"You understand…this is for the pack, right?" he added slowly.
"Don’t overthink. I will be back soon."
He brushed past me so fast the air stung my cheek. The table hit my side, sharp pain bursting through my abdomen and yet he didn’t stop, the silent gasp leaving my lips as I doubled over in searing pain.
I used to think he ignored me because he was busy.
Now I know.
He simply didn’t think of me at all.
My palm rubbed small circles on my belly. "Don’t worry, baby…I will take you to see the fireworks, from now on I will fulfill the responsibility of both mother and father."
***
The carnival lights blurred, and in the glow the memories rose-a past version of us…. two teenagers sharing candied fruit, Zyan brushing sugar from my lips as he whispered: ‘If you like it, I will buy you hundreds more Lia.’
Him tugging my hand through these very stalls when we were twelve, lifting me onto his shoulders so I could see the fireworks.
I stared at the places where our laughter once lived…and felt detached, like a stranger passing through.
"Look, sweetheart…your first festival-" My words were drowned by thousands of fireworks erupting all across before my smile froze.
The night sky shone with [HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICTORIA]
And on the ground I saw Alpha Zyan kneeling with a smile. In his hand was my mother’s diamond ring I thought I had lost forever.
I remembered how I panicked, sobbing into his chest, hating myself for losing my mother's blessing to me.
His past words still echoing in my ears- ‘Just a silly ring, I will buy you hundreds more Lianna, just don't cry.’
Now it glinted between his fingers as he held it up to Victoria-a birthday present amidst cheers.
This was his "emergency. "
My palm drifted instinctively to my belly as Victoria stepped onto the ferries wheel, her lips locked with Zyan's.
"Sweetheart…let’s go. "I whispered, "Mommy can’t breathe here. "
The fireworks kept bursting, bright enough to blind as I stepped back until the noise dulled into nothingness.
Seconds, minutes and hours passed until a sickly sweet voice called out knocking out the pastries in my hand onto the ground.
"Oh my, so you came alone sister? "
Victoria walked forth the shadows, rubbing her stomach, smiling in provocation.
"I knew it must be you from that worn out dress!
Don't worry Zyan has gone to bring me and the babies something sweet, if you would like, I will give a small piece to you as well. "