Chapter 151 What You Deserve
Chapter 151 What You Deserve
I wiped my eyes with the heel of my hand. The room felt too full of his scent, so I slipped out quiedy
The hallway was still, painted in soft gray dawn light leaking through the tall windows. My footsteps echoed faintly as I walked, each one feeling like I was moving farther from myself.
I just wanted to go home. Home–though even that word didn’t mean much anymore. But anywhere else was better than here.
I was almost at the main door when his voice broke through the quiet.
“There you are.”
I froze.
Rowan was standing there, a little bit breathless, eyes fixed on me. The silence that stretched between us was deafening.
I wanted so badly to close the distance. To touch him. I wanted to feel his arms around me again, even if it meant pretending for just a moment that everything was different.
But I didn’t move.
He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, a nervous gesture I’d seen some times before.
I braced myself. I was waiting for the rejection.
“I’m not going to reject you,” he said suddenly.
My breath caught. I blinked at him, my heart lurching painfully. “What?”
Did he and Ellana… talk? Did something happen between them? Did she change her mind?
Was he actually going to try?
But then he stepped back. Just a little. However, it was enough for the truth
Oh.
Oh.
το hit me square in the chest.
He wasn’t going to reject me… because of Ellana. The only reason he wasn’t going to reject me was that she asked him not to.
“Ellana and I are still going to be together,” he continued.
Somehow, I thought the rejection would have hurt less.
I swallowed hard, pushing the ache down far enough to keep my voice from breaking. I tried to smile, and fortunately, I succeeded.
“Of course,” I murmured. This time, my voice didn’t betray me. In the back of my mind, I knew there was
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nothing I could do but accept it as it is.
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“You guys are meant to be together anyway,” I added.
He sighed in relief, closing his eyes for a moment. “Thank goodness,” he muttered, finally bridging the gap between us. His arms wrapped around me in a brief, warm embrace.
The moment his body touched mine, it was like lightning under my skin. The bond flared to life, tingles sparking along every nerve. My breath hitched.
He stiffened too, and I wondered if he felt the same electric pull, or if he was already forcing himself to ignore it.
Cruel.
This was so cruel because I had a taste of what it would be like if the world were less cruel to me. I could feel him, touch him, and breathe him in, but in the end, I couldn’t keep him.
“Thanks for understanding,” he said softly, still close enough that I could feel his breath against my hair.
“It means a lot to me because I really love Ellana.”
Those words crushed me.
This time, I didn’t stiffen. But my heart did. The muscle itself felt like it had frozen mid–beat.
“Of course,” I whispered.
He stepped back, releasing me.
“Thank you, Tessa.”
The absence of his warmth was immediate and jarring. Then, without another glance, he turned and walked away–probably going straight to Ellana.
I stood there, alone in the empty hall, the echo of his footsteps fading, leaving me with nothing but the hollow ache of knowing I’d been given just enough to hurt, but never enough to hold onto.
I couldn’t even bring myself to cry because I had no
Jeft.
At this point, I just wanted to be alone.
After everything that had happened tonight, I just needed silence. A corner to breathe.
I pressed my back against the cold wall, trying to steady my heartbeat, my mind replaying our hug in merciless loops.
However, the peace was broken soon when a soft sound cut through. I heard someone scoff near me. My head turned toward the shadows at the end of the hallway, where a person with an unmistakable silhouette stepped out in the dim light/
“Zaria,” I muttered under my breath.
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Chapter 151 What You Deserve
I thought she had already gone home when the party ended, but apparently, fate wasn’t done testing me tonight.
“You’re Rowan’s mate?” Her voice dripped with disbelief, althost laughter.
My throat tightened. “Zaria-
She sneered, closing the distance between us, her eyes glittering with mockery. “Is the Moon Goddess insane? Why would she pair you up with someone like him?”
I bit my lip and looked down at my shoes, unable to form any coherent words.
“But then again,” she continued, tilting her head mockingly, “he isn’t going to be with you. We both know that.”
“Zaria, stop,” I said quietly, the words sounding weaker than I meant them to.
sit
She smirked, ignoring me entirely. “You were never meant to be with someone like Rowan. He’s too good for you. Too strong. Too handsome. Too… everything you’re not.”
I felt my chest tighten with every word. “Why are you doing this?”
Her smile sharpened into something cruel. “Because it’s true,” she answered simply. “Now that our parents are dead, you’re nothing, Tessa. You don’t have anyone to protect you or pity you further. Now, you’re just standing in the corner, clinging to scraps, hoping someone will notice you.”
“How does that feel, huh?” she continued. “The only reason Rowan even knows your existence is because you’re my sister. And now, he dares to put his arms around you because of your bond.”
I knew Zaria was cruel. She had never held back in showing her disdain the moment our parents died. However, I had some hope that inside, she still considered me as her sister.
“What did I do to you?” My voice broke, the question slipping out before I could stop it.
Her laughter was low and humorless. “What did you not do to me?”
I stared at her, confusion and hurt twisting in my chest. “You have everything, Zaria. How could I have possibly taken anything from you?”
Her eyes hardened. “That’s right,” she whispered. “I have everything now. But you took away everything that mattered to me. I know you meant to do that.”
“Whatever happened tonight, I won’t pacify you nor show you an ounce of my care or pity.”
“Because frankly, this is just you finally getting what you deserve.”
Chapter 152 Forget About It
Chapter 152 Forget About It
