Darlene
Ever since I uncovered the truth about Jillian and her daughter Margaret—their manipulative ways, their false smiles, and the venom hidden beneath their words—I began to retreat from the world around me. I avoided conversations, especially with my father, Alpha Victor. The mansion felt like a battlefield now, and silence became my armor.
But there were days when avoidance wasn’t an option—like today. We were all summoned to Father’s office to finalize the details for my eighteenth birthday celebration, which was happening the next night.
I stood stiffly in the corner of the room, arms crossed, heart detached. Jillian sat beside my father, draped in fake affection, while Margaret lounged with arrogance, eyes flicking toward me with silent contempt. I didn’t care to pretend. I sim
