Chocolate

“Mom, the bag I bought is super pretty and elegant, right? I’m sure everyone will envy me again especially Amelia.” Olivia held up the black designer bag she bought from Lumierre Empire using Amelia’s money.

“Yes, sweetie. That will look perfect with your red dresses. Wear it at the dinner party in the pack house. I’m certain lots of male wolves will be looking at you. Who knows? You might even steal Alpha Lucas from your sister Amelia,” Solana replied, and the two of them shared a knowing smile.

Olivia always felt a rush of satisfaction whenever she took something away from her stepsister. Just imagining the possibility of stealing Lucas too made her grin from ear to ear.

Lucas was Amelia’s most prized possession. No expensive bag or luxury clothing could compare to Lucas’s looks and status in Olivia’s eyes. She had admired him for a long time and had always dreamed of taking him away, but she never managed to because Amelia guarded her boyfriend too well.

“Mom, do you think Alpha Lucas will like me? I’ll be turning eighteen soon, and my wolf will finally awaken. I’m sure I’ll be stronger than Amelia and more deserving of becoming the pack’s Luna,” Olivia said, twirling a finger around her blonde, curly hair.

“Of course. You take after me, so I’m sure you’ll get everything you want. Just use your pretty face and that beautiful body. Trust me—there’s nothing you can’t have in this world,” Solana answered confidently as she drove them back to the pack house.

The backseat was filled with designer bags, dresses, and shoes—all bought using Amelia’s bank account, which Antonio had been saving up for years. Antonio had no idea Solana had already taken control of his daughter’s account, nor did he know they were using his own money as well.

Antonio was rarely home, so Solana and Olivia were free to do whatever they pleased—buying anything they wanted and wearing their luxuries only when he wasn’t around to hide their indulgence.

Solana treated Amelia nicely only to keep her fooled. She knew that if she ever slipped and Amelia reported them, Antonio would side with his real daughter. That was why Solana had long planned to remove the one obstacle in her way.

She parked the car and carried all the shopping bags inside, dropping them in the living room before heading to the kitchen for a drink of water.

“Amelia? Sweetie! We’re home!” she called up the stairs, assuming Amelia was probably resting again because of her sickness. It worked in Solana’s favor—she preferred not seeing her stepdaughter at all.

But her smile instantly vanished when she saw Amelia walking down the stairs—well-dressed and stunning. Her long black hair framed those rare green eyes she inherited from Emely, and Solana felt irritation burn in her chest.

“Welcome back, Mom!” Amelia greeted and kissed her cheek just like she always used to. She acted completely clueless and kept up her innocent front.

“Oh, I’m glad you’re feeling better. How were things while we were gone?” Solana asked. Amelia walked over to her stepsister, who was busy admiring her shopping haul in the living room.

“I was fine. Lucas stayed with me the whole day while you were away,” Amelia answered cheerfully—even though it was a lie. She said it just to see Olivia’s irritated face, then casually picked up one of the shopping bags, confusing both Solana and Olivia.

“Wow, is this for me? You didn’t need to get me anything just because you left me home alone, but thank you, Mom, thank you, sis! I love this bag so much. I’ll tell Dad you gave me a gift and didn’t forget about me,” Amelia said sweetly, holding the black designer bag Olivia wanted.

“Ah—sweetie?” Solana and Olivia didn’t know how to explain that everything they bought was for themselves.

“The other designer bags you bought are really nice too. How much were they?” Amelia asked, while Olivia grew increasingly irritated as Amelia refused to let go of the bag she wanted.

“Ah, th-they’re cheap. Second-class designs, and some are just imitations,” Solana lied smoothly. She couldn’t risk Amelia telling Antonio they were buying luxury items instead of spending money responsibly.

Olivia, meanwhile, wondered why Amelia was suddenly involving herself with their things. She used to ignore whatever they bought and quietly watched them open their bags without a word. Now, she was nosey and it made Olivia anxious. She wanted to snatch her designer bag back but was terrified Amelia might tell Antonio everything.

“Why didn’t you buy original bags? It’s fine with me even if you use my bank account,” Amelia said innocently. Her words made Solana and Olivia sweat—they had no idea Amelia already knew their scheme.

Amelia immediately saw their reactions and confirmed her suspicion: they really were using her money—the money saved by her late mother and Antonio.

“Hahaha, n-no, Amelia. That money was left by your late mother and saved by Antonio. I only keep your account, but I’d never touch that money,” Solana insisted, playing innocent again.

“I know, Mom. Dad told me that too. But if you ever need money, you can always borrow from me.” Amelia smiled and held out her hand, making Solana frown in confusion.

“W-what is it?” Solana asked, maintaining her fake smile.

“My card. I want to keep it myself. I’m planning to start saving too,” Amelia answered. Solana’s hand instantly went to her sling bag.

“Ah, it’s not with me right now. It’s in the room. I’ll give it to you later,” she lied.

Amelia nodded with a bright smile and held up the designer bag again, teasing Olivia.

“Thanks again for the gift. I’ll really take care of it,” she said before heading back to her room. As she climbed the stairs, she heard Olivia stomping in frustration—making her smile wider.

She never knew annoying Olivia could feel this satisfying. If she had learned to fight back earlier, she wouldn’t have endured years of their mistreatment.

Inside her room, she tossed the shopping bag on her bed and admired the beautiful designer bag she “stole” back.

“Second-class and imitation? Tsk. This alone probably costs my dad’s entire monthly salary as a gamma. They really have the guts to waste my father’s hard-earned money and the money my mom saved for me.” Her blood boiled as she thought of it. There were probably more secrets Solana and Olivia were hiding. What would happen to her father if she died and left him alone with those witches?

She sat at her study table and wrote down her plans. First, she needed to retrieve her savings account and Antonio’s credit card. Before Solana came, she was the one Antonio trusted to handle the finances. But because she was sickly, Solana had volunteered to manage everything.

Amelia had trusted her once—treated her as a second mother. But now that she knew the truth, she would never let Solana control their lives again.

“You said it yourself, Solana—never trust anyone ever again,” Amelia whispered as she closed her notebook and hid it away.

She was about to stand when a knock came and Olivia peeked inside. Her eyes instantly landed on the bag on the bed before she approached and hugged Amelia enthusiastically.

“Hi, sis! I have something for you,” Olivia said brightly, though Amelia could sense her discomfort.

“I bought you dark chocolate. I know it’s your favorite.” Olivia handed her a cheap-looking box of chocolates—clearly something she didn’t care much about.

“Wow, thank you, sis. You really love me,” Amelia replied with fake sweetness, placing the chocolates on her table.

“You’re not going to try it?” Olivia asked, batting her lashes. But Amelia had a bad feeling about it. She remembered once having a terrible stomach ache from chocolates Olivia brought home—likely the same brand as this one.

“I will, but later. I just had the other one earlier.” Amelia gently removed Olivia’s arm and stood up, picking up the chocolate as she fixed her lipstick in front of the mirror.

“Where are you going?” Olivia asked, even though she already knew the answer. Amelia had no close friends besides Lucas and spent most of her time resting.

“Secret,” Amelia said, which only made Olivia more curious and irritated.

“Secret? As if. You’re just going to see Alpha Lucas,” Olivia scoffed, arms crossed. She wanted to embarrass Amelia.

“You’re not sure. The Crescent Moon Pack has many guests today for the family gathering tomorrow, remember? We have visitors from other packs connected to the Wests,” Amelia replied. She could see the annoyance written all over Olivia’s face and she enjoyed every second of it.

“Oh wait, I forgot to hide the gift you gave me,” she added, taking the bag and locking it inside her cabinet. She slipped the key into her pocket.

“I’m leaving. Tell Mom I’ll be back before dinner,” she said before heading out, holding the chocolates in hand.

Amelia walked out of the house smiling—feeling lighter than she had in years. The satisfaction of getting revenge, even in small petty ways, felt intoxicating. Seeing Olivia and Solana irritated was the highlight of her day.

She headed straight to Lucas’s office. He wasn’t busy—just scrolling on his phone, clearly looking at some sexy pictures of women.

“Hi, babe,” Amelia said softly. Lucas jumped in surprise and quickly hid his phone in his pocket.

“Amelia?! What are you doing here?” he asked, though he couldn’t help but admire her. Her long black hair flowed down her waist, and her white off-shoulder blouse paired with denim flare pants hugged her slim waist and legs perfectly.

“I just want to give you this. Olivia asked me to give it to you. A gift from their trip to Lumierre Empire,” Amelia said sweetly as she stepped closer. Lucas couldn’t explain it, but something about her aura today was different—almost seductive, even though she wasn’t doing anything special.

“Try it. Olivia said you’d really like that chocolate.” Amelia smiled, already imagining how Lucas’s day would be ruined once he ate the drugged chocolate.