He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he walked to the bed and slowly sat down, his eyes never leaving mine. The tension was palpable; his presence intense, but different from before. It wasn't rage, but something deeper—calculated, almost determined.

“I’m going to help you,” he finally said, his voice low but audible. “And in return, you’ll help me.”

I blinked. “Help you? With what?”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “They might be my nephews, but that doesn’t mean they get a free pass. They need to learn that actions have consequences.”

My throat tightened. He still hadn’t answered my question.

“Alpha Damien… I’m confused…”

“You don’t have to be,” he cut me off, pausing. “We will make the triplets feel a fraction of what you felt when they were with her.”

I frowned, trying to understand.

“Meaning?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Meaning you are going to fake date me,” he responded casually, and my eyes widened. “For the next two months, I’ll act like I desperately want you. Like I want you to bear my heir. And you… you’ll act hesitant at first, but eventually, you’ll give in.”

I swallowed hard. So that was his plan? He didn’t actually want me to carry his child? A part of me was relieved, but another, ridiculous part felt disappointed.

“This isn’t just about making them jealous. This is about making them pay,” he continued. “They’ll get a taste—just a drop—of the pain you felt.”

I stared at him, struggling to comprehend.

“Fake date you?” I repeated slowly. “You want me to act like I’m falling for you… like I want to carry your heir?”

Alpha Damien’s gaze was steady. “Yes.”

I shook my head, still absorbing his words. “And that’s supposed to… teach them a lesson?”

He leaned back, his expression hardening. “I want them to feel the regret they’ve buried under arrogance and pride. I want them to burn from the inside out.”

I inhaled sharply, my heart pounding. “So what exactly do you want from me, Alpha Damien? What do you mean when you say I’ll help you?”

He stood and slowly closed the distance between us. “And in return,” he said, his voice even lower, “in two months, we’ll let the rumor spread… that you’re pregnant with my child.”

My breath caught.

“What?”

“It’ll be fake, of course,” he added quickly, noticing my alarm. “Just a plot to lure her out of wherever she is.” My frown deepened. Lure her out? What did that even mean? Who were we luring out?

“I don’t understand what you are saying…”

“You don’t need to understand,” he said, shaking his head. “Just follow my lead. We’ll make the triplets pay, and then you’ll repay me—by pretending to be pregnant. I’ll handle the rumors.”

My frown deepened. I shook my head. “I can’t… yes, I want revenge on the triplets… I want them to feel my pain when they were with Anita, but if I’m doing that, it’s definitely with another man, not their uncle.”

I held his gaze firmly.

“I’m already labeled a thief’s daughter—I don’t want to be labeled a whore who sleeps with her husband’s uncle,” I said clearly.

Alpha Damien didn’t look surprised or offended. He simply stood, still and unreadable, but something in his eyes shifted.

Then he spoke. “You’re really worried about what people will think of you? At this point in your life?”

“I’m not,” I said quickly, my voice harsh. “I don’t care what they say. They’ve already called me a thief’s daughter, treated me like garbage. That doesn’t scare me anymore.”

I took a breath and met his eyes.

“But I do care about my dignity,” I added quietly. “I’ve lost so much already. I won’t lose myself too. And if I ever have children, I don’t want them growing up hearing that their mother slept with their father’s uncle for ‘revenge’!”

Damien didn’t move for a moment. Then he slowly walked toward me, his eyes locked on mine.

“What makes you think you get a choice in this, Olivia?” he said, his voice low but authoritative. “This isn’t a deal you can say no to.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“This is happening,” he continued. “You and me. For the next two months, you’ll pretend to be mine. And you’ll do it well.”

I took a step back, my pulse racing. “You’re forcing me?” I whispered.

“I’m giving you an opportunity,” he said. “A chance to make them feel everything you did. And if you’re smart, you’ll take it.”

I clenched my fists, trembling with anger. “You’re treating me like I’m just a pawn.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Weren’t you already their tool? At least this time, you get something out of it.”

His words hit hard—because there was truth in them. But I refused to let him see how much it hurt.

“This isn’t how you help someone,” I said through gritted teeth. “This isn’t kindness.”

“I’m not trying to be kind,” he said. “I’m giving you revenge. And when we’re done, it won’t just be the triplets who suffer. She will too.”

She? Is he talking about Sofia?

My heart raced, and out of curiosity, I asked, “Who is Sofia to you?” I asked, almost trembling.

His jaw tightened, and he looked vulnerable.

“That,” he said quietly, “you’ll understand when the time comes.”

And just like that, he turned away, leaving me with more questions than answers.

“You can return to your room now,” he said, opening the door. “Our game begins immediately.”

Then he stepped out, the door swinging shut behind him.