Scarlen’s POV


    I looked toward the sofa but didn’t see Ronan, nor Riley anywhere around.


    Just as I was wondering, Ronan appeared from the far end of the first–floor corridor.


    I froze for a moment–why would Ronan go that way?


    Then it hit me.


    The storage room at the end of the hall was Riley’s “room.” Could it be….


    A dark thought rose inside me, a sharp and bitter hatred bubbling up.


    Riley, you shameless bitch. How dare you seduce Ronan right under my nose? Seems like I haven’t taught you a proper lesson


    yet.


    Thought my face wore a sweet smile, my words were sharp and poisonous when I called <b>out</b>, “Ronan, where have <b>you </b>been?”


    He answered casually, “Just wandering around. It’ste, I’m heading back.”


    His expression was calm, unreadable.


    I tried to persuade him, “Why not stay for lunch?”


    “No, thanks.” Without another nce, he left the Vale pack house.


    My eyes followed his retreating figure until <b>he </b>disappearedpletely.


    Then I nced at the closed door at the corridor’s end, my eyes narrowing. Jealousy slithered inside me like a venomous snake.


    Turning to Mom, I said cheerfully, “Mom, it’s almost mealtime. I’ll go <b>upstairs </b>to call Riley down.”


    Mom nodded with a contented smile, watching me run upstairs <b>with </b>an indulgent gaze.


    But my real goal wasn’t to call Riley for lunch.


    I needed to check if she was actually in Kael’s bedroom.


    I pushed the door opch–and as I expected, Riley wasn’t there.


    The room was decked out in high–end princess style decor.


    I clenched my teeth in fury.


    Since Riley was hospitalized, Kael had immediately hired people to renovate the room.


    I’d underestimated Riley. She’d only been home a few days and already stolen Kael’s attention away from me.


    A cruel light shed in my eyes.


    If she <b>wasn’t </b>in Kael’s room, then she must be in the storage roofn.


    The thought of what might be happening between her and Ronan in that cramped, dark space nearly set my sanity aze.


    Kael’s affection belongs to the


    Ronan belongs to me too.


    Riley, you shameless wretch. You’re trying to snatch what’s mine. You deserve to die.


    Hatred zing like wildfire, I had my n in an instant


    I stomped down the stairs.


    Mom <b>saw </b>I <b>was </b><b>alone </b><b>and </b>asked, “Scarlett, where’s your sister?”


    I put on a disappointed face. “She’s not <b>in </b>Kael’s room. Probably back in her own room.


    Mom’s expression stiffened.


    She already knew Riley was living in that windowless, damp storage room.


    When Kael took Mom there, her heart almost shattered.


    She couldn’t bear the thought of Riley <b>living </b><b>in </b>such a dark, cold ce for three whole years.


    So when Kael renovated his room in that princess style to surprise Riley, Mom fully supported it, hoping to mend their mother–daughter rtionship.


    But since Riley woke <b>up</b>, she <b>had </b>neither thanked them nor shown <b>any </b>gratitude.


    And now she’s gone back to that storage room, like she’s deliberately stabbing a knife in Mom’s heart, refusing to let her rest.


    Mom looked sad and angry, frustrated by Riley’s stubbornness and cold attitude..


    She was about to head for the storage room when I stopped her.


    “Mom, I should go,” I said, “Since Riley and I are closer in age, it’s better if I talk to her.”


    Mom nodded and sat back down. She agreed–why should she, as the elder, <b>stoop </b>to beg a rebellious junior?


    I turned, but the moment I faced the storage room door, my expression hardened like stone.


    Without <b>knocking</b>, I pushed the door open.


    “Wow! Sleeping soundly in broad daylight, aren’t you lucky, sis?”


    Riley’s cold eyes snapped open, icy as ever.


    <b>“</b><b>Get </b>out!” she said tly.


    Iughed, scorn dripping from every word. “Get out? As if you have the right!”


    Crossing my arms, I looked her up and down with utter disdain.


    “Don’t think being Mom and Dad’s ‘real‘ daughter gives you the right to boss me around. Take a look–who do they actually care about?”


    “Born with a <b>silver </b>spoon or <b>not</b>, you’re <b>still </b>an unwanted bastard<b>.</b>”


    I lifted my chin high, <b>as </b>if Riley were some worthless dust beneath my feet.


    “Listen carefully. Ronan’s mine. Not some trash like you.”


    Riley sat <b>up </b>slowly from the fold–out bed, then stood <b>and </b>faced me calmly.


    “Yours<b>? </b><b>You </b><b>can’t </b>even keep him.”


    “If you could, Ronan wouldn’t be chasing me all the <b>way </b>to the storage room–and I wouldn’t be stopped from marrying the prince of the Stormridge pack.”