Chapter 25 24
Emily's POV
I watched as Soraya stepped out of Darius’ study, and I could see the faint glimmer of excitement in her eyes. The corner of my lips twitched. So, Soraya wants to get into college, hmm? A perfect opportunity.
There was no way I’d let that little orphan-girl fantasy come true. And the best part? If she failed, it wouldn’t just crush her chance at college, it would crush her pathetic self-esteem to dust.
I quickly made my way back to my room.
As soon as I shut the door, I hurried to one of my wardrobes and pulled it open. From the bottom shelf, I dragged out a stack of my textbooks and workbooks. I didn’t bother to count how many, I just grabbed what I thought looked convincing enough.
These were supposed to be my materials for last semester at college, but we never even used them. A complete waste. Or at least, they had been. Now, I was suddenly grateful they were still brand new.
I carried them over and dropped them neatly in the corner, already picturing her sitting there, wasting her three precious days trying to cram useless information.
I made my way to the entrance, and leaned against the wall. I kept pacing back and forth, waiting for two specific people.
Finally, after about 30 minutes, I saw Irene and another maid I didn’t recognize, probably some new recruit, carrying stacks of books in their arms.
“Oh?” I stepped forward, plastering a smile on my face. “Are these books for Soraya?”
Irene smiled politely, clutching her pile tightly. “Yes, they’re for Miss Soraya.”
“And where are you taking them now?” I asked sweetly, tilting my head.
“To the Alpha,” the new maid answered quickly. “He’ll take a look at them before we can give them to Miss Soraya.”
I let out a soft hum, as if thinking. Then I pressed my hand lightly to my chest. “Hmm… how about I take them for you?”
The maids exchanged a glance. The younger one shook her head firmly. “No, Alpha said we should get them ourselves.”
I laughed softly. “I know, I know. And I realize you two might not really fancy me because of my past behavior.” I leaned in just slightly. “But the reason I want to take the Alpha is because I want to apologize for what I’ve done.”
The two idiots still didn't look convinced. I almost rolled my eyes right there, but I forced a smile instead.
“Okay, fine,” I said sweetly. “We’ll go together.”
I started walking, and they hesitated before following. By the time we reached Darius’ study, his expression darkened the moment he saw me.
“Darius,” I said softly, trying to get his attention.
He ignored me completely, turning instead to the maids. “These are the books?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Irene answered quickly.
“Place them here.”
“Yes, Alpha.” They set the stacks down and stepped back.
I glanced at the desk—five textbooks, three workbooks, and a few notes.
Darius looked through the books, flipping through them with a nod. “These are the ones she should study. Send them to her.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
I couldn’t help myself. “Darius, you’re ignoring me. Please—”
His head snapped toward me. “Can’t you see that I’m busy? What do you want?”
“Why are you treating me this way?” I asked, my voice cracking slightly.
“You caused it, Emily. You asked for it.” His voice was flat. “And please, you know I don’t have time. I don’t tolerate rubbish. Family or not, you’ve crossed the line.”
I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached. He had never spoken to me this way. Yes, he was cold and ruthless, but to me, he’d always been an amazing cousin.
But ever since that prostitute Soraya stepped into his life, everything had changed. And I was going to change it back.
“Darius, I’m really sorry, okay? I am.”
His gaze only hardened. “If you want to apologize to anyone, apologize to Soraya. Not me. Excuse me.”
He turned away from me like I was nothing. “You two, take the books to Soraya.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
The maids picked up the stacks again and hurried out.
Slowly, I rose from my chair, my teeth grinding together. Without another word, I left the study too, my blood simmering with rage.
I needed to get my hands on those books somehow. But how? I paced, watching from the corner as the maids disappeared into Soraya’s room with the pile.
My nails dug into my palm when they came out minutes later.
After a while, I straightened my dress and made my way down the hall. I stopped in front of her door and knocked lightly.
The door creaked open. The moment she saw me, her expression soured. “What do you want?”
I plastered on a meek look, tilting my head. “I just came to apologize.”
She didn’t budge. Instead, eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Apologize? I don’t need your apology, Emily. Just leave me alone.”
I took a step inside anyway, my eyes darting to the bed where the books were.
“Look, don’t be like that,” I said quickly, turning my gaze back to her. “I was just being… you know, childish.”
She crossed her arms, glaring at me up and down. “No. You were being psychotic.”
I forced my face into something almost pleading, and looked straight at Soraya. “Look, Soraya, I’m really sorry,” I said. “I know I’ve acted like a jerk.”
Her eyes hardened, not buying it for a second. “I don’t need your apology, Emily. All I ask is that you leave me alone.”
I sighed dramatically, lowering my gaze like some wounded child. “Fine,” I murmured. “The main reason I came here, though, was because Darius is calling for you.”
Her head snapped up. “He is?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “He wants to see you. He’s in his study.”
She hesitated, eyeing me. “Fine. I’ll leave. After you.” She muttered.
I pasted on another polite smile and stepped toward the door. “As you wish.”
The moment she followed me out and the door clicked shut behind her, the act dropped. My lips curved into a smirk as I doubled back to the corner where I’d hidden my own stack books.
In a swift motion, I carried them into her room, placed them neatly where her pile had been, and then scooped up her real exam books. Hugging them against my chest, I walked out quietly.
By the time Soraya came back, she’d have nothing but worthless books to study. And when the exam came? She’d flop in front of Darius, humiliate herself, and that fragile little self-esteem of hers would crumble to zero.