Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 157

Aria’s POV

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Even though I’d prepared for it, this outcome still left me chilled to the bone.

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Omegas are at the very bottom of the werewolf world. They have no ID, can’t own property or money, and can only live as someone else’s slave.

Only the worst criminals are turned into Omegas, and they can never become regular citizens again.

And these people here were not just making me an Omega–they were cutting off my hands and feet, so I couldn’t even work again. No one would want a crippled Omega as their slave. So you could imagine how miserable my future will be.

“This is absurd!” An angry shout cut through the room.

Lady Quentina shot to her feet, her voice shaking with rage. “This punishment is far too severe. Aria hasn’t committed any major crime. Why are you doing this to her? Is this some kind of personal revenge?”

A handful of people who thought I was innocent murmured in agreement. But their voices were still scattered and weak in the large hall.

Alpha Vladimir smiled. “No major crime? Let me remind you, Lady Quentina, Aria Collins falsely accused a noble Lady. My daughter would carry the stain of ‘murderer‘ for life if her name wasn’t cleared today. That’s worse than murder itself.”

“There’s absolutely no precedent for this kind of punishment-”

“If we don’t punish her severely,” Alpha Vladimir raised his voice, drowning out Quentina’s furious protests, “the order of our world will collapse. Every commoner will think they can challenge nobles. What then? You’re a noble yourself–surely you can understand.”

His words were met with cheers from the crowd. People here were either nobles or filthy rich billionaires. Of course they agreed with Vladimir.

Nobody would give a damn about the life and death of an ordinary girl like me.

Quentina balled her fists, seething. I gazed at her and slowly shook my head. She had done enough for me. My fate was sealed. I didn’t want her sacrificing any more for me.

Then, I turned my eyes to Grayson.

He had been watching me the whole time, never looking away. My heart was too numb to ache. I couldn’t even cry. I just let out a scornful laugh:

“So Grayson, are you happy now? Your dear ex–wife wins. And I’m about to become an Omega with no hands, no feet. This is the ending you wanted, right?”

His jaw tightened.

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Chapter 157

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“Elrod didn’t come to save you,” he said abruptly. “He doesn’t even have the guts to show up in this damn room today. Now you see what a pathetic fucking coward he really is?”

“No, the real coward is you, Grayson Hart!” I said loudly, holding back my angry tears. “You made me believe you loved me. But you abandoned me when I needed you most and went to help my enemy instead. You are a twisted, heartless monster. You don’t deserve anyone’s true love!”

He stood up abruptly, glaring at me.

“I’m the only one who can save you,” he said through gritted teeth, his tone arrogant. “Apologize to me now and swear you’ll forever be loyal to me. And nothing bad will happen to you.”

1 let out a mocking laugh. “Never. I don’t need your fucking mercy.”

A round of shocked gasps echoed through the room. Then Isla shrieked, “You see how she talks to an Alpha, everyone? So mean, so rude–absolutely no respect! Daddy was right to make her an Omega! She really needs to be taught some fucking manners!”

“Escort this crazy woman out,” Alpha Vladimir boomed. “Tomorrow, in the central square, we will cut off her hands and feet in front of everyone. Let the whole world see what happens when a commoner slanders a noble!”

The hall erupted in cheers and applause. Soldiers came forward, grabbing my arms and pulling me away. I held my head high the whole time, my face cold and fearless.

Those assholes probably wanted to see me piss my pants or pass out in fear. But NO! I would not give them the pleasure of seeing me break.

I would hold onto my pride until the very last minute.

And as for Grayson—I didn’t look at him once as they dragged me away.

I was thrown back into the same cell as yesterday.

The soldiers didn’t even bother to give me food or water this time. They probably didn’t think I’d survive tomorrow’s punishment anyway. They might be right. Because without my wolf, I’ll probably bleed to death after they chop off my hands and feet.

And maybe that’s for the best. I didn’t want to live as an Omega, tortured and humiliated by those nobles again.

I slid down against the wall, curling into a tight ball. My body wouldn’t stop shaking. I bit my finger, trying to distract myself, but it didn’t work.

All the fear I’d held back in front of others came rushing in now.

I don’t know how painful it’s gonna be tomorrow. I tried to imagine the axe coming down on my wrist, but I shuddered and gave up. A clean, quick death would’ve been so much better. At least I’d be spared this torture.

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Chapter 157

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Then I started thinking about who would feel sad for me when they heard this. There’s May, of course. She’ll see everything on the news and be completely devastated. I hope she doesn’t tell Grandma. It’d definitely kill

her.

I missed them so much. But whether 1 die tomorrow or become an Omega, I’ll never see them again.

I didn’t have many friends. Nova, Zane, and Lady Quentina were some of the few. I hope they’ll be okay. All of them did everything they could to help me, but too bad I didn’t get the justice I deserved.

Grayson’s face flickered across my mind. But I quickly pushed him out.

And then there’s my parents. Father would only be disappointed that he lost his money bag.

And as for mother…

“Well, hello there, Aria,” said a voice from outside my cell.

I snapped my head up.

My so–called mother was standing behind the bars, Isla right behind her. Isla had a big, mocking grin on her face as she asked, “Enjoying this place so far?”

I studied her for a long moment. “She’s not really my mother, is she?”

The two of them burst out laughing at the same time.

“Looks like you’re not a total fool after all,” Isla giggled. “That’s right. She’s not your mother. I sent her to get between you and Grayson. It worked pretty damn well, right?”

“You fucking evil woman!” I snarled. “You’ll fucking burn in hell!”

She laughed. “No, I’ll live happily ever after with Grayson. And you’ll be totally forgotten.”

I glared at her, my heart full of anger and frustration. Then, as if things weren’t bad enough, Isla asked me, “Aria, don’t you want to know who your real mother is?”

My heart missed a beat. “Y–You know?”

“That’s right. I know,” she said with a victorious smile. “Now kneel on the floor and beg me like a proper Omega. I might tell you who she is.”

I spat in her direction. “Go to hell.”

She let out a cold laugh. “You low–born scum still hasn’t learned your place. Hey, you–go in and teach her a

lesson.”

“Yes, my lady!”

The woman pretending to be my mother unlocked the door and rushed in. She punched me in the face, knocking me to the ground, then grabbed my hair and forced my head up.

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Chapter 157

“Apologize to Lady Isla!” she snapped, kicking me in the stomach again.

It hurt so much that I curled over. But the burning rage inside me left no room for fear.

“FUCK YOU! I’d rather die than bow to you!” I hissed at them.

Isla roared, “Hit her! Hit her again!”

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I clenched my fists, bracing for the next wave of pain. But just then, rapid footsteps approached, and someone shouted:

“STOP IT!”

A man who looked like a doctor was striding over. He glared sternly at Isla and snapped, “Who let you in? And who the hell said you could torture her?”

“I’m a Lady, and she’s a goddamn Omega. I can do whatever I want to her. Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?” Isla said coldly.

But the doctor didn’t back down. “Until tomorrow, Aria Collins still a civilian. The law still protects her rights. And I was sent by the Elder Council. If you disagree with me, we can take this to the Elders.”

“The Elder Council? Why would they send a doctor?” Isla asked suspiciously.

“To collect a DNA sample from Miss Collins.”

“WHAT?!” Isla shrieked.

Her violent reaction startled everyone, including me. I looked at her and clearly caught a flash of panic on her face.

A doubt stirred in my heart.

Why is she so afraid of someone taking my DNA?