Chapter 3 Chapter Three

Chapter Three

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Theodota

20th, February, 2018.

There was no way I could mistake that noise. I knew very well what it was. What I didn’t want to do was to admit to myself what was happening on the other side of the room. It was Dimitris' room, so it had to be him. The unmistakable moans of a woman floated over once more, and I gasped. No way was this happening. I bit my lips in an attempt to hold back my tears.

My hand hovered above the doorknob, but I slowly lowered it. What right did I have to interrupt them? Swallowing my tears, I went on my way, got myself cleaned up and went back to wait for my best friend.

She showed up ten minutes later, her hair slightly disheveled. I was taken aback.

“Why are you all sweaty?” I asked curiously.

“I decided to jog tonight. Are you ready?” She asked. I nodded in response.

I followed her instructions and climbed down the rope.

“Let’s go through the forest.” She suggested. I trailed her as she weaved through the trees, and soon we arrived at a little hospital outside the castle walls. Outside, I hesitated once more.

“Common, Theo. There’s no time.” She urged. I took a deep breath and followed her in.

…

My mind went over my life as I lay on the operating table. At the thought of Dimitris, my heart clenched in pain. I never thought he’d cheat on me like that. Suddenly, I was more than happy to get rid of the baby; the only link between us aside from the engagement.

I was getting nervous though. My head felt woozy, and my body was getting weak. Shortly before the doctor—a plump man with glasses dangling on a rope—had left, he’d injected me with something that he’d claimed would help me with the pain. I’d never gotten an abortion before, so I couldn’t tell how it went. However, what I was feeling at that moment was a far cry from strength. A wrenching pain crawled through my belly, upwards to my chest, making it hard to breathe. My chest constricted, my body feeling like lead, and my breathing became labored. I opened my mouth to call for help. Surely, my reaction wasn’t normal. Just then, the door opened.

Thank goodness.

“Help, doctor, I–” my words died in my throat, as I saw who it was. The person approaching me with a strange smile wasn’t the doctor.

“Eleni?” I managed to whisper. I wondered why she was there, but I didn’t think too much about it. Knowing her kind nature, she’d probably come to cheer me on, and offer me mental support. “Please call the doctor. I…feel funny.” I whispered.

She chuckled. “Is that so, dearest Theodota?”

I was taken aback by her chilly tone. Besides, Eleni never called me by my full name. I had a bad premonition as she drew closer. She stroked my damp hair, the smile still plastered on her face.

“You see, you’ve always been too naive and trusting. So much that it disgusted me. Oh, poor Theodota.” She chuckled.

“You poisoned me?” Reality dawned on me.

“Technically, the doctor did. But it doesn’t matter anyway.” She shrugged.

Pain burned through my entire body, making staying awake a hard chore. I could feel life seeping out of my body.

“Why?” I choked out.

“Why?” The smile wiped off her face. In its place was hatred. Hatred for me. “I’ve always hated you, Theodota. You’ve always been favored by the Alpha. He’d always wanted you. He knew about our friendship, so he asked me to relay his feelings to you. How could I possibly do that? Should I tell you what I did?” A crazed look covered her face.

I couldn’t even respond. My tongue had gone numb from the pain.

“I told him you’d accepted him. Oh, the joy on his face then. But there was no way I could have allowed him to marry you just like that, turning you into Luna. So, I told him that you were having an affair with the stable boy, even after you’d accepted his proposal. Naturally, the Alpha would be enraged. He hated you after that. And so, when your father was unable to pay his debt, he decided to marry you in order to punish you. But then, you had to go and get pregnant.” She spat.

My eyes widened. Suddenly, everything clicked into place.

“Y-you—” I sucked in a sharp breath as pain tore through my belly.

“You had no idea that I was fucking the Alpha, did you?” At that, she smiled brightly.

“You were the one?” I whispered. I couldn’t tell which hurt more at that point. Her betrayal or the pain ravaging my body.

“Of course. I am the only one fit to be Luna. Don’t worry, you’ll die a painful death. The poison will eat you up soon. And, the Alpha is aware of this. In fact, he would be here soon.” She added.

I was certain she saw the disbelief on my face, because she went on. “I told him you were pregnant with someone else’s baby, and showed him your test results.” She grinned.

“After your death, this little hospital will be burned to the ground, erasing every hint of your existence. Rest in pieces, slut.” With that, she left the room.

As if on cue, the room went up in flames, doubling the pain I was feeling. I screamed, wanting to get away from there.

The fire spread rapidly, as if crazed. My body burned, and even crying became hard. The door burst open, and I vaguely saw a figure rush in.

“Theodota!” The voice screamed. The voice was familiar. I wondered where I’d heard it from.

“Let’s go together, Love.” The voice said again, wrapping their arms around me. My eyes shut close for the last time.

…

10pm. 20, February, 2024.

Miss Theodota Leonas lost her life in a tragic fire. May her soul rest with the Moon goddess.