Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 59: Playing Her 1

Chapter 59: Playing Her 1

****************

Chapter 59

~Spring’s POV~

Rose blinked like I had just unravelled her deepest secret, and for a split second, I thought I had.

Then she laughed.

It was Loud, fake and so forced you’d know she was over trying.

I raised a brow and chuckled along, mirroring her energy. But we both stopped laughing at the same time as the tension snapped tight like a drawn string.

"What?" I asked coolly. "I thought this was a clown show and laughed at your performance."

Her smile dropped completely. Anger shimmered in her eyes as she glared daggers at me.

"You wish. I know you’ve been praying I disappear, wishing I was never born. But I’m not going anywhere. I’m as authentic as they come."

I tilted my head and kept my voice calm. "You wouldn’t need to prove that if you were truly a Kaine by blood. But of course—you have to keep telling the world like some desperate soul begging for validation."

Her fingers clenched at her sides. She looked one second away from striking me.

"What? Did I hit a nerve?" I added with a slight smile.

She gritted her teeth. "Just because you have their favour now doesn’t mean it can’t be ripped away. Or did you already forget the last two years of torment and neglect from your so-called beloved brothers and family?"

I didn’t blink. My smile didn’t budge. That only made her angrier.

"They belong to me, Spring. Not you. They always have. And soon, you’ll be cast out. Again."

"Like I said—deranged, desperate soul. Have fun in your delusion."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away.

A couple of minutes later, I was in the kitchen, sipping my juice and waiting for the cookies to finish baking so I could take them upstairs. My mind wasn’t on the cookies, though.

I kept replaying her words. Every single one. Especially that call.

Then suddenly, a loud scream pierced the air.

I didn’t flinch as I recognised the voice immediately as hers.

Of course, the maids rushed to the living room. Their footsteps echoed as they scrambled to find out what had happened. I stayed seated.

Three minutes later, I heard more footsteps—these ones calmer, but definitely approaching.

I looked up just as my mother and Rose stepped into the kitchen.

"Mum," I greeted casually, placing my glass down.

She beamed. "Spring, darling." Then she turned her smile fully to Rose. "It’s going to be your sister’s birthday tomorrow," she said sweetly, placing a hand on Rose’s back, "and I told her we’d be throwing her a party."

Mum paused as though waiting for me to jubilate but I didn’t then she continued.

"You girls also get to pick two new outfits for the occasion."

Of course, we did. It was Rose’s birthday.

Even though we were supposedly switched at birth, she was given a later birth date than mine, because that was the day her foster parents adopted her.

I glanced at Rose. She looked like she’d seen a ghost. Her expression was a shaky mix of embarrassment and dread. Probably still shaken from the hallway, probably not expecting to see me this calm or this... aware.

But I played it cool.

"Yes, mother," Rose said quickly.

My gaze snapped to her. "Yes, mother?" I echoed in my mind. Not Mum. Mother. Same tone she used in that call. The same tone that hadn’t sounded like family, but more like a soldier reporting to a general.

The pieces clicked again.

But before I could dig deeper, my own mother’s voice snapped me back to the moment.

"Spring," she said, "come with us. It’ll be fun. You haven’t been out much lately."

I forced a soft smile. "I think I’ll pass. I have studying to do."

Rose’s shoulders lifted in relief. She didn’t even bother pretending to convince me—she wanted me to stay behind. In fact, she turned and began persuading Mum to leave without me, her tone a little too eager.

And just like that, I made my decision.

"On second thought," I said, pushing off the stool slowly. "I think I’ll definitely be going."

Rose paled a second time. Her throat bobbed, eyes wide, mouth opening to object—but nothing came out.

I smiled again, taking another sip of juice as I reached for the oven mittens. "Let me just grab the cookies. We can leave right after."

In my mind, Jade howled with laughter. "You go girl!"

And as I turned, I caught the flicker of fear in Rose’s eyes.

Good. She’d started a game she was never going to win.

**************

The boutique was sparkling and stylish, like it had been pulled straight from a magazine spread.

Mannequins in shimmering dresses lined the glass walls, and the soft hum of music filled the air.

As usual, Rose went ahead of us like she owned the entire store. My mother trailed behind her, giving her space to gawk and pose while I kept a quiet pace and scanned the racks calmly.

I already knew what I liked.

A striking black and luminous green sequined gown caught my eye almost immediately. It stood alone in the corner, gleaming beneath the soft lights.

It was bold, elegant, and hauntingly beautiful—but I walked right past it.

Instead, I headed to a nearby rack and picked a soft pink mermaid gown. It was lovely, don’t get me wrong—fitted, glittery, and delicate in a way that would be deemed "safe." Not the one that truly called out to me, but perfect for what I had in mind.

"I’ll take this one," I said casually, holding the pink gown up to my mum.

Before she could even respond, Rose spun around from across the room, eyes wide. "Wait—what?" she gasped. "No! That’s the gown I wanted!"

I blinked, lowering the dress slightly. "Oh?"

"That’s the one I was going to pick!" she cried, rushing toward us. "I just didn’t grab it yet. Mum, please—tell her to pick another. It’s my birthday tomorrow!"

I could see our mother glance between us, visibly torn. Her eyes softened as they landed on Rose. She looked like she was about to ask me to reconsider.

Just like I predicted.

I sighed quietly and nodded, giving her a small smile filled with fake understanding. "It’s fine," I said. "I mean, I understand. She’s your real daughter. Of course, she comes first."