Chapter 95

"What?" Her mother murmured. "How's that-How's that possible?"

"They can't be his, Vivienne. We bought them, remember? Or did someone manipulate the results?"

"Rosa lie is Ronan's aunt. She'd definitely want to know if her nephew was being deceived, and if he was, she'd expose it. She wouldn't cover up for us for any reason." Vivienne pulled at the roots of her hair. "This isn't right. Something isn't right."

"Hold on," Her grandmother took a seat. "Are you trying to say the kids we arranged for and bought in a far away country are actually Ronan's kids? How in hell is that possible? Who's their mother, then?"

"I-I don't know, grandma. But this can't be good." Vivienne's eyes were wide with panic. "How did I end up with Ronan's kids? How is another woman pregnant for him and...and he knows nothing about it?"

"More importantly, who's the mother of the twins? How could she possibly let go of them when they belonged to someone like Ronan?"

"We need to find her." Vivienne pinched the bridge of her nose, frustrated. "We need to understand what's going on. Grandma, we need to find the woman that sold the twins to us."

"Well, we've all been trying to find Maren for the past four days, right? There's still no sign of her."

"Okay. But we need to find her so she can tell us who the mother of the children is."

She stood in front of the window, fisting her hands.

Now, to Elara and Rowan. She was going to make them pay. They almost ruined her life. If she hadn't been this lucky, Ronan would've probably killed her by now.

She was going to make them regret trying to ruin her.

***

FINN

Finn walked through the rows of cells. As he did, the people locked up stretched out their hands to him through the bars, teasing him to touch them.

Behind him were two maids, carrying trays of assorted foods and drinks.

He stopped in front of the cell he came for, where there was a guard guarding it. "Open it."

The guard was hesitant. "Beta Finn, I'd love to, but the Alpha specifically said no one should bring him food or water unless he permits it."

For some reason, that seemed to infuriate Finn even more.

"Don't make me ask again, Emmett. Open the damn gate."

"But what am I supposed to do when the Alpha finds out about this?"

"Well, who's going tell him? You? 'Cause if you don't, then he's not going to know nothing."

The guard glanced at the maids behind him.

"They won't be saying a word, either. You have my word for it."

Taking a deep breath, the guard got the keys and opened the metal gate. Finn went in with the maids.

Seated on the floor was Rowan, head in his hand. Finn paused for a moment. He'd never seen Rowan look that way before. So frustrated. He must have overheard him talking with the guard, yet he didn't even try to lift his head as he made his way in. He wordlessly ordered the maids to drop the trays on the floor and leave.

"Rowan." He called when they were alone.

Reluctantly, Rowan looked up at him. He released a deep breath as he leaned his head against the wall.

"What're you doing here, grump? Come to mock me?"

"Shut up and start eating," Finn's voice was serious." Have you had anything to eat since yesterday?"

"What are you now? My mum?"

"Don't make me hit you in the head, Rowan. I'm being serious."

"Hit me in the head and there'll be blood on this floor. And trust me, it won't be mine."

Rolling his eyes, Finn sat on the floor, facing him. Rowan gave him a surprised look. The floor was dirty and all. He didn't think Finn would go so low for him.

He looked at the trays of appetizing meals. Well, he was starving.

"Thanks," he mumbled before drawing them closer to himself. The first thing he grabbed was the pack of apple juice. It wasn't until he was halfway that he regarded Finn with amazement. "Hold on, how did you know this was my favorite? Or is it mere coincidence?"

"Go with mere coincidence." Finn tipped his head.

Rowan scoffed and grabbed something else from the tray to eat.

"What happened, Rowan? You sounded so sure that Vivienne was guilty of what you accused. How did you turn out to be the liar?"

"Honestly, I don't know." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't-I don't understand any of this. I could swear on my life that Vivienne was never pregnant. Or...did she really have an immature birth?"

"Nah. Vivienne gave birth in the month of July. At the right time."

"You see? Exactly!" Rowan opened his palms to him." So, when I met her in June, she was supposed to be pregnant. But she wasn't, man. I'm telling you. Something-Something is wrong here."

Silence blanketed them. Then, slowly, Rowan continued eating.

"I know you must think I'm a clown," he mumbled, not looking at him." Go on. Call me names. Tell me I'm a liar. I'm a-"

"You know if I wanted to do that, you wouldn't be the one to tell me." Finn flicked his gaze at him. "As much as I know you're an asshole, I know you'd never stoop so low. You must've been sure before you made the accusation."

Rowan looked at him astonishment. "So, you... believe me?"

"Look, right now, we should be more concerned about getting you out. I'm still trying to talk to Ronan. You know he's very pissed as he thinks you lied to him. But one way or the other, we'll get to him."

***

RONAN

I angrily paced my office, my phone in my hand, listening to the beep.

She still won't pick up. The damn woman was ignoring my calls.

I called her two more times and when I still didn't get a response, I went for my second plan.

I called the second number, and after a few seconds, it was answered. "Hello?" The little girl's voice came on the phone.

"Hey, Toby. How're you doing?"

"I'm fine. Who's calling?"

"I'm trying to reach mummy. Is she with you? Can you give her the phone?"

She hesitated before shouting an"Okay!"

"And Toby, tell mummy that this uncle is going to take all your candies if she doesn't take the phone from you." She should know what that means.

The child doesn't say anything in response, but soon after her, I heard her talking to her mother.

"He said he'll take all my candies away, mummy."

I heard Agnes mutter some curse words before taking the phone, finally.

"A-Alpha Ronan-"

"While I laid in bed, did you know the thoughts I had of you?" I cut her off. My blood was flowing faster, my need to kill growing stronger.

"I thought of traveling all the way to burn down your house, Agnes. I also thought of just taking you out and hanging you on a cross. I wanted to watch you suffer. I wanted to do so many things to you, Agnes And trust me, I still will-if you don't tell me why the hell you've been avoiding my calls, and why I haven't seen the pictures I asked for."

"Please," she was sobbing. Oh, to hell with her tears "I'm so-I'm so sorry, Alpha Ronan. I just didn't know what to say to you."

"What do you mean you don't-"

"He escaped!" She let out at last.

And that was when I really saw it-red. Everything snapped.