Chapter 9
Arba’s POV
Delilah Hart. My ex’s wife, Grayson’s sister.
She stared at me and raised an eyebrow. “Who the hell are you?”
“I–I’m Aria. Aria Collins,” I stammered.
She frowned impatiently. “I didn’t ask for your fucking name, OK? I asked what you’re doing here. Are you the new kitchen help?”
Okay. So she didn’t recognize me. Jace must’ve gone out of his way to erase my existence.
She’d already tossed her coat and bag at me like I was her personal hanger. The heavy coat hit me so hard I stumbled.
“What smells so good? I’m starving!” she yelled.
I chased after her into the kitchen, just in time to see her scoop into the chocolate lava cake I’d spent all afternoon making. The perfect glaze was instantly destroyed.
“Wait” I blurted out.
She turned to me, clearly annoyed. “Are you seriously yelling at me?”
I took a deep breath. Honestly, I had mixed feelings. My ex dumped me for her, and she was obviously so gorgeous and so classy. And now I was even caught up in something complicated with her brother 1 don’t know. Everything was just so fucked up.
But I still decided to stand my ground. “I’m not yelling. I just wanted to let you know that cake was for Alpha Grayson.”
“So!” she scoffed. “Everything my brother owns is mine. Who the hell are you to scold me in this house?”
“I was just hoping you could ask first before.
She waved a hand and smashed the entire cake to the ground.
The dessert I poured my heart into was now a chocolate disaster.
I let out a little cry.
“I don’t like your damn attitude,” she said coldly. “You’re just a maid. And I’m the one who runs this place. Now get the hell out here because you are fired.”
My hands curled into fists, shaking slightly with anger. She’s even meaner than on reality show!
“What’s going on here?”
That deep, commanding voice came from behind us,
I whipped around. At some point my new boss had come back. He was standing in the doorway, watching us.
“Where did you even find this awful maid?” Delilah shrieked. “She actually tried to stop me from eating a goddamn cake. How dare she! I want her fired immediately!”
“Apologize,” Grayson said coolly.
I sucked in a little breath. My eyes stung.
But then I realized–he wasn’t looking at me. He was looking at Delilah.
He was telling HER to apologize, Not me.
“Wha–Seriously Grayson?” Delilah rounded her eyes in shock. “You’re telling your sister to apologize to an inegal!”
“Aria isn’t an omega. She’s my assistant. I invited her here today. And your entitled behavior is beneath the dignity of the Hart family. So
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Chapter 9
apologize to her right now.”
His voice was calm but carried enough weight to silence the whole room. Delilah looked at me like she’d swallowed a lemon.
“Fine…” she muttered eventually, “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I said quietly.
“Now go sit in the dining room, her brother ordered, “You didn’t tell anyone you were coming, so don’t expect the maids to have your dinner ready.”
She scooped up her coat and bag and scurried out of the kitchen like she couldn’t get away from him fast enough.
Grayson finally turned to me. “Sorry about the cake. I’m sure it was delicious.”
Something in my chest clenched. I had worked so hard on it I wanted him to like it, to see his face when he took the first bite. But now it’s ruined.
“It’s fine.” I said with a weak smile, shrugging. “She’s a Hart. I guess she’s just used to having whatever she wants. I don’t take it personally.
That’s a failure in her upbringing. My parents spoiled her too much. I’m trying to correct that now. But regardless of who she is, no one should treat you like that.”
No one had ever said anything like that to me. In the real world, people like me were expected to be pushed around. My wolf hummed with contentment. I quickly looked away, blushed, and changed the subject.
“Looks like she doesn’t know who I am? Or my connection to Jace?”
“No. And to avoid trouble, I suggest you don’t bring it up.
I nodded in agreement. Jace was ancient history. The last thing I needed was drama with his new wife–the rich and powerful princess of the pack
“And I’d also prefer if you didn’t mention the contract to anyone. Including my sister,” he added deeply. “If anybody asks in the future. you are my assistant.”
I glanced at him knowingly and lowered my voice. “You don’t want your family to know about your condition? You don’t want them to get worried?”
He didn’t look like he wanted to talk about it. “They don’t need to know. Now, let the maids bring out the rest of the food. I can’t wait to try what you made.”
When we walked into the dining room, Delilah was already seated and sneakily nibbling on the appetizer. She quickly set down her fork when the saw us
“What? I was hungry,” she muttered.
“You still need to wait for the guests to sit down before eating, Grayson said sternly.
A maid pulled out the chair for me, right next to Delilah. Judging by her expression, she wasn’t thrilled that I got a seat too–but after glancing at Grayson, she swallowed her complaints.
“Why aren’t you having dinner with your husband tonight?” Grayson asked after taking his seat.
“Not every newlywed couple wants to be glued together, you know,” she replied sweetly. “I just wanted to spend time with my dear Brother”
But he wasn’t buying it. “This is about the prenup, isn’t it? You two fought about it?”
1 paused mid–bite, ears fully engaged.
the prenup
Of course. Every rich family signs one. Especially when a poor kid like Jace married the richest girl in the world.
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Chapter 9
But I knew Jace’s too proud and too ambitious. He’d hate the idea to the g
gut..
“Come on, Grayson. Is a prenup really necessary?” Delilah pleaded. “Jace made a good point actually. If we’re truly in love, why should I care about sharing everything with him?”
“If he really loves you, your relationship should be enough. He shouldn’t be obsessed with your money.”
“Please? I’m begging you. I just don’t want to fight anymore. I brought it up tonight and he got so pissed. We were supposed to have a fancy date and he just slammed the door and left-
“I don’t like him,” Grayson cut her off coldly. “I made that clear the first day you brought him home. And if he dares slam a door in your
face in question if he’s even remotely the right person for you.”
Delilah lowered her utensils, clearly too upset to eat.
“Get him to sign the prenup.” Grayson said forcefully. “Or you walk away from him.”
She looked like she might burst into tears.
I forced down a bite of salad and sighed quietly
To be honest, I kind of felt bad for her. Sure, she was ten thousand times richer than me but she was still getting hurt by the same jerk who’d once hurt me. I knew exactly how that felt.
My sigh must’ve been louder than I thought, because Delilah snapped her head toward
“Why the hell are you sighing? Are you mocking me?” she asked sharply
Grayson immediately frowned. I shook my head. “No, I’m not mocking. I just think… women in love tend to lose sight of things.”
“What the hell–are you seriously calling me blind?”
“Are you not?” I shot back. “Alpha Grayson is your brother. He’d never hurt you. But how long have you even known Jace? He clearly knew what kind of position he put you in when he refused to sign the prenup and he didn’t care about it at all. If he really loves you, why can’t he make the compromise?”
Delilah stared at me, stunned.
Grayson’s gaze softened. He nodded at me.
“My point is,” I said gently, “if he really hates that prenup, at least he should be here with you tonight and tell Alpha Grayson himself- not ditching you and forcing you to come beg your brother on your own?
Delilah gripped her fork, silent. I half–expected her to stab me in the eye with it. Instead, after a long pause, she gave a loud huff.
“You’re a good cook,” she mumbled.
“Th–thanks,” I said, surprised.
“Now I see why my brother hired you” She glanced at me sideways. “I don’t like being lectured, but… some of what you said actually
makes sense.”
I smiled and let out a quiet breath of relief. “Glad I can help.”
“Help! Please, don’t flatter yourself,” she rolled her eyes. “You seem to know a lot about relationship stuffs. Do you have a boyfriend?”
was speechless. It’d be the end of the world if she discovered in my ex was actually her husband.
Fortunately, Grayson stepped in. “That’s enough question. Now have your dinner.”
After dinner, Delilah left. I had no idea what she’d say to Jace, but I really hoped she’d stand her ground. Honestly, she deserved better than that controlling, gold–digging jerk.
Iwas in the kitchen helping the maids clean up. They were all praising my food and asking questions about my recipe. But then, suddenly, everyone went quiet.
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Chapter 9
I looked up.
Grayson was leaning against the doorway, watching me.
“Dinner was excellent. I really enjoyed it,” he said.
The maids curtsied and quietly exited, leaving the two of us alone. I fidgeted, gripping my apron nervously.
“I–I’m glad you liked it.”
“You’ve worked hard today. I hope you rest well tonight.”
I took that as his cue to dismiss me. “I will. And you too–goodnight, Alpha Grayson
I untied my apron and started to walk past him toward the door.
But he didn’t move. His broad frame blocked the only exit.
“I hope you are ready,” he said deeply.
blinked, perplexed. “What… what do
you
mean?”
“You’ll rest in my room tonight.”
AD
