Chapter 5

Scarlett POV

I used every ounce of my strength to push him off and scrambled to the headboard.

Liam frowned at me, then smirked. "Still mad?"

He rubbed his temples, his gestures and voice identical to Lucas's.

If I hadn't heard Lucas say he was saving himself for Chloe, I would have never been able to tell them apart.

He leaned in again, trapping me against the headboard, our noses almost touching.

"I explained it to you today. If I loved her, I wouldn't be with you."

Liam leaned in to kiss me.

My eyes widened. I jerked my head back to avoid him and dry-heaved.

My stomach retched violently. I pushed him away and ran into the bathroom.

Liam watched me, his eyes flickering with confusion.

Inside the bathroom, I slid down the wall and curled up on the cold floor.

Outside, Liam's voice suddenly rang out.

"Did you guys hear that? She's dry-heaving. Do you think she's pregnant?"

An uproar of shocked voices came through the phone line. One of their friends yelled, "Liam, don't take this too far! What if she stalks you when the truth comes out?"

My spine went stiff. Cold sweat broke out across my skin.

I realized Liam's phone had been on a call this whole time.

Chloe's voice came through next. "Lucas, Liam, aren't you guys being too mean?"

"Mean?" Lucas's voice was freezing. "She bullied you for so long. This is what she deserves."

Chloe sounded worried. "What if Scarlett really is pregnant?"

After a brief silence, the twins spoke in unison.

"Impossible!"

Lucas's voice sounded incredibly cruel over the phone. "Even if she is, I won't let her keep it. Right, Liam?"

Liam swallowed hard. "Of... Of course."

In the next second, I threw open the bathroom door and stared at him.

He quickly ended the call and walked over. "What's wrong, Scarlett? Why do you look so pale? Are you sick? Are you... pregnant?"

I stared at him, forcing a cold smile. "No. I think I just ate too much for dinner."

The next morning, I went to a hospital in a nearby human town for a check-up.

If I used the pack healer, they would immediately notify Luna Signe.

It was noon by the time I came out of the clinic. Lucas called me.

I gave him a random address, lying that I was out buying some groceries.

Soon, his SUV pulled up.

He got out and guided me to the passenger seat. "Let's go grab some lunch."

The drive was silent. Lucas had a constant smirk on his face.

The music playing in his car was Chloe's favorite song, the one I hated the most.

When we arrived at the restaurant, Chloe and Liam were already waiting.

Chloe pointed to a cake on the table. "Scarlett, I was out of line yesterday. I waited in line for hours to buy this cake to make it up to you. You have to try it."

During lunch, Chloe kept bringing up their childhood.

"Lucas and Liam always spoiled me. When we played house, they would literally fight over who got to be my groom!"

"Once, I got stuck in a tree, and Lucas lay on the ground to be my cushion."

"And during training, they both got severely injured trying to protect me. They were bedridden for weeks."

Lucas and Liam laughed along, chatting happily, while I remained completely silent.

Suddenly, Chloe looked at me. "Scarlett, why are you so quiet? Are you still mad at me?"

"I know we had some misunderstandings in the past, but I really want us to be best friends now."

Chloe raised her wine glass, smirking at me.

I didn't move, nor did I look at her.

In the next second, I clutched my chest, gasping desperately for air.

Red, angry hives broke out across my arms. I struggled to reach for my bag.

"What's happening?!" Lucas bolted upright.

I struggled to unzip my bag.

Chloe must have poisoned my drink.

Because of my past trauma, I always kept an epinephrine auto-injector in my bag for emergencies.

My fingers finally wrapped around the injector.

But then, Chloe's weak voice whimpered. "Lucas... I feel so sick..."

She clutched her chest, her face pale as she collapsed backward.