Bella’s POV

"You’re finally here! I’ve been counting down the minutes until I could see you again. I cleared my entire schedule the second I heard you were coming," Camilla gushed, her voice dripping with excitement.

She threw her arms around Hugo’s neck, gazing up at his face with that same adoring expression I remembered from our teenage years. The sight made my stomach twist into knots.

Hugo’s body language screamed discomfort. His shoulders tensed, and he barely returned her embrace. Guilt was written all over his features, probably because he knew I’d already spoken with Camilla before his arrival.

"How have you been?" The words stumbled out of his mouth awkwardly. He couldn’t even manage a simple greeting without looking like he wanted to disappear. Clearly, he hadn’t expected to find her waiting here when he arrived.

"Perfect now that my favorite person is back," she cooed, pressing closer to him.

Watching their reunion felt like acid eating through my veins. Every cell in my body screamed in protest. The betrayal cut deeper because this wasn’t just some random guy my sister had stolen away. This was Hugo, the person who used to be my closest confidant.

Memories flooded back of how Camilla used to complain that he spent more time with me than her. He’d storm home furious whenever she treated me poorly, always taking my side in our arguments.

Now suddenly he meant nothing to me while becoming everything to her?

I fought back the burning tears that threatened to spill as I recalled that night when he’d made love to me, only to cut me completely out of his life afterward.

Standing there watching them, a horrible thought crept into my mind. Maybe there really was something fundamentally wrong with me. Everyone else seemed capable of maintaining relationships, but I drove people away without fail.

What made this situation even more bewildering was that Camilla and I shared the same background, the same omega status. So what exactly did she possess that I lacked? What quality made her worthy of his choice while I remained disposable?

"Alright everyone, dinner’s ready. The little ones look exhausted," Alpha Jack announced, returning to gather us for the meal.

I caught Hugo’s eyes on me, studying my face. I couldn’t comprehend how we’d ended up in this twisted situation. But I was determined to mask my pain and pretend his presence didn’t affect me, even though it was tearing me apart inside.

We gathered around the dining table, and I threw myself into feeding my children. Despite their ability to eat independently, I insisted on helping them that evening. They seemed delighted by the extra attention.

My real motive was avoiding food myself. The churning in my stomach made eating impossible.

Hugo positioned himself directly beside Camilla. She kept breaking into giggles and playfully bumping his shoulder, even during moments when he hadn’t spoken a word.

She carried the entire conversation, cracking jokes and leaning into him constantly. I suppose it didn’t matter that he seemed less than enthusiastic. He’d obviously chosen her, so whatever spark had existed between them in recent years was clearly enough for him.

Midway through the meal, my phone buzzed with an incoming message. I glanced up to catch Hugo quickly sliding his phone under the table while Lady Norma engaged Camilla in animated conversation.

Their discussion revealed that Hugo had secured Camilla a position at the pack house workshop. She’d been entrusted with recording daily weapon production numbers, a responsibility reserved for only the most trusted members.

Jealousy clawed at my chest. He’d never offered me similar opportunities during our friendship. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut - I’d never been special to him at all.

Swallowing my pride, I checked his message.

Hugo: You’re barely touching your food. Everything okay?

Fury blazed through me as I read his words.

Rather than ignoring him, I decided to respond honestly.

Me: Don’t pretend to care about me. I’m handling things just fine.

I watched him grab his phone immediately, though he kept it on silent mode. Obviously he couldn’t let his precious Camilla discover he was texting me.

Hugo: Something’s clearly bothering you. What’s wrong?

His follow-up message appeared quickly.

I typed back one brutally honest response.

Me: Yes, something is bothering me. You are.

I set my phone aside after sending that message.

Hugo’s face darkened as he read my reply. I watched him frantically type response after response, but I refused to acknowledge any of them. Eventually he surrendered, shoving his phone away in defeat.

Lady Norma kept questioning whether I was enjoying myself. I assured her repeatedly that everything was wonderful, but she persisted, claiming I seemed unusually quiet and hadn’t discussed the children’s recent illness with her.

I wondered if she was genuinely oblivious or simply choosing to ignore the obvious. My entire demeanor had shifted the moment my sister walked through the door, yet she seemed completely blind to the tension.

Perhaps she was either incredibly naive or simply favored Camilla too much to notice. Their connection had certainly grown stronger since Hugo entered the picture.

"Bella, we should arrange another visit soon. Why don’t you come home? You can’t stay angry with your parents forever," Camilla suggested, her voice heavy with false concern.

She knew perfectly well how much our parents despised me, yet had the audacity to invite me back to the house where I’d endured endless torment.

That earlier apology had been completely fabricated. She’d known exactly what bombshell she was about to drop regarding her relationship with Hugo.

"I’ll consider it. My schedule is pretty packed right now," I replied, aware that both Lady Norma and Alpha Jack were analyzing my expression.

"You can always create time for family. Your parents sacrificed so much to provide your education and care," Lady Norma pressed, repeating the same lies my mother had spread for years.

She’d successfully painted herself as a devoted stepmother desperate to support my academic pursuits. Since I’d been powerless to defend myself back then, everyone had accepted her fabricated version of events.

"Sure, I’ll think about it," I repeated, praying they’d finally drop the subject.

As we prepared to leave, Hugo emerged carrying Zack draped over his shoulder. My son appeared to be sleeping soundly.

He must have fallen asleep while we finished dinner in the living room. The sight made my heart race. Zack’s eyes were completely closed, his small body limp.

Leah and Tara flanked Hugo as they walked. Abandoning all pretense of politeness, I charged forward and ripped my son from his arms. I knew everyone witnessed my aggressive behavior, but I no longer cared.

"We’re leaving now," I announced, rushing toward my car with all three children in my arms.

Hugo pursued me immediately, his voice sharp with anger. "What the hell was that about?"

I was securing Zack in his car seat when I spun around to face him.

"Exactly. What the hell was any of that about, Hugo?" The words exploded out of me as tears finally spilled over. His frown deepened as he realized what I was really asking.