Bella’s POV
"You’re finally here! I’ve been counting down the minutes until I could see you again. I cleared my entire schedule the second I heard you were coming," Camilla gushed, her voice dripping with excitent.
She threw her arms around Hugo’s neck, gazing up at his face with that sa adoring expression I rembered from our teenage years. The sight made my stomach twist into knots.
Hugo’s body language scread discomfort. His shoulders tensed, and he barely returned her embrace. Guilt was written all over his features, probably because he knew I’d already spoken with Camilla before his arrival.
"How have you been?" The words stumbled out of his mouth awkwardly. He couldn’t even manage a simple greeting without looking like he wanted to disappear. Clearly, he hadn’t expected to find her waiting here when he arrived.
"Perfect now that my favorite person is back," she cooed, pressing closer to him.
Watching their reunion felt like acid eating through my veins. Every cell in my body scread in protest. The betrayal cut deeper because this wasn’t just so random guy my sister had stolen away. This was Hugo, the person who used to be my closest confidant.
mories flooded back of how Camilla used to complain that he spent more ti with than her. He’d storm ho furious whenever she treated poorly, always taking my side in our argunts.
Now suddenly he ant nothing to while becoming everything to her?
I fought back the burning tears that threatened to spill as I recalled that night when he’d made love to , only to cut completely out of his life afterward.
Standing there watching them, a horrible thought crept into my mind. Maybe there really was sothing fundantally wrong with . Everyone else seed capable of maintaining relationships, but I drove people away without fail.
What made this situation even more bewildering was that Camilla and I shared the sa background, the sa oga status. So what exactly did she possess that I lacked? What quality made her worthy of his choice while I remained disposable?
"Alright everyone, dinner’s ready. The little ones look exhausted," Alpha Jack announced, returning to gather us for the al.
I caught Hugo’s eyes on , studying my face. I couldn’t comprehend how we’d ended up in this twisted situation. But I was determined to mask my pain and pretend his presence didn’t affect , even though it was tearing apart inside.
We gathered around the dining table, and I threw myself into feeding my children. Despite their ability to eat independently, I insisted on helping them that evening. They seed delighted by the extra attention.
My real motive was avoiding food myself. The churning in my stomach made eating impossible.
Hugo positioned himself directly beside Camilla. She kept breaking into giggles and playfully bumping his shoulder, even during monts when he hadn’t spoken a word.
She carried the entire conversation, cracking jokes and leaning into him constantly. I suppose it didn’t matter that he seed less than enthusiastic. He’d obviously chosen her, so whatever spark had existed between them in recent years was clearly enough for him.
Midway through the al, my phone buzzed with an incoming ssage. I glanced up to catch Hugo quickly sliding his phone under the table while Lady Norma engaged Camilla in animated conversation.
Their discussion revealed that Hugo had secured Camilla a position at the pack house workshop. She’d been entrusted with recording daily weapon production numbers, a responsibility reserved for only the most trusted mbers.
Jealousy clawed at my chest. He’d never offered similar opportunities during our friendship. The realization hit like a punch to the gut - I’d never been special to him at all.
Swallowing my pride, I checked his ssage.
Hugo: You’re barely touching your food. Everything okay?
Fury blazed through as I read his words.
Rather than ignoring him, I decided to respond honestly.
: Don’t pretend to care about . I’m handling things just fine.
I watched him grab his phone imdiately, though he kept it on silent mode. Obviously he couldn’t let his precious Camilla discover he was texting .
Hugo: Sothing’s clearly bothering you. What’s wrong?
His follow-up ssage appeared quickly.
I typed back one brutally honest response.
: Yes, sothing is bothering . You are.
I set my phone aside after sending that ssage.
Hugo’s face darkened as he read my reply. I watched him frantically type response after response, but I refused to acknowledge any of them. Eventually he surrendered, shoving his phone away in defeat.
Lady Norma kept questioning whether I was enjoying myself. I assured her repeatedly that everything was wonderful, but she persisted, claiming I seed unusually quiet and hadn’t discussed the children’s recent illness with her.
I wondered if she was genuinely oblivious or simply choosing to ignore the obvious. My entire deanor had shifted the mont my sister walked through the door, yet she seed completely blind to the tension.
Perhaps she was either incredibly naive or simply favored Camilla too much to notice. Their connection had certainly grown stronger since Hugo entered the picture.
"Bella, we should arrange another visit soon. Why don’t you co ho? You can’t stay angry with your parents forever," Camilla suggested, her voice heavy with false concern.
She knew perfectly well how much our parents despised , yet had the audacity to invite back to the house where I’d endured endless tornt.
That earlier apology had been completely fabricated. She’d known exactly what bombshell she was about to drop regarding her relationship with Hugo.
"I’ll consider it. My schedule is pretty packed right now," I replied, aware that both Lady Norma and Alpha Jack were analyzing my expression.
"You can always create ti for family. Your parents sacrificed so much to provide your education and care," Lady Norma pressed, repeating the sa lies my mother had spread for years.
She’d successfully painted herself as a devoted stepmother desperate to support my academic pursuits. Since I’d been powerless to defend myself back then, everyone had accepted her fabricated version of events.
"Sure, I’ll think about it," I repeated, praying they’d finally drop the subject.
As we prepared to leave, Hugo erged carrying Zack draped over his shoulder. My son appeared to be sleeping soundly.
He must have fallen asleep while we finished dinner in the living room. The sight made my heart race. Zack’s eyes were completely closed, his small body limp.
Leah and Tara flanked Hugo as they walked. Abandoning all pretense of politeness, I charged forward and ripped my son from his arms. I knew everyone witnessed my aggressive behavior, but I no longer cared.
"We’re leaving now," I announced, rushing toward my car with all three children in my arms.
Hugo pursued imdiately, his voice sharp with anger. "What the hell was that about?"
I was securing Zack in his car seat when I spun around to face him.
"Exactly. What the hell was any of that about, Hugo?" The words exploded out of as tears finally spilled over. His frown deepened as he realized what I was really asking.
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