When a Vampire’s Love Is a Lie

Chapter 3 Crossing the Threshold

Alaric quickly pulled his hand away from mine and rushed forward to support Selena.

"Selena, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Selena shook her head and glanced at me. "I just didn't get much sleep before I was woken up. It's just a headache, nothing serious."

Before Alaric had the chance to scold me, I spoke first. "Honey, who is this woman? And why is she in our home?"

Seeing my suspicion, Alaric brushed it off lightly. "Her name is Selena. She's my distant cousin. She arrived late last night, and since you were already asleep, I didn't want to wake you."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Selena... will be staying with us for a while. She prefers peace and quiet and is used to sleeping during the day. Try to keep things down while she's resting."

The sheer absurdity of his words was almost laughable. It was painfully obvious how deeply Alaric adored his so-called distant cousin.

I sneered inwardly, my gaze sweeping over the woman before me.

"How can you say that to her?" Selena shot Alaric a meaningful look before correcting herself, "I mean... cousin." She gave a delicate sigh. "People are meant to be awake during the day and sleep at night. I wouldn't want anyone changing their habits just because of me."

Realizing her subtle hint, Alaric stiffened. He had nearly slipped up, almost exposing their true nature. He quickly turned to me, his tone softening. "I'm sorry. Selena has been in poor health for a long time. The doctors say she needs plenty of rest. I was just worried about her, and my tone came out wrong."

I leaned into Alaric's shoulder affectionately. "I don't care. You just snapped at me—you have to make it up to me!" Pouting, I lifted my face expectantly for a kiss.

Alaric tensed, casting a quick, uneasy glance at Selena before reluctantly pressing a light kiss to my lips.

Seeing her expression grow even paler, I smiled with satisfaction and extended my hand toward her. "Welcome to our home, cousin."

A flash of hostility flickered in Selena's eyes, but she quickly concealed it. Plastering on a smile, she shook my hand.

Alaric let out a relieved breath and, after one last lingering look at Selena, murmured, "Get some rest," before retreating to his room to catch up on sleep.

The moment he disappeared from sight, I dropped the pretense of being a gracious hostess. My gaze turned cold as I turned to leave.

But I barely took two steps before Selena grabbed me. Gone was her frail and gentle demeanor—her grip was shockingly strong. Without a trace of emotion, she dragged me into the guest room.

"A mere human dares to act up in front of me?" Selena sneered before shoving me harshly onto the floor.

A sharp cry escaped my lips as pain shot through me. I struggled to get up, but she kicked me back down, the pointed toe of her shoe pressing against my throat.

Looking down at me with an air of disdain, she scoffed, "Don't think that just because you resemble me a little, you can take Alaric for yourself. Let me make one thing clear." She pressed her foot harder against my skin. "He is mine. He always has been, and he always will be. And you..."

Her lips curled into a cruel smirk. "You're nothing more than a vessel to carry our child."

The cold, brutal truth crashed down on me once again. My entire body ached from her assault, but the pain in my heart was even worse.

The husband I had spent ten years with saw me as nothing more than a stand-in. The child I fought so hard to bring into this world wasn't even mine.

"Shut up. Just shut up!" I finally snapped, my voice shaking with rage. Gathering every ounce of strength I had left, I shoved her away.

Selena simply laughed, watching my struggle with amusement, like a cat toying with a helpless mouse.

She casually ran her fingers through her hair, preparing to grab me again. But suddenly, something shifted in her expression. Leaning in close, she whispered in my ear, "Let me help you give up for good."

Without warning, she released me and staggered backward.

I collapsed onto the floor, blindly grabbing the nearest object and hurling it at her with all my might.

Just as it struck her forehead, the guest room door swung open.

"Evelina, what the hell are you doing?!"

Alaric's furious voice rang out as he stormed into the room. He rushed to Selena's side, his entire focus on her as he gently lifted her into his arms.

"Lena, are you okay?" he asked, his voice thick with worry.

Selena's forehead was bleeding, and bruises were already forming on her hands from hitting the table. She nestled weakly against Alaric's chest, looking fragile.

"Alaric, don't be mad at her," she murmured softly. "Any woman would lose her mind if a stranger suddenly appeared in her home."

Alaric shot me an icy glare. "You went too far! How could you lay a hand on Lena?!"

"She attacked me first!" I yanked down the collar of my dress, revealing the dark bruises on my neck and chest. My patience snapped as I shouted at him.

But he didn't even spare me a glance. He simply held Selena closer, his voice dripping with disappointment.

"I could already tell you had something against Lena, but I never thought you'd be this cruel," he said coldly. "She's just my sickly cousin—was it really so hard for you to tolerate her?"

He scooped Selena into his arms. "I'm taking her to get patched up. You do whatever you want."

Just as he reached the door, he paused.

"If you can't accept Selena, then this house..." His voice was calm, but his next words struck like a knife. "Then you should be the one to leave."

I stumbled forward, reaching out to stop him, but by the time I reached the doorway, all I saw was Selena smirking at me over his shoulder before the door slammed shut.

I had already exhausted what little strength I had left just chasing after them. The injuries from Selena's attack sent a fresh wave of pain through my body, and I collapsed onto the ground.

Tears spilled down my face uncontrollably.

Alaric...

'You know Selena is one of the Eternal Ones. Even though she's still recovering, she's still far stronger than any human. Even if I wanted to hurt her, how could I possibly have overpowered her?'

Anyone with half a brain could figure that out. But not Alaric.

No, this had nothing to do with logic. It all came down to one simple truth—he loved her, and he didn't love me.

This house was no longer mine.

It was time to leave.

With trembling hands, I reached for my phone and dialed a number.

"Cedric... I want to come home."