The Wolf Queen's Exile

Chapter 7 Andre’s Indecision

Dicia's POV

She was so desperate that she showed up uninvited.

Andre and I stepped inside together. But Tina didn't even notice me. Her eyes were locked on Andre—only him.

"Andre!" she exclaimed. She rushed toward him with excitement.

Andre ducked behind me. He used me as a human shield against Tina.

Seeing him dodge her like that, Tina's face crumpled in pain. Finally, her gaze shifted to me.

"Dicia, you've been taking everything that was rightfully mine since we were children. It's time you gave it all back."

I argued back. "We were infants back then. How could infants possibly know how to steal anything? The blame lies with the adults. You should take this up with your parents, not me. I've never stolen anything from anyone. In fact, now it feels like someone's trying to strip everything away from me."

"Dicia, quit pretending to be innocent! You've been living the life that should've been mine!"

Andre couldn't stay silent any longer. "Tina! I've told you before, you can't blame Dicia. She truly didn't know anything about this."

Tina turned to Andre, her face wet with tears. "If it's not her fault, then whose is it? Mine? What have I done wrong? All I want is to be with the one fate chose for me. What's so wrong about that? The Moon Goddess's decree is something I can't fight, and neither should you, Andre."

"Tina, I'm trying to find a way out of this. We shouldn't be meeting like this. Please leave now. You're not wanted here."

Tina pleaded through tears. "Andre, please, let me stay."

"No! Get out. Now!"

Andre's tone was firm. But even so, I couldn't feel the slightest bit of satisfaction.

If Andre had the guts to be decisive, the simplest and most effective solution would be for him to defy Moon Goddess's decree and reject his destined partner outright. Once he did that, they'd be free from fate's grip. They'd become strangers.

I held my breath, waiting for Andre to say the words, to declare that he would reject his destined partner. But he didn't.

Instead, he said we needed to find a solution together, a way to keep everyone happy.

He couldn't bear the pain of rejecting his destined partner, nor could he handle the weakness that would come after.

At the core of it, he only wanted me to bend, to take the brunt of the pain for him.

I saw his cowardice firsthand, how he cowered behind me, expecting me to solve his messy affairs.

Out of nowhere, Tina made a desperate lunge toward Andre. But I seized her shoulders in a flash.

My strength far surpassed hers, and she froze, unable to move.

Her eyes shot to Andre, silently begging for his intervention.

With my back turned to Andre, his expression was lost to me.

Tina thrashed against my hold, but I clamped down harder and hauled her toward the door, dead set on kicking her out.

"Andre, I'm begging you!" she wailed.

"Dicia!" His voice cracked, soft and desperate.

I halted. I spun around to face him. He ducked his head, shying away from my stare.

I pushed Tina out the door and slammed it shut behind her.

Her wails reverberated through the door.

Back inside, I brewed myself a cup of coffee and slumped onto the couch.

Andre lingered, his palm pressed to his forehead, radiating frustration.

After a moment of silence, I asked him. "You asked me to keep Tina away from you. Are you having second thoughts now?"

"No, I… I don't regret it." he fumbled, his face betraying his discomfort.

He shuffled over, plopped down beside me, and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Dicia, I just…"

He looked utterly agonized, grasping for the right words.

He wanted me to soften, to give in.

Whenever he was even the slightest bit down, I'd bend over backward to cheer him up. I never said no to anything he asked.

Now, he was banking on me giving in and allowing him to be with Tina.

But I couldn't do it.

Though we clung to each other, our minds were worlds away, our bodies rigid and distant.

We remained frozen, trapped in a tense standoff.

After what felt like an eternity, Tina's sobs dwindled. She was gone.

Andre exhaled heavily, finally releasing me.

But the disappointment was plain as day on his face.

"I've got to get to the office," he muttered.

"Want me to come with you?"

In the past, I wouldn't have even asked that question. Whenever I didn't have any outside errands, I'd always accompany Andre to his office. He was well aware of my daily schedule, and today, coincidentally, I was free.

"Of course, Dicia," Andre said, taking my hand as he led me toward the office.

We had barely taken a few steps when the phone rang. I had to go back and pick up the call.

I picked up the receiver. Tracy's voice greeted me. "Dicia, I'm not feeling well."

"Mother, what's wrong?"

"I'm in pain all over. Can you come see me, Dicia?"

She's my dear mother—I couldn't possibly refuse. "Of course, I'll be there," I replied without hesitation.

After hanging up, I turned to Andre, my voice tinged with worry. "My mother's sick. I need to go see her. Are you coming with me?"

In the past, Andre would've agreed without a second thought. But this time, he hesitated. "Dicia, I…"

"I understand." I cut him off, already knowing he'd say he was swamped with work.

I hurried out of the house by myself. Soon enough, I pulled up to Tracy's house.

When I saw Bart there too, I sensed something was amiss. He'd never shown any concern for Tracy—so why was he here now? The tension between them was thick, and the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken gravity.