Chapter 7
Ryan’s eyes, slightly narrowed, were fixed on Tessa. She froze for a moment, a flicker of sadness passing through her gaze.
Turning her head away, she forced herself to nod.
The next morning, Tessa got up and went to the hospital with Ryan.
She received a message from the cruise company early in the day:
“Your custom cruise will arrive in two days. Please make preparations to board.”
When she saw the message, her eyes flickered briefly.
“Babe, we should leave now!”
“Okay” She replied, tucking her phone away.
When she turned to Ryan, he was holding a bag filled with supplies he had prepared
He waved the bag in front of her, looking like a child seeking approval
Tessa didn’t speak, only offering a faint, bitter smile.
“Babe, I heard there are a lot of blood tests today. I know you can’t handle pain, but don’t worry. I’ll be there for you and stay by your side,” Ryan said, pulling her into a tight hug, his tone revealing more anxiety than hers.
Tessa silently held the list of tests, waiting her turn in line.
Ryan watched as she had the first vial of blood drawn, a frown knitting his brow in concern.
“Does it hurt? Don’t be scared, I’m here.”
When he used to say this, Tessa’s heart would warm.
But now, there was nothing.
She nodded quietly, her expression empty.
The pain of the needle couldn’t compare to the ache of his betrayal.
Just then, the familiar ringtone of Chloe’s call echoed in the rooms.
Tessa low this sound all too well.
It was a call from Chloe
Ryan, hiding the phone from her view, answered with a panic in his voice.
“What happened? I’m coming over now.”
His worry was too obvious to hide. He pursed his lips before adding.
“Something came up in my pack. I need to go handle it.”
“I’ll come meet you later
Tessa didn’t ask any more questions. She knew exactly why he was leaving
Another lie. Another meaningless EXCUSE
It had become tiresome.
Tessa sat alone as she had six vials of blood drawn
She had always feared pain, to the point of crying during her period.
1
But now, as each needle entered her veins, she didn’t feel a thing.
Her heart burned with fury, only to fade into numbness
The tears that threatened to fall never did.
What was there left to cry for?
She returned home alone, and when she checked her phone, it was just another round of forment.
When she saw Chloe’s new post on Instagram, she saw an array of flowers laid out in a high–end restaurant, captioned:
“Today, the ones I love are all here with me”
In the picture, Liam and Audrey were smiling brightly, while someone sat in the corner, his face hidden.
Even though the face was obscured, Tessa lew it was Ryan.
It dawned on her the entire family had been keeping secrets from her.
Her hands trembled slightly as the tears welled up in her eyes.
She had known all along
This family never truly included her.
No matter how many times she had hoped things would change, it was clear that nothing mattered.
They cared only for their own desires, not her.
She didn’t want to live in this shadow anymore.
So, she wished them all a lifetime of happiness and never parting.
Ryan didn’t return that night. He sent her a message:
“Babe, I have to attend a pack meeting tonight. Don’t wait up.”
Even on the eve of their mating ceremony, he was still with Chloe.
Tessa only felt a sense of irony, but in this moment, keeping Ryan around actually seemed to align with Chloe’s usual nature.
That’s something she’d do.
