Chapter 12
Tiana’s Point of View
I ducked into the bushes when I saw Kathryn slipping away. As soon as she passed through the mansion gates, I wiped away my tears and forced a smile onto my face.
I decided I would pretend I hadn’t seen or heard anything.
Before pushing the main door open, I took a deep breath, steadying myself. Inside, Ashton was in the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of whiskey.
I approached him carefully and offered the food I had prepared. “Ashton… I made all this for you. I spent hours cooking. I hope you’ll like it, and maybe accept it as my peace offering.”
He barely glanced at the food in my hands. before taking a long sip from his glass. “Just put it on the table. I’m not in the mood to
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eat right now.”
“But it’s best while it’s still hot. Come on, just give it a try-”
His sharp glare cut me off mid–sentence.
“I already told you, Tiana. I’m not in the mood to eat. If you want it, then go ahead and eat it yourself,” He snapped, his tone dismissive, as though my effort meant nothing.
In the end, I had no choice but to set the food aside.
After a short while, Ashton touched my hand, a small gesture that made me feel at little better.
“I’m sorry,” He murmured, his voice soft. “I’ve just been thinking about so much stuff.” He kissed the back of my hand, then leaned in to kiss my cheek.
“I understand, Ash. Just know that if you ever want to talk, I’m here, and I’ll always listen,” I said gently, hoping to ease
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whatever was troubling him.
“Well… there is something I need your help with,” He admitted.
“Go on,” I encouraged him.
He took a deep breath, his eyes locking
onto mine. “Do you know what Kathryn’s favorite flower is?”
The question took me aback.
My expression immediately shifted to one of annoyance, but he didn’t stop; he kept going, oblivious to my growing indifference.
“What about her favorite food? Do you know it? Does she like shoes or bags more? What kind of jewelry does she prefer? Diamonds? Rubies? What-”
That was it.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
I cut him off sharply. “I don’t fucking know, Ashton!”
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The words exploded from me, driven by frustration, jealousy and hurt.
Without thinking, I grabbed the food I had painstakingly prepared, opened the
container, and scattered its contents across the kitchen counter. Some of it ended up on Ashton’s face and clothes, but I wasn’t finished. I followed it with a sharp slap across his cheek.
It was the first time I had ever done something like this to him, and the shock in his eyes mirrored my own.
“Why can’t you stop thinking about that damn Kathryn, Ashton?!” I shouted, my voice trembling with rage. “I am right here with you, offering you something nice, being kind, and understanding! I’m the one you want! You’ve chosen me over that she- wolf time and time again, so why the fuck can’t you stop mentioning her?”
My emotions spilled over, and I completely lost control.
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Across from me, Ashton simply stood there, wiping the food off his face in silence.
Tears of bitterness rolled down my cheeks.
“Are you really that insensitive? Can’t you see how jealous I get every time you talk about her? Every time you mention her name?” My voice cracked but Ashton’s expression didn’t change.
“Are you losing interest in me, Ashton?!” I screamed, stepping closer to him. “Is that why you’re constantly begging for Kathryn to come back?” I spat, and before I could stop myself, I slapped him again.
This time, his reaction was immediate. His eyes glinted with annoyance, and without a warning, Ashton’s hand shot out, gripping my neck tightly.
“You know how much I fucking hate being nagged at, Tiana!” He growled, his voice menacing. And then, he slapped me hard across the face before finally releasing me.
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He scares me.
This was the first time I’d ever seen his anger directed at me.
“Know your place! You’re just the other woman–the mistress–while Kathryn remains my mate!” His voice cut through the air like a blade, leaving me completely caught off guard.
Ashton’s Point of View
I heard Tiana’s sobs echo through the kitchen as I turned my back on her. A part of me wanted to turn around, to help her up, to wrap her in my arms and kiss her forehead like I always did when she was upset. But this time, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. So, I just decided to leave before I could even do something worse.
However, when I reached the front door, her voice stopped me in my tracks.
“No–please, Ashton. Please don’t leave me here!” She cried in desperation.
Chapter 12
Before I could react, she crawled to me and wrapped her arms around my knees.
“Please, I’m sorry for everything I did,” She sobbed. “I didn’t mean to splatter the food on you, to slap you, or to nag at you. I was just hurt! Seeing you choose my sister over me now hurts! Please, Ashton, I’m so sorry!”
I sighed, her pain pressing on my chest. Slowly, I bent down and helped her to her feet. Then, I wiped the tears from her face. My movements are mechanical, devoid of the warmth I usually gave her.
“Just don’t do it again,” I mumbled, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
But deep down, I felt nothing.
Deep down, I knew I was only doing this out of pity for her.
Fuck.
I wish I could change this emptiness inside
- me.
Chapter 12
But how do I do it when all I could ever think about was Kathryn?
As I guided Tiana back inside the mansion, she broke the silence with a shaky voice. “Ashton, I have a question…”
“What?” I asked, glancing at her.
“Is there still a chance for you to
to sever your
mating bond with Kathryn… and for me to
become your chosen mate?” Her voice
wavered, her breaths uneven as she awaited my answer.
I stopped walking, my glare turning cold and dominant.
“I’d still fuck you, Tiana,” I said bluntly, “but I don’t think our relationship would ever escalate beyond that. Take it or leave it.”
