Chapter 42: Ill

~ Lisa ~

It hurt me to see Nate again. I wanted to hug him and tell him I loved him and everything would be okay. But I was also afraid Father would see us. The trauma cost me ten years of my life. I lived as an empty shell, a doll waiting to shown up. I was alive only when I met Nate.

I couldn’t let anything hurt him. I couldn’t risk his life! My father’s threat was like a silver bullet pointed at him. It was better for me to let him go as long as he was still alive.

I said nothing when we were in the car. It hurt too much to see Nate again. I wished everything would change. But it was only a dream and never would come true.

“You did the right thing. Cameron will make you happy,” my father said.

“No, Father. What happiness is to live as strangers with him? He won’t touch me or treat me as his mate. I will only be a fake one.”

“You can persuade him, as you are pretty, my daughter. You have more power than you have ever thought.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“As long as you are determined enough, you can have Cameron. I will help you.”

I shook my head. “No, Father. I won’t ask for anything else as long as you stay away from Nate.”

“Why do you keep thinking about him? He doesn’t deserve you!”

“On the contrary! He treated me gently. I was happy with him.”

“Don’t be stupid! What kind of happiness will you have with him? He is an orphan. Horace appointed Nathanael as a foster son because he wanted us to accept him as your mate. Otherwise, Horace would never accept Nathanael as his son!”

“Maybe, but Nate will be an Alpha soon. I’m proud of him.” I sighed heavily. But then, I was happy to imagine Nate as an Alpha. But my father’s laugh disturbed me. “Why do you laugh?” I asked.

“Because you are too naive.”

“What?!”

“Daughter, listen to me. No one has ever let an outsider be an Alpha. Horace has Cameron and Jack to be his successors. It was only a trick. So, I wouldn’t mate you with Nathanael. Instead, we will stay with our first plan. You will have a marking ceremony with Cameron.”

“Father—”

“Listen to me. You will thank me after the marking ceremony. You are still too naive to see the world.”

“Not everyone is as close-minded as you, Father.” I closed my eyes. I didn’t believe Nate had lied to me.

“Let me help you. Think about this. Let’s say you and Nathanael had your marking ceremony. Then you would live with him as a Delta’s wife. You are my only daughter. You deserve the best.”

“But Cameron already has a mate! I don’t love him either.”

“It’s easy. From what I see, Horace didn’t approve of Cameron’s mate. Love? Eventually, you will love him too.”

I let out a long sigh, too tired to argue. If I must face everything and be Cameron’s mate, I like him to love me or at least care for me. With his mistress at his side, was it possible? We talked about nothing afterward.

I went to my bedroom and slept for a while. A few hours later, Susanne woke me up.

“Miss Lisa, it’s time for dinner.”

I rolled on the bed and refused to open my eyes. “I’m not hungry. Let me sleep.”

“Miss Lisa, if you don’t eat, you won’t have any strength. Eat first, then you can think about your problem later.”

I opened my eyes. “Susanne, if only I could change anything.”

“Delta Nathanael is a good man. Perhaps you only need time to convince your father.”

“No ….” I shook my head. “You know my father. He won’t change his mind once he has decided something.”

“But it’s about your lifetime happiness. I’m sure you can persuade Alpha Fred.”

I closed my eyes again. “It’s set, Susanne. Cameron will be my mate. He asked for three days to decide, but I think it’ll be the same in the end.”

“Before it’s final, don’t lose hope.” Then Susanne asked, “Do you want me to bring your food here?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Susanne later brought me a tray of food. Those were my favorite meals, but I had no appetite to eat. After Susanne left, I ate a little because I knew she was right. I needed all my strength to think. If I didn’t eat, I would get weak and ill. Maybe I could delay the marking ceremony with my illness, but for how long? It’s not a good idea.

After a few spoonsful of meals, I was suddenly nauseous. I ran to the bathroom and threw up all my meals. It wasn’t much, as I only ate a little. Then I returned to my room, only to find Susanne there. She stared at me.

“Miss Lisa, are you okay?”

“I think I’m too stressed. Maybe it’s gastritis.”

“Let me call our Theta.” Susanne walked to the door.

“No need. I will be okay soon.”

“Are you sure?” Susanne stared at me again. She seemed worried about my health.

“Yes.” I smiled to reassure her. “Susanne, thank you for your care.”

“Oh, miss. You are an important person to me.”

“Oh? Why?”

“I only live with my little sister. So, I think of you as my family too.” Then Susanne closed her mouth with a hand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t say that.”

“Why not?”

“You are my superior. I’m only your maid. Of course, I don’t have any right to think of you as my family.”

I only smiled. “I don’t mind, but my father may be mad at you. Think of me as your friend. It’s safer.”

Susanne nodded. “Yes, miss.”

Then I was nauseous again. I ran to the bathroom and threw up again. But this time, nothing was out other than water. Susanne helped me by massaging my back and neck. I felt better after that. She even helped me return to my bed.

“I will ask our Theta to come here. You are sick, miss.”

I had no strength left. So I let Susanne go.