Rejected, And Became A Heiress (Cara)
Chapter 0134

Chapter 0134

Now, how can I supposed to face Cara...?

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Cara's POV

My home is finally quiet again.

I've driven my brothers and Alaric out of my room, and now I collapse onto my sofa, too drained to return to my bed.

I don't want to go back to the bed-it'll remind me of last night. Of the way Alaric touched me, the way we made love after I drunkenly gave in. Of the mistake that started it all.

Leaning back into the cushions, I grab a large, soft pillow and hug it tightly to my chest. I reach for the remote, hoping a mindless soap opera might distract me.

The room fills with noise once more, the sound of young actors playing out a melodramatic campus romance.

["Oh, Nina, my darling, I can't live without you!" "Oh, Enzo, me too! Even if my father forbids it, I'll stay by your side forever!"]

The aroma of food wafts over from the table, where a lunch box sits. It's a gift from my brothers, a peace offering to make up for earlier. Inside, I find warm pizza, burgers, fries, and fried chicken-exactly what I need right now. I feel a pang of guilt for yelling at my brothers earlier, but I'm too tired to deal with that right now. I need to be alone.

Just for a little while.

Let me have some quiet. Let me have some think.

I don't drink, and I don't want to start again. The soap opera continues in the background, its overly cheerful couple glued together in an exaggerated kiss.

["I love you, Nina..."]

The male lead delivers his lines with a passion that feels almost convincing. I stare at the screen but find myself zoning out.

I think of Alaric.

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"I love you, Cara." He kneels before me, velvet box in hand, his voice steady, his gaze unwavering.

"I love you, Cara." He kisses me with fervor, his usual cold exterior melting into something unrecognizably warm, as if he's truly captivated by me.

But how can I believe any of it?

It took me so long to pull myself out of the naive infatuation I once had for him. I've already let go of that love. I've tried-over and over again-but every time, he rejected me. He hurt me.

I gave him countless chances. I gave us countless chances. I believed in fated mates, in destiny. But then came the car accident. Then came five long years on a hospital bed. Five years of nightmares.

In those dreams, I saw DarkWood's rose garden-the one I painstakingly cultivated as his beta.

And in that garden, I watched him kneel before Lilia, proposing to her. My hands trembled as I held out the velvet box with the ring for him. And then their lips met, right in front of me.

My fated mate, cold and cruel, ignored me, humiliated me, and called me a gold- digger as if I had schemed for something I never wanted.

I dreamed of driving away from DarkWood, of the accident, of losing my babies-my Mia and Ethan. Almost losing everything.

I dreamed of my lost wolf. Lucy.

The nightmares replayed, again and again.

And Alaric

-

the source of them all. The man I once loved with all my heart, and the man I now hate just as deeply... And love at the same time.

On the screen, the campus lovers are still tangled in each other, reciting sweet lines that feel too far removed from my reality. Chapter 0134

["I'm so glad you came back for me. I'm so glad we made up. This time, we'll never be apart again..."]

But that's just a TV show.

My reality is different.

I'm no longer young, no longer naïve like a schoolgirl. I have two children to care for, one of whom is still sick. I have a demanding job, and I'm no longer the orphaned beta of DarkWood.

-

I still have passion for my kids, for my family, for my career. But not for that bastard, Alaric.

Maybe I'm still loving him, but I'm moving forward.

"Cara-!"

Suddenly, I hear Colin's voice coming from the house.

Aren't they leaving yet...?

(( too."

Aidan just gave Alaric a few punches. Alaric probably has something to say to you

"I've already scolded them, and I'm going to drag the idiot twins away. You can talk to Alaric alone."

He's outside my house, delivering his message to me this way.

I can hear the encouragement in his voice, and it brings a sense of warmth and gratitude.

I take a deep breath and turn off the TV. I sit quietly on the couch for a few minutes, the past between Alaric and me replaying in my mind, reaffirming my decision. Then, I hear hesitant footsteps outside my door.

But I'm ready.

I stand up and open the door. Alaric is standing there, his expression a mix of emotions as he looks at me.

And I take one last deep breath-

"...We need to talk."

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I say.