Chapter 7 Pain And Disappointments

• [FLASHBACK]
• There was news that Caden had finally returned to Boston after staying in Paris, Italy for eight years.
• Every member of the family was excited to welcome him back, except me, of course.
• Alpha Simeon, my father, who has been ruling the Grimfur pack for many decades, had been friends with Caden’s father. The Einsworth Clan also ruled the Highridge Pack for over a century. Caden’s family was known to have Primordial blood and was respected by many Packs around the whole continent. The Einsworths were also the number one wealthiest family, and their Alpha, Caden’s dad, was my dad’s best friend and a huge business partner.
• Caden, my older sister named Greta, and I grew up together in one neighborhood. Caden was much closer to my sister, and I thought maybe it was because they were the same age. I was five years younger than them. So basically, I was frequently left behind, alone, with my stupid dolls at home. While the two of them spent their summers together at summer camps and other activities.
• So most of the time, I couldn’t help but stare at both of them while they enjoyed discussing something interesting. When I was small, I used to adore Caden and that kind and gentle look in his eyes. Whenever Greta was around, he always seemed excited, and I didn’t know why seeing them both happy upset me. He was kind to me, though. He never ignored me. But then I hated it when he treated me like I was still a baby at the age of ten!
• I admit I was jealous. I wanted Caden all by myself. I wanted his attention—his smiles to be exclusively just for me. I used to wish it was me who he would look for whenever he visited home. I wish it was me with whom he spent his time, talking about flowers and ancient stories about his ancestors. I wanted him to see me as me and not just Greta’s little sister.
• The only way I knew to get his attention was to show him that I never liked him at all. That he was an annoying guy who was too desperate for my sister’s attention when it was really me who wanted him so badly. And yet I was too young to understand that kind of feeling, and it confused me a lot. I hated him, and yet I wanted to spend time with him. I just thought maybe I was bored or something. But whenever I used to see him (well, even in recent moments), he always made my blood boil. He was too gorgeous, kind, and... and I hated it!
• When they both turned seventeen, everyone thought Caden and Greta were fated for each other until a tragic thing happened to Caden’s family. His father died in an accident. I didn’t know the whole detail, though, but Caden, as the only son and heir, was forced to ascend as the youngest and wealthiest Alpha and had to study abroad for their business.
• After eight years, he came back, and he became more handsome than he already was.
• Unfortunately, Greta was bound to marry her mate. A young Alpha from the east region owned a huge company—only it’s not as huge as the Einsworths, though. But I could tell Greta was in love with the guy, and I thought it was the only thing that mattered.
• Only Caden was not happy about it.
• One night, I was about to ask Greta if she could help me with what dress I should wear to her engagement when I heard her and Caden arguing about something. They were in her study, and I was nervous because Caden’s voice was all over the room, frustrated and hurt.
• “I thought you were going to wait for me, Greta! Why the sudden change? I thought you never believed in destiny! In fate!”
• “I was wrong, Caden. It is not something you can just fight! Tyler Miranda is my mate, and I love him!” Greta whispered sharply at Caden with tears in her eyes. She also looked hurt. But not as bad as Caden, who was devastated after he heard Greta’s rejection of him.
• “I don’t believe you,” Caden snarled, his eyes glinting red and his face flushed in anger. “You promised me, Greta! That’s why I agreed to leave, even though I never wanted to!”
• “You did it for yourself. For your pack, Caden.” Greta brushed her hair frustratingly with the fingers of her hand and helplessly gazed into Caden’s eyes. “It is out of my control! You will know when you finally meet that special one! That someone who will turn your world upside down! ”
• I gasped when Caden suddenly turned in my direction and caught my eye between the small door opening. Greta marched immediately and closed the door on my face.
• I was in complete shock.
• He loved her. Like hopelessly loved my older sister.
• My knees were too weak to move. After our eyes met for just a millisecond, my heartbeat just went frantic, and my mind went numb. I was so nervous that the tips of my fingers went cold.
• Then a few days more until it was Greta’s engagement with Tyler Miranda. I genuinely didn’t like that haughty look on the guy’s face and the way he used to cut my sister’s words every time he visited and had dinner with my parents.
• But Greta loved him, and I always thought I was an awful sister to her because I was relieved that she had no feelings for the man I had loved since we were kids.
• **********
• [PRESENT]
• “You look like you didn’t sleep well last night.”
• I lifted my chin to look at Caden’s unsmiling face. We were having a short breakfast, but I didn’t feel well enough to eat.
• “Morning sickness,” I uttered weakly while playing the sunny side egg with my fork. “No matter how much I try to eat something, I just throw it all up.”
• “Do you want me to call Dr. Miller—”
• “No, please...” I raised my hand to stop him, and then I sipped from my glass of water, “I don’t think she could help. I watched pregnancy videos, and I think it’s something I need to endure until my fourth week.”
• Caden didn’t say anything, but I could feel he was worried. “Then maybe I can stay with you the whole day and we could watch a movie you like.”
• I was surprised and stared at him for seconds, thinking that I had misheard his words.
• “Are you sure about that? I thought you were busy?!” I asked, too late to hide the excitement in my voice, which I regret for a bit because I never wanted him to think that I was looking forward to this.
• He looked at his wristwatch and then at me and said, "Later, at seven in the evening, we can also have a short dinner before that.”
• I didn’t respond to the schedule, though, because my mind got occupied with what I should wear later. Caden’s face was serious all the time, but I saw a spark in his eyes that I had never seen before. Could it be that he was also excited about later? Oh, I forgot the last time I felt so thrilled like this!
• Caden’s orders came that morning, and I got a little anxious about how I would organize all the yellow baby stuff that Caden bought yesterday at the mall. Two men stacked it inside a vacant room, and I had to separate the clothes from the bottles and other baby essentials.
• I got so busy I didn’t notice it was already four in the afternoon.
• “God! What the—” I cursed under my breath as I went to my room and hurriedly took a bath. I didn’t know why, but I had the feeling I needed to shave my legs and wear a skimpy red dress. My wolf and I wanted Caden’s jaw to drop once he saw me tonight.
• I was a petite lady and was happy that my baby bump was not too visible yet. I still had the curves. I also used one of the expensive perfumes displayed on the vanity mirror. Then I stared into my reflection and got a little anxious about myself.
• Why was I trying too hard just to impress Caden? Was I that desperate?
• I sighed deeply and sat on the chair to stare at my face in the mirror, feeling so disappointed with myself.
• Why was I even asking myself those silly questions when it was obvious already?
• Caressing the small bump forming in my belly, I knew it was just the baby that Caden cared for so much. He was my mate, and yet I never felt a single connection with him. It was as if he was blocking me from his heart—and his head.
• He never wanted me. It was a torture that I had to remind myself of over and over just to save myself from further pain it would cause me in the future. Caden and I never discussed anything about what would happen once the baby arrived. I didn’t know what his plans were. And it terrified me.
• “Isn’t he here yet?” I asked one of the maids. The dinner was already set, and I was waiting for him, but it seemed he got stuck in one of his business meetings.
• “I apologize, ma'am, but the Alpha isn’t here yet,” one of the serving maids replied with an anxious look on her face. I wondered why the maids in Caden’s house always looked so nervous and scared. Did something happen before I came here?
• Ten minutes, twenty minutes, and thirty minutes passed. The food was already cold, and he didn’t even bother telling me that he would be late. I already lost my appetite and just went straight to my bedroom, feeling so disappointed and hurt that I just cried the whole night, hating Caden more.
• The door suddenly opened, and Caden was standing in front of it. His face was pale, and he was out of breath. “Giselle, I am so sorry something happened, and I—”
• "No, please…” I cried. “Just leave me alone. I don’t want to talk to you!”
• “It’s still eleven. Maybe we can still–”
• “I said no! ” I yelled at him while crying my eyes out. I was already feeling dizzy and had no mood to be with him or anyone else. I knew I was being childish, but he promised, and I expected a lot from it.
• His face darkened when he decided to leave my room and closed the door. I didn’t know what happened. Did he forget about it? Was he so busy that he decided to just postpone what he promised me?
• At least he just called me, I thought to myself.
• Then I decided on one thing.
• I couldn’t stay in this place any longer.