Chapter 7 Sophia's POV
"Sophia, I never knew you're a woman with a temper. Isn't it the time for you to give up?" Vincent was on the verge of rage.
Every time my name was disgorged from his lips, it was laden with hate and distaste, never tenderness.
"She's the one who coerced me!" I tried to hold together my sanity that was about to collapse. "Vincent, don't be deceived by her, this woman is not what she purports to be, she—"
"I'm fine, Vincent." Tears trickled down Marianne's cheeks, ever-so-prettily. "Don't blame Sophia, it's all my fault, I shouldn't have fallen in love with you. It's only fair that Sophia hates me. If cursing me makes her feel better, then I can take that."
Vincent was quick to come to her defense. "Apologize to Marianne!" he barked. Callousness was registered on his handsome face.
Why should I apologize to Marianne?
Why should I apologize to a scheming woman who tried to steal my mate?
I raised my chin. "Why—"
"I said"—Vincent interrupted me almost through gritted teeth—"apologize to Marianne!"
I could feel the sense of werewolf oppression emanating from Vincent. He had displayed his Alpha power to force me, his official mate, to apologize to a mistress!
This feeling of oppression was trying to control my body to kneel down and surrender in front of Vincent. But the trembling of my body was far less than the shock of my heart. My eyes were sore, and my fingernails were digging into my palms.
I had never imagined that Vincent could do this for Marianne. Even though he had never liked me and hated me for so long, he had never tried to force me by abusing his power as the Alpha.
Blood drained from my face, but Vincent continued to exert his power.
"That's enough, Vincent." Marianne, with her conciliatory approach, walked forward and took his hand in hers. "Sophia and I have always been sisters, and I don't need her to apologize to me. I know I'm in the wrong. You are already married, and I shouldn't have anything to do with you anymore. But I really can't tamp down my desire to see you again..."
"Drop the act! You calculated and manipulated everything to your advantage!" The words burned a mercury path along my throat and spewed out of my lips.
Marianne burst into tears with a hurt look on her face. "Sophia, how could you accuse me? How did you turn into this kind of woman..."
"I guess I owe my thanks to you! You made the innocent look guilty and the guilty look innocent, so thank you for showing me you can achieve your goal if you're sociopathic and manipulative enough!"
"Cut it out, Sophia!" Furious, Vincent reached out and grabbed me and pulled me in front of Marianne. "Apologize to your sister!"
For a moment, I really thought he was going to kill me. The surrounding air was smothering me with their invisible hands. Instinctively I protected my stomach, but if this continued my child would not live.
My heart felt as if it had missed a beat and was now out of rhythm. I couldn't breathe, and I felt tears pricking my eyes. "Vincent… everything I said… was true..."
Could you believe me… for once? But the words never made it out.
"I only trust Marianne. Your words mean nothing to me. Not now, and not ever." His answer was brutal and straightforward, penetrating my chest like a sharp sword. It turned out that in his heart, the truth didn't matter; what mattered was his unconditional love for Marianne.
My heart sank to the bottom of hell and cracked open. It was a heart of which every corner was filled with my love and devotion for him. I knew now that the real hell was never hot, it was unbearably cold. Feeling the growing life in my stomach, I strained a smile. Closing my eyes, I allowed the teardrops at the corners of my eyes to finally fall on the snow-white quilt in the hospital.
"Okay," I heard myself say in excruciating pain, "I'll apologize to her." I lowered my head. "I'm sorry."
But when I looked up again, I found that Vincent's brows were still tightly creased. I couldn't tell if it was because my apology hadn't satisfied him or because of something else. There was a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
I could taste bitterness on my lips. What more did he want?
"You disgust me. You're no wife of mine, nor are you my mate. Stay away from Marianne." Vincent's last verdict fell.
He then left with Marianne, but not before Marianne took a last look at me. The joy and mockery in her eyes stung.
Recalling Vincent's last words, I directed my weary gaze to the floor, to the agreement I had torn to shreds.
Oh, Vincent, was I really that disgusting?
My heart felt as if it had been slaughtered, and breathing was difficult.
"What's the point? Why bother, Sofia?" I reasoned.
Why, after all these times, are you still not good at learning and still want a future with this man?
I loathed and disgusted with such a humble self.
My refusal to end the relationship with Vincent became lodged in my throat. When I considered leaving Vincent, I was surprised to discover that I wasn't as hesitant as I had been.
I was shocked by the thought, as if some idea had broken through the ground and sprouted in my heart.
There was a ball at the pack tonight.
Vincent, as pack's alpha, had to be there.
Vincent and I walked together to the performance stage. On the stage, there was a bunch of hot girls dancing. Many people below did the same. Everyone was infected by the lively and cheerful atmosphere.
Everyone had a good time, and all of the shows were almost finished by dusk. Following that was the bonfire party, which began about an hour later.
The host invited Vincent to give a speech at the end of the performance.
"I'll go with you," I said as I took Vincent's hand in mine.
I tried to keep my voice as normal as possible, even adding a hint of anticipation while looking straight at Vincent.
I must have resembled a pushy wife who wanted to announce herself to everyone.
Sure, Vincent didn't give it much thought, but an imperceptible sarcasm flashed across his eyes, "Even if you go with me, that doesn't mean you're my beloved mate!"
Autumn has arrived, and a cool evening breeze blows over my neck, ruffling a few strands of my hair.
Looking back from where I am now, I can see Marianne standing behind Vincent, smiling at me.
The soldiers who had just met Vincent surrounded her.
She gave me a friendly hand wave.
"It's okay, it's a rare opportunity, I just want to go up with you," I said softly.
For me, it will be a day I will never forget."
"This is a day that I will never forget." I thought to myself.
Vincent no longer insisted after hearing my words.
"Then come up with me, Miss Sophia," he said, elegantly stretching out his hand in front of everyone.
Vincent's deep voice, handsome face, and deceptive address indicate that this is most likely another sugar-coated shell.
He was able to do this for Marianne and even agreed to let me join him on stage.
Whatever I was thinking in my heart, I didn't show it on my face.
Tonight, I gently placed my hand in Vincent's and smiled brightly: "My honor, Mr. Vincent."
Everyone's gaze was drawn to us.
We walked up to the stage, and the host handed me the microphone.
Vincent didn't require this item.
He didn't have to speak loudly, and his voice could be heard clearly and powerfully by everyone in the room.
Tonight, the moon is very large and round.
Vincent went around the entire circle of the celebration site and briefly greeted him under the bright moonlight.
There were black heads beneath the stage.
Under the bright street lamps and moonlight, I saw Oser's face.
Then I noticed my heartbeat.
Vincent adjusted his clothes and prepared to begin his speech.
The microphone in my hand was burning hot, so I took a deep breath before raising my hand and placing the microphone to my mouth.
"Dear gentlemen and ladies, good evening."
I interrupted Vincent's speech.
He didn't expect me to do this.
He frowned as he looked at me with deep and beautiful eyes.
I had a little more guts for no apparent reason.
"I'm standing here today to make an important announcement."
Recalling the past few days spent with Vincent in my mind, those happy and happy memories, like a balloon blown by the wind, finally burst at this moment.
I forced a smile as I looked down the stage.
"I have decided to break off the partnership with Alpha Vincent," I said relievedly, putting aside the obsession in my heart.