Free Web NovelChapter 376: Chapter 376
Aria’s POV
My steps didn’t slow, but my mind did. My wolf remembered memories from our past.
Birthdays where Sophia got gifts and I got “next time.” School events where no one came. The word sister always meant second.
Patrick rushed ahead. “Your mom’s already thinking about setting things up for you.”
Sophia jogged toward Margaret, right on cue.
Margaret smiled at her and whispered. “Sophia, what do you think? Once Aria picks hers, we can get this one for you too.”
There it was. It had to be the both of us, never just me.
I made my way gradually towards them. They turned in my direction and I didn’t bother to hide the fact that I heard them.
Margaret’s face drained of color. Patrick shot her a sharp look before turning to me with forced gentleness. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
“Your mom just wants to treat you equally. Sophia’s room is already set, so this is mainly for you.”
Mainly. I wasn’t angry, my wolf wasn’t either, we were just... done, done with this family..
They still didn’t understand, after all these years.
Margaret murmured, “Mom doesn’t want to neglect either of you.”
Neglect. That was a funny word to use now.
But I smiled, because I wasn’t that little girl anymore.
“It’s fine,” I said lightly, lifting my chin. My gaze moved to the employee, who looked like she’d wandered into a battlefield without armor. “I don’t like white or beige. I want soft blue.”
My voice was steady and calm, the kind that made people listen without knowing why.
Behind me, Rowland shifted his weight slightly, that was a silent show of backing and support.
The employee glanced at Patrick and he nodded quickly.
“Of course, Ms Aria,” she said with visible relief. “I’ll show you some options. If nothing suits you, we can customize.”
I gave Rowland a quick wink as I followed the saleswoman.
His eyes flickered, he got it instantly.
Two steps later, I let my body fold. A frown creased my face as I grabbed his arm, my fingers digging in just enough to sell it. I let my breathing go uneven, let my shoulders tense, let the faint tremor run through me the way I’d practiced controlling pain during full moons.
Rowland reacted exactly as I knew he would, his reaction was instant, protective and dominant. His arm came around me, his body turning slightly to shield mine.
“What’s wrong, Aria?” Patrick rushed closer. Sophia’s gaze dropped straight to my stomach.
My wolf purred. I pressed one hand to my abdomen, biting my lip. A light sheen of sweat wasn’t hard to produce, slowing my pulse, tightening my muscles, triggering the body’s stress response.
“I’m fine,” I said, my voice thinner than usual. “I probably ate something bad.”
Patrick’s scent shifted, concern layered over something darker. Suspicion? Hope? I couldn’t tell yet.
“Should I take you to the hospital? Furniture can wait.” He said.
Hospital?.. Absolutely not.
I hesitated deliberately. “The all-white room made me sleep badly... I didn’t eat much this morning either. Maybe that’s why.”
Beside me, Rowland blinked slowly with exaggerated innocence while his pinky brushed my palm.
I shot him a warning look.
He turned his head away, but I could tell he was amused. My wolf huffed at his audacity.
“Oh... is that so?” Patrick looked stranded, like the problem had teeth and he didn’t know which end to hold.
Perfect, just the way I wanted it.
“How about this,” I said, forcing another breath. “I’ll just use the restroom. I trust your taste. Just... no white, only soft blue.”
My words tumbled, just messy enough to sound real.
“Alright, alright,” Patrick agreed quickly. “We’ll handle it.”
I gave a small nod. “Thanks, Mom. Dad.”
The word Mom hit.
I heard a spike in Margaret’s heartbeat. Her fingers twisted together. I glanced at her face once before turning away.
I walked off, one hand still on my stomach.
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I went outside through the back door and halted a cab. I gave it my destination.
“Please drive faster,” I urged a few minutes later, my eyes flicking to my watch.
Soon enough twenty minutes passed.
My wolf paced inside me, claws scraping against my ribs with impatience. Time mattered.
“We’re here!” the driver said, braking hard.
I got out immediately and slipped inside the Darvin estate through the side entrance I’d memorized years ago, back when I still came here hoping to be wanted.
Patrick’s study door opened without a sound. I closed it softly behind me, my ears tuning past the walls to hear for any sound. The housekeeper appeared to be working in the kitchen.
The desk inside Patrick’s office was immaculate, I went straight for the drawers.
There were ledgers, receipts and contracts.
Everything seemed normal. I flipped through them faster than human eyes could track, my wolf mapping numbers, dates, ink density. My lip curled.
It looked like it had been tampered with. The data had been adjusted, there were careful edits, but not enough to fool someone like me.
Still...there was nothing solid, nothing that could be useful to me.
I straightened slowly, frustration prickling within me. Had I miscalculated? No...My instincts had saved my life more times than logic had.
I checked my watch again, forty minutes had passed. Sweat dampened my spine. I had spent so much time already yet I had nothing.
My gaze shifted to the bookshelves. I advanced towards it and ran my fingers along the spines, dust whispering under my touch until...
My hand stopped on one.
It was a council law dictionary. My heartbeat thudded once, hard.
Patrick never studied council law. Sophia barely studied at all. And this book... it didn’t have any dust on it unlike the rest of the books. It looked like it was used frequently.
I pulled it free. My pulse slowed, my senses sharpening.
I opened it and a folded sheet slipped out.
Bingo.
