Page 108 of The Alpha's Uncovered Mate

"I won't make the same mistake of trusting him again," I mumble, looking down at the sandwich in my hand. It tastes like cardboard. All these years, I have struggled to become a good mother to Riya, to learn how to stand on my feet, and to become a shield between my daughter and this cruel world. I put myself aside, living solely for the child who depends on me. Everything I never got, I gave to her, whether it was love, food, good clothes, or a happy home. Riya lacks nothing. That child was raised knowing only love.

I wipe my eyes, fiercely now.

And I'll make sure it remains that way.

I will never expose her to the Moore family. I will never expose her to that darkness and hatred. She will be loved and protected for the rest of her life. And Adam, he can follow his ambitions. He can be with Tina. He can have everything he ever wanted. I'm happy with my daughter.

It's when my phone rings, Tony's name popping up on the screen, that I decide to go home.

As I head to my building, phone against my ear, I say, "I'll pick her up in the morning. Let her sleep. Yeah, everything's fine. No, I––"

I suddenly pause, the hair on the back of my neck rising.

I immediately turn around, my wolf at the forefront, but there's no one there.

I stare at the trees surrounding the park, unable to shake off this uneasy feeling.

"Cynthia?"

Tony's voice has me blinking.

"Yeah, I'm going home now. Don't worry about me. Everything's fine."

But my pace is a little faster as I cross the road.

I only let out a breath once I'm inside the lobby. My eyes once again go to the empty park.

There was definitely someone there.

Someone had been watching me.

CHAPTER 23

Cynthia

Kofo drops off the files first thing in the morning.

"The CEO was lingering outside your office," he tells me, his voice uneasy. "I told him you took a sick day because you had a cold. He didn't look happy."

"Probably because he couldn't torment me if I'm not there," I mutter. "Thanks for dropping these off. I'll email you the approved designs in a bit."

"Are you sure I can't do anything else for you?" he asks. "You sounded pretty bad over the phone last night."

That's because I had been crying, I say silently.

"No, you can go. Email me if there's any problem."

Once he leaves, I set the files aside and prepare a light breakfast for myself. Just then, Tony arrives with Riya on his shoulders.

"Hey, baby," I greet her, taking her in my arms.

"Mommy, we watched movies all night!" Riya is bursting with excitement. "And I had so much ice cream that I puked."

I blink. "That's not a good thing, Riya."

When my eyes swivel towards Tony, he's eating my breakfast, avoiding my gaze.

"So, you had a good time." I narrow my gaze at the older man before looking back down at my daughter.

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