal with her.”

“I doubt that she would—”

“Jethro, don’t worry. I’ll take care of it myself. Thank you for your help so far,” Leonardo cut him off gently, turning to the files on his desk.

As he flipped through the documents, the thought of that woman—Maya—took over his mind again.

Why did she hate him so much?

It couldn’t just be because he barged into her restaurant.

There had to be more.

And he was willing to find out himself.