False Expectations

Chapter 32 - Omega's Revelation

Adelina's pov:

I woke up today feeling completely drained, so I decided to stay in bed for the entire morning. Despite having a fantastic time yesterday, it left me feeling more exhausted than I expected. I still can't believe it! If someone had told me two months ago that I would spend an entire day picnicking, talking, and acting like a real couple with Maximus, I would've thought they were out of their mind or just messing with me. And yet, here I am, feeling happy and content that I spent the day with him. I couldn't be more confused. Has Maximus really fallen for me, or is this just another one of his schemes to keep me around? And if it is some sort of plan, then why does he do it? I've already accepted the position of his Luna with everything that comes with it. If I were him, I would spend my free time doing whatever brings me joy—like indulging in my hobbies—not having a picnic with someone I used to reject. His behavior is so contradictory. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. The more I think about it, the more confused I get.

Maybe it's best to just get up, get ready, and stop overthinking things. After all, I have brunch planned with Alex and Marisa today, and I definitely don't want to be late.

I got up, heading straight to the bathroom for my usual routine. Half an hour later, I was dressed and ready to go downstairs for some coffee when I heard a knock on the door.

-"Come in," I called out, waiting.

The door opened, and Jake stepped inside. "Good morning, sis! How was your night?"

-"Good morning, Jake! I didn't know you were still here. I thought you left with Dad."

He shook his head. "No, I had some matters to take care of before I leave. I also wanted to talk to you. I was looking for you all day yesterday, and no one seemed to know where you were. Where were you?"

-"Yesterday I was with Maximus. We had a picnic," I replied, trying to keep it casual.

Jake's smile faltered, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, how nice. What a lovely couple you two make. I'm so happy for you." His voice turned bitter. "Your mate seems to be taking such good care of you, considering the fact that he rejected you and treated you like dirt at first."

His words hit me harder than I expected. I froze, shocked by the venom in his tone. Jake had always been so composed, so kind. This sudden outburst caught me completely off guard. What was happening to him? Why was he reacting this way?

I swallowed, trying to process what he had said. "What... you know?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly, feeling embarrassed. I lowered my head in shame.

Come on, Adelina, why are you hiding from me? I know everything. People talk, and even though I've been far away, I knew you were unhappy, that you were being mistreated."

His words hit me like a slap to the face. "If you knew, why didn't you do anything to protect me? Why didn't you come and save me?" My voice wavered with a mix of betrayal and anger. If they knew, why had they left me here to suffer alone? Why hadn't anyone come to get me, to bring me back home?

He sighed, looking down before meeting my gaze again. "Because at first, I didn't know if it was true or just rumors—jealousy-driven lies. And since you didn't say anything on the phone, I assumed it was the latter."

I stared at him, trying to process his words. "And what changed your mind? Why don't you believe those rumors anymore?"

His expression darkened slightly as he spoke. "I realized it when I came here, Adelina... What one sees with their own eyes can't be undone by words."

-"But I don't understand. When you came, there was no mistreatment, no abuse, no rejection. I was already Luna, and I was respected and treated well by everyone. So how did you come to the conclusion that the rumors were true?"