Chapter 79
Violet's POV:
Beck's fist connected with Daemon's jaw before I could process what was happening. The sharp crack echoed through the stairwell, and Daemon staggered backward, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His blood-red eyes flared with dangerous intensity as he wiped the crimson streak away.
"Defending her?" Daemon's voice was low and deadly. "What gives you the right?"
Beck positioned himself between us, his pale gray eyes cold. "I don't have the right, but at least I wouldn't force myself on a woman who's already rejected me while I'm drunk."
Daemon's gaze shifted past Beck to lock onto me, anger simmering beneath forced control. "He hit me because of you, so I won't hit back." Then his eyes darkened as they fixed on Beck again. "You live here?"
"Yes, I'm staying at Violet's place," Beck's tone was deliberately provocative. "Temporarily taking care of her. Got a problem with that?"
The air grew thick with tension. Daemon's entire demeanor shifted, his Alpha nature rising to the surface with palpable aggression. I forced myself between them, my hand pressed against Beck's chest. "Stop. He's drunk. There's no point arguing with someone who's not thinking straight."
Turning to face Daemon, I kept my voice flat and cold. "Beck just relocated here and needs a place to stay until he finds his own apartment. You should go, Daemon."
Daemon stared at me, his jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin. Instead of leaving, he just repeated in a dangerously quiet voice, "Temporarily?"
Before anyone could respond, footsteps sounded from above. An elderly neighbor descended the stairs carrying a plastic bag, the overwhelming stench of fresh fish hitting me like a physical blow. My stomach revolted instantly. The nausea crashed over me in a wave so powerful I couldn't suppress it.
I stumbled toward the nearest wall, my hand covering my mouth. It was useless. I found myself doubled over the stairwell railing, retching violently into the shadows below.
"Violet!" Daeomn was at my side immediately, his hand supporting my back. "What's wrong? Is it your stomach again?"
When the worst of it passed, I straightened slowly, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. My legs felt weak, my entire body trembling. "I'm fine," I managed to say, though my voice came out hoarse. "It's just that fish smell."
"I need both of you to leave me alone." I tried to pull away, but my balance wasn't cooperating. Beck caught my elbow before I could stumble.
"You're not walking up twelve flights of stairs in this condition," Beck said firmly.
Another wave of dizziness washed over me, and I found myself leaning against Beck more heavily than I'd intended. Daemon watched in silence, his expression unreadable. Finally, without a word, he turned and walked down the remaining stairs, his footsteps echoing until they faded entirely.
Beck adjusted his grip, supporting more of my weight. "Come on. Let's get you home."
By the time we reached my apartment door, I was shaking from exhaustion. He helped me inside, guided me to the couch, and disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned with a glass of warm water, his face was etched with worry.
"Drink this slowly," he instructed, sitting beside me. He paused, meeting my eyes directly. "Violet, are you pregnant?"
The glass nearly slipped from my fingers. Water sloshed over the rim, dampening my jeans. When I finally met his gaze, I found only gentle concern there.
"How did you know?" My voice came out barely above a whisper.
Beck let out a long breath. "My aunt when she was carrying Sienna. She couldn't stand certain smells either, especially seafood. And you've been tired constantly, wearing that heavy perfume every day." He paused. "The baby is Daemon's?"
I nodded, unable to form words around the sudden tightness in my throat. The tears I'd been holding back finally broke free, streaming down my face. I set the glass down with shaking hands.
"Yes, it's his," I finally managed. "But that doesn't matter anymore. I want this baby, Beck, but I don't want Daemon. I don't want anyone to know, not even my closest friends."
"He has a right to know," Beck's voice was gentle but firm. "This is his child."
"Rights?" The word came out sharp, bitter. "What rights does he have? He rejected me. He married me for a political alliance, then spent years chasing after someone else. Now he's helping his precious Celeste build a new life while I'm supposed to what, trap him with a baby? No." My voice rose. "I don't need him using this child to tie me to him again. I'll raise this baby on my own. I have my family, I have my job, and I have my dignity. That's enough."
"Please, Beck." I grabbed his hand, holding it tight. "Please help me keep this secret. I can't tell anyone yet, not even Sienna. If Daemon finds out before I'm ready to handle it, I don't know what I'll do."
Beck looked at me for a long moment, conflict clear in his expression. Then he pulled his hand free and stood abruptly, his shoulders rigid. When he turned back, his face was set with determination.
"I can't do this."
The words hit me like a physical blow. "Beck—"
"No." He was already heading for the door. "That man just assaulted you in a stairwell. He's been playing games with you and that Morrison girl for months. This changes everything. He deserves to know."
But he was already gone, the door slamming shut behind him. I sat there alone, one hand unconsciously moving to rest on my abdomen. The panic rose in my chest, sharp and suffocating. Beck was going to tell Daemon. Right now.
I forced myself to move, stumbling to the window. When I looked down, I could see the parking area illuminated by streetlights. Daemon's black SUV was still there. He stood beside it, a cigarette in his hand, smoke curling up into the night air.
And then Beck appeared in my line of sight, moving toward Daemon with clear purpose.
No. No, no, no.
I grabbed my keys and ran for the door. The elevator was still broken, so I took the stairs as fast as I dared. By the time I reached the ground floor, I was gasping for breath.
I burst through the building's entrance just as Beck's fist swung at Daemon again. This time Daemon was ready. He dodged easily, then retaliated with a kick that caught Beck in the stomach.
"The first hit was free because I deserved it," Daemon said. "But that doesn't mean you get to keep trying."
Beck recovered quickly, launching himself at Daemon with renewed fury. They grappled, both throwing punches. Beck was shouting, his words distorted by emotion, but I caught fragments that made my blood run cold.
"You have no right to hurt her! She loved you for ten years! Do you have any idea what she gave up for you?"
Daemon managed to pin Beck against the SUV. "She would never go with you. Not before, and not now."
"I regret not trying to stop that ceremony!" Beck shoved back, breaking free. "At least she wouldn't have wasted ten years on trash like you!"
They were still fighting when I reached them. I wanted to run over and pull them apart, but the thought of my baby, of what could happen if I got caught in the middle of two fighting Alphas, froze me in place.
"Beck!" My voice came out as a scream, high and terrified. "Stop it! Please!"
They both froze, turning to look at me. Daemon's eyes were wild, his face bruised and bleeding. Beck looked no better, his lip split and one eye already starting to swell.
I forced myself forward, circling around to grab Beck from behind. My arms wrapped around his waist, and I pulled with all my strength, trying to drag him away from Daemon. Beck resisted for a moment, then allowed me to move him backward.
"I don't love him anymore!" The words tore from my throat, raw and desperate. "Do you hear me, Beck? I don't love Daemon Blackwood anymore!"
The silence that followed was absolute. Daemon stood completely still, his blood-red eyes fixed on me with an intensity that should have burned.
I held Daemon's gaze, forcing myself to say it again. "I. Don't. Love. You. Anymore."
Something flickered across Daemon's face, too quick for me to identify. Pain, maybe, or regret. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a mask of cold indifference. He straightened his jacket with deliberate care.
"Good," he said finally, his voice flat and emotionless. "That makes things easier."
He walked to his SUV, paused with his hand on the door handle. For a heartbeat, I thought he might turn around. Instead, he jerked the door open with enough force to rock the entire vehicle, climbed in, and slammed it shut. The engine roared to life, and then he was gone, taillights disappearing into the night.
I released Beck slowly, my arms falling to my sides. Beck turned to face me, the anger drained from his expression, replaced by concern.
---
The next two days passed in a blur. Beck had found a new apartment nearby and was preparing to move out.
"If you don't mind, I can pay rent and keep staying here," Beck said on the second evening, his expression worried. "You're pregnant and living alone. It's not safe."
"Don't worry about me," I said, forcing a smile. "Your new place is nearby anyway. If I need anything, I'll ask for your help."
After he left, the apartment felt suddenly empty, the silence pressing in from all sides. Pregnancy hormones were making every emotion feel amplified. I shook off the melancholy, took a shower, and forced myself to focus on the routine of daily life.
At least Daemon hadn't shown up in the past few days. I didn't know if he'd returned to Frost Pack or if he was staying with Celeste, and I told myself I didn't care.
---
Friday arrived with an email announcement about a weekend team-building event. Patricia was organizing it and had invited several related departments, including Marketing. Which meant Celeste would be there.
The planning meeting was scheduled for Friday afternoon. I arrived early, settling into a chair near the window with my laptop. Then Linda walked in with Celeste at her side.
"Violet," Celeste said, her voice soft and uncertain. "It's good to see you."
I kept my gaze fixed on my laptop screen, fingers moving across the keyboard. I didn't acknowledge her greeting, didn't even look up. The room fell into an awkward silence.
Linda stepped in smoothly. "Violet's been under a lot of work pressure lately. Don't take it personally, Celeste."
I still didn't respond. The meeting started, and every time Celeste spoke, I made a point of looking away. When she tried to make eye contact, I deliberately avoided her gaze.
By the time the meeting ended, the tension in the room was palpable.
---
Saturday arrived gray and drizzly. The team-building event was being held at a rented villa in the suburbs. Most of my colleagues had already arrived when I pulled up, and I could hear laughter and music coming from the back patio.
The smell of grilling meat was already making my stomach uneasy, so I drifted toward the lake, hoping the fresh air would help. Linda and Celeste stood together on the patio, looking comfortable together, almost like real sisters.
I turned away, heading for the far side of the terrace where I could be alone. I leaned against the railing, breathing in the cool air and trying to calm my churning stomach.
"Violet?"
I didn't turn around. Linda's footsteps approached.
"We need to talk," she said.
"No, we don't." I kept my gaze fixed on the gray water.
"Why are you treating Celeste like that?" Linda moved to stand beside me. "She hasn't done anything to you."
I finally turned to look at her directly. "So?"
Linda's jaw clenched. "Celeste looks so much like my sister Aurora. But her personality is gentler. Sometimes I think if my sister had been more like her, maybe things would have ended differently."
"Don't talk to me about your sister," I said, my voice cutting. "I've told you before—I didn't know her, I had nothing to do with what happened to her. You need to tell Celeste that she's your dead sister's replacement, and let her understand how important and irreplaceable your sister was in Daemon's heart."
Linda's expression turned cold with fury. "I've told her she reminds me of my late sister. But I would never tell her about Aurora and Daemon's past. I'm not as cruel as you."
"I'm cruel?" I almost laughed. "Just because of someone I never even knew, I'm supposed to carry this guilt? Should I go jump in a river too, to atone for your sister's death?"
Linda's face twisted with hatred. I held my ground, meeting her glare with my own.
"Linda, you need to get this through your head," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "I wasn't the third party between your sister and Daemon. But Celeste is the third party between Daemon and me. Don't talk to me about true love. You can love her and protect her all you want. I was willing to go through with the rejection ceremony and let the mistress take my place—that's the most mercy I can show. Don't push me to do something she won't be able to handle."
The threat hung in the air between us.
Then I heard it. A soft gasp from behind us.
We both turned to see Celeste standing in the doorway. Her face was pale, her baby blue eyes wide with shock and hurt. Behind her, several of our colleagues stood frozen, obviously having heard at least part of the conversation.
"Celeste—" Linda started forward, but Celeste stumbled backward, shaking her head.
The sound of rapid footsteps echoed from inside the villa, and then Daemon burst through the doorway. He must have been on his way here when Celeste called him. His blood-red eyes took in the scene immediately—Celeste crying, Linda frozen in guilt, me standing with my arms crossed, and the small crowd of colleagues pretending not to stare.
Celeste's face collapsed completely. She allowed Daemon to guide her toward the parking area, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Linda followed them, shooting me one last look of pure hatred before disappearing inside.
I stood alone on the terrace, acutely aware of the stares and whispered conversations behind me.
I turned and walked back into the villa, gathered my things, and headed for my car.
As I drove away, I caught a glimpse of Daemon's black SUV in the parking area. Celeste sat in the passenger seat, her face buried in her hands, while Daemon stood outside talking urgently on his phone.
My phone buzzed as I merged onto the highway. A text from Evan.
"Violet, this is Evan. Zane's been trying to reach you. He says all his calls are going to voicemail. Is everything alright?"