Kyra's POV
"I think you owe me an explanation, Nathan. About changing the model!" I gritted as I walk directly up to him and questioned .
He knew clearly how much effort I put into winning this project. I hardly had a good sleep those days and Miss Chen was the ideal one for us to work with. I remembered he agreed on it too. But now...he just changed the model as he liked without telling me in advance. Just to hook up his ex with a modeling job.
I felt like a hard slap on my face.
"Go ahead for the work. I'll make it clear to her." He pacified the staff first, ignoring the anger that was about to spew out of my eyes.
I was seething with rage when I saw Sophia beside him, flashing that same mocking smile she used when making my life hell in high school.
"Answer me, Nathan! Why do you change the model so suddenly?" I couldn't hold my anger and he just touched my shoulder whispering to me, "This is not the place to talk. Let me explain it to you in the car."
I looked around to notice others sneaking glances at us. Then I shook away his hands and walked toward the parking lot. I had a feeling that I was not going to enjoy his explanation.
"Now, say it." I blurted it out as we sat in his car.
He stared into my eyes as if weighing my emotions. I looked away again. I couldn’t withstand his eyes that never looked at me the way I wanted him to look at me. He has no feelings for me and it hurts so much.
“I-I…” he paused and sighed. “I replaced Miss Chen because Sophia wants to be our model. She’s also fit to be our model so I agreed—”
“What?” I asked in disbelief.
He pressed his lips together and looked away. He messed his hair up before he shook his head and held my hand.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It was just so sudden. She asked for a favor and I can’t say no.”
I took my hand back and looked at him in both pain and anger. “You can't say no to her so you'd rather harm the company, our company. You betrayed me, Nathan.”
“Kels, come on. You know how much I love her. She’s my first love.”
Painfully, I closed my eyes. Oh yes, she's your first love. She's always the one you want no matter what it takes. As long as she frowned a bit, you could turn a blind eye to the pain and effort of others.You'd give her everything, even if she rejected you. But what about me and the pack? You are so heartless, Nathan.
“Well, you’ve decided. I don’t have a say in this since you’re the President. Just go. I’ll be in the office.” I said coldly as I opened the car door to walk out.
“Kyra…”
I looked him in the eyes. “Go home early. Let’s talk about our rejection at home tonight.”
On my way back to the office, I spotted Sophia sitting in the break room, sipping her coffee.
I stepped inside, and she shot me a mocking glance. "Never thought you’d actually marry Nathan. Guess Cinderella really did bag her Prince Charming."
My expression turned icy. "You were the one who rejected him. Why crawl back now?"
Sophia’s smile widened, dripping with amusement. "Because I still love him and he wanted me. That’s why I’m back. But you—poor little thing—three years without me, and you still couldn’t win him over.Some things never change,you still that same desperate loser in high school."
Sylvia thundered in my mind, her voice seething with raw fury: “That bitch—just wait until I make her cry!”
I took a deep breath, struggling to quiet Sylvia’s wild outburst, and forced a cool, steady smile as I faced Sophia. “Even if Nathan doesn’t love me, our statuses are perfectly matched,” I said, my tone calm yet laced with unyielding confidence. “I’m his Luna now, and I control a significant share of his company. Even if we were to part ways, I’d still walk away with a fortune. And really, do you honestly think that after Nathan rejects me, his family and pack would welcome you with open arms?From what I know, your family’s background and your pack’s influence pale in comparison to mine.Tell me, who really is the Cinderella in this story?”
With that, I strode out of the break room. Not long after, I heard the sound of a cup shattering.
Even though my words struck a raw nerve with Sophia, deep down I knew she was right. As long as Nathan still loved her, I’d forever be the loser in this love triangle.
***
I was playing with the wedding ring on my finger. I told Nathan to go home early but he didn’t come home completely. He wasn’t even answering my mind-links and calls.
Well, now Sophia was back, this house was probably not home in his eyes anymore.
My eyes turned to my pregnancy report on the table. What a mockery. I was still naive to hold a glimmer of hope that things would be different if I told him about the pup. But forget this pup was out of his plan.
Sure, Nathan wouldn’t reject me if he knew i was pregnant.But he couldn't cut out his obsession with Sophia either. He might stay in this loveless marriage if his parents asked. But all I had would only be an empty shell. That's not a Father what I wanted for my pup.
It was 5 am already when I looked at the clock on the wall. I tried to dial his number again, but still busy. What was he busy with? Was he busy making love with Sophia? He must have missed her a lot, didn't he?
I still remember the day when he came back after his first private vacation with Sophia. His joy was unmistakable. Nearly at once, I could tell they made love. The same day I returned to my room, I cried out loud as I took off my makeup. Nothing I did worked. I could never replace Sophia in his heart.
I felt like hundreds of pounds pressing my chest. I decided to get a shower to wash away all the miserable emotions but the moment I opened the wardrobe, our intimate clothes were snuggled together bringing me back to the memory of how Nathan and I had sex here last time.
It was that time he didn't use contraception. He was so passionate that I thought he finally accepted our marriage. I once believed his return from this business trip would be a fresh start for us but actually, it was a start for us to fall apart now.
I didn't remember how I fell asleep. When the alarm clock went off, I subconsciously touched the pillow beside me. Cold as last night. He didn't come home yet. I sneered at myself as I caught my reflection in the dresser mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were so clear and my hair was a total mess, looking like a ghost.
"Kyra, I don't want to see you so grieving. You will only break yourself if you continue down the wrong path. Spare him and yourself. Your pup needs a strong mommy.”Sylvia advised me.
Suddenly a wave of nausea flooded my stomach and I realized I hadn't even eaten anything last night. Feeling sick again, I run to the sink and puke. I spit yellowish liquid and while I’m washing my mouth, I feel a warm hand caressing my back.
I immediately lifted my face and met a pair of brown eyes looking at me through the mirror. Standing behind me with a worried face was my mate Nathan.
“Are you okay? Are you not feeling well? You should’ve told me.”
I stared at him through the mirror. “You didn’t answer my calls.
Guilt flickered in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I had some things to do. I stayed in the office all night.”
I wiped my face and walked past him.
He followed me,“Kels…”
“I woke up late. I failed to prepare breakfast.”
I tried to avoid his eyes. I felt like I would lose my temper and snap at him. There was no moment when I felt his selfishness so clearly as now. He called me his best friend yet he had never seriously confronted my needs. My feelings.
"Kels...... you know I'm not asking about this. I'm just worried about your condition......"
“Kels, are we still okay?”
He’s asking me that? After he offered me a rejection without even asking if I was okay with it? He decided on his own. Just because his first love is back. I can’t believe him.
I faked a smile. “I just don’t feel well today, Nathan.”
He immediately squatted beside me which is not surprising because I know he truly cares. What surprised me is why is he still doing this after he buried a dagger in my heart.
“Are you okay?” He gently touched my forehead and neck. “Are you sick? Tell me how you feel, Kels.”
“My feelings don’t matter,” I couldn’t help but blurt out. He looked shocked because of what I said.
When I attempted to avoid him, he grabbed my wrist and made me face him. His face is mirroring his anger now. He’s completely lost his patience.
“What’s wrong with you, Kels? You’ve been acting like this since yesterday. Is this about Sophia? Or was it because I didn’t come home last night?”
I looked him in the eyes, annoyed. "You're the one who asked for a rejection! I told you to come back earlier but you just let me wait for the whole night. How do you want me to greet you this morning, Nathan?”
He clenched his jaws and shook his head. “Kels, I..."
"Enough. We can talk about the rejection after work today."
“Kels!” He called and grabbed my shoulders. Confusion and pain were visible in his eyes. “Are you…in love with me?”
I was taken aback? In love? Yes! Ever since we were in high school. Ever since he became my best friend. Who wouldn’t fall for someone who has been protecting you ever since?
But of course, I can’t tell him. It would only complicate things more. I don’t even want him to pity me. I shook my head and pushed his arms away. “Are you on drugs? I’m not in love with you.Between us, it's just a partnership. The only difference is, I wasn't as lucky as you—I never found my fated mate.”
I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom again. I locked it before going to the bathtub. I should focus on myself. I can’t let my emotions affect me but…but why are my tears falling again?
Sylvia howls in my mind,“Kyra! You can’t even tell him how you truly feel.”
I wiped my tears angrily.
It took me almost an hour bathing. When I was done, I realized Nathan had already left.He’s been constantly abandoning me. I can’t believe we’d reach this point.
***
“Good morning, Miss Monroe…”
“Good morning, Vice President…”
I did not greet anyone back just like how I used to greet them back. I still feel pissed and my mood seems off. Irritation can easily take over me and I can’t control it. Probably because of Nathan’s rejection proposal or because of my pregnancy.
I was about to enter my office when I heard two girls talking.
“Did you see her? I bet she’s Mr. Anderson’s girlfriend. They seemed close.”
My forehead creased. Nathan’s girlfriend?
“Ah!It’s Miss Sophia.”
“Sophia? Sophia Gilbert? The model?”
“Yes! I could bet my whole month's salary on this. They look good together.”
“Come on! Miss Monroe and Mr. Anderson look better together.”
“Are you serious? They’re best friends. You know, some people are better off just friends. It’s Mr. Anderson and Miss Monroe.”
I squeezed my eyes closed and pushed the door of my office. I slowly closed it and rested my back against it. This is harder than I expected.
I took a deep breath and sat on my swivel chair. I opened the computer at the same time a notification popped up on the screen of my phone. My hands started shaking as soon as I saw the notification. It was Nathan’s social media update. He uploaded a photo of him and Sophia together. Eating in a fancy restaurant.
I balled my fists and gritted my teeth. Of course, there’s no way I can compete with her in his heart. She’s always the first one and I will always be the last in his priorities.