Chapter 76
Aria’s POV
1 froze.
Not being able to contact anyone outside made my nerves spike again.
immediately headed back to the cabin. Just in time to run into Grayson as he stepped out of the study.
“There’s no signal,” I blurted.
But he didn’t seem surprised at all. “I know. It happens sometimes up here. Nothing unusual.”
I took a deep breath, the unease in my chest growing heavier. “Listen… I’ve got a really bad feeling about this. Can you ask Nova to send someone here? Just in case?”
He looked at me, frowning slightly. “What’s going on?”
I shook my head. I didn’t know how to explain the feeling clawing at me. My wolf had been growling anxiously in my mind all afternoon. She never acted like this without a reason.
“Just… do it, okay? Please,” I begged.
He pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead.
“I don’t know why you trust bodyguards more than you trust me to protect you,” he muttered. “But fine. As soon as the signal comes back, I’ll call Nova. Happy?”
A little. My heart settled just a bit.
That was when Delilah walked out from the dining room and called to us, “Dinner’s ready.”
The way she looked at me–cold, flat–sent a shiver through me.
I bit my lip and followed Grayson inside.
The dining table was laid out beautifully, full of dishes. I could tell right away many of them were Grayson’s favorites. Delilah clearly put in a lot of effort for this dinner.
“When was the last time we actually sat down to eat together like this?” Delilah asked after we took our seats.
“You used to drop by the office to have lunch with me all the time,” Grayson replied.
She let out a hollow, wistful laugh. “And then I married someone you hated. You avoided me all together.”
I stared down at my plate, feeling the tension in the air starting to thicken again.
“Delilah, don’t bring him up,” Grayson warned.
“Why not? He’s the elephant in the room, isn’t he?” she said, voice trembling as she wiped the corner of her eye with a napkin. “I just want to know… Why did you hate him so much?”
“What is there to like about him?” Grayson’s voice went ice–cold. “Honestly, Delilah, how did you not see through him? Jace Carter is complete trash. He’s cruel and heartless. A complete narcissist. All he cares about is power and money. He used you.”
1/4
Chapter 76
“No! No, he’s not like that,” Delilah said quickly, shaking her head, “He’s kind. He’s respectful to women. Such a gentleman. He loves animals. He said one day we’d have two dogs. He even volunteered at a shelter”
“And you believed that crap?” I cut her off, disbelief burning in my voice, Oh, come on.
Both of them turned to look at me. I forced myself to stay calm, but I couldn’t hold back.
“How long were you two even married? If he wanted dogs so badly, why didn’t he ever get them? Let me tell you why–because it’s all part of his fucking act! He doesn’t give a damn about animals. And that volunteering gig? Did you ever actually see him at a shelter?”
“N–no… but he wouldn’t lie-”
“Why wouldn’t he?” My voice rose. “He told you his parents were nobles, right? You saw them at the party! Do they look like nobles to you? They were bottom–tier scums just like Jace. If he can lie about that, you really think he wouldn’t lie about doing charity work?”
Delilah clutched her silverware tightly, her whole body trembling. “Stop… Please, just stop…”
I inhaled sharply. “And respect women? Please. You saw how he treated me–like trash. And I used to date this guy. That’s who he is underneath, Delilah. The moment you stop being useful to him, he’ll do the same to you.”
She covered her face, sobbing softly, shoulders shaking violently.
“I–I don’t know anymore… I don’t even know what’s real. He was so perfect when we were together. The best man I’d ever met. Were all of those memories just… lies?”
I didn’t know what to say.
That was Jace’s talent. He could become whatever you needed. I’d fallen for it once too.
“But it’s over now,” Grayson cut in icily. “You don’t have to think about it again. He’s out of your life for good.”
Delilah looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “Grayson… Can’t you at least show some mercy…for the sake of me and the baby?”
“Enough,” Grayson snapped, his tone instantly frostbitten. “So that’s why you wanted me here? To beg for him? I already told you it’s not going to happen.”
“But–but the baby…needs a father-” she sobbed harder.
“The baby is better off without a father like Jace Carter.”
Her cries grew louder. Grayson frowned, clearly trying to stay calm.
Eventually, she got to her feet and wobbled over to the wine cabinet. “…Sorry I lost it again… Let’s just have a drink. Then I’ll shut up.”
I stood up as well. The heaviness in the room was too much.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” I murmured to Grayson.
“You okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “I’ll be quick.”
I stepped out into the hallway and let out a long breath.
Shit that was intense.
2/4
12:36 Sun, 10 Aug
Chapter 76
I should’ve known Delilah hadn’t given up on Jace.
The real question was–
What else did she plan to do before his execution?
Trying to calm my nerves down, I stepped outside to try calling May again.
But still. No signal.
I sighed and turned to head back. But before going to the dining room, I swung by the kitchen. I wanted to ask the maids to prepare a glass of warm milk. I’d gotten used to it before bed lately.
“Hello? Anyone here?” I called as I stepped into the kitchen.
The lights were on, but no one replied.
I called again, louder this time, and walked further in.
That’s when my foot hit something soft.
I looked down. And froze. My blood turned ice–cold.
3 kitchen maids were lying on the floor, with blood trickling from their heads. Unconscious…or worse.
I slapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a scream.
Someone else was here…Someone besides the three of us!
My heart thundered in my chest as I looked around in panic. But the kitchen was dead silent. And outside the window, nothing but black.
Wait…Grayson!
I whipped around and bolted out of the kitchen, sprinting back toward the dining room.
I crashed in just as Grayson was taking a sip of his wine, and Delilah was still holding the bottle.
“DON’T DRINK THAT!!” I screamed, lunging toward him. “Someone’s here! They’re here to kill you!”
Delilah snapped her head toward me, panic and hatred flashing across her face.
Grayson instantly stood up.
And that’s when I saw it-
A shadow flickering just outside the window behind him.
“LOOK OUT!!”
I tackled him, knocking him to the side.
In the next second, the sound of gunfire shattered the window, echoing through the entire house.
3/4
12:30 SUN, TWAug
