<h4>Chapter 172: _ Live With Mateo</h4>


    Mateo spoke ill of Father and Alpha Tomas? To be honest, I knew quite well how capable he was of what he was used of.


    Mateo was fearless and bold enough to say anything.


    Letizia looked like she had swallowed a lemon. "Are you in trouble?"


    "Not yet," Mateo muttered. "But I might be soon."


    The line went dead.


    A heavy silence settled between us.


    Letizia slowly lowered the phone, her expression ugly with worry. "What could he have done?"


    Giulia snorted. "You tell us! You’re the one who said he had <i>high morals</i>."


    "Don’t start," Letizia snapped, rubbing her temples. "This doesn’t make sense."


    Nothing about this made sense.


    And yet, for the first time since waking up in the servants’ quarters, I felt the slightest ember of satisfaction in my chest. Mateo was <i>detained</i>.


    Good.


    Maybe Cami would rip out his teeth one by one. Maybe she’d squeeze out his dirty little secrets the way he had tried to squeeze his way into my life, my room, my <i>bed</i>.


    But... what if this wasn’t about <i>that</i>? It definitely wouldn’t be about that because how would Cami know? Even if she knew, she wouldn’t fight for me but use it AGAINST me.


    A dark thought crept into my mind, curling its fingers around my throat.


    What if this was indeed about <i>me</i>?


    If Cami had him under questioning, it meant she suspected something. And if she suspected something, it meant there was a chance that Mateo might drag me into whatever mess he had gotten himself into.


    I wasn’t safe yet. What if he said I told him what he said? He did seem like someone who could destroy me if he couldn’t <i>have me. </i>


    But then again, I just might be paranoid.


    Letizia chewed her lip, deep in thought. "If Mateo is in trouble, that means..."


    "That means I have nowhere to stay," I finished for her.


    Giulia sighed, crossing her arms. "What now?"


    What now?


    That was the golden question, wasn’t it?


    The silence between us went on as thick as msses. Letizia was still gripping the phone, her knuckles white. Giulia crossed her arms and let out a slow and exaggerated sigh, her gaze flicking between us.


    "What now?" she asked again, as if I had suddenly developed a grand master n in thest thirty seconds.


    Before I could muster a response, Letizia’s phone buzzed violently in her hand. The three of us were startled like guilty criminals, eyes snapping to the screen.


    Mateo. Why the hell was he calling again?


    Letizia shot us a wary look before answering. "Hello?"


    "You never told me why you called," Mateo pointed out from the other end.


    I could barely breathe. He was going to learn that it was me who needed his help. I bet he’d agree without batting an eyelid.


    Letizia swallowed. "Right... I needed to ask you something."


    There was a long pause. Then, in a slow, almostzy drawl, he asked, "And what might that be?"


    She halted. I could see the calctions flickering in her head like she was wondering just how much to say and how much to withhold.


    Giulia and I waited.


    Letizia opened her mouth. Closed it. Rubbed her temple. Then finally admitted, "It’s for María José."


    I expected Mateo to snap to attention immediately but he was silent for a while until he finally blurted.


    "Who?"


    Oh, he was good. He was ying dumb.


    Letizia shifted ufortably, throwing me a nce as if reconsidering whether to say my name at all. I leaned in, whispering, "Tell him."


    She sucked in a breath and then did. "The sister of the person who detained you. María José De Vega."


    Mateo let out a chuckle immediately. "And why, pray tell, should I help a De Vega?"


    What?! D-did Mateo just say that?


    I tensed, my nails digging into my palms. Was he genuinely refusing, or was this some kind of act for whoever was listening on his end?


    Letizia, to her credit, pushed forward. "She’s also a victim of their wrath, Mateo. You know how they treat Omegas. You know what that family is capable of when ites to power ys."


    And then, came another pause. I could picture him now; probably smirking in that arrogant, wolfish way of his.


    "And you think I’d risk my neck for her?"


    Wow, really? Was the same Mateo I knew seriously saying that?


    "I think," Letizia said firmly, "that you’re not as heartless as you pretend to be."


    A long exhale crackled through the speaker. Then, grudgingly, he muttered, "Fine. Listen carefully."


    Letizia stiffened, ready. I strained to hear every word.


    "The keys to my ce are under the third flower pot to the left of the front door. She can take whatever room she wants—if she dares to stay."


    If she dares. A chill ran down my spine. Did that mean he’d sneak into my room at night and tear my dress again?


    "Thank you, Mateo," Letizia murmured.


    He only grunted before the line went dead.


    Another silence settled between us, but this time, it was different.


    Giulia was the first to break it as a slow grin spread across her face. "Well, look at you. You’re officially a homeless, traumatized Omega with a terrifying new roommate. I’d say things are looking up."


    I had no idea Giuilia was this much of a joker. I shot her a re, but she onlyughed.


    Letizia reached for my hand. "We’ll help you get out through the back entrance."


    I blinked. "Now?"


    "Now," she confirmed. "You don’t want to waste time."


    She was right. If Rosa found out I was just about to sneak out, I might never make it out the front door alive. After what she did, it was very much obvious that she was out for blood.


    Oh, and she would pay with blood. Lots of it because I wouldn’t do gown alone. I swear on my mother’s grave.


    My hand instinctively reached for my scarf and it was only then that I found that it was gone.


    My mark was exposed!