When the Alpha’s Stand-In Mate Betrayed

As soon as Savannah's words fell, a gentle voice buried them. "Sorry for being late."

Chantelle Stone walked in with her clicking heels. All eyes were on her.

She wrapped her arm around Hendrick's with a smile and intimately leaned against his shoulder.

Savannah quickly shut her eyes at their intimate display.

Chantelle had grown up with Hendrick, and she had been a ghost-like presence, haunting the couple and infiltrating their life since the start of their relationship.

Not once had he set a boundary with her. Instead, he indulged her every time she crossed one.

Of course, Savannah had suspected that Hendrick and Chantelle had been a thing. When she came across those love letters, however, she had a painful realization that Chantelle was merely a tool used to fuel her jealousy.

He simply adored watching Savannah burn with envy for him.

It was only then that Hendrick noticed Savannah standing at the door. He furrowed his eyebrows, asking, "What are you doing here?"

Savannah's grip tightened around her bag handle, and she belatedly realized he hadn't heard a word she had said.

"My necklace at home is missing," she said, staring at him. "I'm here to ask if you've seen it."

He was noticeably taken aback before his gaze darkened, clearly dissatisfied. "You're here just for that?"

"Yeah? Why else did you think I'd come?" she countered with a question.

Hendrick's expression immediately dimmed, and Savannah was all too familiar with what it conveyed. Every time she strayed from his script, he wore the same unamused expression, just like he did now.

"Are we thinking about the same necklace?" Chantelle suddenly chimed in. "I mentioned that I liked it previously, and Ricky decided to give it to me."

She then tilted her head, looking innocent. "But then, when I got home, I realized I'd accidentally lost it…"

A buzz pierced through Savannah's head at the moment, and blood instantly rushed to her head. "Who gave you the right to give away my stuff?"

"It's just a necklace," Hendrick coldly remarked. "You're overreacting. If it bothers you that much, I'll just buy you ten more identical ones."

"That was my mother's keepsake!" Savannah shouted, though her voice trembled with grief.

The private lounge plunged into another silence.

Though initially stunned, Hendrick quickly resumed his usual aloofness. "Well, it's gone now, so what do you expect me to do? You're blowing this way out of proportion."

Savannah was so furious that she bit down on her lip until the taste of iron seeped into her mouth.

That was her late mother's keepsake, and he dared to think she was throwing a tantrum for nothing. Was that his twisted way of loving her?

Knowing the necklace was irrecoverable, Savannah turned on her heels and walked away, sparing herself the breakdown that loomed just seconds ahead.

Then came the squeak of the leather seat as Hendrick rose to his feet. "That's it for tonight. Let's go."

He went after her.

As Savannah walked out of the club, the night wind stung her pink-flushed cheeks. She kept her head down and walked quickly, not wanting anyone to see her red-rimmed eyes.

Suddenly, a loud creak sounded above her. Before she could react, someone behind her shouted, "Watch out!"

When Savannah looked up, she saw a huge billboard falling straight toward her. In a flash, Hendrick lunged toward her.

However, just as their eyes met, he suddenly changed direction and threw himself over Chantelle to shield her instead.

Following a bang, excruciating pain and deep sadness spread over Savannah. Hendrick was willing to risk her life like that, just to keep his feelings for her a secret. How ironic.

When she woke up, all she saw was a pale white ceiling. She turned her head slowly, her neck aching, and saw an empty hospital room.

At that moment, a nurse pushed open the door and walked in with fresh bandages.

"You're up," the nurse said. "You've been out for two days. Lucky for you, it's just a mild concussion."

"Who sent me to the hospital?" Savannah asked hoarsely, her throat dry.

"Your husband, of course." The nurse adjusted the IV drip, continuing, "You were covered in blood when they brought you in, and he was frantic. He almost tore the whole hospital apart."

She paused, then added with a puzzled look, "Strangely, though, when the doctor said you'd wake up soon, he rushed off, said he had something urgent to take care of. Odd, isn't it?"

Savannah closed her eyes, a bitter smile crawling across her lips.

No, it wasn't odd. Hendrick would rather risk her life than show his true feelings, after all.