Prologue

Estella Erylis stood before the grand mirror, her reflection bathed in the soft glow of morning light streaming through the window. Her heart danced with anticipation as she admired herself in the exquisite wedding gown that hugged her slender frame. The gown was a vision of elegance, crafted from ivory satin with delicate lace detailing that trailed along the hem, accentuating her natural grace and beauty.

Her golden locks were swept up into an intricate updo, adorned with shimmering pearls that caught the light with every movement. Her eyes, pools of endless warmth, shone with a radiant joy that seemed to illuminate the room. Estella couldn't contain the happiness that radiated from her, a smile gracing her lips as she marveled at the vision before her.

As she stood before the mirror, her hands drifted gently to her stomach, caressing the slight curve that hinted at the new life growing within her. She hadn't told Carlos yet, her beloved mate and the son of the alpha, that she was pregnant. It had been a joyful secret she held close to her heart, one that she longed to share with him on this most special day.

Estella whispered to the tiny life growing inside her with a tender smile. "I can't wait to meet you, little one," she murmured, her voice filled with love and excitement. "To see your eyes, to hold you in my arms, to watch you grow and flourish into the beautiful soul I know you'll be."

A surge of emotion washed over her as she imagined the future she and Carlos would share, raising their child together in a world filled with love and laughter. She knew that telling him today, as she spoke her wedding vows, would be the perfect surprise, a moment they would cherish for the rest of their lives.

A gentle knock on the door drew her attention away from her reflection, and she turned to see Lisa, her servant, standing in the doorway, her eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "Miss Estella, it's time," Lisa said softly.

Estella's heart skipped a beat as she nodded, her own excitement bubbling to the surface. With a final glance at her reflection, she took a deep breath and followed Lisa out of the room and down the hallway towards the wedding hall.

As they entered the grand hall, Estella's breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. The room was filled with friends and family, their faces beaming with joy as they awaited the bride and groom's arrival. The walls were adorned with flowers and candles, casting a warm, romantic glow over the proceedings.

Estella's heart swelled with gratitude as she took in the sight before her, overwhelmed by the love and support that surrounded her on this most special day. But as she made her way towards the altar, where her beloved Carlos awaited her, a sense of unease began to gnaw at her.

Carlos was nowhere to be seen, and with each passing moment, Estella's anxiety grew. Where could he be? Was something wrong?

Just as she was about to turn and search for him, the doors to the hall swung open, and Carlos stepped inside. But he was not alone. Beside him, holding his hand tightly, stood another woman- Margaret Rae, her closest friend.

Estella's heart froze in her chest as she took in the sight before her. Confusion and disbelief washed over her, mingling with a deep sense of betrayal that cut her to the core.

"Carlos, where have you been? You're late," Estella asked, her voice trembling with worry.

Carlos's gaze hardened as he met her eyes. "Estella, there will be no wedding today," he said, his voice cold and distant.

Estella's heart skipped a beat, confusion, and shock coursing through her veins. "What do you mean, Carlos? Why are you canceling the wedding?" she asked, her voice rising with panic.

Carlos took a deep breath and said, "I can't marry you, Estella. Not when I know the truth," he said quietly.

Estella's eyes widened in disbelief. "What truth? What are you talking about?" she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.

Carlos hesitated for a moment before speaking, his words like a dagger through Estella's heart. "I will never marry a woman who is carrying another man's child," he said, his voice filled with bitterness and anger.

The words hung in the air, the shock of them reverberating through the hall. Estella's mind reeled, her heart pounding in her chest. How could Carlos say such a thing? And who could be the father of her child if not him?

But before she could form another word, Margaret stepped forward, a look of triumph on her face. "I have proof," she said, her voice ringing out clear and cold.

Estella's blood ran cold as Margaret produced a video recording, displaying it for all to see. It was CCTV footage from Estella's birthday, showing a man entering her hotel room. Though the man's face was obscured, it was clear from his build that it wasn't Carlos.

Estella's world shattered around her as she watched the footage, the truth crashing down on her like a tidal wave. She had never cheated on Carlos, but someone had betrayed her in the worst possible way. Who was that guy?!

Tears welled up in Estella's eyes as she turned to face Carlos, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's your baby, Carlos. I swear, I've never been unfaithful to you," she said, her heart breaking with every word.

But Carlos's expression remained unchanged, his eyes cold and unforgiving. "I can't believe you, Estella. You betrayed me," he said, his voice filled with anger and betrayal.

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Estella standing alone at the altar, her heart shattered into a million pieces.

As the last echoes of betrayal reverberated through the empty wedding hall, Estella stood alone, her heart heavy with sorrow and humiliation. The once joyous occasion had turned into a nightmare, tearing apart her perfect life in the cruelest of ways.

***

Feeling drained and utterly helpless, Estella made her way back home as night fell, seeking solace in the familiar embrace of her family. But as she approached the gates of her home, she was met with a harsh reality she could never have imagined. 

As Estella stood before the gates, her heart heavy with confusion and hurt, the guards approached her, their expressions solemn.

"I'm sorry, Miss Estella," one of the guards began, his voice tinged with regret. "But your father has given strict orders. You're not to enter the premises."

Estella's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? But why? What have I done?" she pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion.

The second guard shifted uncomfortably, clearly struggling with the task at hand. "Your father's words, Miss. He said... He said you're no longer his daughter," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tears welled up in Estella's eyes as the weight of her father's rejection hit her like a physical blow. "But... but I am his daughter," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

The first guard shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, Miss, but he made it clear. You're to forget that you're still related to this family and that he did not have a daughter who is as disgraceful as you," he said, his words like a dagger through Estella's heart.

Estella's breath caught in her throat as she struggled to comprehend the enormity of her father's abandonment. "I don't understand... How could he do this to me?" she whispered, her voice filled with anguish.

But the guards remained silent, their faces impassive as they carried out their orders, dragging Estella away from the only home she had ever known. As the rain fell in torrents around her, Estella couldn't help but feel as though her entire world had crumbled to dust at her feet.

The rain poured down in torrents, soaking through Estella's wedding gown as she stumbled away from the gates of her home. Tears mingled with raindrops on her cheeks as she fled from the pain that had shattered her world.

With each step, the weight of betrayal grew heavier, threatening to crush her beneath its suffocating embrace. Her heart ached with the agony of loss as she sought refuge from the storm raging both outside and within.

As she wandered aimlessly through the night, her mind numbed with shock and despair, she found herself drawn to the shelter of a nearby bridge. With a weary sigh, she collapsed on the cold, damp ground beneath it, seeking solace in the shadows.

Alone in the darkness, she let the tears flow freely, her sobs echoing in the empty silence. Everything had happened so fast, so unexpectedly, leaving her reeling and adrift in a sea of pain and confusion.

Even her best friend, Margaret, had betrayed her, casting her aside like a discarded toy. The pain of her betrayal cut deep, leaving Estella feeling more alone than ever before.

"Why?" she whispered into the night, her voice choked with anguish. "Why did this have to happen? What did I do to deserve this?"

But the night offered no answers, only the relentless drumming of rain against the pavement and the distant howl of the wind. Estella curled into herself, seeking shelter from the storm both outside and within.

Estella stood at the edge of the deep lake, her heart heavy with pain and despair. The water stretched out before her, dark and unfathomable, mirroring the turmoil within her soul. For a fleeting moment, she entertained the thought of letting herself be consumed by the icy depths, of escaping the crushing weight of her grief.

With a heavy heart and tears streaming down her cheeks, Estella took a step forward, her body moving almost with its own. The chill of the water seeped into her bones as she plunged into its depths, the weight of her grief dragging her down into the darkness.

As she descended into the depths, her thoughts raced, a strong despair echoing in her mind.

'I can't bear this pain any longer,' she thought, her chest tight with anguish. 'All I want is to escape from the agony that consumes me. It's over now.'

As the water closed over her head and the sounds of the world above faded into silence, Estella felt a sense of peace wash over her for a fleeting moment. The pain that had plagued her for so long seemed to melt away, replaced by a numbness that enveloped her like a shroud.

But even as she surrendered to the depths, a spark of regret flickered within her. 'I wish I could have gotten back at the people who hurt me,' she thought, her mind drifting to those who had betrayed her.

'But it is too late now. There's no turning back.'