Chapter 46
I looked toward the sofa but didn’t see Ronan, nor Riley anywhere around.
Just as I was wondering, Ronan appeared from the far end of the first–floor corridor.
I froze for a moment–why would Ronan go that way?
Then it hit me.
The storage room at the end of the hall was Riley’s “room.” Could it be….
A dark thought rose inside me, a sharp and bitter hatred bubbling up.
Riley, you shameless bitch. How dare you seduce Ronan right under my nose? Seems like I haven’t taught you a proper lesson
yet.
Thought my face wore a sweet smile, my words were sharp and poisonous when I called out, “Ronan, where have you been?”
He answered casually, “Just wandering around. It’s late, I’m heading back.”
His expression was calm, unreadable.
I tried to persuade him, “Why not stay for lunch?”
“No, thanks.” Without another glance, he left the Vale pack house.
My eyes followed his retreating figure until he disappeared completely.
Then I glanced at the closed door at the corridor’s end, my eyes narrowing. Jealousy slithered inside me like a venomous snake.
Turning to Mom, I said cheerfully, “Mom, it’s almost mealtime. I’ll go upstairs
to call Riley down.”
Mom nodded with a contented smile, watching me run upstairs with an indulgent gaze.
But my real goal wasn’t to call Riley for lunch.
I needed to check if she was actually in Kael’s bedroom.
I pushed the door opch–and as I expected, Riley wasn’t there.
The room was decked out in high–end princess style decor.
I clenched my teeth in fury.
Since Riley was hospitalized, Kael had immediately hired people to renovate the room.
I’d underestimated Riley. She’d only been home a few days and already stolen Kael’s attention away from me.
A cruel light flashed in my eyes.
If she wasn’t in Kael’s room, then she must be in the storage roofn.
The thought of what might be happening between her and Ronan in that cramped, dark space nearly set my sanity ablaze.
Kael’s affection belongs to the
Ronan belongs to me too.
Riley, you shameless wretch. You’re trying to snatch what’s mine. You deserve to die.
Hatred blazing like wildfire, I had my plan in an instant
I stomped down the stairs.
Mom saw I was alone
and asked, “Scarlett, where’s your sister?”
I put on a disappointed face. “She’s not in Kael’s room. Probably back in her own room.
Mom’s expression stiffened.
She already knew Riley was living in that windowless, damp storage room.
When Kael took Mom there, her heart almost shattered.
She couldn’t bear the thought of Riley living in such a dark, cold place for three whole years.
So when Kael renovated his room in that princess style to surprise Riley, Mom fully supported it, hoping to mend their mother–daughter relationship.
But since Riley woke up, she had neither thanked them nor shown any gratitude.
And now she’s gone back to that storage room, like she’s deliberately stabbing a knife in Mom’s heart, refusing to let her rest.
Mom looked sad and angry, frustrated by Riley’s stubbornness and cold attitude..
She was about to head for the storage room when I stopped her.
“Mom, I should go,” I said, “Since Riley and I are closer in age, it’s better if I talk to her.”
Mom nodded and sat back down. She agreed–why should she, as the elder, stoop to beg a rebellious junior?
I turned, but the moment I faced the storage room door, my expression hardened like stone.
Without knocking, I pushed the door open.
“Wow! Sleeping soundly in broad daylight, aren’t you lucky, sis?”
Riley’s cold eyes snapped open, icy as ever.
“Get out!” she said flatly.
I laughed, scorn dripping from every word. “Get out? As if you have the right!”
Crossing my arms, I looked her up and down with utter disdain.
“Don’t think being Mom and Dad’s ‘real‘ daughter gives you the right to boss me around. Take a look–who do they actually care about?”
“Born with a silver spoon or not, you’re still an unwanted bastard.”
I lifted my chin high, as if Riley were some worthless dust beneath my feet.
“Listen carefully. Ronan’s mine. Not some trash like you.”
Riley sat up slowly from the fold–out bed, then stood and faced me calmly.
“Yours? You can’t even keep him.”
“If you could, Ronan wouldn’t be chasing me all the way to the storage room–and I wouldn’t be stopped from marrying the prince of the Stormridge pack.”