Chapter 004:

Alicia's POV

“Your mother’s condition has stabilised now, Luna Alicia,” the doctor’s words pierced through my deep thoughts, making me turn to him immediately.

“My mother? Can I see her now?” I asked, panic evident in my expression.

“Of course, Luna!” He bowed his head, and I didn’t hesitate to walk past him and head into the room where my mother was placed.

Pushing the door open, I expected to find her awake and willing to welcome me, but I was halted in my tracks when I saw her lying unconscious on the bed.

“Why isn’t she awake yet?” I asked, gazing back at Doctor Albert.

“We gave her emergency treatment. I’m sure she’ll wake up soon enough. She just needs rest,” he responded, bowing his head again before turning on his heels and leaving.

I walked over to her bedside. Seeing her like this broke my heart. I reached for her hand and sat beside her, wishing she would open her eyes and call me by name.

As I held my mother’s hand, tears began to pool in my eyes. The image of Andrew and Veronica at the charity gala kept crashing back into my mind, a relentless reminder of my heartbreak.

“He doesn’t treat me right, Mom,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I spoke to her unconscious form. “I’m exhausted from making excuses for him.”

I looked down at her peaceful face, seeking solace that wasn’t there. “I wanted a loving marriage, but this? This isn’t what I wanted, Mother… but I suppose I have to endure, don’t I?”

The vision of Andrew and Veronica, so happily entwined, haunted me. I was lost in my misery when I glanced at my phone and was jolted by the realisation of how late it had become.

“Oh no,” I gasped, panic seizing me. “I need to get back home. Elisa needs me, and Andrew must be waiting for me,” I assumed.

“Mom, I will see you tomorrow morning.” I put a kiss on her pale cheek and asked the doctor to carefully take care of her. “If there is any emergency, call me directly.”

With one last glance at my mother, I left the hospital and headed back home. Arriving at the mansion, I rushed to the room to see if Andrew had returned.

But when I pushed open the door, I was stunned to find the room empty. It was still as I had left it.

“He isn’t back yet?” I muttered, a frown forming as I pulled out my phone. As I stared at the screen, it hit me with a sinking feeling: he hadn’t called me once.

It was clear that Andrew didn’t care about my mother’s condition or my own whereabouts. His indifference stung sharply, a clear reminder of how little regard he had for my feelings or our situation. I was married, but I felt I was a widow for a long time.

With a heavy sigh, I dialled his number, hoping for some sign of concern or explanation. I waited anxiously, but each call went unanswered.

My frustration and hurt grew with every failed attempt to reach him. It was as if my calls were being ignored knowingly.

Seeing that he was unreachable, I decided to call his father, Mr. Owen Wright.

I had left my daughter in his house today, but it was not good to pick her up from there late at night.

I didn’t want my sad emotions to ruin my daughter’s happy day.

“Alicia, are you okay? I was beginning to get worried. You haven’t come to pick Elisa up as you promised!” His voice was tinged with concern.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come pick her up as I promised. My mother got hospitalised, and I won’t be able to come get her. Please let her stay with you tonight,” I begged softly, trying to sound calm.

“Is she okay? Please let me know if you need any help.” It was ironic that Andrew's father cared more about my mother than Andrew should have.

“Thank you, Owen. I will let you know if I need you.”

“Take care of your mom and yourself.” He sighed and, seemingly hesitant, ended the call.

Looking around, I realised I had a lot to do. With Andrew not at home, I needed to pack new clothes for the next morning at the hospital, even if I was sad and broken.

I began packing immediately, hoping to finish quickly so I could get some rest after spending the entire day at the hospital and could get up early tomorrow morning.

But just as I was almost done, the chime of the doorbell caught my attention. I paused and headed for the main door.

I expected it to be Andrew, but my hopes were dashed when I opened the door.

“Hello, Alicia!”

My grip on the doorknob tightened as I glared at her. “What are you doing here, Veronica?”

Veronica, Andrew’s stepsister who seemed to relish humiliating me, was standing right before me. Her reason for coming was unknown.

Her mother had married Andrew’s father in our first year of college. Although she tried to hide it, I was sure she regretted it.

“Don’t you think I should come in first? Come on, be the Luna we see on live broadcasts,” she sneered as she walked past me and into the house.

“Look, Veronica, I don’t have time for your games. State your reasons for coming here and leave!” I urged, my patience wearing thin.

“Fine, if you insist.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the necklace Andrew had given me.

She stretched it toward me with a sly smirk. “I came to return this to you.”

I took it from her without saying a word, expecting her to leave, but she didn’t.

“You know, I was the one who selected the necklace for Andrew. It looked so beautiful that I couldn’t ignore it. Besides, he couldn’t let an ugly duckling like you wear it; that’s why he gave it to me!” Veronica said with a sarcastic grin.

Veronica hated me for one reason: I was Andrew’s mate and Luna. She loved Andrew just as I did, but her mother’s marriage to his father had thwarted her chances with him.

Determined not to show any weakness, I snorted, “Listen, Veronica…” I walked closer to her.

“No matter who wore the necklace to the charity gala today, you and I both know who its true owner is… Me!” I snarled through gritted teeth, my fists clenched in anger and frustration.

Veronica merely scoffed, her expression dripping with disdain. “I see you’ve grown bold, Alicia… That reminds me, did you see the photo of Andrew happily clinging to another woman?”

Her casual mention of the photo sent a jolt through me, freezing me in place as my mind raced. The realisation hit me like a punch to the gut.

My brows furrowed in disbelief as it dawned on me that she might be the woman from the picture I had received last night.

Andrew was her stepbrother, and yet she had crossed such a line? The implications if anyone discovered this would be devastating, a scandal that could tear everything apart.

“Shocked?” Veronica scoffed, her eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction as she took in my stunned expression.

“Now listen carefully, Alicia… You might be Luna and Andrew’s wife, but there’s one thing you’ll never have…”

She leaned in close, her breath hot against my ear, her voice dripping with venom. “His love. Do you know why? Because Alpha Andrew’s love will always belong to me!”

Her words were like a dagger, twisting painfully in my heart. The bitter truth of her declaration cut deeply.

I couldn't say she was imagining things because it was certain that Andrew felt nothing for me anymore.