Chapter 15
1043 Words
C15: Alice's Garden Plans
The next day the house was lively. Raine went to the living room only to find Alice and Luna Indira speaking with a seamstress about the fabric she would wear.
It brought back the harsh reality that Raphael was no longer hers. The happiness she once had had been skillfully taken by her sister.
Raine slowly stepped back before they could notice her. Her heart beat loudly, desperate for air. Once she stepped out of the building, she ran, only to bump into someone.
“Ralph?” she whispered softly, her eyes wide.
“Why are you crying?” he asked softly, worry filling his voice as he steadied her.
Raine touched her face. She was indeed crying. All she knew was that she needed space.
“I'm fine,” she replied curtly, her voice cold as she took three steps back, creating a clear distance between them.
“You aren't fine,” Raphael insisted, stepping forward to reach her, but she moved away again.
“Don't create another reason for them to humiliate me, please,” she said pleadingly but something in her tone was numb.
“You should be preparing for your marriage and also training to be a good future Alpha,” she added strictly, her voice stiff as if she was forcing the words out.
“I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't have a choice. I'm really sorry,” Raphael pleaded, his gray eyes filled with pain, but it was too late.
“It’s alright. Focus on your future. Maybe we were never meant to be,” Raine said in a low voice as she wiped the tears from her face.
“Let's maintain a neutral relationship as in-laws. I would like that. I wish you a happy life with your mate,” she added with a smile she tried hard to maintain.
Raphael was speechless. There was no way out of the situation. He looked down in disappointment at himself because there was nothing he could do.
Raine walked away while he stood there rigid. Their shoulders felt heavy, burdened with emotions tied to each other.
Since that encounter, Raine had been avoiding Raphael. Whenever she saw him coming from the other direction, she would turn away.
If avoiding him was impossible, she would force herself to speak formally before leaving.
Alice noticed how Raine avoided them and decided to flaunt Raphael. She knew Raine would come to the garden to water the flowers and take a short break, so she dragged Raphael there.
“What are we doing here?” Raphael asked as they stood in the garden, confusion in his eyes.
“I just want us to have some quiet time and get to know each other better. Also, you will be living here soon, so you should get familiar with the place,” Alice replied smoothly with a sweet smile.
Raphael simply nodded and followed her as she walked further into the garden.
“Look, these are my mother's precious sunflowers. She loves them a lot.
They used to be much bigger, but they were ruined and barely survived,” Alice explained excitedly as she crouched beside the small sunflower bed and smelled them.
“What happened to them?” he asked flatly, feeling it would be awkward to remain silent when she had started the conversation.
“I know you might think it's a lie, but Mother said Raine ruined them. She poured hot water on them after an argument,” Alice whispered.
“Raine doesn't seem like someone who would do that,” he replied immediately, defending her.
A slight frown appeared on her face but she erased it quickly.
“I thought so too. I know we aren't good sisters, but I didn't believe it. Mother said it happened ten years ago, so I worked hard to revive them for the past four years,” Alice continued her false story.
She noticed Raphael slowly becoming more relaxed around her and smiled to herself.
She was waiting to make her final move and for her important audience. When she spotted the familiar wild red hair, she signaled for Raphael to lean closer to her, which he did.
Alice had used a scent enhancer beforehand, knowing it would affect her mate. She smiled inwardly when she saw his eyes darken.
Then she made her final move, giving him a quick peck on the lips.
Raphael could feel her rich scent filling his nostrils, and he immediately regretted leaning closer.
His wolf was already reacting, and the kiss pushed him further.
He pulled her closer as his lips crashed against hers, fierce and demanding.
The loud sound of their kiss echoed in the garden.
Raine looked up and saw them. She held the watering can tightly until her knuckles turned white.
She was torn between leaving or ignoring the pain in her chest and continuing what she was doing. She chose the latter and kept watering the plants.
As she continued, the physician's words came back to her mind, and she frowned.
“They spoke alike. How is that possible?” she muttered to herself, shaking her head when she realized she had been watering the same plant for a while.
Soon she heard loud groans. She looked toward the side and saw Alice in Raphael's arms, her upper body barely covered.
The watering can fell with a loud thud. Raine quickly looked away in embarrassment, feeling a tight knot in her chest.
The couple froze at the sound. Alice looked up, her lips red and slightly swollen. When her eyes met Raine's, they shone with triumph.
Raphael noticed where she was looking and turned around. When he saw Raine, he froze. Guilt rushed through him as he struggled to find the right words.
“Um... I'm sorry for interrupting, but this is a garden, and I usually come here,” Raine said, breaking the awkward silence between them.
“I might as well stop coming here anyway,” she muttered to herself, though they both heard it.
She turned and left the garden after picking up her watering can and its cover that had fallen nearby.
She had to learn to let go, even if it was difficult.
- Writer
