Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 60: Playing Her 2

Chapter 60: Playing Her 2

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Chapter 60

~Spring’s POV~

Mum’s brows lifted. "Spring—"

"It’s okay," I cut in, still smiling gently. "The true Kaine heiress deserves the best gown on her special day." I turned to Rose with a gracious tilt of my head. "She can have it."

Rose looked stunned, like she didn’t know if she should celebrate or squirm.

"I—uh—I didn’t mean for you to just give it up," she mumbled. "You can still take another one. I didn’t mean to—"

Our mother cut her off sharply. "Take it and don’t cause any more trouble, Rose." Her voice was firm now, clearly irritated. "You made your choice, now let Spring make hers without interruption."

I turned back to the racks, pretending to browse while my mother took my hand softly.

"You can pick three dresses, Spring. Any three you like," she said with a faint smile. "And this time, no one will steal them from you."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "No one?"

"No one," she assured with a nod.

I nodded at her. "In that case... I want only one."

Mum’s brows creased in confusion. "Are you sure?"

"I’m sure."

I spun on my heel dramatically, tapped my jaw as though deep in thought, then turned to the far corner and pointed with certainty. "That is the one I want."

The black and luminous green sequined gown shimmered like a gem under the boutique lights. It stole everyone’s breath, including my mother’s.

Both she and Rose turned to look—and the gasps were instant.

"That... is beautiful," my mum whispered.

Even the attendants nearby paused what they were doing to take a second look.

"Wow," one of them murmured. "That’s the best gown in the store. And it hasn’t even been tried on yet—it’s brand new. Just arrived this morning."

Rose’s jaw dropped. She bit her lip hard before exploding, "She lied! She said the pink gown was the best just so she could get that one! That’s cheating! Mum—she’s tricking us!"

"She wants both! Since you said we could get two each, I want that one too!"

The air shifted instantly.

My mum’s expression turned cold.

Without warning, she turned and slapped Rose hard across the cheek.

"Enough," she snapped. "Do not embarrass me further. You made your choice. You don’t get to take Spring’s now. You should not have coveted her gown if you had no fashion sense to begin with."

Rose held her cheek in shock, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Be more like Spring," our mum added firmly. "She chose with grace. Learn from that."

I didn’t say a word. I just smiled slightly and glanced toward the gown that now belonged to me.

A quiet victory. Not loud. Not vengeful. Just... satisfying.

It reminded me of all those times Rose h ad stolen my birthday dresses over the past two years ad lying that she had seen them first. Back then, no one questioned her.

But not this time.

This time, I played her back.

Our mum turned back to me and placed her hand on my shoulder. "That gown is yours," she said proudly. "Come—let us pay and go."

I smiled as Mum and I made our way towards the cashier.

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Until we arrived home that day, Rose did not utter a single spoiled word to Mum, and I was speechless.

I kept my gown, admired it, and then locked it up.

The next day came with a weight of its own.

Today was not just Spring’s supposed birthday. It was going to be a double celebration for me.

Usually, in a situation like this, I’d stay back, feigning being sick just to escape, but that was not today.

The air was thicker somehow, like the world knew a storm was brewing.

Today wasn’t just Rose’s birthday. It was the day of the event. The match. The one I’d been tied to, prepared for or not, but mentally and emotionally, yes.

I woke up early, dressed quickly, and avoided the usual morning chatter that floated through the halls. The house was buzzing already. Decorations. Laughter. Gifts are arriving.

And I? I was just trying to breathe.

Tension slipped into my bones slowly, like cold water soaking into fabric—but it didn’t drown me. I refused to let it.

Instead of wishing Rose a happy birthday or faking my presence in the crowd of "well-wishers" gathered around her, I quietly grabbed my bag and headed for the front door.

I wasn’t going to be petty. But I also wasn’t going to put on a performance.

I didn’t expect anyone to notice me leaving, much less offer to drive me.

So, when Rhys appeared by the car door just outside, I realised someone had indeed been keeping watch on me, as his keys spun around his fingers; it caught me off guard.

"Heading to school early?" he asked with a small smile.

I blinked. "Yeah... didn’t think anyone would notice."

He shrugged. "I figured you’d try to disappear before the madness got louder."

That earned a faint smile from me. He always noticed the things no one else did.

"I’ll take you," he added, already unlocking the passenger side.

I stared at him for a moment, then slid in without a word. I didn’t want to argue. I didn’t even want to explain why the quiet mattered so much this morning. And luckily, Rhys didn’t ask.

The ride was mostly silent, but it wasn’t awkward. It was... calm.

His presence was enough. No small talk. No fake enthusiasm. Just the gentle hum of the car and the occasional rustle of the wind as we moved.

At one point, he glanced at me. "Nervous?"

"A little," I admitted. "But not scared."

"You shouldn’t be," he said simply. "You’re more than ready."

I looked at him, trying to read the layers behind his steady tone. He wasn’t the type to hand out compliments just to flatter me. He meant what he said.

"Thanks," I whispered.

When we pulled up to the school gates, he didn’t rush to leave or tell me to win.

He just leaned slightly over the steering wheel, watching the entrance before finally speaking again.

"Hey, you’ve got this, Spring."

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