Chapter 88: Lila’s Script

The tension in the room was suffocating, thick like a storm cloud ready to burst. 

Leo stood before "Ivy," his chest rising and falling with sharp breaths, confusion and frustration clashing in his gaze.

But this wasn’t Ivy. It was Lila.

Her twin sister.

She wore Ivy’s face, spoke with Ivy’s voice, carried herself with Ivy’s mannerisms—but she wasn’t her. 

Lila had spent weeks perfecting the deception, stepping into her sister’s life from the shadows with one goal: ruin her relationship with Leo beyond repair and take her place in every possible way.

It took her long to get here, and she was thrilled to play the role of Ivy Blackwood.

Lila crossed her arms, schooling her expression into one of cold indifference. “I can’t do this anymore, Leo.”

“Hey, baby, talk to me.” His voice was hoarse, desperate. He reached for her wrist, trying to steady her, but the moment his fingers brushed against her skin, Lila jerked away like his touch burned her.  

“I said don’t touch me!” Her voice cracked as she shoved him back.  

Leo’s patience, already stretched thin, began to fray. He clenched his jaw. “What the hell is going on with you?”  

Lila’s hands balled into fists at her sides. “I said that I can’t do this anymore.”  

His eyes darkened, his wolf clawing at his insides. Lies. This wasn’t her. This wasn’t the mate who had held him close last night, whispering promises into his skin. She was running, and he needed to know why.  

He needed to know what Isabella had done.

Leo moved faster before Lila could react, gripping her waist and pulling her against him.  

“Stop running from me,” he growled, his forehead pressing against hers. “I won’t let you.”  

Lila’s breath hitched, her pulse racing as she looked up at him. For a second, she feared that he might just see through her.  

That he would know.

But then she remembered the plan.

With a sharp intake of breath, she swung her hand—hard.  

The slap echoed through the room like a gunshot.  

Leo barely moved, only tilting his head to the side as her palm connected with his cheek. His jaw clenched, and his hand dropped from her waist. His wolf whimpered, feeling the betrayal as deeply as he did.  

His fingers brushed over the stinging flesh, his expression unreadable.  

Ivy had never hit him before. Never.  

The silence was deafening.  

Isabella rushed forward, stepping between them. “Ivy, stop this!” she pleaded, her eyes darting between the two. “You’re making a mistake.”  

Lila turned to her, shaking her head. “No. I need him to understand.”  

“You’re not making any sense!” Isabella grabbed her wrist. “You don’t have to do this. I don’t want to be the reason for this.”

Lila shoved her back.  

Isabella stumbled, her elbow slamming into the floor with a dull crack.

A pained cry escaped her lips as she cradled her arm, her face twisting in agony.

Leo snapped out of his daze, immediately kneeling beside Isabella. “Are you okay?” His voice was sharp with concern. He barely registered Lila backing away.  

Isabella winced, nodding. “I—I think so.”  

Leo looked up at Lila, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger. “What the hell is wrong with you?” His voice was lower now, colder.  

Lila’s chest heaved, but she forced herself to stay in character. “I don’t trust you enough, Leo,” she whispered.

And then she turned, heading for the west wing.  

Leo followed, not thinking, just moving. “Don’t walk away from me.”  

She stopped at the foot of the stairs.  

But she didn’t climb them. She felt the invisible barrier and paused, remembering what Isabella told her. She bit her lips anxiously as she squeezed her eyes shut, hoping Leo wouldn’t notice a thing.

Leo, blinded by frustration, did not seem to notice the hesitation. He reached for her wrist, gripping it tightly. “What did you just say about breaking the engagement?” His voice was rough, barely human.  

Lila winced, struggling against his hold. “Let go of me, Leo.”  

“Not until you tell me why you’re doing this.”  

Tears burned in her eyes—fake ones, of course. She had practiced this moment. She had to sell it. “Please…”  

His grip on her arm tightened, his eyes wild with desperation. 

It had been almost too easy.  

The moment Isabella and Lila returned, she spotted Ivy’s phone. She had picked it up, scrolling through the notifications when she saw it—Richard’s message.  

‘Almost home.’

A plan formed in her mind instantly, sharp and seamless. A way to cement Ivy’s exit from Leo’s life once and for all. A way to make sure there was no turning back.  

‘Dad, help me. Leo hurt me and won’t let me leave.’ She had sent the message without much hesitation.

All she needed was the perfect moment.  

And Leo, blinded by his emotions, gave it to her effortlessly. His touch, firm and unyielding, would be his undoing.  

Right on cue, the front door burst open almost immediately.  

Leo turned instinctively.  

Lila exhaled in relief, a victorious smirk hidden beneath her trembling lips.  

Ivy’s father, Richard Blackwood, stood in the doorway, his face contorted in rage. Beside him was Marcus—her uncle.  

Leo barely had time to register what was happening before Richard’s voice thundered through the room.  

“Get your hands off my daughter!”  

Lila wasted no time as she saw the opportunity to perfect her act. She bolted forward, sprinting into Richard’s arms, tears streaming down her face. She sobbed against his chest, clinging to him like she was escaping a nightmare.  

Leo stiffened. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it.

Marcus stormed toward him before he could even open his mouth.  

BAM!

The punch landed squarely against Leo’s jaw, snapping his head to the side.  

The taste of iron filled his mouth, but he didn’t move, didn’t fight back. 

Marcus stood in front of him, his eyes filled with rage. “Remember what I told you on the night of your engagement?” His voice was venomous. “If you ever made her cry, we would take her back.”  

Leo swallowed the blood pooling in his mouth. “This isn’t what it looks like.” His voice was raw.  

Marcus scoffed. “I’m so disappointed in you, Leo Ashton. I really thought you were different.”

The words cut deeper than any punch and Leo couldn’t wrap his head around why everything was spiraling out of control.

Richard turned sharply, wrapping a protective arm around Lila. “Let’s go, pumpkin.”  

Leo’s body moved before his mind could stop it.  

His wolf roared deep inside.  

Before Lila could take another step, he yanked her out of Richard’s grasp.  

“No one,” he snarled. “No one is allowed to take her from me.”  

Marcus lunged forward, trying to pry Lila from his arms, but Leo’s grip was unbreakable.  

“How dare you?” Richard bellowed.  

Lila sobbed harder, willing her tears to pour freely as she struggled in his grasp.  

Isabella, recognizing her cue, suddenly rushed forward, grabbing Leo’s arm. “Stop!” she whispered urgently, her breath warm against his ear. “If they find out who you really are, this will only get worse.”  

Leo’s entire body trembled.  

Slowly, he let go.  

Lila collapsed back into Richard’s arms.  

Richard’s eyes burned with fury as he turned to Leo squarely. “It’s over,” he spat. “This marriage is off. I don’t want you anywhere close to my daughter.”

Leo stood frozen as they turned and walked away, taking Lila with them.  

The moment the door slammed shut, silence swallowed the room.  

Leo staggered back, gripping his chest.  

His wolf whimpered.  

The pain felt like claws ripping through his insides, like he was just rejected by his mate.   

He clenched his fists. “No.”  

His voice was barely above a whisper.  

“I can’t lose her.”

A slow, wicked smirk curled across Isabella’s lips as she watched him unravel.  

Lila had done her part, shattering his heart piece by piece.  

Now, it was her turn—to be the perfect comfort, the devoted friend, the irresistible temptation.  

The perfect queen for her broken Alpha king.