Chapter 127
Vivian's POV
I hear the shouting before I see anything.
Dad's voice always carries when he's angry.
It always has.
Like the entire house is supposed to stop and listen.
Maybe that's the one thing we have in common.
I slow my steps in the hallway, careful not to make a sound.
Instead of walking in, I lean against the wall just outside the sitting room, hidden from view.
And I watch.
Like this is some private performance meant only for me.
Ellie came home late.
Mistake number two.
The first was ruining my gala.
That night was supposed to be mine.
My moment.
My chance.
My Dominic.
But Ellie had to walk in and turn everything upside down.
Now she stands in the sitting room, looking genuinely surprised to find Dad waiting for her.
She looks so small.
Surrounded by furniture that was never hers.
Standing in a house where she has always been a guest, never truly belonging.
Dad tells her exactly what he thinks.
That she's selfish.
That she's reckless.
That she should stop standing in the way and let me have Dominic.
Then he says she should simply accept the offer if the Alpha family wants her.
My nose wrinkles.
That's not exactly what I said.
I roll my eyes.
Then it happens.
The sound cuts through the room.
Sharp.
Heavy.
Final.
Her head snaps to the side.
And for one brief, terrible moment...
I'm disappointed.
That's it?
I watch her stumble backward, one hand catching the edge of the table.
The furniture crashes down with her.
Glass shatters across the floor.
Shock spreads across her face.
Like she truly believed she was untouchable.
Like she thought no one would ever make her pay for her choices.
Idiot.
I almost sigh when Mom rushes into the room.
She cries out, grabs Ellie, and pulls her upstairs like she's some wounded creature.
I wanted Dad to do more.
I wanted him to finally make her understand.
To teach her what happens when you humiliate a family.
When you embarrass an Alpha.
When you throw away opportunities other people would sacrifice everything for.
Instead...
He steps back.
Straightens his sleeve.
Puts the calm mask back on.
Coward.
I push away from the wall and walk toward my room.
My nails dig into my palms.
The anger inside me has nowhere to go.
Dominic's parents chose her.
Ellie.
Of all people.
Not me.
Not the person who spent years preparing for that future.
I've known what becoming Luna meant since I was old enough to understand power.
Responsibility.
Status.
I worked for that.
I earned that.
And Ellie doesn't even want it.
That's the part that burns the most.
She looks at Dominic like he's a burden.
Like being chosen by an Alpha family is some terrible punishment instead of the greatest opportunity anyone could ask for.
I deserve that life.
I deserve him.
Hours later, the house finally grows quiet.
The anger downstairs fades into silence.
I wait until the timing is perfect.
Then I walk to Dad's office and knock softly.
"Come in."
His voice sounds tired.
I open the door and step inside, closing it gently behind me.
I let my shoulders lower.
Just enough.
I soften my expression.
Let my eyes shine.
"Dad?"
He looks up immediately.
His face changes when he sees me.
The anger disappears.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
I hesitate.
"I just..."
I walk over and sit across from him, folding my hands neatly in my lap.
"I know tonight was awful."
I lower my gaze.
"I saw what happened."
A pause.
"I didn't want to make things worse, but..."
I let my voice shake.
"I can't stop thinking about Dominic."
His jaw tightens.
"Vivian..."
"I really liked him."
I look up.
"I really thought..."
I let the sentence fade.
"Maybe there was a chance."
Dad sighs.
He stands and walks around the desk, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I know, sweetheart."
His voice softens.
"I do."
"But these things aren't always about what we want."
The words sting.
Even though I expected them.
"We have to think about the future," he continues.
"Alliances matter."
"The family has to survive."
"We marry well."
His hand falls away.
"And they want..."
A pause.
"Your sister."
I blink slowly.
Holding back tears that aren't real.
"I just don't understand."
My voice drops.
"Why doesn't Ellie want that?"
"Why doesn't she see what it means?"
I shake my head.
"She keeps pushing him away like she doesn't care."
Dad goes still.
"Pushing him away, how?"
I tilt my head slightly.
Like, I'm unsure.
Like, I don't know if I should say anything.
"Well..."
I look down.
"I probably shouldn't say."
A small sigh.
"I don't want her to get in trouble."
His eyes sharpen.
"Vivian."
The warning in his voice makes me continue.
"She's been spending a lot of time with Lucas."
Silence.
His hand slowly drops from my shoulder.
"Lucas."
He says the name carefully.
I nod.
"I think that's why she keeps rejecting Dominic."
I lower my voice.
"She's already interested in someone else."
A small pause.
"I thought you knew."
He doesn't respond.
Not immediately.
I can almost hear his thoughts turning.
Another Alpha.
Another possibility.
Another solution.
"I see," he says finally.
I give him a small, sad smile.
"If she wants Lucas anyway..."
I shrug lightly.
"Maybe it would make sense to let her choose that."
"Wouldn't it?"
He doesn't answer.
But he doesn't need to.
I already know the seed has been planted.
I stand and smooth my skirt.
Then I lean down and kiss his cheek.
The perfect daughter.
The concerned daughter.
"I just thought you should know."
I smile softly.
"Goodnight, Dad."
I leave the office.
And with every step down the hallway...
My smile grows wider.
Ellie can have Lucas.
I'll take Dominic.
And this time...
I won't let her ruin it.