Chapter 3

After that, I stopped going out and focused on preparing for the Christmas engagement.

Until my birthday, when my friends insisted on throwing me a bachelorette party and dragged me to a bar.

When I opened the door, pink roses covered the floor like some awkward romance.

The scent hit me. My throat tightened. Instinctively I pressed a hand over my nose, my knuckles turning white.

David only said flatly, “Emma set it up.”

I swallowed the words “I’m allergic”—because even if I said it, he wouldn’t care.

There were lots of people in the private room. Emma was there too.

David didn’t sit beside her, but he kept serving her food, attentive and gentle.

Gentle enough to make the other noble girls jealous.

Someone murmured, “Young Master Johnson is so considerate to Emma…”

Another chimed in, “Yeah, I heard he even offended the Alpha for her…”

The sentence died halfway as they stole glances at me.

I pretended I didn’t hear, sipping my coffee.

Someone suggested a talent performance, and my friend teased me with a laugh.

“Rae’s dancing is famous—beautiful and breathtaking.”

David’s glass slammed to the floor, the splash dampening his sleeve.

He jerked his head up at me, shock in his eyes he couldn’t hide.

Emma’s face drained of color; her fingers clenched her sleeve.

Everyone cheered for me to dance. I rose calmly. “Sure.”

I was just about to start when Emma suddenly cried, “Oh!” and tipped a glass, spilling wine all over herself. Tears welled instantly.

“David…”

David stood at once. “Excuse me.”

He hurried out with Emma.

I finished a whole dance, and David never came back—even until when the party ended.

I went to the restroom and splashed cold water on my face to ease the tight ache in my chest.

When I stepped out, I ran into Emma.

She was draped in David’s coat, holding a bouquet, smiling politely.

“Congratulations on your engagement.”

I didn’t want to talk. I gave a brief nod and tried to pass.

Emma called after me, her voice soft like a plea, but each word was a blade.

“I’m just an ordinary Omega. My mother died when I was little. I’ve never dared to want anything. The only thing I’ve ever wanted is David… Please. Let me have him. Don’t tell anyone the truth. In the whole Pack, what kind of man can’t you have? Give him to me.”

My body was starting to itch and tighten; my throat felt swollen.

I still answered evenly, “Fine.”

Emma lifted the flowers right up to my nose.

The pollen hit me like a punch. I shoved the bouquet away on instinct, trying to get away from it.

I didn’t use much force—but Emma collapsed without warning.

I lunged forward to help, panicked. David was already there. He shoved me aside.

My back slammed into the glass corner of the wall. A sharp cut opened along my arm, blood running down my skin.

David scooped Emma up. “Are you okay?”

Emma shook her head weakly. “I’m fine. Don’t blame Princess Rae.”

That “don’t blame” sounded like absolution—and more like a verdict.

David said coldly, “Emma isn’t feeling well. I’m taking her back. You get home yourself.”

He didn’t even notice my flushed allergic face, my trembling breath, or the blood on my arm.

In the empty hall, it felt like I’d been dropped into an ice pit. My breathing grew harder, my vision blurring.

Right before I passed out, I think I accidentally hit his number—but all I heard was the busy tone.

When I woke again, I was in the hospital.

The Pack Doctor scolded me. “You knew you were allergic and you still got exposed. It’s a good thing you were brought in time—otherwise the consequences would’ve been unbearable.”

When I got my phone back, I saw David had only messaged me an hour ago: “What’s wrong?”

He’d hung up on me, and then there was nothing.

I gave a bitter laugh and deleted it.

The Omega caring for me couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Johnson came by, but he just accused you of using disgusting tricks.”

She hesitated, glancing at me.

“He even said… if you keep doing this, he’ll only hate you more.”

I was too tired to say anything.