Chapter 3
Compared to humans, succubus and succubi were much more honest about who they were.
Honestly, I still couldn’t wrap my head around how my sister Naharel–had once turned into a love–struck fool.
Love? Mariage? Whether SHE were human or something for older… one wrong step and the fall was endless.
“I’ll help you,” she said. “But under the old rules, I can only alter your appearance–never beyond your current CONDITION=”
“That’s enough,” I nodded. I knew even that much was already more than I could ask of her.
“Are you sure?” she asked, her gaze narrowing. “This look you really think it’s enough to turn his head again? To pull him away from another women?”
“I only get one shot at this, Arlenel. One transformation, she warned.
Naharel hesitated while studying my face with something between doubt and concern.
I could see what she was thinking. With a face like this–tired, faded, used up–only a desperate man would fall again. Meanwhile, the current Zack was no longer a desperate man.
“I’m sure.” The smile I gave her was steady, quiet and sure. Them was steel behind it.
I knew what I had to do. First thing: finding the owner of that earring. Stella Nagle
Stella was beautiful–no denying that. The top saleswoman at Velissare. The kind of woman who knew how to use her looks and never apologized for it
In the Sneaky Affairs Club, she wasn’t just Zack’s fling. She was his trophy. His proof that he still had it.
The moment Stella saw me, she knew. Recognition flashed in her eyes like lightning-
“Hi there, I’m here for a return. I gave her a composed polite smile and opened the box I was holding.
Stella’s customer–service smile cracked instantly. Inside, nestled in velvet, was the earring I’d pulled off Zack’s tie. It was her earring Now, it was game on.
“Ah, so you finally figured out.” Stella glared at me!!
Just as quickly, a smirk crept into her cool, confident, smug expression.
“Honestly, if it weren’t for me, you would’ve stayed blissfully ignorant for the rest of your life. You should be thanking me.” She tilted her head, her tone soaked in faux empathy. “At least now you know your sweet little husband’s been cheating.”8
Stella didn’t stop there.
“A woman should really learn to love herself. Survival of the fittest, don’t you agree? Hate to say it, but.. you’re kind of obsolete.”
She said it all while staring down at me, her youth radiating like a weapon she knew exactly how to use.
“I mean, do you always chase what belongs to someone else?” she taunted even further. Her predatory smile widened. “Ms. Naharel-“Stella said, mistaking me for my sister, “-I’m younger. I’ve got the kind of assets you lost years ago.
I’m what men want.
She leaned in, voice dripping with mock kindness. “Face it your value’s tanking. Every year, you’re worth less. But me? I’m what men I’m an investment.”
“Did you even know? Your husband’s not just some mid–level office guy he’s the general manager in his company. You think someone like you is worth that kind of man?”
“If you were smart, you’d step aside now. Quietly. With dignity.”
This woman… So young. So sure of herself,
“Is that so?” I looked at her without backing down.X
In the world I came from, Stella’s beauty didn’t even qualify as low–tier. In the world of succubi, seducing men with just a pretty face was the most primitive trick in the book.
It was the method of those who had nothing else to offer. Stella really had no idea who she was playing with.!!
“Ms. Nagle, what exactly makes you so sure of yourself?“X
“Please, Ms. Naharel, Ith ten years younger than you. That is my y advantage.” She said it with the kind of smugness only someone very young–or very naive–could pull off.
I looked at her and a flicker of amusement passed through my eyes.
The law of the succubus race stated that if I wanted my powers and identity back, I must do one thing: I had to win back the man who betrayed me. Make him betray his chosen lover
That was the test I need to go through.
“No wonder you believe the things a man like that tells you,” I said, voice cool.
In truth, I could see myself ten years ago through Stella. The same wide–eyed certainty. The same blind trust in someone who didn’t deserve it.
“You’re just dreaming, sweetheart I continued.
Ten years changes a lot. Not just me. Zack, too
I glanced past Stella and smiled as a shadow appeared behind her. “Well, if it isn’t my husband. What a coincidence.”
Zack froze. “Arlene.. I thought you were at the parent–child event with Ted? What are you doing here-”
9:18 AM
Zack froze. Arlene… I thought you were at the parent–child event with Ted? What are you doing here-
His voice wavered just slightly. Just enough.
“Didn’t I mention it last time? I said I wanted to get a new bag.” I gave him the same calm smile I’d given Stella a moment before. “This
old one’s been with me for years. Figured it was finally time for an upgrade.”
I turned my eyes to Stella. She had became much silent compared to moments before.
“Got anything you’d recommend?” My smile stayed sweet. But there was something sharp behind it now.
This wasn’t just shopping. This was war and I was just getting started.
