Victoria quickly stood, lifting Liam into her arms as she followed him, as though worried I might do something to them.
But I remained where I was, trembling.
My nails dug into my palms as I tried to steady myself. Inside, my wolf whimpered softly, confused and wounded. How had things fallen apart so badly? How had the man who once promised to cherish me above all else become someone who saw me as nothing more than a financial bridge?
Hours later, the mansion buzzed with activity again.
Visitors had arrived—mostly other Alphas. Their deep laughter echoed from Xavier’s office, loud and carefree. I walked quietly through the corridor toward my guest room, hoping to avoid them. But as I neared the office, their conversation drifted out, sharp and unmistakable.
“I heard the wedding with Brielle didn’t happen,” one Alpha remarked with a chuckle.
“Didn’t happen?” another laughed loudly. “Xavier never planned on showing up in the first place.”
Their laughter grew louder.
My breath caught.
Then Xavier’s voice joined them, relaxed and almost amused. “Still, all the wedding preparations paid off. Moonveil transferred hundreds of thousands before the event. Easy money.”
I froze where I stood.