Vanessa.

Everything wasn’t going as planned, not even close too.

My fingers curled into tight fists at my sides as I paced slowly across the room, my thoughts twisting into knots of frustration and anger. Every move I made, every step I took to secure my position, it all seemed to crumble the moment it involved her.

Maria.

That damn Maria.

She just seemed to get lucky all the time.

No matter what happened, no matter how perfectly things were set up, she always found a way to slip through, to turn things around in her favor. It was infuriating.

I stopped abruptly, my jaw clenching as the irritation bubbled over.

"I have to find a way..." I muttered under my breath, my voice low, almost dangerous. "A way to make the quadruplets despise her."

Because that was the only way.

The only way to truly get rid of her.

If they turned against her, if they saw her for what I wanted them to see, then everything would fall into place.

Everything would finally go back to how it was supposed to be.

"Arrrrrrrrrghhhh!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The scream tore out of me before I could stop it, echoing against the walls as I dragged my hands through my hair in frustration.

"She is really getting on my nerves," I hissed, my breathing uneven as I forced myself to calm down.

This wasn’t the time to lose control.

I needed to think.

I needed to act.

I pushed the door open, stepping out into the hallway, hoping the cool air would help clear my mind, help settle the storm raging inside me.

But the moment I stepped out...I saw them.

Davian.

And Maria.

My steps halted instantly, my eyes narrowing as I watched him pull her closer, his hand wrapping around her waist as he led her toward his room.

Something twisted painfully in my chest.

I didn’t need anyone to explain what that meant.

I wasn’t a child.

I knew exactly what happened when a man pulled a woman into his room like that.

My hands clenched tighter, my nails digging into my palms as anger surged through me all over again, stronger this time, sharper.

Without thinking, I stormed forward...but then I stopped, right outside my own door.

No.

I couldn’t act like this, not recklessly, not emotionally. That would only ruin everything.

I turned sharply, pushing my door open again and stepping back inside. My movements were quick now, deliberate, my mind already shifting gears as a new idea began to take shape.

If things weren’t going my way...Then I would make them.

I moved straight to my drawer, pulling it open and reaching inside. My fingers closed around a small substance, my grip tightening slightly as I stared at it for a brief second.

This would work.

It had to.

As quickly as I had entered, I stepped out again, closing the door behind me with a quiet click. My expression had already changed, the anger carefully masked beneath something softer, something far more convincing.

A smile.

Perfect.

"Just you wait, Maria," I whispered under my breath, my eyes glinting with quiet determination. "I will make them trash you."

With that, I turned and began walking down the hallway, my steps steady, confident, as if nothing was wrong.

As if everything was exactly as it should be.

My destination was clear.

Aidan’s room.

By the time I got there, my smile was fully in place, my posture relaxed, every trace of my earlier frustration buried deep beneath the surface.

Then I raised my hand and knocked. I didn’t wait to get a response, as I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Aidan..."

I called out softly, my voice laced with sweetness as I stepped into his room, letting the door close gently behind me. Without hesitation, I moved toward his bed, my steps light, controlled, every movement carefully calculated.

He was already there.

Sitting comfortably, a book in his hands, his attention completely absorbed in whatever he was reading. His brows were slightly furrowed in concentration, his posture relaxed, too relaxed.

And just like always...He didn’t even look up. Not even a glance to acknowledge that I had entered.

For a brief second, something flickered in my chest.

I ignored it.

"What do you want, Vanessa?"

His voice cut through the silence, cold, distant, and completely uninterested. It was almost as if my presence meant nothing.

That made my smile falter for just a second. Panic stirred quietly beneath the surface.

When did it become like this?

When did he start talking to me like I was a stranger?

I forced myself to recover quickly, pushing the thought aside before it could show on my face.

"Come on, Aidan," I said lightly, my tone playful as I moved closer to him, refusing to let the distance between us stay that way. "I don’t need anything." I stopped just beside him, letting my voice soften even more. "I just want to be by your side."

The words came out smooth, practiced, exactly the way they needed to sound, gentle, loving and convincing.

"You know..." I continued, leaning slightly closer, letting my presence be felt, "our wedding is in a few days’ time."

That...finally...Got his attention.

He lifted his head almost immediately, his eyes meeting mine for the first time since I walked in. The sudden shift in his expression didn’t go unnoticed.

Shock.

Pure, unfiltered shock.

"So soon?" he said, his brows pulling together as if the thought had just occurred to him.

My heart skipped.

What?

"It can’t..." he started, but then stopped himself, his words catching awkwardly as he ran a hand through his hair. "I mean..." he corrected quickly, though his tone still carried uncertainty. "A lot has been happening lately, Vanessa."

My smile froze.

I didn’t move, didn’t speak. I just watched him.

"We need to stabilize the pack first," he continued, his voice more serious now, more focused. "Before any wedding can commence."

The words landed slowly, too slowly. Like they were being forced into my mind one piece at a time. And with each second, the meaning became clearer.

My body went still.

Completely still.

I froze.

Was he...

My thoughts stumbled over themselves, refusing to form properly.

Was he about to back out?

The question hit harder than I expected, sending a wave of unease through me. My fingers curled slightly at my sides, my nails pressing into my palms as I tried to keep my expression steady, calm and unbothered.

But inside?

Nothing felt calm. Nothing felt right.

Because the certainty I had been holding onto...the position I thought was secure...suddenly didn’t feel so certain anymore.

And now, he was forcing me to act!