Chapter 8 Rejected For The First Time

Lucian’s POV I had no idea what to think about Dr. A. My first impression was that she was a cold woman, committed more to her craft than those she cured. Or at least, that was how it seemed to me, as she clearly disliked me. Even so, she was a remarkable individual. As Alpha King, I could appreciate all capable people. Dr. A’s abilities and genius made her a fundamental part of this pack. She didn’t need the friendly bedside manner for me to recognize her skill and talent. I certainly didn’t need her kindness for me to appreciate her. Her question about Aria seemed out of left field, but yes, I had been listening with my Alpha senses to their conversation beyond the door. My keen senses were troublesome at times. I hadn’t particularly intended to eavesdrop, but I still heard them all the same, as if they’d been standing next to me. “No,” I said. “I do not hold the same opinion of Aria as Sheila does. Furthermore, the paparazzi are wrong to presume about the relationship between Sheila and I. It’s not as they say.” As I had not previously met Dr. A, she should have had no reason to distrust me. Yet, as she spoke, her mouth pressed into a hard line, revealing her discontent. “She doesn’t believe you,” Max whispered in my mind. “Is that so?” she said shortly. “Well, that’s good, then.” I braced himself, expecting an argument or an opportunity to further defend myself, at least. Instead, she nodded at me. “Goodbye,” she said curtly, abruptly ending their conversation. Then, without another word to me, she walked away, disappearing down the hallway. At her office, she slammed the door behind her. I heard it echoing through the hallways. I stood in utter shock for a long moment. Never in my entire life had I been so fully and completely dismissed like this. I was the King, for God’s sake. But… oddly, that rejection intrigued me, making me more curious about the bold and mysterious Dr. A. It wasn’t every day that someone would brush off a king. That was something that my quiet, timid wife would never do. I carried those thoughts with me into the stairwell, where Sheila was waiting for me on the first landing. Her arms crossed, she scowled at me. “Why did you silence me? I said I wanted you to introduce a good man to Dr. A, to hopefully find her a boyfriend, and you became so angry?” Cocking her head, she narrowed her eyes at me. “Do you have a crush on her or something?” Sudden irritation prickled inside of me, though I was careful not to let it show on my face. Sheila was always like this – trying to start trouble, being unreasonable, making unfounded accusations just for the sake of drama. It was often exhausting. Even now, she scrunched up her face in sudden dismay. Her bottom lip trembled and tears welled under her eyes. I had learned by now that 9 times out of 10, when Sheila cried, those were fake tears she shed. She had a true talent for calling forth the tears on command. “You introduced me to my ex-husband,” she said, her voice small and watery. “If it wasn’t for you…” The words weighed down on me heavily, pushing away my annoyed feelings to immediately replace them with those of guilt. I had reason to be guilty, and until I could resolve my mistakes of the past, I could be nothing but kind to Shelia, even during her moods. “I’m sorry,” I said. I’d said it before, and I would say it again. I’d never stop saying it, not will things remained as they were. Sheila sobbed and the tears flowed harder. In her upset, she flung herself into my arms. I hesitated for a long moment, wanting to back away. But my guilt kept me where I was, and I did not push her away. *** Aria’s POV Back in the office, I replayed the conversation with Lucian in my head again and again. I hadn’t believed him when he’d said that his views on Aria didn’t align with Shelia’s. After all, he’d always taken her side in every dispute, every argument, every misunderstanding. Perhaps he could sense the comfort of Dr. A, and only said what he said to try to stay in my good graces. Yet, deep within my heart, a tiny glimmer of hope flashed to life. It burned within me, hot and painful, flaring fiercely every time I tried to tamper it down. If what he had said was true, even in part, perhaps our marriage could still be saved. Was that even possible now? He had turned down the divorce papers. Perhaps that was less a sign of his stubborn pride, as I had initially thought, and more an indication that his feelings for me were not as indifferent as I had assumed. I didn’t know what to believe. For so long, he had kept me at arm’s length. What happened this week had only been the final straw of an already strained situation. For years, I had tried my best to please Lucian, becoming a devoted servant to him, and while he’d seemed appreciative, his love never seemed to grow. Unless I had been wrong. Perhaps, now that I had stepped away from the marriage, Lucian had finally come to realize my value and my inner strength enough to love me properly. Maybe his life started missing an Aria-shaped piece. That little hope flickering within me burned bigger and brighter until it was a hot bonfire in my chest. It grew easily once it had that initial spark. After all, I loved Lucian. I was ready and willing to believe that he might love me too. “Go to him,” Luna said, hoping as much as me. Turning around, I opened the door to my office and stepped back into the hallway. My feet seemed to move on their own, taking me back to the examination room where I had seen Sheila and last spoke to Lucian. He wasn’t there. Perhaps he had moved into the stairwell? I rushed there, my heart pounding loudly in my ears. My hope spiraled up and up, somehow convincing me that not only did Lucian love me and want me to stay as his wife. But maybe he would even finally choose me over Sheila! The moment I stepped up to the stairwell, I noticed a couple on the first landing, holding each other. For a half of a second, I didn’t give the couple a second thought. They could have been anyone. But then I recognized Lucian’s figure. I froze, my foot on the first stair. That was Lucian. With Sheila. Their arms around each other. Sheila had her face buried against Lucian’s chest. Lucian had his hands on her back. He held her tenderly. Affectionately. Lucian had clearly already made his choice — ...And that choice, had always been Sheila.