Chapter 13
Ryan’s frown deepened, and for the first time, I saw the cracks in his patience. He was usually so compliant, going along with whatever I wanted. But I knew him too well. I could sense the anger bubbling beneath the surface, the way he held back until he couldn’t anymore. In the past, when his anger finally boiled over, I would always end up begging for his forgiveness, dropping every shred of pride I had.
“Sophia, enough,” he warned me, his voice low and dangerous. “You’ve gone far enough.”
In the past, his tone would have sent a shiver of fear down my spine. But not anymore. I wasn’t that same girl. Not this time.
Calmly, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a tissue, and wiped the spot on my face where his hand had brushed it earlier. “Fine,” I said indifferently. “Then let’s break up.”
Ryan’s expression shattered. His eyes widened in disbelief, his voice almost cracking as he stammered, “What did you say? Sophia, don’t joke about this.”
“I’m not joking,” I replied coolly. I tossed the tissue away as if it meant nothing. “I never wanted to fall in love with a bastard in the first place. And now, you can’t even follow a simple order. Why should I stay with you?”
His face twisted in confusion, anger, and something else I couldn’t quite place. He looked at Linda again, her eyes filled with silent hope, and I could see him weighing his options. But I knew, deep down, what he would choose. He always did.
Suddenly, with a force I hadn’t expected, Ryan raised his hand and slapped Linda hard across the face. The sound of his palm connecting with her cheek echoed through the quiet, and Linda’s head
snapped to the side, her cheek now sporting a clear, red mark. The force of it left her stunned, and
for a moment, she just sat there in shock before letting out a small, broken sob.
I watched, my satisfaction growing as I saw the pain in her eyes. I walked up to Ryan, who stood there looking uncomfortable, his gaze flickering between Linda and me, torn between guilt and duty, Smiling sweetly, I slipped my arm through his, pulling him close.
“That’s enough,” I said, my voice saccharine. “I’m satisfied. Let’s go, darling.”
Ryan forced a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He glanced back at Linda, who sat crying softly on the ground, as if he wanted to say something–anything–but my grip tightened on his arm, and he remained silent.
M…
17.0%
Chapter 13
As we walked away, I threw one last glance over my shoulder at Linda. Her sobs were quiet but full of misery, and Ryan’s expression was a mess of conflicting emotions.
I laughed inwardly. This was just the beginning.
All day, Linda was nowhere to be seen. It was no surprise; after all, her beauty was her most prized possession, and now that her face had been marred, she wouldn’t dare show it without making sure the damage could be properly concealed or manipulated to her advantage. I knew Linda well–she wouldn’t waste an opportunity unless she could twist it in her favor. So, I waited patiently.
After school, I walked towards the limo with a sense of anticipation bubbling inside me. I was about to meet my brother, Ethan, and the thought alone lifted my spirits. He was the only family I had, the only one who had ever truly cared for me without ulterior motives. In my past life, Ethan had desperately tried to stop me from marrying Ryan. He warned me time and time again, but I was blinded by my misguided love. I thought his concerns were holding me back from happiness. How
foolish I had been.
Back then, Ethan respected my decision, even though it pained him. He went as far as using the influence of the Moonshadow Pack to help Ryan–an illegitimate son–rise to the rank of Alpha. He must have never imagined that the man I gave my heart to would be the same one to let me die, discarded like trash. But this time, in this life, things would be different. I would make sure of it.
Ethan deserved better from me.
approached the sleek Maybach waiting at the gate, standing out like a diamond among a sea of ordinary cars. The moment I got into the vehicle, I turned to the driver. “Let’s go,” I ordered.
The driver hesitated, surprise clear on his face. “Aren’t we waiting for Young Master Ryan?” he asked, clearly confused.
In the past, I would always wait for Ryan after his club activities. I wanted to make things easier for him, giving him a ride home and showing the Stardust Pack that even though he was illegitimate, he had someone powerful in his corner. I had always taken pride in backing him up, making sure he was treated with the respect I thought he deserved. But things were different now.
“Since Ethan became Alpha, there’s no need to wait for any ‘Young Master,” I said with finality. “We’ll leave now. And in the future, we won’t be waiting for him anymore.”
The driver paused for a moment, his surprise quickly replaced by something else–relief, maybe even satisfaction. He had likely been tired of watching Ryan take advantage of my kindness for so long but had held his tongue. “Yes, Miss,” he said eagerly, preparing to drive off.
Just then, there was a knock on the window. I turned, only to see Ryan standing outside, his face ́flushed. He must have heard part of the conversation, judging by the redness creeping up his neck.
Behind him was Linda, clinging to his arm, her face pale and weak, a picture of misery.
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed. A Soul Reborn
