Chapter 516: Driving Me Crazy
Irving’s POV:
As I watched Hayley wince from the rough way I handled her, rubbing her wrist in discomfort, a flicker of regret crept into my chest. Even after what I had done, she refused to show any weakness. There was something noble and proud about her, as if it were etched into her very being. She carried the air of a natural-born leader—a woman I felt was worthy of being mine. But her proud demeanor, that unyielding confidence, also reminded me of him. Benjamin.
That man, who had always looked down on me, always acted as if he were superior. And after becoming the Alpha of the Midnight Pack, his arrogance only grew. To make things worse, Hayley had revealed that her destined mate was none other than Benjamin. Why him? Why did he always get the best of everything?
Anger and jealousy twisted inside me, burning so fiercely that I could barely control the dark urge to destroy her, to shatter everything he held precious. I cast Hayley one last glance before storming out, slamming the door behind me in the living room.
Lisa was preparing coffee when Irving walked in, collapsing onto the long couch in the center of the room. He stared blankly at the ceiling, exhaling a heavy sigh. Noticing his frustration, Lisa set a cup of hot tea on the table in front of him and sat down beside it. “Don’t push yourself too hard,” she said softly, her voice full of concern.
Irving ignored her sympathy and, instead, gave her a sharp instruction. “The next few days are critical. We can’t afford a single mistake.” “I understand,” she replied with a firm nod, though a flicker of unease crossed her face. She would not betray him—Irving was sure of that. Lisa’s loyalty to him had never wavered. However, Irving could sense that Hayley’s earlier words had stirred something within her. There was a ripple in her fiery heart, as if, for the first time, she was questioning the path she had chosen. Lisa placed a hand over her abdomen, her expression distant. The child growing inside her felt like a gift from above, but deep down, she knew Irving would not want it.
“Tell me,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “Irving, if you succeed, will there still be a place for me by your side?”
Irving’s dark eyes slowly opened. For a brief moment, a softness flickered in his gaze, but he quickly buried it beneath his usual cold demeanor. “I’m not like others,” he said with a hint of restraint. “If something happens, I’ll take responsibility for it. Even if I marry Hayley in the future, I’ll support you financially and in life. I won’t let you suffer.”
“Is that all we are? Just a matter of responsibility?” Lisa whispered, her throat tightening and her eyes filling with tears.
“Enough,” Irving stood abruptly, cutting off the conversation. He walked toward his room, his movements rigid and controlled. “I’m tired. We’ll talk about this later.” Before Lisa could respond, he quickened his pace and disappeared into his room.
Hayley’s POV:
Unaware of the tension outside, I stayed immersed in my thoughts, combing through potential escape plans. My eyes kept drifting to the bridal magazines and wedding proposals on the coffee table, each flip of a page feeling more redundant than the last. Then, like a spark in the dark, an idea struck.
One of the magazines belonged to an exclusive luxury brand—a membership-based system that issued magazines to only a select few. Each copy was personalized and tied to a registered name, making it both rare and traceable. Irving, with his current status, could not openly access such luxury items. This magazine had to have come from someone else, possibly an associate or an old connection. If I could identify the magazine’s original owner, I might be able to trace the connection back and find a way out. However, bringing it up without arousing suspicion was tricky.
I spent the entire night refining my approach, replaying scenarios in my head. By dawn, I had a plan. It was not perfect, but it was my best shot.
The next morning, the door to my room swung open, and Irving walked in. I was already prepared, sitting calmly on the couch, flipping through the same magazine that had sparked my idea. My demeanor was deliberately composed.
Irving placed one of his two cups of hot coffee on the table in front of me and asked, “Any results?” He sat across from me, crossing his legs as he sipped his coffee leisurely, clearly enjoying the control he thought he had over the situation.
I pushed the magazine onto the table with a feigned look of dissatisfaction. “If you want to marry me, at least find a woman to help you pick these things out,” I said with mock irritation. “Using a man’s aesthetic to select women’s magazines for me to choose from—very thoughtful of you.” My tone dripped with sarcasm.
Irving, having grown accustomed to my mood swings, did not suspect a thing. He smiled, placing his cup on the table. “I just like how you’re smarter than those other women,” he said smugly. “I can tell at a glance these choices are mine.”
“Well, I’ve never done this before, so I had to ask my brothers for advice,” he continued. “Just tell me which designer’s wedding dress you like.”
“I prefer things from overseas, especially custom-made ones. Something that requires at least three months for production and shipping,” I said deliberately, my tone laced with a challenge. “Can you wait that long?”