The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 111: The Painful Truth Part 1

I tried to open my mouth to explain, but before I could, the loud echo of Layla's slap resonated in the air. The force made my head turn to the side, and I stumbled backward. It stung, but it couldn't match the pain in my heart right now.

“HOW DARE YOU LIE TO US?! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO KILLED BARON! YOU FCKING PSYCHO SPY!” she screamed, about to slap me a second time, but Gayle interrupted and pulled her away.

“Calm the heck down, Layla,” Gayle scolded.

“How could I when the murderer of Baron was with us! How could I when the woman I treated as my sister was lying to all of us from the start!”

I raised my head, biting my lip so hard I could taste my blood, trying to stop my tears. I attempted to reach Layla, but Clifford blocked me, his eyes blazing in silent fury.

“Don't think about it,” he spat, his hand balled into a fist. “Don’t try.”

My mother chimed in with a mocking tone, “So, Alpha, what are you going to do now—”

"Leave us," Nicholas said, his voice strained and sharp, making me flinch.

“But Alpha—” my mother tried to argue.

“I SAID LEAVE!” Nicholas's voice boomed, commanding everyone to bow in submission and swiftly vacate the room. Gayle guided Layla, while Samantha was ushered away by her mother, who comforted her with soothing words.

Before they departed, I caught Isaac's sympathetic glance, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. As the door closed, leaving Nicholas and me alone, his emerald eyes betrayed a storm of hurt and betrayal. He paced the room.

“This is not true,” he muttered, the words a desperate mantra. “What she was saying is not true.”

I closed my eyes, the weight of his pain shattering my heart. Tears streamed down my cheeks as he flung his watch against the wall, shattering it into pieces. I flinched but remained rooted to the spot, my legs threatening to buckle beneath me.

After a tense silence, Nicholas composed himself and turned to face me. His once warm eyes now bore into mine, cold and distant.

"Tell me it's not true," he demanded, his voice a low growl. “Tell me it is not true, Florence. Please tell me, and I will believe you. Tell me she is lying, and I promise I will believe you.”

“N-Nicholas….” I choked, taking a tentative step toward him, my hand outstretched, but he pulled away.

“TELL ME IT WAS NOT TRUE, FLORENCE! FCKING TELL ME IT IS ALL LIES!” His frustration echoed in the room as he ran his hands through his hair, desperation etched on his face. “Please, Florence, just tell me it is not true and everything will be fine”

I considered denying it, but the words caught in my throat.

“Florence ... .please” he pleaded, his voice breaking. A lone tear rolled down his cheek.

It was my first time hearing him plead, witnessing his tears, and the pain in his eyes only intensified my own heartache. As tears continued to flow from my eyes, I weakly uttered, “I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I really am.”

In his gaze, I saw the moment his trust in me shattered. I stood my ground as he approached, his hands clasping my neck. His face hovered inches from mine, eyes burning with raw fury, while mine were filled with tears. His grip tightened, and I didn't resist, enduring the pain until tears welled up in his eyes. He released his hold, stepping back, and I gasped for air, rubbing my suddenly sore neck. My legs gave way, and I fell painfully to the floor.

“WHY? WHY, FLORENCE? WHY DID YOU LIE TO ME?!” His voice broke, echoing through the room.

Nicholas's once captivating eyes were now icy shards, pinning me to the spot. His voice, low and dangerous, vibrated with a pain that mirrored my own.

“Is it fun watching me eat my words and fall for you?! Was that your plan from the start?!”

Shame washed over me, hotter than any flame. The truth hung heavy in the air, choking the words I desperately wanted to say. He deserved an explanation, but the raw hurt radiating from him left me speechless. His gaze lingered on me, and silence was all I could offer, a heavy weight settling on my chest.

"Speak, Florence!" he roared, his voice cracking with emotion. “Fcking explain yourself!”

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring his figure. The pain in my neck throbbed dully, but it was the emotional wound he inflicted that felt far worse.

"Nicholas, please..." I choked out, "It's not what you think."

He scoffed a humorless sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Not what I think? I saw it, Florence. The recognition in Sarah’s eyes, the accusation hanging in the air. You are… Veilios… you're Makayla Ellis—the hybrid!”

His words cut deeper than any blade.

"It's not like that," I sobbed, desperation lacing my voice.

“Then do you intend to even confess who you are to me, huh? Tell me!”

Do I have any intention to reveal who I am to him? I swallowed hard, finding my voice as I rose to my feet.

“I… I do. I-I want to tell you, but just not too soon. How… how could I tell you when I know the second you learned who I am… you will kill me,” I said through my sobs.

“And do you think right now I won't do it?” He challenged. His gaze blazed with fury that made me shudder.

I weakly shook my head, “I… don't, but at least you would give me time to explain my side.”

When he remained silent, I continued, trying so hard to stop my tears from welling up in my eyes.

“I didn't kill him,” I said as confidently as I could muster, looking directly into his eyes, “I didn't kill your cousin and your best friend. I didn't kill Baron.”

He shot back, “AND YOU EXPECT ME TO FCKING BELIEVE THAT?!”

“YES! FCKING YES, NICHOLAS! I WANT YOU TO BELIEVE ME BECAUSE YOU ARE MY MATE!” I screamed back.