Chapter 5

• Tabitha's POV
• I fixed Holly with pleading eyes, hoping that she would agree.
• But before she said anything, a voice I knew too well filled the doorway.
• "Seriously? You came begging at my house?"
• I stood up in disbelief and watched as Daphne and Derek walked in.
• Then I whipped around back at Holly.
• Holly smiled at Daphne dotingly. Then she told me, "Daphne is Mark's daughter. I was about to introduce her to you just now. You're about the same age, and I'm sure you can be friends."
• Talk about a cruel twist of fate. Daphne's father stole my dad's mate.
• And now, she stole mine.
• Like that was not enough, they saw me in such a sorry state. I was literally a clown in their ritzy life.
• Of course, Daphne wouldn't miss such a perfect chance to humiliate me.
• She walked over and said to Holly in an ironic tone, "Friends with her? Not gonna happen. She's a thief. You'd better go check if anything is missing."
• Hearing Daphne's words, Holly started to scrutinize me.
• "What's going on? You're thieving now? Tabitha, how'd you get like this?"
• The memories of Holly heartlessly letting go of my hand and leaving with Mark when I was little came flooding back.
• I looked at her in disappointment and asked, "You take her word over mine just like that? You didn't even bother to ask me, huh? Are you really my mom?"
• "Watch your tone!" Holly glared at me. "Daphne has always been a sweet girl. She never lies. But you've always been lack of parental control. Maybe that's why you picked up some bad habits."
• "Parental control? You're making it sound like I didn't want a mom to set me straight. Wasn't it you who walked out on me and Dad?"
• Holly blushed with shame. It seemed she didn't want me to bring up her past when Daphne was around.
• I looked away in disappointment, sick of the sight of her. Then I caught a glimpse of Derek, who stood there in silence and showed no response.
• Daphne noticed what I was doing and glanced at Derek, too.
• Then she immediately turned around and complained to Holly, "Can you kick her out? I don't want her in my house."
• "Something happened to Tabitha's pack, so I offered to let her stay here for a few days. Well, I'll go tell her otherwise if you don't like it," Holly sounded so affectionate as if Daphne were her real daughter.
• Then, Holly looked back and said to me apologetically, "Tabitha, I've been busy planning Daphne's wedding, so I might not have the time for you... Maybe you should..."
• I had long stopped craving maternal love from Holly. However, getting ditched again after so many years, I couldn't help feeling heartbreak.
• Biting back tears, I replied, "Mrs. Sutton, I never wanted to stay in your house, and I would never be friends with a homewrecker. Don't sweat it."
• "Nonsense! How can you say that about Daphne when her fiancé is here! Do you know who he is?" Holly shot a nervous glance at Derek while scolding me.
• When Daphne slandered me, Holly took her word for it right away. Yet when I stated the facts, Holly sided with Daphne still.
• I stared at Derek, remarking, "Of course. He's Black Thorn Pack's Alpha. How could I not know him? Alpha Derek, didn't expect you to tie the knot again so soon. Well, why don't you introduce me to Mrs. Sutton?"
• Holly looked at Derek in confusion, obviously having no idea that he was married.
• "Alpha Derek, Mark and I don't know much about Black Thorn Pack. Who is Tabitha to you?"
• Derek replied with a cold face, "She used to be my Luna. But I'm gonna reject her pretty soon."
• He made our years of romance sound like crap.
• At such thought, I was rather disheartened than angry.
• "You'd better keep your word. If you don't reject me, Daphne will always be the homewrecker," I warned.
• Daphne chuckled and cut in, "You're about to be expelled from Black Thorn Pack. How dare you act all cocky? If I were you, I'd start to worry about what to do when I became homeless."
• I turned my head and glared at Daphne. "I wouldn't end up homeless even if I left Black Thorn Pack! So what if you become part of his pack? To me, you're always a shameless bitch, a pathetic rogue!"
• "Shut up!"
• Holly interrupted me loudly before I finished.
• Then she slapped me hard across the face.
• My cheek stung. I looked back, only to see her breathing heavily out of rage.
• "Apologize to Daphne!" she commanded.
• "No way!" I roared through gritted teeth.
• Boiling with anger, Holly lifted her hand, trying to smack me again, but someone stopped her.
• Derek eyed Holly icily and ordered, "Apologize to her."