The word lands like a punch.
Callum's mask cracks. Just for a second. Underneath I see rage, hot and ugly.
"She's playing you." His voice goes hard. "All of you. The helpless omega act. The damsel in distress routine. She's manipulating you into feeling sorry for her."
"Funny." I fold my arms across my chest. "I've seen her walk away from everything she knew because staying would have destroyed her."
"She left me at the altar."
"Best decision she ever made."
His face goes purple.
"You son of a bitch." He steps closer, getting in my face. I smell whiskey on his breath. "I came to you. After she ran. I came to you for help finding her. And the whole time she was here. In your house. In your bed."
"She wasn't in my bed."
"Don't lie to me." Spit flecks his lips. "I know what's going on. The whole town knows. Four alphas and one omega. You think people aren't talking?"
"They can talk all they want." I keep my voice level. "I don't care what people think."
"You should care what I think." His finger jabs toward my chest. "I've known you longer than anyone. I know who you really are. The control freak who can't let anyone close. The ice king who'd rather run drills than deal with feelings. You think Jessica's going to fix you? You think she's going to fill whatever hole your parents left?"
I grab his wrist before his finger can touch me.
The grip isn't hard. Doesn't have to be. Just firm enough to stop his movement. To remind him who he's dealing with.
"Don't." My voice drops low. "Don't talk about my parents."
Fear flashes in his eyes. Real fear. He's seen me angry before, but not like this. Not this cold, contained fury that's been building since Jessica walked through my door in a ruined wedding dress.
"Let go of me."
I hold his wrist for three more seconds. Then I release it.
Callum stumbles back, rubbing the spot where my fingers pressed. His breathing is ragged. His control is slipping.
Good.
"She's nothing." The words explode out of him. "You hear me? She's nothing. A late-presenting omega with no money and no connections and no future. I was doing her a favor by marrying her. I was giving her a life she could never have on her own."
"Is that what you think?"
His laugh is ugly, bitter. "I don't think it. I know it. I elevated her. I gave her access to a world she had no business being part of."
"And in return?"
“She was supposed to be grateful." His voice rises. "Instead she questioned everything. Argued about stupid things."
“Really?”
"She didn't know her place." Callum's face twists. "I spent two years trying to smooth out her rough edges. Trying to teach her how to behave. How to dress. How to talk to important people without embarrassing herself."
"You spent two years breaking her down."
"I spent two years trying to build her up!"
"You're delusional."
