Tabitha's POV
Ivonne was slack-jawed.
I had heard from Derek before that his youngest aunt wasn't a werewolf.
Obviously, Ivonne wasn't either.
That was probably why she and her mom weren't in the Black Thorn Pack.
Like everyone else, she didn't know Derek and I used to be mates.
Without knowing my background, she probably figured that I was just some ordinary girl who had climbed the social ladder through marriage.
From her expression, I could tell that she didn't respect me.
Derek glanced at the crowd and ordered coldly, "Alright, everyone, please return to your seat."
Hearing that, the onlookers fled like roaches, not daring to stay for one more second.
Once the door shut, Ivonne started complaining. The two slaps made her cheeks flush, but she still wasn't ready to back down.
"Derek, did you really marry her? What about Kelsey? She's been waiting for you for so long! Ever since she found out you were marrying Daphne, she's been heartbroken. If..."
Kelsey? Another admirer of Derek I didn't know?
But whatever, I no longer gave a damn about his past.
Derek coldly interrupted Ivonne, "Enough. Didn't you hear what I said just now? Apologize to her!"
With a terrified look on her face, she had no choice but to say to me, "Sorry. I didn't know who you were."
"Apology accepted. But make no mistake. Technically, I'm his ex-wife. We've split up long ago."
After saying that, I turned away from her and headed toward the window. The auction was about to start.
Ivonne grew excited because of my words. "Derek, you've split up already? No wonder you never told us about her. You've made the right choice. She's not good enough for you. Kelsey is your perfect match..."
"Shut up. Another word, and I'll have someone send you home right now," Derek spat.
"No, c'mon, Derek, I'm here for the auction. Calm down. I'll keep quiet, I promise," she replied.
"You better," he snorted.
"Fine." She was on her high horse before Derek arrived, yet now, she was so obedient. Guessed she was really terrified of him.
Derek sat beside me while I turned my body away from him, avoiding his gaze.
That was when he started to seem a bit awkward.
We used to be the love of each other's life, yet now, we were like sworn enemies. And he was the one who did this with his cruelty and foolishness.
Just then, the auction started, breaking the tension between us. One collectible came up for bid after another, each one making every guest go wild.
Those vintage items weren't my thing. And Derek seemed uninterested, too. Only Ivonne kept shouting with excitement.
The long auction dragged on, and I started to feel drowsy. Noticing I was yawning, Derek suggested, "Lie down and rest for a bit. Just tell me what you want. I'll buy it for you."
"No need," I replied coldly.
Ivonne slammed the table and stood up. "What are you being all high-and-mighty about? Derek's so nice to you! You should be grateful!"
"Who said you got to talk?" Derek glared at her.
But she wouldn't stop blabbering. "Derek! Kelsey is way better than her. She's so mean. You already broke up, right? Then stop taking her side! Who knows whose kid is in her belly?
"You know what? Before you got here, I saw her flirting with the guy next door! I mean, she has the nerve to do it in broad daylight! Who knows what she would do when no one is around?"
Crystal roared in my mind, "She's going too far."