chapter 75
Tori's POV:
"Well, if it isn't Tori Sullivan."
I looked up to see Fiona Price standing before me, her hand resting protectively over her stomach.
The gesture was deliberate, meant to draw attention.
"What a coincidence seeing you here," she continued, her voice carrying the same false sweetness I remembered.
"I just finished my checkup. The doctor says my baby is developing beautifully!"
Her right hand caressed her abdomen in an exaggerated gesture. I watched her performance silently, my silver eyes betraying nothing.
"Eight weeks along," she continued, making sure everyone in the waiting area could hear. "We're all so excited! Ethan is absolutely thrilled, you know."
I met her challenging gaze with calm detachment.
Four years ago, words like these would have pierced my heart like knives. Now, I merely nodded slightly and returned my attention to my notes.
"Aren't you going to congratulate me?" She moved closer, her perfume growing stronger with proximity.
"Oh, I forgot—this must be difficult for you. After all, it could have been your position."
I slowly closed my notebook and looked directly at her.
"Congratulations, Fiona. Is this enough? Can you leave me alone?"
A flicker of disappointment crossed her face.
"How interesting," she stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Are you pretending to be strong, or do you really not care anymore? Have you forgotten Ethan so quickly?"
I suppressed a sigh. I was genuinely tired of the Price sisters making appearances in my life every few days, as if their sole purpose was to remind me of their existence.
"Fiona," I said, my patience wearing thin, "is there something specific you need from me? Because honestly, I'm getting tired of you or your sister showing up."
I studied her face carefully, noticing the slight tightness around her eyes, the way her fingers nervously caressed her stomach.
There was anxiety there—something deeper than her usual spite.
"What's wrong? Is your supposedly secure marriage not making you happy?" I asked, genuinely confused. "If everything's so perfect, why do you care about my reaction at all?"
Fiona's face flushed with anger, my comment clearly hitting a nerve.
"How dare you! Ethan and I are perfectly happy! Why else would we be bringing a child into the world?" Her voice rose defensively. "We're creating a family together—something you'll never have with him."
"Oh, congratulations then," I said calmly. "I wish you both well."
Fiona stared at me, searching for any emotional reaction, any sign that I still cared about Ethan. But she found nothing.
"You don't need to pretend to be magnanimous," her tone turned sharp. "Don't blame me for taking Ethan away. The Grayson family would never accept someone like you anyway. "
Her words struck like a blade, but not at my feelings for Ethan. Instead, they pierced straight through to my feelings for Lucas. I felt my chest tighten.
He doesn't think that way, Tracy whispered in my mind.
"You have no right to speak for the Grayson family," I finally responded, my voice calmer than I expected. "And there's no need to probe my feelings for Ethan. That ended long ago."
"Miss Sullivan," the nurse's call broke our tense atmosphere. "The doctor will see you now."
Without giving Fiona one last glance. I stood up, gathering my backpack and leaving.
---
After my examination, sunlight streamed brightly over Moonhaven's streets.
I walked along the sidewalk, my mind swirling with thoughts.
Fiona's words echoed in my ears: "The Grayson family would never accept someone like you."
The realization hit me with sudden clarity.
The Graysons probably despised Ethan's ex-girlfriend, the Omega, who was allegedly involved in the death of Noah Morris.
Four years ago, after the incident, no one believed my side of the story.
No one had believed I was tricked into going there.
Everyone thought I had willingly gone to meet Noah, that I had somehow wanted what happened.
Fiona's lies had been so convincing, painting me as an Omega who used her pheromones to lure an Alpha. And with Noah dead, there was no one to contradict her version of events.
What would Lucas think of me if he knew the details? Did he believe the rumors like everyone else?
I squared my shoulders, determination flooding through me.
It didn't matter what anyone thought. I would prove my innocence. Somehow, I would find evidence of what really happened that night—evidence that Fiona had set me up.
One day, I would find the evidence to clear my name.
One day, Fiona would pay for what she'd done to me.
---
My phone rang just as I closed the door to my dormitory room. Morgan's name flashed across the screen.
"Hey," I answered, setting my bag down on the bed.
"Tori! Thank goodness you picked up." Morgan's voice bubbled with excitement. "I went to your dorm earlier but couldn't find you anywhere!"
I sank onto the mattress, suddenly aware of how exhausted I felt.
"Sorry, I had my medical exam at Moontouch. What's up?"
"Did you hear? Elizabeth Grayson is hosting a big celebration tomorrow night for Fiona's pregnancy," she announced. "Want to come with me?"
I froze. A pregnancy celebration? For Fiona?
I hadn't expected Fiona's pregnancy to be such a major event for the Graysons, but thinking about it logically, it made perfect sense. Lucas was 31 and still hadn't found his Luna. As the Alpha's nephew, Ethan's child would be significant to the pack hierarchy.
Of course, Elizabeth Grayson would celebrate the continuation of their bloodline.
"Morgan, I really don't think I should go," I said firmly. "Fiona and I... well, you know our history. Me showing up at her pregnancy celebration would just make everyone uncomfortable."
"Don't worry about Fiona," Morgan dismissed with a scoff. "Elizabeth is the one hosting it, and she specifically left an invitation for you. She actually told me to make sure you come with me."
I sat up straight, stunned. "Wait, what? Elizabeth left an invitation... for me?"
"Yes! She specifically mentioned your name," Morgan said excitedly. "She told me to make sure you attend. So you see, you have to come now!"
"Come on!" she insisted. "You've been studying so hard for that championship, you've practically forgotten to eat. "
Had I? I glanced down at my wrist, noticing it did seem thinner than before.
"Besides," Morgan continued, her voice turning mischievous, "Mom says the food at Grayson celebrations is incredible. All kinds of delicacies you can't find anywhere else in Moonhaven. It would be a shame to miss out."
My stomach growled at the mention of food, betraying me.
"I'll... think about it," I said noncommittally. "Let me get back to you."
After ending the call, I sat staring at my phone. Lucas had been out of town on business for several days.
Before I could overthink it, I typed out a quick message: Will you be at tomorrow night's celebration for Fiona?
I barely had time to set my phone down before it rang.
Lucas's name appeared on the screen.
"Hello?" I answered, my heart racing inexplicably.
"Missing me already?" His deep voice carried a hint of playfulness.