---- Chapter 4. The silence in the room was deafening. Damon stared at the burial receipt in his hands, his pupils contracting to pinpricks as the words sank in. "Baby Blackwood... burial plot... paid in full..." His hands began to shake. For just a moment, I saw something crack in his expression-a flicker of fear, of dawning realization. Then Serena snatched the paper from his hands. "Oh my goodness, Damon! Look at this!" She waved the receipt dramatically. "It says it's for ' Baby Blackwood'! Why would anyone buy a grave for a perfectly healthy child?" Her voice was pure poison disguised as concern. " Unless... unless this is some kind of sick psychological game she's playing to get your attention?" Damon's face went through a series of emotions- ---- confusion, denial, and finally settling on rage. He grabbed the receipt and slammed it against my face so hard the paper cut my cheek. "Aria! What kind of pathetic, twisted trick is this supposed to be?" "You think I'm stupid? You think I'll fall for some fake receipt you had made up to manipulate me?" His voice rose to a roar. Do you even deserve to be called my mate anymore? Jealous, vindictive, and completely unhinged! And you've clearly lost your mind if you think this ridiculous stunt will work!" The denial in his voice was almost desperate. He needed to believe I was lying because the alternative was too terrible to face. "you know what? I'm done with your jealousy. If you can't handle me having other people in my life, then maybe Ethan should be the one inheriting my position instead of our son!" ---- Serena's eyes lit up like she'd won the lottery. She tried to hide her expression of pure triumph, but I caught it. "Oh, Damon," she said breathlessly. "You don't mean that. Ethan would be honored, but-" "With his mixed-blood Omega lineage?" I cut her off, my voice dripping with contempt. "Who in this pack would follow a half-breed leader? Who would respect someone with diluted bloodlines?" I laughed bitterly. Your precious position, Damon -give it to whoever you want. My son and I don't need your scraps." Damon's face flushed red with fury. "Such lies! Everything you do, everything you say-it's all just jealousy, isn't it? You can't stand that I care about someone else!" "you're making up stories about death and graves because you're desperate for attention!"