Chapter 3 I Wouldn't Allow It To Be Born

Lianne's POV:

I forced down the bitterness that rose in my chest and put on my usual composed expression. "What happened?"

"Sparkle's new season endorser was supposed to be Sia Payne, but her agent, Mary Wallace, just called. She said upper management sent a direct notice that Sia has been replaced," my assistant answered quickly, still looking shaken.

Without wasting a second, I pulled out my phone and called Mary.

The moment she picked up, her voice came through sharp and furious. "Lianne, you were the one who insisted Sia had potential and pushed us to sign that contract. Now you're cutting her out without even informing us? I need an explanation, and I need it right now!"

Holding the phone tightly, I took a slow breath to steady myself. "Mary, I'll look into this immediately. Give me a little time."

Once the call ended, I headed straight for the PR department.

There was no doubt in my mind. Nancy Walsh was behind this.

She came from a mixed bloodline, yet her ambition had always been clear. Over the past three years, she had been looking for every chance to undermine me.

When I pushed open the door, I saw her leaning against her desk, casually applying nail polish.

"So, the chief secretary finally decided to show up," she said, her voice carrying a hint of mockery. "What brings you here?" She didn't even bother to look up.

"What gave you the authority to replace Sia?" I stepped right up to her, my voice turning sharp. "The board already finalized the decision for Sparkle's endorser. You had no right to interfere."

A cold laugh slipped from Nancy as she finally looked up, something dark flashing in her eyes. "No right? Lianne, do you really believe you got that position because you deserved it? If Alpha wasn't taking your late father's past into account, do you think you'd be standing here giving me orders?"

"How I got here isn't for you to question!" I held her gaze, anger rising in my chest.

She could say whatever she wanted about me, but she wouldn't drag my father into it. He had given everything to protect our family's name.

"Did that strike a nerve?" Nancy stepped closer, her voice dropping as she leaned in near my ear. "Don't think I'm clueless. You've been riding in Alpha's car every day, trying to get his attention, haven't you? Too bad for you. He would never be interested in someone like you."

She had no idea Ethan and I had been together for three years.

For the werewolves in the Thorn Pack, I was nothing more than someone clinging to the Alpha, trying to rise by any means.

Without hesitation, I slapped her across the face. The sound echoed through the entire department.

Nancy's head snapped to the side from the force.

Her hand flew to her cheek as she looked at me in shock. "You actually hit me?"

"That was for teaching you how to show respect," I replied, my voice cold as I stared at her and lifted my hand again. "And this one is to make sure you stop talking."

Before my hand could come down, a strong grip caught my wrist in midair.

The force was firm, and the scent of sandalwood that came with it was familiar, yet the chill in it made my body tense.

I turned, and my eyes met Ethan's.

His expression was hard, and there was nothing in his gaze that resembled warmth.

Without thinking, I tried to explain, "She was the one who started it-"

"Apologize!" Ethan cut me off. His voice was low, but there was no room for argument.

I stood there, stunned, as if something heavy had struck me straight in the chest. "What did you just say?"

"Apologize to Nancy," he repeated, his grip tightening around my wrist until the pain almost made my eyes water.

Out of the corner of my vision, I noticed people gathering at the doorway.

Their looks varied. Some were mocking, some carried sympathy, and others simply watched with curiosity. Each one felt like a sharp sting.

Nancy immediately changed her demeanor, shrinking closer to Ethan with a wounded expression.

I looked at the man I had loved for three years. Right in front of everyone, he chose to strip away my dignity for another woman. Or maybe it wasn't about her at all. Maybe it was just his way of maintaining control.

"I'm sorry," I responded at last, lowering my head as the words came out barely above a whisper.

"Speak up. I didn't hear you," Nancy said, her voice filled with mockery as she lifted her brows.

I bit my bottom lip until I tasted blood, then forced myself to look up. "I'm sorry."

"Make sure it doesn't happen again," Nancy muttered with a satisfied smile before turning and walking back to her seat.

"Come to my office." Ethan let go of my wrist and left without looking back.

The moment the office door closed behind us, everything I had been holding in began to fall apart.

"Why did you replace Sia?" I demanded, my voice choked with suppressed sobs.

Without answering, he returned to his seat and asked, "Did you read the Rejection? If you don't have any issues, sign it today."

A sharp pain spread through my chest, and tears gathered in my eyes, though I refused to let them fall.

"What if I told you I'm pregnant?" I asked, putting everything I had into those words.

I knew what an heir meant to the pack.

For a moment, I hoped he would hesitate. I hoped he would reconsider because of the child.

Silence filled the room.

Ethan looked at me, and a faint, cold smile appeared on his lips. "Lianne, are you really willing to say anything just to stay? The doctor already made it clear you can't have children."

He rose from his chair and walked toward me, each step closing the distance until his presence loomed over mine.

Leaning down, his breath brushed against my face, but his voice carried no warmth at all. "Even if there were a child, I wouldn't allow it to be born."