Chloe’s POV

I whispered softly as I pulled the blankets up to the children’s chins. "Sleep well, little ones."

At last, I had some freedom. I could finally go find Vance, the man who owned my heart completely.

But lately, things had been troubling me deeply.

Vance was pulling away from me more each day.

He always claimed jealousy wasn’t in his nature, yet when I’d suggested we move our relationship forward because I couldn’t remain his mistress indefinitely, his reaction had been ice cold.

He’d told me I was welcome to find a husband.

His words came out flat and emotionless, though we’d ended up in bed together afterward. I wondered if he was just playing games with my mind.

Now here I was, rushing to get his children settled so I could steal some time with him.

When I stepped outside, however, I walked straight into a scene that made my stomach turn.

Vance had Bella gripped by both arms, drawing her against him until their bodies nearly touched.

His eyes were fixed on hers with an intensity that made it clear he’d been the one to initiate this moment.

"Tell me," he demanded, though his attention seemed focused more on her mouth than her eyes.

"There’s nothing to tell. Release me. I have to check the children and prepare for lunch. We’re expected at Alpha Jack’s, remember."

Bella’s voice held no warmth for him whatsoever.

I knew the reality of their arrangement, the bargain Bella had struck.

She kept him at arm’s length physically. They might share brief moments of closeness, but she always created distance afterward.

I couldn’t grasp why a man of his stature put up with such resistance.

Perhaps it was because Bella had gained influence recently. But in the beginning, she’d been nothing.

Just his servant, the servant he’d chosen to respect, marry, and support in every way imaginable, while I remained relegated to mistress status.

"Excuse me." I cleared my throat loudly, determined to break up their intimate exchange. "The children are already asleep, actually. They’re napping. All that playground time wore them out completely."

In my mind, I convinced myself I was doing Bella a favor.

I could see the woman didn’t enjoy being held by him. Who could blame her? The man kept a mistress.

Why hadn’t she shoved him away more forcefully?

What was stopping her?

Why did she accept such disrespect?

Vance finally released his grip on Bella, but the slight shake he gave her made his frustration obvious. He was clearly irritated that she’d avoided his question.

"I should go prepare myself," Bella said quickly, brushing past me toward the bedroom.

The bedroom.

She still occupied his primary bedroom while I was stuck in the guest quarters, the side room that served as a constant reminder of my secondary position.

"Follow me to the office."

When Vance issued that command, I felt a spark of hope ignite within me.

Maybe he’d finally come to his senses and realized I was better suited for him than that stubborn woman.

I smiled and tugged my shirt down slightly, exposing more of my décolletage for his viewing pleasure.

I trailed behind him up to the second floor, into Bella’s office space.

But the instant we entered and I moved to embrace him, Vance peeled my arms away with startling speed.

"Don’t start anything until I give you permission," he snapped, turning to face me directly.

He placed a finger against my shoulder and pushed me back firmly.

The gesture was dismissive, but this was Vance. I had no choice but to accept it.

"I want every single detail of what occurred while I was absent. Especially if it involves any women," he said coldly, keeping his hands buried in his pockets.

I straightened my spine and launched into my account of joining Bella in the suite, the children’s sickness, and how Bella had been conducting business with various alphas.

Then a thought struck me. I didn’t have to present this information neutrally. I could shape it to my advantage.

"There was one thing I noticed, though. They seemed to have developed quite close friendships," I added carefully.

I watched Vance’s shoulders tense immediately. "All of them," I continued, noting his deepening frown.

"Continue," he urged when I paused.

"There was this woman there, and I believe I know who you mean. It’s her half sister," I revealed.

Shock and confusion flashed across his features.

I elaborated, explaining how this sister had been responsible for causing Bella significant harm.

But before he could develop any sympathy for his wife, I prepared to deliver another blow.

"After dinner, the alphas returned and they had an enormous fight. Bella made me leave the room so she could speak with them privately," I said, maintaining a casual tone while pretending to simply relay information.

"So that’s her sister?" he asked, nodding as he began pacing and stroking his chin in deep contemplation.

"And I believe Alpha Hugo ended things with her temporarily, but I spotted her at the guest house today, so I assume they’ve reconciled," I said, clearing my throat.

"Fine," he responded with a shrug. "Anything else?"

By this point, I had managed to steady my breathing.

"There was one more incident," I murmured, immediately capturing his complete attention.

"One of the alpha’s fathers appeared demanding DNA testing for the babies."

The moment those words left my lips, I had exactly the reaction I’d hoped for. He looked stunned and deeply interested.

"What did you say?" he asked sharply.

I realized this information could alter everything between us.

"Yes, it was very strange. Bella became extremely frightened," I said, watching his jaw clench tight. "Eventually, the alpha withdrew his demand because Bella grew angry. She refused to submit to the test, and it escalated into quite a situation."

I was still talking when he interrupted me abruptly.

"That’s sufficient. You’re dismissed," he said, waving toward the door.

Just like that, I found myself humiliated. He made no moves toward intimacy, showed no interest in me physically.

I was simply cast aside, ejected from the office as if I were completely insignificant.