The Beta's Rejected Daughter (Fiona) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173

DOMINIC POV –

A bitter laugh slipped out of me. It didn’t sound like mine; my head filled with that horrible moment I faced Fiona in that cafe as the Queen.

I saw as Damon’s expression softened immediately and he decided not to ask questions about what went on between me and Fiona. “You don’t have to talk about it,” he said quietly. “Not if you’re not ready.”

I shook my head. “No… I need to.”

My fingers pressed against my temples as I exhaled slowly. “I have to tell you because we are the same. We feel the same way for Fiona.”

That got his attention.

“I never understood you before,” I continued. “Why you felt guilty about Fiona. She betrayed the family and stood against us. Even if she shares our blood, she was still our enemy.”

My voice dropped. “You hated her. Just like I did.”

Silence followed as I closed my eyes briefly before continuing.

“But now… I get it.” My hand tightened. “And unfortunately it seemed to be too late.”

The words felt heavy and final in my heart.

Something twisted painfully in my chest.

Since I woke up, everything had come back, every memory, and every detail. The pain wasn’t sharp anymore. It just sat there, heavy and constant, like something slowly crushing me from the inside.

I remembered she had cut me off, and also that day she told me to go to hell and die. Then how easily she replaced me with a new mentee, just like that.

Recalling all those days we chatted like closest friends. All those words she once said… all those promises…

They replayed in my head over and over, each one cutting deeper than the last. It felt like dying again and again, but without blood, without escape.

If I didn’t say this out loud, I knew it would destroy me.

“When I woke…” I muttered, my voice rough, “I thought about ending it. Just to make everything end and stop hurting.”

Damon stiffened immediately, but I didn’t stop.

I told him everything about my hidden identity, the dark network, and Fiona as Queen of Silver–Vein. How she was my mentor. My idol.

Fiona

1/2

By the

*… You were her mentee?” he asked quietly.

I gave a hollow smile. “You think I don’t know how ridiculous it sounds?”

1 let out a dry breath. “The day I went to meet my mentor… I was excited. And then I saw her.”

My jaw tightened.

“The one person I hated the most.”

I looked down. “I thought fate was mocking me. Punishing me for everything.”

A quiet laugh escaped me. “And now? Now it really has.”

I leaned back slightly. “I wanted to go to work today. I thought keeping busy would help.”

My voice dropped.

“I don’t have the strength anymore. I’m just… tired.”

I closed my eyes. “I want to sleep. And forget everything.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then Damon placed a hand on my shoulder, firm and steady.

“Dominic…” He hesitated initially, then finally spoke out. For the first time, he told me everything about his experience with Fiona.

How he treated Fiona badly. How he looked down on her, ignored her, and hurt her. And how she left the family and came back stronger, taking everything from him, especially his pride.

When he paused, the room felt suffocating.

Silence stretched between us until Damon finally asked, “…Do you feel guilty because she was your mentor?”

I paused, then answered honestly.

“…If she weren’t queen…”

I opened my eyes and met his gaze.

“I would’ve hunted her down and spent the rest of my life trying to kill her for what she did to us, her family.”

That was the truth.

That was who I was.

Which was exactly why I couldn’t defend myself when she accused me.

Damon lowered his head. “… We’ve been cruel to her,” he said quietly. “She’s our sister. Our real sister. What

have we done?”

213

Chapter 173

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