Chapter 186
“Daisy, we need to talk about this,” Victor said. “Let’s go outside and walk in the garden.
I didn’t want to talk about it. My mind was trying to process what was happening, and it wasn’t handling it well.
Leaping to my feet, I shook my head. “Please, Victor, not now. I need to be alone.”
Alex’s face grew hard again. “Leave her alone, for now, Victor. “This is a difficult time for her and me.”
I ran from the room and rushed upstairs, where I hid in the library. Looking around the space where I spent much of my time, I wondered if Olivia would love this room full of old books like I do.
I sat down and hugged one of the throw pillows scattered on the couch while I cried until my nose was clogged and my eyes felt scratchy.
While I was wiping my eyes, Benson knocked on the door before popping his head inside. “Are you alright, Miss Wilson?”
“I’m not Miss Wilson, Benson.” Fresh tears ran down my face as I said the words. “You should call me Daisy for however long I’ll be here.”
Alex said I was moving into an apartment in the city alone. It seemed unreal that I couldn’t live here anymore. My mind couldn’t accept all the changes that were coming.
“Whose blood runs in your veins doesn’t change who you are to me.” Benson sat next to me for the first time. “And Mr. Wilson loves you because you are Daisy, not just because he thought you were Alberta.”
He put a hand on my shoulder. “You can still count on Alex for help. And if you need anything at all, please let me know. I would be glad to assist you. The staff and I have become very fond of you.”
His words made me cry harder.
“Benson, I can’t believe this is happening. Maybe I’m being punished by the goddess. When I first came here, I didn’t want to be Alex Wilson’s daughter: a rich Alpha who lived in a mansion with servants.”
I began to sob. “Now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else without all of you.” I didn’t say it, but Victor wouldn’t leave my mind. Knowing our agreement and friendship were over was excruciating.
Benson put his arms around me and let me cry on his shoulder. “Sometimes we must go through dark times to help us find the light. Everything will work out for the best, Daisy. Have faith in that.”
I sat up straight and dried my eyes on a handkerchief Benson pulled from his pocket. “Thank you for being my friend,” I told him.
“Can I bring you something to eat or a cup of tea?” he asked.
“No, thank you,” I replied and stood. “I just want to go to bed. I am exhausted.”
“Things may look brighter in the morning,” Benson said as he escorted me across the hall to my room. “Goodnight, Daisy. Let me know if you need anything.”
I laid on my bed fully dressed and pulled a throw cover over myself. Sleep may not come quickly tonight, but I needed to close my eyes for a while.
“Daisy,” Diana said softly. “You won’t be alone. I’ll always be with you. This situation will be difficult at first, but we will get through it together.”
“Thank you, Diana,” I said.
“Sleep now,” she advised. “It will help you gather your strength for the coming days.”
“Yes,” I mumbled. “I need to sleep.”
Waking late the following day, I didn’t remember what happened until I discovered I was wearing my clothes from yesterday. Then, it all came rushing back.
I’m not Alex’s daughter, and I had to leave the mansion before his real daughter arrived. How long would that be?
Surely, it would take a week or more to find her and bring her here.
But then Jennifer walked into my room with two other maids. They had suitcases, garment bags, and boxes in their hands.
Were they here to start packing my things?
“I’m sorry, Miss,” Jennifer said, keeping her eyes on the floor. “I have orders to help you move.”
This was really happening! I needed time to process everything, and I was being hurried out the door. What was the rush?
It wasn’t Jennifer’s fault. I could tell she felt terrible about the situation. Her eyes glistened with tears as she moved to my closet and opened the door.
“When am I leaving?” I asked.
“Tomorrow,” Benson replied from the doorway. “Alex believes it will be better to get it over with quickly. Your leaving saddens him, too. Yet, it can’t be helped.”
“I understand,” I said. “His biological daughter must come first.”
The words popped out of my mouth, sounding more bitter than I intended. Benson cringed, and the maids began crying.
“Forgive me,” I apologized. “None of this is anyone’s fault. I’m glad to have known you all.”
There were more tears from everyone until Benson got the situation under control. The maids continued packing my things while Benson motioned me into the hall.
“Your apartment is being furnished with everything you will need, and it will be ready by then,” Benson said. “If you don’t like anything I’ve chosen, let me know. I will return it, and you can have anything else you want.”
I tried to smile. Everyone was being kind to me, and they could do nothing about my situation. I must try to accept what was happening more gracefully.
“I’m sure whatever you’ve chosen will be lovely,” I said. “You have wonderful taste.”
“Thank you, Miss …. I mean, Daisy.” He gave me a wry smile. “Would you like some breakfast? You need to eat.”
“Yes. I’ll be downstairs as soon as I shower and change,” I told him. I wasn’t hungry, but he was right. I had to eat, and all I had yesterday was a few nibbles of a muffin.
After showering, I got ready for the day in my old jeans and a T-shirt. Then I returned to my room and watched the maids remove my things from the drawers and neatly pack them in the boxes.
“I’m leaving a nightgown and two changes of clothing, along with your personal hygiene products and some basic cosmetics in an overnight bag,” Jennifer said. “Is there anything else you need before the move, Miss?”
“No, thank you, Jennifer.” I saw more tears in her eyes and hugged her. “Thank you for everything you have done for me since I’ve been here.”
She nodded. “You are very welcome, Miss.”
After checking my nightstand drawers, I placed the old bag of candy into the overnight bag. It was irreplaceable.
I couldn’t stand to watch the rest of my belongings being packed. So, after I went downstairs and ate an omelet, I returned to the library and spent the day rereading parts of my favorite books.
It was like saying goodbye to old friends.
Alex and I ate alone in the family dining room that evening. Neither of us ate or said much. But Alex grabbed my hand when I stood to leave.
“I’m sorry things must be this way,” he said and squeezed my hand. The tension in his face showed he was struggling to hold back a flood of emotion. “I must go to my room to lie down. We will talk before you leave tomorrow.”
I nodded and watched him amble from the room. His shoulders were slumped, and his head was bowed. It was then I realized he was suffering from the situation, too. He did still love me.
I hated to see Alex suffering, but knowing he still cared soothed my soul a little. I began to walk through the house, letting memories from each room flood my mind.
When I got to the ballroom, I flipped on the lights and went across the room to stand in front of the portrait of Alex and Joanna Wilson.
I now knew that I wasn’t their daughter, but I had enjoyed my time in their home, and I was grateful for the privilege. I will never forget what it was like to be treated like an Alpha Princess.
Now, it was time for me to move on. I went outside and said goodbye to the topiary and rose gardens before going to the pond pagoda.
I crossed the bridge and looked at the water that shimmered with silvery lights. “I will never forget this special place,” I told the night sky.
“Daisy, let’s run,” Diana said. “There are few places to run in the city.”
I stripped off my clothes and left them on a bench inside the pagoda. “Diana, come forth,” I commanded and immediately shifted into my wolf.
Tomorrow, I will become a totally different person once again. I must be brave and make my new life a good one.
