ESTELLE
“The headlines are looking beautiful today,” Jerome pointed out, walking to and fro in my room.
“Ex-Luna saves future Luna from death. Oh, how interesting. Wait… This second one is looking nice, ” Jerome shared, coming to a stop right next to me. “They took a picture of you when you were crying and Brielle was stripping you naked. Hear this heading… BRAVE LUNA DIVES IN TO RESCUE HER EX-HUSBAND’S BRIDE. SHE’S A HERO, RISKING HER OWN LIFE TO SAVE THE WOMAN WHO TOOK HER PLACE… Oh this is too sweet, ” He chuckled, swiping the screen of his phone.
I was sitting on the bed, watching and listening to how this annoying Beta kept reading different news and articles written about Brielle, portraying her as a heroine!
It was so frustrating!
“Ah, the press uploaded the video from last night’s drama. Look at it.” He lowered himself to my level and show me the video he was talking about.
When I saw it, my whole body turned hot. It was an embarrassing video of me, crying and falling to the ground, begging for help.
I saw how Brielle rushed down to rip my dress, before Argon lowered himself next to her, doing the same.
Like that wasn’t enough to ruin my mood, I noticed Argon’s eyes in the video, falling on Brielle while nodding his head! He was listening to her every words like a complete fool!
“And in just one night, so many things changed, ” Jerome said, withdrawing his phone back. “You lost your child, Alpha Argon is now showering all his love and affection on your rival, and now… Brielle is a heroine in everyone’s eyes. Hmm, so much for being the center of attraction, princess.”
“Is that why you’re showing me all these videos and reading all these headlines? Are you indirectly calling me a loser? You want to ridicule me or what?!” I fired, glaring at Jerome.
I thought this dumbass was on our side. Why is he trying to bruise my heart?
“What is your gain from all these, Beta?! What is it that you want from me?!”
“I want you to step up and think of something fast!” He raised his voice, giving his answer, with his hand squeezing his phone tight.
“If you don’t act fast, you won’t just lose your place as Alpha Argon’s bride, but I’ll lose my right in that mansion if Brielle has control over my Alpha!”
“Oh, I see. So, that’s why you’re using all those words to attack me? How sad of you,” I tsked, swaying my head at Jerome.
My mocking words struck him hard, because this silly Beta groaned and said, “I know you were out cold from the poison, but the moment you woke up, the next thing you could think of was shedding silly tears instead of thinking of the next phase of our plan!” He stamped his hand on my pillow.
On seeing this attitude from him, I became mad. Out of anger, I slapped his hand off my pillow and said, ” I can see your brain is missing in that head of yours, Jerome. You heard a mother lost her baby to a deadly poison, and you expect her to just jump out of bed and start making plans? Who gave birth to you?!”
“Don’t act so innocent or bring my own mother into this. If you really cared about your child, you won’t be thinking about Argon and getting all desperate to take Brielle out. All your mind would be on that fetus that’s gone. It was your ticket into this marriage, but it’s dead! ” He responded rudely, causing my heart to bleed in rage.
He no longer has respect for me! It’s because we’re working together in handling Brielle and also finding that green-eyed monster, that’s why he thinks he can just speak to me as he pleases.
Animal! I will show him one day why he shouldn’t mess with me! When I become the Universal Queen, he’ll bow.
Jerome went on talking, pointing at my recent behavior and so-called motherly affection. “I was watching your face expression, and trust me… You looked nothing like a broken mother, ” He revealed, darting his eyes at my stomach then at my face.
Rubbish! What an Irish bull! I dimmed my eyes in anger and said, tapering my finger at him, “Be quiet, you foolish wolf! I was in sorrow when you came in here to talk about Argon being with that woman! Don’t try to act so smart because you don’t know what it feels like to be a mother. You think that the one page you read of a pregnant woman’s stages, makes you a scholar? No, I am not Argon. This is Estelle you’re talking to!”
When I said that, Jerome’s eyes flashed at me, showing his anger towards my words.
I wasn’t afraid but ready to descend on this good for nothing wolf. Just because my father took pity on his condition and placed him in our team, he thinks he can just talk to me disrespectfully?!
“Be warned, Jerome. You are a Beta, not some king. I have a lot of power over you. I’m a princess and you are just a mere right-hand man! A spare part! Mind how you speak to me or you’ll regret it!” I warned.
He glowered at me, about to lift his hand and say something. But that’s when my father came into the room, looking disappointed. That ended the fight between Jerome and I.
“Father, you’re back, ” I uttered, dropping my attention on him.
My father still had his phone in his hand. He looked at both of us and said, “I’ve called Argon multiple times, but he hasn’t responded to my calls. I even called the mansion and they told me he wasn’t there.”
He placed both hands on his waist, stamping his feet repeatedly.
“Funny enough, when I was returning to this room, I could pick his scent around. It seems Argon is at the hospital,” Father suspected, looking at the door them at Jerome.
If only he knows that the man he has been trying to call for some hours has been at the hospital all night. Yes, I’m going to tell him. He needs to know, so he’d storm into that woman’s room and ruin everything for her.
“Jerome, did you call Argon to see if he’s here? ” Father asked Jerome. I directed my eyes at the beta and noticed his mouth opening down to speak.
But instead of a response… “Alpha, you’re here! ” Jerome exclaimed out, fixing his gaze at the door.
The moment I heard his words, my heart skipped. I directed my eyes at the door and found Argon standing there!
My darling Argon! He finally came to his senses!
Father turned around to face him. His face came brightening with smiles, as she drew closer to Argon, wrapping his arms around him for a hug. “Oh, my boy. I was so worried about you. I’ve been trying to reach you, but no one had a clue of where you might have gone to. How are you grappling? It’s clear you heard the news fron Doctor Nicole.”
Father kept talking while Argon stared… At me?
His face had no emotion, his eyes were locked with mine, almost like he was searching for my soul.
It felt creepy to see him so cold and passionless. But this wasn’t the face expression I saw when he was with Brielle. Did he remember his mourning bride and fell weak? That can be the only explanation to this.
“Son, Estelle has been crying after hearing the tragic report. She hasn’t been herself since she woke up,” Father shared, lowering his head down in sadness.
With the opening made by Dad, I decided to step in and put on an act. And just like that, my eyes came wet. I sobbed and called out to Argon. “Darling, our baby… Our little angel is gone! ” I cried, covering my mouth.
“Doctor Nicole said the poison was so strong, and it was hard to save the baby’s life,” Jerome added, backing me up.
I was busy crying and patiently waiting for Argon’s comfort. But instead of that…
“Poison? Are you accusing a poison that didn’t even do anything?” Argon questioned, stunning me.
What does he mean by that?
I lowered my hands to see how his emotionless face finally gave an expression. And it read Rage! Hitting straight at me!
What is going on?
“What are you saying? Didn’t you see how the poison almost took my daughter’s life? It took the child’s but couldn’t take Estelle along! And trust me, I’m going to find that monster who’s responsible for my grandchild’s death! ”
“You’re only going to waste your time, Alpha Deron. The person you’re accusing didn’t do anything to that baby. The only act the culprit carried out was targeting Estelle… At the perfect time,” Argon said, countering Father’s words.
What he was saying began to frighten me deeply. He’s claiming the poison didn’t take my baby! Then… Then who’s he suspecting?
“Alpha, you are depressed. The child’s death must be troubling you, ” Jerome said, drawing nearer to comfort Argon.
But to our surprise… “DON’T YOU DARE TELL ME THAT RUBBISH!” Argon embarrassed his beta before my father and I, planting more fear in me.
“Every time! You are always looking for ways to cover up this woman’s action! If you repeat such nonsense, I swear to the goddess that I’ll make you eat your tongue!” He threatened, pointing at his beta.
Fear took over Jerome at that point. His steps drew back from Argon, with his eyes glancing my way.
I could tell what his eyes were saying. He wants to know what I’ve done to spark such rage into Argon’s heart.
But I don’t know why he’s mad at me! Why do I have a feeling that Doctor Nicole has gone behind my back to tell Argon the truth?
Goddess, what is it?
Argon’s behavior left father stunned. He had to ask, “What is wrong, Argon? Did someone do something to hurt your feelings?”
“Maybe you should ask your daughter that question, Alpha Deron,” Argon said, pointing directly at me. When I saw his finger, my body shivered.
It was a clear indication that I was in trouble.
“My daughter? What did she do?” Father looked at me then at Argon.
And that’s when Argon revealed the pain he has been nurturing all these while. “Tell Estelle to give us an answer to her devilish act. Why did she choose this path? And right before our wedding?” He glared, tightening his fist.
It felt like he was speaking in riddles because father was getting confused. But I could feel the room turning hot like an oven. I could perceive Doom.
“Before our wedding, your daughter went somewhere to carry out a terrible act, thinking she could get away right after the wedding. But no! When the goddess realized that she was going to deceive me again, after all my past warnings towards her stupidity… The heavens provided someone who decided to attack Estelle, revealing that her womb has been EMPTY!!” Argon roared.
“WHAT?!” Both father and Jerome exclaimed in shock, looking at me.
“Yes! She aborted the baby before the wedding!” Argon revealed loudly.
At last, my enemies have ganged against me. That stupid doctor has told Argon the truth!
Damn her!
“Is this true? ” Jerome asked, still blown by what he had heard.
Father was almost lost, but he still questioned me, asking if what Argon had said was true. “Your womb was already empty? Is… Is this true?”
And what was my response?
Thinking about my future, my love for Argon, and the intense heat wave rising in this room… “That’s a lie! ” I denied immediately, swaying my head at this. “I didn’t do anything like that! Who told you this nonsense, Argon?! Who filled your head with such horrible tale?!”
“SHUT UP! ” He roared at me, causing my heart to skitter in fear.
“Don’t yell at my daughter, Argon! She said she didn’t do such a thing! If she says so, then I believe her.”
“Of course you would. You’re her father after all. She takes after you.” He scoffed, annoying my father with his words.
“What is that suppose to me, boy?” Father lifted his brow at Argon, drawing nearer to him. And in a short period, I saw both Alpha’s shimmering their red eyes at each other.
No! I don’t want father and Argon to fight! Not like this.
Quickly, I intervened by calling Argon and defending myself once again. “I don’t know who told you this lies, but I will never harm a baby. I can’t!”
“Says the person who didn’t think twice before joining hands in pushing Brielle off the stairs, ending my first heir’s life, ” He pointed out, strucking me deeply.
First heir? Did he just call Brielle’s long dead child his first heir?
“So, Brielle is the one who fed you with such lies, right? ” I asked, using that statement to my favour.
Sniffing, I questioned, “After ruining my wedding with her poison, landing me here in the hospital and acting like a victim, she successfully manipulated you into thinking I killed our baby?! Argon, how could you?!”
“I SAID SHUT UP, YOU BITCH! ”
“ARGON!” Father roared, grabbing Argon by the arm and almost landing a blow to his face.
My mouth dropped when I saw father taking this action, but his hand was caught mid air by Argon, who held it tight and said, “I will not allow you and your daughter to manipulate me any further! You can not deceive me any more!”
In rage, he pushed father aside, causing him to stagger back into Jerome’s hold. The beta had immediately held my father from falling. All these was giving me nothing but high blood pressure!
That’s when Argon said, pointing at me and at my father, “It’s clear that you have a hand in your daughter’s action. I was a fool for going ahead with this wedding! You tried to deceive me into marrying her so you can swim in my glory, knowing well that I have surpassed you in the business world. That’s why you and your daughter planned to manipulate my heart by using that baby. Once you had me in your hold, you told her to kill that thing! DAMN YOU BOTH!!”
I shivered, staring at Argon. He was panting out from his words, before storming out of the room without looking back.
This was horrible! Argon knows the truth!
“Argon! You can not walk out on me after accusing my daughter of such a crime! ” Father yelled, storming out of the room to chase him.
I was left alone with Jerome, shaking in bed.
“Did you kill your baby by yourself?” Jerome asked, looking in shock.
When I heard his question, I blasted at him, “SHUT UP! ARE YOU TAKING BRIELLE’S SIDE AS WELL?!”
He became shut.
“I didn’t kill my baby! I didn’t!” I kept on denying the truth, pouring out fake tears. Whereas this tears was as a result of my fear.
My plan is ruined!