Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

29 Chapter 29

Valerie’s POV 1

Anna had been working at Nightshadow Industries for three days now, and every evening brought delicious updates that made my

vindictive heart sing with satisfaction. She’d call me after work, her voice bubbling with malicious excitement as she described how

perfectly her plan was unfolding.

“You should see her face, Val,” Anna had whispered into the phone last night, her voice carrying that familiar note of cruel pleasure I

remembered so well from our school days. “Every time I dump more work on her desk, every time I make her fetch my coffee, she looks

like she wants to strangle me. But she can’t do anything about it because precious Damien thinks I’m his long-lost love.”

I’d laughed until my sides hurt, imagining that pathetic omega bitch scrambling to keep up with Anna’s demands while pretending

everything was fine. After years of watching Seraphina somehow land on her feet despite every obstacle thrown her way, it was deeply

satisfying to know she was finally getting what she deserved.

But Anna’s best discovery had come yesterday afternoon.

“I found her address,” Anna had announced triumphantly. “And get this-I know where her little bastard goes to school. Silver Moon

Harbor Elementary, just fifteen minutes from the office. The kid gets picked up every day at three-thirty by some woman named

Ophelia.”

The information had sparked an idea so perfect, so beautifully cruel, that I’d actually shivered with anticipation. If there was one thing I

knew about Seraphina Knight, it was that she would do absolutely anything to protect that child of hers. Anything.

Which was exactly what I was counting on.

Now, sitting in Gabriel’s pathetic excuse for a car outside our cramped apartment, I dialed my mother’s number with steady fingers. The

phone rang twice before Elizabeth’s familiar voice answered.

“Valerie? What do you want? I’m busy.”

“Hello to you too, Mother,” I said sweetly, injecting just enough sarcasm to let her know I wasn’t intimidated. “I called because I have

some interesting news about our dear adopted daughter.”

practically hear Elizabeth’s mental gears shifting. “Seraphina? What about her? I thought

was dead to

much alive,” I said, settling back in the passenger seat with a satisfied smile.

the most prestigious companies in Silver Moon Harbor, living in her

damn company,” Elizabeth snapped. “That girl chose to walk

and now—”

if I told you she could still be useful to us?” I interrupted, knowing I had to play

stubborn. I needed to make her think the idea

1/4

longer this time.

bills are getting worse every month. But Seraphina… she’s young, healthy, and apparently quite beautiful according to my friend who works with her.” I paused for effect. “There are men out there who would pay

woman like that.”

complete I wondered if the call had dropped. Then Elizabeth’s voice came back,

interested than before.

“What kind of men?”

I said, my pulse quickening as I sensed

Harold Morrison. Very successful, very wealthy. He’s been looking for a wife for

moment, and I could practically hear

to cover Dad’s medical bills ten times over,” I said,

enough to make sure you never have to worry

this Harold person would be interested

has already proven she can bear children. Harold wouldn’t just

playing my trump card. “The only problem is

agree,” Elizabeth

the right motivation.” I said

sharp intake of breath as

have her address,” I said, triumph flooding through my

used when she was planning something particularly unpleasant. “You’ve done well, Valerie. This could

the car’s rearview mirror, making sure I looked appropriately respectable. My blonde hair was pulled back in a conservative style. Most importantly, I’d brought my identification-the driver’s license that clearly showed my legal name

last name

children beginning to emerge from the building in small groups, their backpacks bouncing as they ran toward waiting parents and caregivers. I made my way to the main entrance, where a tired-looking

smile. “I’m here to pick up my nephew, Adrian Knight. His mother had an

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29 Chapter 29

her clipboard, her expression politely curious. “I’m sorry,

teacher. And you

Knight,” I said, emphasizing the shared surname as I pulled out my

we’re

examined my identification carefully, noting the matching last name. “I see. And Seraphina called

tried to call the school, but the line was busy,” I said, my voice taking on just the right note of concern. “She’s absolutely