CHAPTER 31

MIA POV.
As the driver pull into the driveway, I see Dominic's imposing figure in the doorframe, his hands buried in his pants pockets with a hint of amusement on his face. I didn’t think he would be waiting for me, but the sight of him lifts my spirits a little bit even though my frustration and anxiety from the family dinner was still fresh on my mind. "So, how was the family dinner? Did your stepmother charm you?" he asks, in amusement. I hesitate, not knowing if I should ignore him and go straight to my room or to slap him. "It went as good as could have been expected." I said as I narrowed my eyes accusingly at Dominic and his smile dropped from his lips. Taking a deep breath, I let my emotions surface. "Why didn't you tell me my father remarried?" I asked Dominic as the scene from tonight’s, supposed to be dinner, flashed in my mind.
Dominic's expression turns serious, his voice low and smooth. "I wanted you to discover your father's life for yourself, Mia, with no interference from me.” I frown. I didn’t know if I was irritated or thankful. "But why keep it a secret?” I inquired. “She had already accompanied him to the party the other night and I already assumed that she was the woman in his life. So why not just tell me?” I asked.
Dominic's gaze intensifies, his voice dripping with sincerity. "Because I wanted you to see the truth for yourself, Mia. Nothing I would have said could have prepared you to the reality." He said and I think back to Sophia’s reaction to my presence in her house tonight. I meet Dominic's gaze, my voice barely above a whisper. "She's so… cold.” I spoke. “Sophia, my stepmother clearly hates me because she thinks that I’m trying to take away her children's inheritance." I said and I try to blink back tears. How could my father do that to his other children. They had every right to their inheritance, maybe even more than I did because I wasn’t born a son. Ace’s kind face popped up in my mind and my gaze went to the book I held in my hands. Thanks to my newly found half-brother, I had something of my mother that I have never had before. I thought to myself as my fingers glide over the cover of the book as my eyes start to tear up.
“Please excuse me.” I said as I pushed past Dominic and hurried to my room.
Closing the door behind me, I retreat to my bed and sit on it. I caress the photo album in my hands. The worn leather cover creaks as I open it again, revealing cherished memories of my parents' wedding day. Their smiles radiate happiness, love shining brightly in their eyes. My heart swells with an unknown emotion that I have never felt. These were my parents. Tonight was the first time I have ever seen together, even if it was only on paper. It felt so unreal as I turned the pages, tracing the contours of their faces. The woman in the pictures looked so happy and clearly unaware of her fate. I swallow the lump in my throat and continue to the next page.
This particular picture captures my attention; my mother cradling me in her arms, whilst my father embraced us both from behind. His gaze is tender and protective. I run my finger over the image, yearning to feel the love that the pictures captured. As I gaze at the photos, a wave of emotions swirls inside me. Why did it all fall apart? What happened to the laughter, the smiles, and the tender moments? Where did it all go wrong? I wondered.
Just then, my door opens a fraction, and I look up to see Vivienne peeking into my room. Her eyes roam over my face and she takes in my tear-stained face and the photo album still clutched in my hands. Concern worried her features as she hurried into my room to sit beside me.
"Mimi, what's wrong?" she asks, her voice soft and gentle like she genuinely cared as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders in comfort. I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal. But Vivienne's empathetic gaze puts me at ease. "Just looking at old photos of my parents." I say, my voice cracking a bit. I cleared my throat as I averted my gaze from Vivienne. I felt a little embarrassed to be crying mess in front of her, but to my surprise, Vivienne's seems to be understanding as her gaze dropped to the album in my hands. It was still open at that one photo I was looking at earlier, and I saw Vivienne smile before she spoke. "You know, I saw her once, when I was very young. She was... breathtaking. Not just beautiful, but kind and friendly.” My eyes widen in shock, but I was also touched by Vivienne's words. In a world where lineage and power reign supreme, my mother's human status made her not so favourable amongst others. Yet Vivienne, practically the acting Luna of the Dark Moon pack, spoke about her in kind. "Really?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper and in anticipation for more on what she knew of my mother.
Vivienne smiles. "Yes. She had this radiant energy, this warmth that drew me in. I remember my first thoughts when I met her, that she was a sunbeam in our world of shadows." She said and sighed sadly. Fresh tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I take in Vivienne's words.
"What happened?” I asked and Vivienne eyes snapped up to mine with this unexpected question. “Why did she leave?" I urge on as Vivienne's expression turns sombre. "That's a complicated story, Mia. One that's not my place to tell.” She said and I felt that same frustration returns for not getting the answers to my questions. I gaze at Vivienne, wanting her to continue, to reveal more. But she falls silent, averting my gaze but before I could push for more information, she spoke again. "Your father chose your mother against everyone's objections. That took a lot of guts and a lot of love for him to defy the werewolf council and others, but he was willing to risk it all for her.” She said and she looked almost envious. “Their love was unwavering." She said wistfully before she turned to face me again with a sad smile on her lips.
"I hope to find that kind of love one day... perhaps with someone who understands me." Vivienne spoke and I got the feeling she was referring to Dominic. An unreadable expression floated across her face. Yearning or longing perhaps? I wondered. The look vanished before I could read into it fully. I dismiss the moment as the emotions about my mother swirled within me. Vivienne's words have awakened a deep ache, a sense of loss for the mother I never knew.
Still sniffling, I jumped in fright when the door suddenly bursts open and Dominic strides in. His piercing gaze sweeps the room, locking onto me with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat.
Vivienne's arm is still around me, offering comfort, but a shiver runs down my back as I see Dominic's expression turn icy. His eyes narrow in displeasure as his gaze roams from me to Vivienne. "What's going on here?" he demands, his voice low and commanding.
I try to speak, but my voice cracks. Vivienne intervenes, attempting to calm the situation. "Dominic, please. Mia's just had a difficult moment. She's…" Dominic's voice cuts her off. "Since when do you care about others?" Dominic sneered in her direction. I feel Vivienne stiffen next to me, her expression turns neutral, but I sense a flicker of annoyance beneath her calm exterior. Dominic's attention snaps back to me. "Dinner is ready and I expect to see you at the table in five minutes." He demands. The last thing I felt like was eating and I was about to tell him that when he barked out another order at me. "And stop crying." he growls, his voice dripping with frustration. "You're not a child, Mia."
I hiccup and take a deep breath in an attempt to try and control my emotions, but it was no use. The tears continued to fall and Dominic's anger towards me for it was making it worse. Vivienne hands me a tissue, and I dab at my eyes, feeling embarrassed and vulnerable. "Dominic, perhaps we should…" Vivienne tries again to calm down the situation but Dominic silences her again. "I said, DINNER! NOW.” He ordered before Dominic turned on his heel and stalks out of the room, slamming the door behind him.