Lorelei POV

When Mistress Huda instructed me to serve Jaxen breakfast—something I had never been told to do before—my heart practically leaped in my chest, and all the ache vanished within seconds.

Once again, I had foolishly thought he wanted an excuse to be alone with me so he could properly explain himself.

In fact, for the past few days, left alone with nothing but my thoughts since the other maids were terrified of being near me because of my curse, I had started considering actually becoming his mistress.

It was far better than being married off to that old widower known for his abusive nature.

Yes, my parents had finally decided to sell me off against my desperate wishes, and the thought alone made my stomach turn.

I had always known the day would come. I just never thought it would come this soon.

If becoming Jaxen mistress would get me out of this marriage, out of this place, wouldn’t it be worth it?

That was what I had thought last night.

That was how desperate I had become to be loved.

To be wanted.

To be seen by someone—anyone—as more than a curse.

I had convinced myself that maybe I had been too hasty. Maybe he had been trying to protect me in his own twisted way. Maybe being his mistress was better than being nothing at all.

I had spent the entire night tossing and turning, arguing with myself, hoping against hope that there was still a chance.

That was how pathetic I was now, and he had made me like this.

But now, standing in front of my mate while he lay completely naked in bed with my sister, seeing it for myself in real time and the way he completely disregarded my presence...

I felt my heart shatter all over again.

He looked at me now like a complete stranger. Why? Why? Why me...?

Crash!

The plate slipped from my grasp just as he was about to kiss her.

I couldn’t take it.

The porcelain shattered across the floor, fruit rolling in every direction, but all I could hear was the sound of blood roaring in my ears.

For one horrible second, nobody moved.

Then Callista gasped softly. "What’s wrong with you?! Are you crazy? You scared me!" She clutched the sheets to her chest while Jaxen slowly turned his head toward me.

"I-I’m sorry..." I whispered automatically, even though my throat burned so badly it hurt to speak.

My hands shook violently at my sides.

Why was I apologizing?

Why was I always the one apologizing?

Oh right. I was the cursed twin who had been demoted to a lowly servant in front of my soon-to-be Alpha. And despite the fact that he was my mate, no one else knew that. So I couldn’t even lash out or break down.

I just had to stand there. Take it. Smile and nod and apologize for existing.

"You should watch what you’re doing," Jaxen said flatly.

I quickly lowered my head as the tears burned behind my eyes.

"Clean this up," Callista added, gesturing to the broken plate and scattered fruit on the floor. "And bring another plate. Honestly, Lorelei, can’t you do anything right?"

"Yes, ma’am," I whispered.

Ma’am.

I was calling my sister ma’am.

I knelt down on the cold stone floor and began gathering the shards of porcelain with my bare hands.

A sharp edge cut into my finger, and blood welled up bright red against my pale skin.

Usually, this was when Jaxen would reach out and scold me for being clumsy while tending to my wound. He would take my hand gently, inspect the cut, and press his handkerchief against it with a softness he never showed anyone else.

Now he stared at me coldly.

I couldn’t help but chuckle out loud at that, the sound surprising even me and making Jaxen’s brow knit in confusion.

"What’s so funny?" Callista was the one who spoke.

I shook my head, still smiling that empty smile. "Nothing."

My gaze drifted to Jaxen for a second before I looked away.

"I will get you a new plate," I said simply, gathering the last of the shards into my apron before standing up. "I’ll be right back."

Instead of returning, I had another maid, one who was far too eager to please, take the new plate up for me. I was far too cowardly to face that scene again.

For the next few days, I avoided every possible interaction with the new couple like the plague.

But it was still difficult.

Every corridor seemed to lead to them. Every meal I served seemed to be for them.

Even though there were only a few days left until the coronation, Callista was already being treated as the new Luna.

Making me even more motivated to avoid her, I stuck to the shadows. I took the tasks no one else wanted. I worked late into the night and woke before dawn.

Anything to stay out of her sight.

Until she finally cornered me one evening.

I was returning a few loads of laundry when we met at the top of the stairs.

Callista stood at the landing, dressed in a silk gown the color of midnight, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders in perfect waves. Her hand rested on her stomach, a habit she had developed since announcing the pregnancy, and her lips curved into a smile that I knew didn’t reach her eyes.

As custom required, I bowed to her respectfully.

"Luna," I said quietly. A title she had insisted I call her, as if calling her ma’am wasn’t humiliating enough.

"Lorelei." Her voice was sweet. "What a surprise running into you here."

I straightened and tried to step past her. "I have laundry to finish..."

But she shifted, blocking my path and making my grip tighten on the linens.

"I’ve noticed you’ve been avoiding me," Callista said, tilting her head. "And Jaxen. Is something wrong?"

"No," I said carefully. "I’ve just been busy."

"Busy," she repeated. "Always busy, aren’t you? Or is that your new excuse since Jaxen chose me and not his so-called mate?"

My eyes widened instantly.

"You knew?" I asked, too stunned to even think straight.

"Of course I knew. How stupid do you think I am?" she said, stepping closer while I remained frozen in place.

"You know he was really drunk that night. He kept muttering your name, thinking I was you." She laughed loudly like it was the funniest thing in the world.

"And when he realized his mistake, I played the old pity card. I begged him not to tell a soul because my father would have my head." Her smile widened. "And he foolishly ate it up."

The air suddenly felt too thin.

I could barely breathe.

"You know I never really liked him," she continued casually. "But seeing him always defend you? I knew something was up. And when I found out you two were mates... ah! I knew I had to have him for myself."

She stepped even closer. Close enough that I could smell her jasmine perfume.

"And I did." Her green eyes glittered cruelly with triumph. "I won. Again."

The words hit harder than any slap could have.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do anything except stand there and listen to my sister confess to destroying my life.

She had taken everything from me because of this stupid, godforsaken curse and now... now him too.

Before I could even process another thought, she suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed through the hallway.

I stared at her in horror.

What the hell was she doing?

But I didn’t even get the chance to piece that together when she grabbed my wrist and yanked my hand against her neck. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Lorelei, please don’t hurt me!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her nails digging into my skin as she refused to let go. "I’m pregnant, please!"

Her cries became louder and more desperate.

Tears instantly filled her eyes like she had practiced this before.

Maybe she had.

"Lorelei, what are you doing?!"

Jaxen’s voice suddenly echoed from downstairs, followed by heavy footsteps rushing toward us.

"Let go," I whispered frantically in panic, trying to pry my hand away.

The corner of her lips curled upward.

"Okay," she said simply.

And just like that, she threw herself backward.

My breath caught as her body tumbled down the stairs.

"Callista!" Jaxen roared.

Everything happened too fast.

One second she was standing in front of me.

The next, she was rolling violently down the staircase while blood-curdling screams tore from her throat.

By the time Jaxen reached her, Callista was crumpled at the bottom of the stairs, crying in pain while clutching her stomach.

And from where I stood, I spotted a thin stream of red slowly spreading beneath her dress.

"No..." I whispered, my entire body going numb.

Jaxen dropped to his knees beside her immediately.

"Callista! Look at me!" His voice shook as he gathered her into his arms while she sobbed into his chest.

"Sh-she pushed me..." Callista cried weakly. "I begged her to stop, but she got angry... She said if she couldn’t have you, then neither could I..."

My stomach dropped.

"No!" I gasped, finally finding my voice. "She’s lying! I didn’t touch her!"

Jaxen slowly lifted his head, and the look in his eyes was of pure hatred, sending a shiver down my spine.

"You fucking bitch."