Chapter 33: Busted

"What are you planning to do now, señorita?"

Elizabeth's voice echoed through the quiet room, startling Tiffany as she lay curled on her side, facing the wall. The clicking of Elizabeth's heels against the tiled floor reminded her of the cemented hallways of LNHS.

She felt the weight shift at the foot of the bed but didn't move. She just stayed there, pressing her cheek into the pillow, staring at nothing.

"I'm planning to take a break from all this bullshit and just sleep here all day," Tiffany muttered.

Elizabeth hesitated. "W-well, that's not a good plan." Her voice was careful, measured. "Your father called. He said he's been preparing for your wedding. The Alphas have already made their decision."

Tiffany's eyes snapped shut. Her stomach twisted.

"That's bullshit." She exhaled sharply, moving her head slightly. "They didn't even ask me!"

"They said the task is taking too long. That's why you have to go now and finish your business. Otherwise—"

"I know that, Elizabeth," she cut her off, her voice sharper than she intended. She sighed. "But I don't feel good today. I feel sick emotionally and physically."

Elizabeth was quiet for a moment. "What's bothering you?"

Tiffany hesitated, her fingers tightening around the sheets. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, she replied, "Sir Greg… I mean, Lucio Hernandez."

She finally turned over, facing Elizabeth. The woman's expression was unreadable, but Tiffany knew that Elizabeth already understood her dilemma.

"Tell me," Elizabeth pressed on.

"Do I really have to kill him?" Tiffany's voice cracked.

Elizabeth gave her a half-smile and a cold, knowing look. "You have to. That's the reason you were sent here. You have to kill that man."

Tiffany let out a shaky breath, running her hands through her unruly overgrown pixie. Her frustration felt like it was clawing at her from the inside.

"I-I don't know if I can still pull this through."

"Why?"

Tiffany didn't answer.

Elizabeth leaned in. "Look at me," she said. Elizabeth's hands were cold as she reached out, fingers brushing Tiffany's wrist. "You can do this," Elizabeth said, her voice softer now, but firm. "Think about the prize. When this is over, we can change the patriarchal system in the brotherhood. We can create something better. The Alpha was never meant to destroy people, you know that. This has always been the plan. Think about your mother. Think about how she would feel if you gave up now."

Tiffany swallowed hard, her throat burning. 'Right. This is for my mother. Everything I do is for her.'

She nodded, almost to herself. "I'm sorry. I'm starting to forget my responsibilities. I shouldn't have said those things."

Elizabeth pulled her into a hug, and for a moment, Tiffany let herself sink into it. The warmth, the comfort. The understanding.

"I get it," Elizabeth murmured. "We make mistakes because of men. They make us weak. But that shouldn't break you. You are an Alpha. And not just any Alpha. You are the heiress. The first female Alpha Don of our kind. So, stick to the plan, Tiffany."

Tiffany exhaled, pulling away just enough to meet Elizabeth's gaze. She managed a small, tired smile. "Yes. I will, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth stood, adjusting the towel wrapped around her body. "Good. I'm going to get dressed now. Do you want to eat something?"

Tiffany gave a slow nod before collapsing onto the bed again.

Elizabeth reached the door, pausing for a moment. "I think you should see a doctor," she said. "I'll call one of ours who's nearby."

"Don't bother," Tiffany replied, forcing a smile. "I'm going out anyway. I'll just stop by a clinic."

Elizabeth's face lit up slightly, as if relieved. "All right. I'll take my leave now. But, before you go back to Manila, you must kill Lucio Hernandez. It's the only shot you've got."

Tiffany didn't answer again. She just watched as Elizabeth disappeared behind the door.

After nearly an hour of contemplating, she found herself sitting on the toilet. The white plastic pregnancy test felt heavy in her hands.

She stared at the two red lines.

'Two red lines.'

Biting her lip, she grabbed the second test from the brown paper bag, her fingers trembling as she dropped another sample of urine onto its surface.

She barely breathed as she waited. The walls of the tiny bathroom seemed to close in on her, the silence pressing against her ears.

Her stomach twisted. She felt nauseous. Not from the wait or the uncertainty. Just from knowing.

The second test confirmed it. 'Two red lines.' Her grip tightened on both tests as she whispered, "Fuck." The word barely left her lips before a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. She leaned against the sink, gripping the counter as she closed her eyes.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Her thoughts raced, spiraling in directions she couldn't control. 'What the hell am I going to do?'

She didn't have an answer. But she knew one thing for sure—this just changed everything.