Chapter 2
I hadn’t even said a word, and he’d already decided I was the one who framed her.
Thinking back on the past two years of swallowing my pride, I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “Dominic, the way you’re charging at me like this, you’re starting to sound like your grandfather back when he was conquering battlefields.”
Dominic stopped clutching his wound and straightened up.
“Our family’s man stands tall. We don’t waste our lives chasing after love and sentiment.
“Even without you, Rowena Thalor, I can still make a name for myself. I don’t need you to build a legacy.”
I didn’t know exactly what he went through after I was hanged in that last life, but judging from how he was acting now, he must’ve spent some time as Alpha before he died.
And now he’s back, reborn with the pride of a man who once ruled over everyone.
“Classic Dominic,” I said, voice sharp. “Brave, ambitious, and way too full of himself.”
He heard the sarcasm in my voice, but before he could respond, Elise suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood right onto Daisy’s dress.
His expression changed instantly. Forgetting about his own bleeding stomach, he bent down and wrapped her in his arms.
7 You s
Elise, what’s wrong? I’ll take you to the doctor, right?”
There’s no need, Dominic,” Elise said coolly. “Seems like I am just unning out of time.”
‘Don’t talk like that,” he snapped. “As long as I’m around, you’ll live a ong, healthy life.”
I’d had enough of their overly dramatic love scene. I turned around and walked out.
What I didn’t expect was that before nightfall, Dominic brought Elise and her daughter back.
With a small army of doctors trailing behind him.
The courtyard outside the guest wing was buzzing with maids and servants. High–grade herbs and medicines were being delivered like water flowing from a stream.
I sent someone to snoop around. A little while later, they came back with a report. Dominic begged my father for help.
“Beta said Dominic brought his grandfather’s ashes and swore on the lives of the entire Varyn family that Elise wasn’t a`spy.
“You know, Finn Varyn? He is Dominic’s grandfather who once helped your father rise to power. The Alpha never forgot that debt, so he agreed for now.”
I stood there, watching the lights flicker through the guest room windows. Then I sat down and wrote a letter to Dad.
helping
By the next evening, I was in my study with a maid beside me, me study. That’s when Dominic barged in and ordered everyone out of the
room.
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His own maids, Elise and her daughter, followed him in. They walked in like honored guests and settled themselves onto the cushioned seats.
I felt my patience snap.
“Dominic, in case you forgot, this is my home. Not yours.”
Dominic stood there with his hands behind his back, giving orders like he owned the place. “Elise doesn’t have a title. That’s why she keeps getting mistreated. I want you to write an official statement declaring her your adopted sister.”
My brows furrowed. “I’m the Alpha’s daughter. Do you want me to claim her as a sister so she gets the same status as me? If that’s what you want, you should go ask my father. Let’s see if he thinks she’s worth it.”
Today, Elise was wearing an embroidered gown fit for a noblewoman. Daisy had a gold longevity pendant around her neck.
But the second Elise opened her mouth, she started crying again.
“Please don’t mock me, Ms. Thalor. I’ve never asked for status. I want to stay by Dominic’s side.
“Dominic, if Ms. Thalor doesn’t want to, then forget it. Daisy and I will leave the estate. We’ll find a run–down shack somewhere and live out whatever days we have left. Daisy, come on. Let’s go.”
Daisy blinked and then burst into tears harder than Elise.
“Mommy, I don’t wanna go. I like it here. I wanna stay with Daddy!”
“Be good, Daisy,” Elise whispered. “This will always be Ms. Thalor’s home, not ours.
Dominic immediately bent down and scooped the little girl into his arms. Gently, he wiped Elise’s tears away. “Stop saying stuff like that. As long
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as I’m here, this is your home too.”
I let out a sharp laugh.
“This is my house. If you’re desperate to play daddy, you should pack up and leave together.”
His eyes narrowed coldly. With a wave of his hand, two of his soldiers stepped forward and grabbed me by the shoulders. They forced me to my knees in front of them.
The next moment, Dominic stormed over, grabbed a fistful of my hair, and slammed my head down against the floor.
“Rowena,” he roared, “apologize to Elise. Now.”
