The Breaking Point of Mate: Giving Up on My Alpha novel Chapter 19

Melanie’s POV

When Trista and I went downstairs, Skye and the others weren’t up yet; only Moira was awake.

“You’re up so early!”

I smiled back. “Yeah, good morning.”

Trista was still in a bad mood and just grumbled, “Morning, Moira.”

Moira looked at Trista. “Are you unhappy? What’s wrong?”

Trista didn’t say anything, just kept her head down, her expression still sullen.

The omega servant tried to smooth things over with a smile. “She was probably just woken up too early and is a little cranky.”

Moira chuckled at that and then asked, “Where’s Archer?”

“Alpha Archer went out last night.”

Moira’s face immediately fell. I could see she probably guessed the reason, but she couldn’t scold Archer in front of Trista, so she just let the matter drop.

After breakfast, as we were about to leave, Trista said she’d forgotten something upstairs and ran back to get it.

I waited downstairs. Suddenly, the screen of her phone, which she’d left on the coffee table, lit up with a message notification. The contact name was “My Sweet Camille.”

I froze. Even though Trista was young, I’d always respected her privacy since she got a phone, and I’ve never snooped.

But as my eyes scanned the notification, I couldn’t help but pick up the phone.

Once I opened it, I finally understood why Trista had been so moody with me all morning.

I quickly looked through their chat history and saw that Trista sent Camille a good morning text every day. They chatted for ages almost every single day,

Just then, the elevator chimed. I quickly pretended nothing happened and put the phone back exactly where it was.

Trista came down with her forgotten item, picked up her phone, and instantly beamed.

I walked ahead, glancing back slightly, and knew exactly what was making her so happy.

Trista was so caught up in her joy that she didn’t notice me looking.

Once we were in the car, Trista sat in the back, texting Camille, occasionally sneaking a look at me.

But the school was far, so after about half an hour, she put her phone away.

She started a conversation with me. “Mom, are you free this afternoon?”

I didn’t turn around. “What’s up?”

Trista wheedled, “Just tell me if you are.”

“I’ve got a lot on my plate, so no. Why?”

Trista smiled. “Oh, nothing… nothing at all.”

At the school, I chatted with Trista’s homeroom teacher for a bit. Then, the teacher led us toward Trista’s classroom. Just as we neared the door, a soft, tiny voice called out to me, “Melanie!”

1/3

Chapter 19

+25 Bonus

I froze, seeing a pink little figure suddenly leap into my arms.

Afraid the child would fall, I quickly bent down and caught her. Once I clearly saw her face, I recognized her. “Hedwig?”

Hedwig was the neighbor’s kid I’d saved a few days ago, the one who almost got bitten by the dog.

“Mhm!” Hedwig had two cute little pigtails. She was rosy–cheeked and adorable, with a sweet, very well–behaved smile.

I subconsciously softened my voice, smiling as I asked, “Hedwig goes to school here too-”

“Ah!”

Before I could finish, the Hedwig in my arms was suddenly pushed.

I quickly reached out to steady Hedwig, who was about to fall, and whispered, “Hedwig, are you okay?”

Hedwig shook her head, but her eyes were already red. She looked tearfully at Trista and said quietly, “Why did you push me…?”

I turned to Trista. When she first saw Hedwig jump into my arms, she didn’t react much.

But now, her face was dark. She said with a disgusted look, “Fragile and pink. Ugly and gross!”

Hedwig was sweet and pretty. Anyone would want to hug her. There was no way she could be considered “ugly and gross.”

She immediately burst into tears, hugging me even tighter.

I held her close and quickly comforted her. “That’s not true, Hedwig. You’re beautiful and cute. Don’t you think so yourself?”

Hedwig stopped sobbing slowly when she heard that, and her mood seemed to lift a little.

But before she could speak, Trista’s eyes instantly welled up. “You… I, I don’t like you anymore! I don’t want you to be my mom!”

Saying that, she turned to run away. I quickly reached out and grabbed her arm.

Trista saying something so hurtful was completely out of left field.

Though I was angry, I didn’t want to embarrass her in front of so many people.

I pulled her into a hug and gently kissed her forehead. “Hey, calm down for a second, don’t be mad…”

Trista was trembling all over. When she felt the warmth of my forehead, half of her anger evaporated.

Tears suddenly streamed down her face, and she pressed her advantage. “Then… you’re not allowed to hug her anymore, and you’re not allowed to say she’s cute!”

I finally understood why she was so upset–she was jealous.

Even if she said she didn’t want me as her mom, seeing someone “take” her mom still bothered her.

I couldn’t help but find it a little amusing. I didn’t agree right away, just kissed her cheek again to soothe her.

Then, holding Trista with one arm and taking Hedwig’s hand with the other, I walked toward the end of the hall where it was less crowded, stepping away from the gathering teachers and students.

As soon as we reached an empty spot, Trista took the chance to push Hedwig away from me again.

Hedwig was usually very well–behaved. Seeing Trista scowling and looking so mean, she didn’t dare come closer again, just stood there quietly pinching the hem of her shirt.