Chapter 4 You're The Crazy One My Dear Sister

Seraphina had just finished watering the garden when she stepped into the grand kitchen, ready to help the maids prepare breakfast. The air was filled with the rich aroma of spices, and the sound of cheerful chatter filled the space.

Zara had ordered a sumptuous meal that morning.

Seraphina quietly chopped vegetables, listening to two maids gossip as they worked beside her.

"Zara's wedding is going to be the talk of the town," Asa, a freckled maid, said excitedly.

"I heard we're all invited," Merilyn, the other maid, responded with a grin.

"Really?" Asa's eyes lit up.

"Yes. Absolutely. I even picked out a lovely sundress for the occasion."

Seraphina's hands stilled. Her heart clenched. Zara was marrying Ethan. The man who was supposed to be hers. Her fiance.

Zara was ruthless.

Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away.

"Be careful with the chicken broth," Asa scolded, watching Merilyn sprinkle in black pepper. "Don't overdo if she's pregnant, remember?"

Pregnant.

The word crashed into Seraphina like a thunderbolt.

Her pulse pounded in her ears.

Pregnant? Already?

Something wasn't right.

Had Ethan and Zara been involved long before that night? Had they been together all along?

The truth hit her like a storm.

They had been betraying her from the start.

Zara had lured her to the club, spiked her drink, and given Ethan the hotel address. To this day, Seraphina couldn't remember how she got to that hotel room.

Zara had planned everything.

The tears she had fought so hard to suppress slipped down her cheeks.

Her sister had shattered her.

Ethan, the man she loved, had played her for a fool.

The pain was unbearable.

If only she had the means, she would run. Far, far away from all of them. But she had nothing-not a single penny, no education, no skills. She was trapped.

Her stomach churned with the familiar sting of pain-the same pain she had endured since taking an arrow meant for Ethan. The wolfsbane poison had damaged her body, leaving her weak for years. While Zara went to school, Seraphina stayed home, suffering.

All for love.

Love that had betrayed her.

"To hell with all of you," she gritted out, fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

The maids exchanged glances.

"What's wrong with her?" Merilyn asked.

"Who cares? She's just seeking attention," Asa scoffed.

Seraphina ignored them and stormed out of the kitchen. Her eyes searched for Zara, but she was nowhere in sight.

She kept walking, past doors, she once entered freely-rooms where she had played, lived, and laughed before fate reduced her to a maid in her own home.

The pain grew sharper, but she didn't stop.

She needed to see Zara.

She needed answers.

At last, she reached the door.

Knocking three times, she waited.

When Zara finally opened it, she looked irritated, a cinnamon face mask smeared over her perfect skin.

"What do you want?" she scoffed.

Seraphina didn't respond.

Instead, she shoved the door open and grabbed Zara by the throat.

"What the hell-?!" Zara shrieked.

"How dare you?" Seraphina hissed, eyes blazing. "Why did you do it? Why did you betray me?!"

Zara gasped, struggling against Seraphina's iron grip.

"Let me go!"

"Not until you tell me why you ruined my life!"

Seeing no escape, Zara summoned her wolf, her claws extending. With a sharp swipe, she slashed Seraphina's arm, drawing blood.

Seraphina flinched, but she didn't let go.

Zara's wolf snarled, growing violent, but Seraphina held her ground.

Realizing fear wouldn't work, Zara shifted back to her human form.

Seraphina struck her hard across the face.

"Tell me, you deceitful snake, why do you hate me so much?"

Zara's eyes widened in shock.

Seraphina had always been weak. Powerless.

But pain had a way of awakening strength in the broken.

"Help!" Zara suddenly screamed. "Seraphina has lost her mind!"

Footsteps thundered down the hall. Ethan and Alpha Kendrick burst into the room.

Ethan's eyes darted between them, taking in Seraphina's bleeding arm and Zara's dishevelled state. He rushed to Zara, holding her protectively.

Zara sobbed dramatically. "She attacked me! She's crazy!"

Seraphina laughed-a cold, bitter sound that sent chills down their spines.

"You're the crazy one, my dear sister."

"Watch your mouth, Seraphina," Alpha Kendrick warned. "Know your place."

Seraphina met his gaze, unafraid. "Oh, Father, you don't need to remind me-I am just the lowly maid in my father's house."

Kendrick's eyes narrowed. When had she become so bold? She had always been obedient. Timid. But now...

Seraphina turned back to Zara, pointing a shaking finger.

"She set me up. Spiked my drink. Gave Ethan my location. I woke up in a stranger's bed because of her."

Silence.

Zara didn't deny it.

Ethan didn't even flinch. He simply placed a protective hand over Zara's stomach.

Alpha Kendrick's face remained unreadable. Then, he spoke.

"So?"

Seraphina's breath caught. "What?"

"They love each other. They deserve each other."

The final betrayal.

Seraphina staggered back, the truth crashing down on her.

She had never truly belonged here.

Tears streamed freely. "Why? Why this injustice?"

Alpha Kendrick smiled coldly. "It's simple. Zara is my daughter. And you... you're just a waste."

Her heart shattered.

She had never mattered. Not to her father. Not to Ethan. Not to Zara.

She sank to her knees, looking up at him. "Tell me what I did wrong. Whatever it is, I'll make it right. I'll apologize."

For a brief moment, Kendrick hesitated. Then, his face hardened. "Go back to your quarters."

Seraphina wiped her tears, squared her shoulders, and stood. She dusted off her skirt and turned toward the door.

Just before leaving, she glanced back at Ethan and Zara.

She smiled.

"You two truly deserve each other."

Then, without another word, she walked away.