Lie to Me, Bye to You

Liam froze, his eyes reddening slightly. He reached out as if to pull me into a hug, but his hands stopped midair as if he'd suddenly remembered the role he was playing.

After a brief pause, he pulled himself together and chuckled. "Aurora, you miss Liam so much that you're seeing him in me. But it's okay. I'll look after you and your pup in his place."

His voice was full of concern, but what he didn't know was that I didn't want Jasper looking after me—I wanted him to care for me as Liam himself.

I lowered my eyes, my fists tightening as I held back the urge to ask who he really was. But I knew no matter how hard I pushed, he wouldn't tell me the truth.

It'd only make things strained between us, or worse, make him suspicious and ruin my chances of getting away. So, I kept quiet.

Liam didn't seem to notice anything unusual about me. He gave my shoulder a light pat and spoke softly. "You should get some rest. Just say the word if you need anything."

With that, he turned and left, easing the door shut behind him.

I listened as his footsteps disappeared down the hallway, and another wave of tears spilled over. I drew my knees up, folding into myself, and pressed my face into the crook of my arm to muffle the sound of my crying.

A memory from five years ago popped into my head. It was back when I was dancing on stage at the university's anniversary celebration. That was the night Liam fell for me at first sight.

Even though he knew I was an Omega without a wolf, it didn't stop him from trying to win me over.

Liam had made me a promise before the marking ceremony. "Aurora, don't worry. Once I'm back from the border, I'll give you the biggest ceremony this pack has ever seen."

I'd believed every word back then. The thought that I'd actually be waiting for betrayal never even crossed my mind.

…

The next morning, Liam was up early to drive me to my prenatal checkup. However, we had barely reached the front door when we saw Freya Keating.

She was clutching her stomach, her face pale.

"Jasper, my head hurts so bad…" she whimpered.

Liam instantly let go of my arm and hurriedly picked Freya up instead. "What's wrong? Did the wind make you sick? Come on, let's get you back to your room so you can rest."

He only remembered I was still there when he reached the staircase. "Aurora, go to the hospital on your own. The driver's already at the door. Everything's set. Just follow him."

Without so much as a glance back, he rushed up the stairs with Freya in his arms. It broke my heart to see him hurry off like that.

Freya turned toward me, a flicker of triumph flashing across her face. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep my emotions under control.

Later, the driver took me to the hospital, where I sat through the prenatal checkup alone.

While staring at the grainy ultrasound image of the tiny fetus, I was overwhelmed by a storm of conflicting emotions. The pain in my chest twisted deeper whenever I thought of Liam and Freya together.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Not wanting Liam to find out my next move, I dismissed the driver and went to a different hospital alone.

I sat in the hallway, waiting for my turn. I clutched the test results tightly, my stomach twisting with hesitation and dread.

Walking into that operating room meant I'd lose this pup, and along with it, the last connection I had to Liam. But then I'd think about what he did, and the pain would hit me all over again.

Could I really keep it together if I had to face our pup?

I was unsure what to do when my phone buzzed out of nowhere, and a message from Freya popped up on the screen.

I opened it and saw a video packed with hundreds of pictures of Liam and Freya. They held hands, ate together, rode the Ferris wheel, and did all the usual things couples do.

My whole body shook as I watched. They looked so perfect together, so right, while I felt like the other woman. I pressed my hand to my mouth, tears pouring down my face.

Freya was taunting me so openly, sending me those photos.

Was she aware of Liam's real identity? Did everyone else know the truth about him while I was the only one left in the dark?

I felt like such an idiot.

Then the doctor called my name. "Ms. Maddox? They're ready for you in the operating room."