Chapter 3 The Edge Of Despair

The rest of the party was a blur to me, my mind consumed by anxious thoughts about my baby's future. The next morning, I stood before the mirror, staring at my reflection-pale and haunted.

My eyes were dark and swollen. Obviously, I hadn't had a good night's sleep. I shook my head with a bitter smile and quickly got dressed. It was a new week, and I had somewhere to go.

I curved my lips as I stared at the huge signboard of a café. HEAVEN CAFÉ was the only place in this city that could help distract me from all my problems back at home. I had managed to find a job here.

"Fiona!!" I heard my name being called the moment I entered the café. My smile widened when I saw Tacha walking toward me with her arms open wide for a hug.

"I missed you so much," she muttered as she embraced me tightly.

"Seriously?? I was only gone for a day," I told her with sign language, and Tacha immediately understood.

"A day?? It felt more like forever. Do you know how hard it was for me to manage this café all on my own yesterday?" Tacha pouted at me.

"So you didn't miss me, just the work I was supposed to be doing?" I joked, smiling softly.

"You got what I mean."

"Well, now I'm back, so you don't have to miss my service anymore," I signed to her, playing along with my joke. And then we both burst out laughing.

Tacha was the only genuine friend I had made after joining the Moon Stone Keepers pack. She's a gorgeous and caring woman. Even though she wasn't much older than me, she cared for me like a big sister would.

She even learned sign language for me. She wasn't that good at it, but she still tried to understand me.

Time with Tacha was always comfortable and happy. In the blink of an eye, the morning passed, and the customers had filled the café to the brim. I received an expedited order for delivery while Tacha was busy attending to other customers.

The address wasn't very far, so I decided to go by myself. However, when I got to the address, I realized it was Michael's company. How had I not noticed that earlier?

Michael wouldn't be happy to see me here; he had warned me before not to be in the same space with him whenever we were in public. His company was a no-go area for me.

I wanted to turn back but figured I was already there, and I didn't want to cause Tacha trouble. I took a deep breath and walked into the building. The receptionist kindly directed me to his office.

"I should just drop it off at the door and leave," I thought to myself, but I stopped when I heard a familiar voice from Michael's office.

"How long should I wait, Michael?" It was Prisca; her voice sounded like a scream.

"I'm tired of seeing that woman having my rightful place! You're MINE, and it was supposed to be us getting married!"

MINE? I couldn't help my temper at hearing that word. Was that how they called each other? But it was supposed to be a word reserved for mates. How did she have the guts to claim him as hers?!

"He's MINE!" I screamed in my mind, but... was he?

As my hand grasped my neck, my heart plummeted. The absence of Michael's mark on my skin was a constant reminder that he found the idea of fully claiming me as his mate repulsive. With a calculated move, I nudged the door open slightly, curious to witness Michael's reaction to Prisca's grievance.

I wished I hadn't done this. Then I wouldn't have seen Michael just pulling Prisca close to him in a loving manner that he'd never done to me.

"You know my marriage to her means nothing," he said before landing a soft kiss on her hair.

"It's only because of my father's dying wish. You are always and forever the only one in my heart." Tears gathered in my eyes, and my heart was bleeding.

I couldn't bear it anymore. I wanted to run away, but Prisca somehow spotted me, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Fiona?" she called out.

I panicked when Michael turned to look at me.

"How do I escape from this now?" I asked myself.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was mad, and his eyes were red. I had never seen him this angry before. I bowed my head in fear, not knowing what to answer.

"Fiona... I never expected to see you here," Prisca's high-pitched voice resounded as she walked toward me.

"Did you come to see your husband?" Her tone was so taunting that I could easily tell she was aiming to irk me. Taking a deep breath, I picked up the order and wanted to put it on his desk.

"Oh... you were just delivering our order."

Prisca snorted and arrogantly grabbed the coffee from me before walking back toward Michael.

"Relax, baby... You don't have to get angry at her... she was just doing her job." She smirked as she rubbed her hand seductively on Michael's chest, not minding my presence.

I watched silently like a fool as Michael calmed down at her command. He was ready to do anything for her.

"You spoil me too much, even to the extent of neglecting your wife," she complained, feigning sympathy for me.

I knew she was enjoying how tormented I felt at that moment. I couldn't help but look at Michael, but his eyes were only fixed on Prisca as if she were the most precious one in the world. And watching this was enough to kill me.

"Why do I still hold the stupid illusion that he would love me one day? I should have already learned that I had no opportunity to win his heart when it only belonged to Prisca," I asked myself painfully.

I decided to leave, but Prisca called out my name.

"Hold on, you forgot your tip," she said, retrieving a few dollar bills from her purse and extending them toward me. My gaze fell upon the money, my expression unreadable. The amount seemed excessive for a tip, leaving me wondering if this was an attempt to belittle me.

I shook my head, indicating that I didn't want it, and that only made Prisca grin evilly.

"Why don't you want it? I'm sure you badly need it to cater for yourself. Isn't that the reason you're working at that small café despite being the Alpha's mate?"

I balled my fists angrily, attempting to retort, but held myself back because I knew it wouldn't make any sense to her.

"Just take the damn tip and leave!!" Michael's harsh voice suddenly resounded in the office, giving me a jolt.

Did he hate seeing me at his workplace so much? I managed to hold my tears and forced a smile before collecting the money. I was about to leave, but his voice stopped me again.

"Remember your position," he voiced harshly.

"Don't delude yourself about things that don't belong to you, and dare not break my rules again. Or else I'll make sure you pay for it."

I nodded silently, though my heart ached hard. Then I walked out of the building before tears pooled down my face.

It started raining heavily outside. I didn't mind, as it helped hide my tears better. However, a figure suddenly came, and I lost control of my motorcycle and fell off it.

It hurt so much...

My vision got dizzy, and my body was numb in pain. I wanted to call for help, but I couldn't make a sound.

"OMG! Can anybody come to help me? I don't want to lose my baby!!"

TBC