Kamrynn’s POV
The tension in the grand living room is thick as I keep glancing toward the entrance, trying to look like I’m just focused on the cushions, the vases, anything. But every time I look at the door, my heart races. Any minute now, the results should be here. I’ve waited the entire day for this, and it’s my one chance to confirm what Eloane’s really been up to.
As I reposition a vase for the third time, I feel a presence behind me. My stomach tightens before I even turn around. Eloane.
She narrows her eyes at me, crossing her arms. “What exactly are you doing, Kamrynn?” she asks, her tone sweet but laced with venom. “It’s almost like you’re… waiting for something.”
I keep my focus on the vase, ignoring her as best I can. “Just doing my chores, Eloane,” I respond as evenly as possible, hoping she’ll lose interest.
“Oh, but I don’t believe that for a second,” she purrs, stepping closer. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Sneaking around, watching the door like a little mouse. I’m going to find out what you’re up to. And when I do, Kamrynn, I’ll bring you down so fast, you won’t know what hit you.”
I stiffen but say nothing, clenching my fists and forcing myself to stay calm. Getting into a shouting match now would ruin everything.
Just then, the sound of footsteps at the entrance grabs my attention. I turn to see the mailman, speaking with the guards at the door. His voice carries into the room.
“Delivery for Kamrynn Delamorte,” he says, holding up a slim envelope with my name on it.
I feel a surge of relief and quickly step forward to get it, my heart pounding with anticipation. But before I can reach him, Eloane steps in front of me, cutting me off and snatching the envelope from the mailman’s hand.
“Oh, I’ll take that,” she says sweetly, giving him a dismissive smile. She doesn’t even look at me, clutching the envelope tightly as if she already knows it’s something important.
“Eloane, give it back!” I say, trying to sound calm, though panic is clawing at me from the inside.
She raises an eyebrow, her lips twisting into a smirk. “Oh, I’m sorry, Kamrynn. Is this something… private?” She dangles the envelope in front of me, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I think I’ll have a look, just to make sure it’s nothing… inappropriate.”
“Please,” I say, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to control it. “It’s just my personal mail. There’s no need-”
But she’s already tearing the envelope open, her movements exaggerated and slow, clearly enjoying the torment she’s putting me through.
“Stop!” I say, stepping forward, but she backs away with a warning glare.
“Touch me, Kamrynn,” she hisses, “and I’ll scream so loud, they’ll throw you out before you can blink.”
I freeze, helpless as she pulls out the paper, unfolding it with relish. My heart sinks. If she reads those results, if she finds out what I’ve been up to, everything will be over.
“What’s going on here?” a voice cuts in suddenly. Rmonica’s voice.
Both of us turn to see her standing in the doorway, her gaze shifting between Eloane and me, confusion and concern in her eyes.
Eloane recovers quickly, flashing a bright, innocent smile. “Oh, nothing serious, Rmonica,” she says lightly. “I was just… inspecting something. Making sure our little Kamrynn here isn’t getting into any mischief.”
Rmonica’s frown deepens. “Inspecting?”
“It’s mail from the hospital. The doctor sent some of my test results but Eloane took them and won’t give them back. I don’t know why she thinks it’s funny.” I quickly take the opportunity to report. If anyone can save me from this situation, it’s Rmonica.
She crosses the room, her eyes narrowing as she glances at the open envelope in Eloane’s hands. “That’s crossing the line, Eloane. Why would you open Kamrynn’s mail?”
Eloane scoffs, dismissing Rmonica with a wave. “Oh, relax, Rmonica. I was just making sure our dear Kamrynn here isn’t getting involved in anything… unsavory.”
Rmonica’s eyes narrow. “That’s not your place, Eloane. Give Kamrynn her mail.”
Eloane laughs, the sound bitter and mocking. “My place? Are you forgetting that I’m the one carrying your child? I’ve sacrificed my own body for you, and this is the thanks I get?”
Rmonica’s jaw tightens. “I haven’t forgotten. But being my surrogate doesn’t give you the right to treat people with disrespect.”
Eloane crosses her arms, her voice dripping with disdain. “Disrespect? That’s rich, coming from someone who’s lived off my generosity and sacrifice. Do you know what it’s like to carry someone else’s child, Rmonica? No, of course you don’t. You couldn’t even carry your own child. So let’s not pretend you know anything about sacrifice.” Her tone is so biting, so filled with contempt, that it stuns the room into silence.
But Rmonica doesn’t flinch. Instead, she steps forward and, without warning, slaps Eloane across the face. The sound reverberates through the grand living room, leaving everyone in stunned silence. Eloane’s hand flies to her cheek, her eyes wide with shock.
“You will never speak to me like that again,” Rmonica says, her voice steady, her gaze unwavering. “I’ve been more than patient with you, Eloane, but you need to remember who I am. I am the Luna of this Pack, and you will treat me with the respect I deserve.”
For a moment, Eloane just stares, speechless, her mouth opening and closing as if she can’t believe what just happened.
Rmonica holds out her hand. “The envelope. Now.”
With a glare, Eloane thrusts the crumpled envelope into Rmonica’s hand, muttering something under her breath. Rmonica doesn’t even acknowledge it. She turns and hands it to me, her gaze softening. “Here, Kamrynn. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“Thank you so much, Rmonica.” I say, clutching the envelope close, relief flooding over me. Without another word, I turn and hurry to my room, my heart pounding.
Once inside, I lock the door and sit on my bed, staring at the envelope in my hands. My fingers tremble as I tear it open, heart racing as I pull out the paper and scan the results. My eyes focus on the words slowly, dread settling into my bones.
The test results reveal everything I feared. Of the two samples I submitted, one pill is indeed Levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone commonly prescribed for managing hypothyroidism. But the other…
The other pill is a banned contraceptive, a drug infamous for causing infertility, severe hormonal imbalances, depression, and, in extreme cases, cancer. I feel the room spin, my stomach churning as I realize what this means. Eloane… she’s been feeding this to Rmonica. How long has this been going on? How many years has she suffered unknowingly?
My mind races back through everything I’ve seen, every interaction between Eloane and Rmonica. The way she always insists on administering Rmonica’s medication herself, how she guards her room like a fortress… It all makes sense now. This is why Rmonica can’t have children. Eloane has made sure of it.
I press a hand to my mouth, nausea rising as I think of all the years Rmonica has suffered, clinging to the hope of having her own child. She trusted Eloane, even treated her like a sister. And all this time… Eloane has been the one inflicting this misery on her.
But why? What possible motive could Eloane have? Rmonica has given her everything, even lifted her from a life of slavery. Yet Eloane’s response has been to keep Rmonica in endless torment, sabotaging her chances of happiness. Was this her plan all along? To make Rmonica infertile, only to swoop in later as her surrogate, positioning herself as the hero?
The betrayal is so twisted, so deeply sinister, that I can barely comprehend it. I clutch the paper in my hands, rage building in my chest. Rmonica has to know. But how do I tell her? How do I explain the nightmare hidden behind Eloane’s smiling face?
My hands shake as I fold the paper, slipping it back into the envelope. This truth… it could destroy everything.