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Chapter 2
The last time she got a message like that from Rhett, she’d gone running–heart pounding with hope, thinking maybe, just maybe, he was finally ready to hear her out.
But when she showed up, all she saw was him and Arabella in bed.
He’d wanted her to see it.
To crush whatever was left of her.
She’d broken down sobbing, and he just looked at her coldly and said, “See it clearly now? Arabella’s the only one I love.”
Looking back, it was pathetic.
This time, Isla took a breath, steady and silent, and texted back: [Okay.]
At exactly 8 p.m., she arrived at the hotel.
The door to Room 1808 was ajar.
Inside, Rhett was holding Arabella–both of them completely naked, wrapped around each other like no one else in the world existed.
Used condoms littered the floor. The room reeked of sweat and sex.
Arabella screamed when she saw Isla standing outside the door.
But Rhett didn’t stop.
He was kissing her collarbone, slow and deliberate, his voice low and tender.
“Let her watch,” he murmured. “Maybe then she’ll finally get it–I don’t want her. Never did. You’re the only one I see now. She needs to stop chasing a fantasy and learn her place.”
For the second time, Isla stood frozen, watching the same nightmare unfold–his hands on someone else, his heart already gone.
And still, it felt like a dagger through the chest. The pain was raw, unbearable.
But this time… she made herself endure it.
Because from now on, Rhett would never be hers again.
He was her sister’s mate now. Her brother–in–law.
And she–she and her wolf had finally driven him out of their soul.
She didn’t know how much time passed. Her nails had dug so deep into her palms they left crescent–shaped marks by the time she let
- go.
Rhett walked over, fully dressed now, and stopped in front of her.
“Did you get the message this time?” he asked coolly. “Arabella is the one I love. You need to remember your place. I’m your brother–in–law now. Stop humiliating yourself with this pathetic behavior.”
Isla’s face was blank
“I got the message, Loud and clear.”
Rhett hesitated, caught off guard by how calm she sounded.
After a beat, he reached over to the nightstand, grabbed a formal invitation, and handed it to her.
“Our mating ceremony is next month. I hope you’ll attend.”
She accepted the envelope with a quiet smile. “Of course. I’ll be there. Congratulations to you both.”
Chapter 2
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Rhett narrowed his eyes, frowning slightly.
Something about Isla felt… off. Too quiet. Too obedient.
But he didn’t ask questions. He took Arabella’s hand, and the two of them walked out of the hotel together.
Isla followed, her steps heavy, her mind numb.
She kept her head down, barely aware of her surroundings.
Until a sharp scream rang out beside her.
A split second later, a massive neon sign came crashing down from above.
Rhett instinctively pulled Arabella into his arms and jumped back–just in time to dodge the falling metal.
Only İşla remained, still standing on the sidewalk.
The sign struck her full–force.
Blood splattered across the pavement as her body collapsed, limp and broken.
Pain surged through her like a tidal wave, crashing over her again and again. She trembled violently, soaked in her own blood.
Hot tears blurred her vision. In the distance, she saw Rhett shielding Arabella in his arms.
And then, everything went dark.
The boy who once swore to protect her was gone.
And finally–finally–she let go.
When Isla opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital bed.
A nurse was checking her bandages when Isla finally stirred.
“Well, hey there,” the nurse said, surprised but clearly relieved: “Welcome back. You gave us a bit of a scare.”
She adjusted the IV and offered a sympathetic smile. “Your sister freaked out when she brought you in–collapsed from the stress. Your parents and your… brother–in–law have been in and out of her room since. Do you want me to let them know you’re awake?”
Isla’s lashes fluttered. She shook her head.
“No. They won’t want to see me. And I don’t want to see them either.”
The nurse paused, a flicker of pity crossing her face before she quietly stepped out.
“Honestly, it’s messed up,” one of them muttered. “The younger one nearly bleeds out, ends up in the ICU, and no one even bothers to
check on her.”
“Well, the older sister’s the Luna–to–be,” the other replied with a shrug. “She’s got the Alpha wrapped around her finger. He’s been spoon–feeding her soup, bringing in some big–shot shrink to help with her ‘trauma, and dropping off fancy–ass gift bags every other
hour.”
“Meanwhile the one who almost died? Invisible.”
Isla heard every word.
She didn’t flinch. Because this… this was nothing new.
Chapter 2
