Susie "Melissa," came Susie's irritating voice, too sharp and biting for my ears. I turned the corner and there she was, like a demon from hell, her eyes narrowed, her pose obviously aggressive. It was clear that she was here to fight. "What exactly are you trying to do here?" She snapped at me. I took a deep breath, trying my best to stay calm. "I'm doing my job, Susie. What are YOU doing?" I shot back at her. Her glossy painted lips curled in a sneer as she eyed me up and down. "Don't fucking play innocent with me. You think I don't see what you're trying to do? Flirting with my husband right under my nose? You've always been a manipulative little—" "Just Stop it already, Susie," I cut in, my voice rising more than I wanted it to. "I'm not here for Knox. I'm here because I'm a doctor, and there are people who need my help like your son, that's all." But it seems that Susie wasn't listening to me because she took a step closer, her eyes flashing with anger. "Don't fucking lie to me Melissa. I saw the way he was looking at you, and don't think for a second that I didn't notice how you were looking at him. You think you can just waltz back into our lives and steal him away? After all I've sacrificed? After all I've done for him? Hell no! Knox is mine!" She yelled and I winced. My patience was tea wearing thin now, but I kept my voice level. "For the millionth time Susie, I'm not trying to steal anything or anyone from you. I don't even want him because I have a fiancé at home, even if I didn't have a man, I wouldn't want him. But maybe you should consider why you're so threatened by me, Susie. Is it because you know you're already losing him?" That must have hit a nerve because Susie's face twisted into pure rage, and for a moment, I thought she might actually lunge her claws out at me. But she didn't. Instead, she took a step back, crossing her arms defensively. "You're just like you always were," she spat hatefully. "Always playing the stupid little victim, pretending to be so innocent when you're just jealous of me. But I see through you. You're still the same scared little girl who used to scrub toilets in my father's house, wishing for anyone to love you like they love me." The words stung, but I refused to let her see that. I wanted to point out that it was OUR father, not hers, but what was the point? He never treated me like a daughter so what was the point? A few months after I was banished, I heard my mother died, and my father buried her, but he never came to look for me. He didn't care that I was gone. So Instead of defending the fact that he was my father, I forced a smile, one that I knew would infuriate her even more. "And yet," I said. "here I am, the only one who can be able to save your only son. I might have meant nothing to you before, but now the future of the whole pack depends on me. Funny how things change, isn't it? After so many years, I'm higher and more important than you'll ever be." Susie's face immediately turned an ugly shade of red at my words, and for a moment, she was so speechless that I thought she had choked on air. But then she recovered, her wicked eyes narrowing to slits. "Don't think for a second that I'll let you get away with this. I'll be watching you, Melissa. And if you try to seduce my husband, I'll make sure you regret it." I didn't respond. There was nothing more to say. So I just glared at her refusing to let her see how shaken and annoyed I was. I had a job to do, and I wasn't going to let Susie get under my skin. As I stood there, staring into Susie's cold, wickedly familiar eyes, a bitter truth hit me like a slap to the face. All these years hadn't changed her one tiny bit. My step sister was still the same selfish, desperate, delusional woman she'd always been. The kind of person who couldn't see beyond her own twisted, greedy little world. I was here to save her only son's life for fuck's sake, and all she could do was sneer, threaten and insult me. Not an ounce of gratitude from her lips, not a flicker of concern in her heavily lashed. It was almost pathetic—almost—but it wasn't funny. It was tragic and sad. She was my sister for goodness sake, we had the same blood and should have been looking out for eachother. And while I spent many years trying to please her and make her comfortable, she kept trying to yank me down. The sad part is how much she was still trying to get rid of me even though I was the only hope for her son. Where was her motherly live? How could someone be so wicked, so wrapped up in their own insecurities, even with her own child's life on the line? Even if she didn't love me, didn't she at least love her son? Yes, there was anger bubbling up inside me, for how she was treating me, but underneath it was something else—pure, and raw disgust. Susie didn't care about anything except herself. She never had. Not her sister, not her husband, not her child. And the cold, hard realization settled over me, I completely stopped being that scared little girl who wanted her sister's love anymore. The one who always let Susie's cruel words cut her down. No, I was now grown. I had changed. I could protect myself from her, but this place still wasn't safe for us, especially my children. I clenched my fists, feeling the realization of my only Choice solidify in my mind. I would finish this job, save Susie's son, and then I'd be gone. I'd take my children and get them as far away from this toxic environment as possible. Susie and Knox could rot in the misery they created for all I cared. "Are you done gawking, or do you have something to say?" Susie's voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and raging with sarcasm. I straightened my back, and lifted my head to meet her gaze with a calm I didn't quite feel. "I do not and will never want your husband even if I was paid to have him. I'm here to do a job, Susie. One that I plan on completing as quickly as possible, as disappearing from this hell hole you call home." Susie narrowed her eyes at my insult, her disdain was clear as day. "You always thought you were better than everyone else, didn't you? You've been running around playing doctor while the rest of us lived in the real world. Soon enough, when that fiancée of yours finally dumps your ass, you'll wake up and realize you're still a nobody." I refused to rise to her bait. "You're welcome to your opinions, Susie. But I'm not here for your approval. My kids were literally kidnapped against our will to force me to come back here in the first place, so try to at least pretend to be a good mother and let me save your son's life in peace." Susie arms crossed, and I saw the bitterness flicker across her face. She did not like that I told her the truth, she was a bad mum. And instead of thinking about what I said, her face just morphed into a picture of jealousy and resentment as she spat at me. "And what about your own kids, Mrs hypocrite Melissa? Didn't you leave them with strangers while you play hero of the pack? What kind of mother does that?" The jab stung, I didn't like anyone questioning my mothering skills either but I didn't let it show. "My children are safe. That's all that matters." Susie burst out laughing. "Safe? Are you sure about that sweetheart? No one is truly safe In a place like this." She let out a hollow laugh, and I felt my temper flare. "You're delusional to think that something bad can't happen to them when you're not around." She said an I froze. Was that a threat? Was she threatening my children or pointing out the obvious? But then a chilling thought entered my mind. My children were truly vulnerable in this pack. And as long as they were here, they were in danger from Knox, the attacks, but especially from Susie! Susie was unpredictable, unstable, and she could and would do anything to get to me. That thought made my heart start to shiver with worry. But I forced myself to stay composed and change the subject like I was unfazed. "This isn't about them. This is about your son. So if you'll excuse me, I have work to do." I casually turned on my heel without waiting for a response, but my heart was pounding in my chest. My mind was racing with a million thoughts, but one stood out above the rest: Was Susie planning something against my children? If she was, then how in the goddess's name was I supposed to stop her if I was here in the hospital?! The thought made my belly churn, but as I moved back down the hallway, I could feel Knox's eyes on me, watching every step I took. And for a brief moment, I allowed myself to wonder what it would be like if things were different, if he didn't bring Susie between us, if I and our twins where legally here —if I didn't have to keep my guard up, if I could actually trust him again. The thoughts were bitter sweet and it was then that a thought struck my mind. I could use Knox to protect my kids from Susie, it was his fault we were here anyway, so it was his responsibility to protect us. He said I could ask him to do anything, well this is what I wanted.
