Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 134

134 Tiffany’s Confession 2

Mara

“I envy you, Mara,” Tiffany said, her voice quiet but steady. “You’ve got Lucian. Your parents love you. Even Alpha Vander likes you-he just hides it behind that stone face. And Martha? She envies you more than anyone. You won’t need me.”

She paused, glancing toward the window as if watching a future she’d already walked away from.

“Lucian made the smartest move by getting you both out of the house. You don’t have to deal with Martha in the mornings or Lacy and her fake smiles. That one’s a certified bitch, and the way she plays innocent around Alpha Vander and Lucian? Honestly, it’s mind-boggling.”

I blinked at her. “Lacy? Really?”

Tiffany nodded, her mouth twisting. “She has her claws out for your husband, Mara. Keep your eyes open.”

I couldn’t help it-I smirked. “I know. ‘Alpha Nighthorn this, Alpha Nighthorn that…” I mimicked Lacy’s

singsong tone.

Tiffany burst out laughing. “And the best part is how Lucian shuts her down. Every. Single. Time. She keeps trying, and he keeps crushing her.”

We laughed together, the tension breaking for a moment. Then Tiffany reached out and placed her hand

over mine. Her tone shifted.

“I’m due any day now, Mara. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I don’t want to go through it alone. None of my friends talk to me anymore. They heard what Darian said about the baby. They all think I’m a slut.”

Her words landed like a weight.

“Even if the DNA proves the baby is his, it won’t erase the label. I was hoping… maybe you’d come with me to my appointments. Maybe even be there when I go into labor?”

I looked at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her eyes. She wasn’t pretending anymore-this was raw.

“I’m due in two weeks,” she added, her voice lowering. “Darian thinks it’s in a month. He keeps counting from graduation night, but the baby came before that. Please, Mara. I need someone. I can’t do this alone.”

I didn’t know what Lucian would think, but I could feel the fear behind her calm.

“I’ll be there,” I said, picking up her phone and entering my number. “Just call, and I’ll come.”

She pulled me into a hug, holding on tighter than I expected.

Later, we turned on the TV and let the noise fill the silence, waiting for the meeting to end. An hour passed before Lucian and Darian stepped into the room.

“Hey,” Lucian said, leaning down to kiss my cheek. Then he whispered, “Want to head back home? Or stay the night here?”

13

114 Tiffany’s Confession 2

I leaned into him, too tired to pretend otherwise. “I don’t mind staying.”

Darian glanced at us, then at Tiffany. “Maybe Tiffany can give you some tips, Mara,” he said with a small smile.

“She already is,” I replied.

He looked at Tiffany. “You ready for bed?”

She nodded silently and stood up.

“You don’t need to pretend to care, Darian,” Tiffany said coolly. Her voice didn’t crack-there was no trace of vulnerability left. Just finality. “I can find my way back to my room.”

Then she turned to me with a soft smile. “I guess it’s time I excuse you, Luna. Congratulations, by the way”

With that, she walked past Darian and disappeared down the hallway.

The room fell quiet. The men were stunned-stuck in the silence she left behind-but I wasn’t, I could see

It clearly: Tiffany was done. Whatever she’d felt for Darian was gone. Not buried. Not hidden. Gone.

He’d had every chance to choose her, to show up for her, and he blew it.

I looked at him. “You need to make amends, Darian. You really hurt her.”

He didn’t answer. Just stared at the floor, jaw tight. I could see it in his eyes-he was still figuring it out,

still adjusting. And maybe too late. Tiffany had seen through him. That was what she meant when she said he was settling. She wasn’t angry anymore. She was finished,

Darian mumbled an excuse and walked out of the room, leaving Lucian and me alone.

Lucian sat next to me on the couch and leaned in. “What was that all about?”

I exhaled slowly. “It’s his baby, Lucian. Tiffany’s. But she’s leaving once the paternity is confirmed. She’s over him. She said she doesn’t want to be with someone who only ever settled for her.”

Lucian looked troubled. “I hope he fixes this before it’s too late.”

“It might already be,” I said. “He didn’t just make a mistake-he made her feel worthless. If he never loved her, he never should’ve touched her. He gave her false hope. That’s cruel.”

Lucian nodded quietly, his fingers curling around mine in silent agreement.

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