Chapter 119

Ava’s POV

I'm certain the two most evil people in the world conspired to ensure their legacy of malice continued. So, naturally, they had a child.

Elaine—as I've said before and will say again—is the devil's spawn. I might have felt some sympathy for her current struggles if she hadn't faked a suicide attempt to lure Grayson and me back. Only to wait until Grayson left the room to deliver this chilling message: "Remember my first words and count your days. This is only the beginning."

She wanted me to know her game was far from over, that she'd continue playing the eternal victim in Grayson's eyes, exploiting his guilt until she had him exactly where she wanted him. And once she did… well, that's Elaine—a problem for another time.

Today, I had a different kind of evil to deal with: the offspring of those two. She was sitting in my office, one hand dramatically rubbing her stomach, as if her presence alone wasn't enough to make her point.

It wasn't just the fact that she was carrying Dylan's child that bothered me. It was that she'd somehow manipulated the system to become my patient. I'd tried everything to transfer her, but Dr. Griffin refused. For weeks, I endured her snide remarks and veiled insults. Now? I wanted to throttle her.

My wolf growled in agreement.

"You know," she said, her voice dripping with false innocence, "that glare isn't very professional, Dr. Pierce."

I took a deep breath, forced a calm I didn't feel, and plastered on a practiced smile. "How are you feeling today, Miss Myers?"

She waved a hand dismissively. "I could be better. But it helps that Dylan is so attentive. He dotes on me constantly. I don't know what I'd do without him."

Her words were bait—sharp and deliberate. I ignored the jab. "You said you could be better. Can you elaborate? Something specific about your health, perhaps?"

"Well, Dylan—"

"I'd prefer a direct answer," I interrupted, keeping my tone clipped. "Regarding you and the baby. I have other patients to see, Miss Myers."

Her eyes gleamed with something sinister before she cleared her throat, affecting a look of vulnerability. "Just morning sickness and fatigue. But Dylan helps me manage it."

That was it. My patience snapped.

"I'm trying to remain professional, Crystal, but you're testing me," I snapped. "I don't know what you told Dr. Griffin to keep me tied to this, or why you're doing this. You wanted Dylan? Fine. I left him for you. You wanted to carry his child? Congratulations. I don't care. I've left you both alone. Why can't you do the same?"

Her eyes filled with crocodile tears, and she sniffled pitifully. "Ava, I didn't mean to upset you," she murmured, pursing her lip.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, cut the act."

10:37 Wed, Jan 14 G.

Her fake tears vanished, instantly replaced by a smug smile. She leaned back, crossing her legs. "There it is. I wondered how long it would take you to crack. You lasted longer than I thought."

She tilted her head, the predator fully revealed. "To answer your question, I want the best for my baby. And, as you and the rest of the world know, the Pierces are the best. Your snobbish parents turned me away, so I called in a favor from Dr. Griffin."

"To what end?" I asked, my tone icy. "To flaunt the fact that you slept with Dylan while I was still married to him? Or that you're carrying his child? Honestly, Crystal, I couldn't care less."

She smirked—that infuriating smirk she always wore, the one that appeared after I started noticing the bruises, bruises that, for one stupid moment, made me believe Dylan was hitting her.

"You've moved on," she said, her tone mocking. "You've climbed the ladder straight to the Alpha King himself. You and I are more alike than you think. If people looked closely, they'd say we were cut from the same cloth. I wanted power, and I went after Dylan. You wanted the highest form of power, and you went straight to the top."

My eyes narrowed. "We are nothing alike," I spat. "Unlike you, I am not a manipulative, power-hungry parasite who doesn't know when to stop scheming."

Her grin widened. "Do you insult all your patients, Dr. Pierce?"

I sighed. "Our session is over. The door is that way, Miss Myers."

She stood, gathered her things, and paused at the door. "It will be Mrs. [Last Name] soon, or Luna, preferably. Oh, and one more thing," she added, her voice deceptively sweet. "Happy early birthday, Ava. Turning twenty-five is a big deal. I hope I get an invite. But just in case I don't, you'll be seeing more of me soon."

She opened the door. I didn't have time to process what my birthday—which I'd barely thought about—had to do with anything, or why she even knew about it, before my wolf growled.

You've got to be kidding me.

Standing in the doorway was Monica, her lips curling into a faint smile when our eyes met. She turned to Crystal. "Ready to go? Elaine is waiting in the car."

Crystal looked back at me, smug as ever. "I believe you already know Monica."

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Monica didn't say anything—she just grabbed Crystal's bag and left with her.

I stared at the empty doorway, a groan escaping my lips.

I wasn't prone to nightmares, but if I ever had one, this would be it.

Elaine—the devil's spawn. Crystal—the byproduct of evil. Monica—the reincarnation of every bitch in history.

And now they'd formed an alliance. Whatever they were planning, I knew one thing for certain: when it hit, it would be aimed squarely at me.