Chapter 11: Locker 217

The next morning, I arrived at Grayhaven Mate Registry Hall before the doors officially opened.

The building was almost empty.

I kept my head down and walked toward the records corridor.

Locker 217 was hidden behind a row of old archive cabinets.

I inserted Ethan's key.

The lock clicked.

Inside was a thick brown envelope and a small recording device.

My pulse quickened.

I opened the envelope first.

The first document was the chosen-mate contract between Noah Calder and Scarlett Mercer.

Their signatures were clear.

The date was five days before my public claiming ceremony.

They had already become legal chosen mates while Noah was still pretending I was his partner.

I turned the page.

There was another document attached to the contract.

It contained a financial agreement between the Calder and Mercer families.

My father had transferred a large sum of money to an account connected to the Calder family.

The payment had been made shortly after Scarlett's first mate contract was dissolved.

My hands began to shake.

So this was never only about Noah loving Scarlett.

Our families had been arranging their future for years.

I picked up the recording device.

When I pressed play, my father's voice filled the tiny archive room.

Scarlett must marry into the Calder family. Ruby cannot interfere.

A second voice answered.

What if Ruby discovers the agreement?

My father replied without hesitation.

Then we make sure nobody believes her.

I stopped the recording.

For several seconds, I could not breathe.

My own father had planned to destroy my credibility if I ever learned the truth.

Then another voice appeared on the recording.

It was my mother.

Ruby is emotional. If necessary, we can convince her that she misunderstood everything.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

All those years, I had thought my family was protecting me.

They had only been protecting the story they wanted everyone else to believe.

I photographed every document and copied the recording onto my phone.

Then I heard footsteps outside.

Someone was coming.

I quickly returned the original documents to the envelope.

The archive door opened.

Noah stood there.

His eyes met mine.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he looked at the open locker.

You shouldn't have come here.

I closed the locker door.

Neither should you.

His jaw tightened.

Ruby, listen to me.

No.

I held up my phone.

I know about the contract.

I know about the money.

And I know my father paid to destroy Scarlett's first mate bond.

Noah's expression changed.

You don't understand what happened.

Then explain it.

He stepped closer.

Scarlett was being forced into a political marriage with someone she didn't love.

Your father wanted to control her future.

I believed I was protecting her.

I stared at him.

By sleeping with her for five years?

By using me as your public cover?

By signing a legal mate contract behind my back?

Noah looked away.

I never wanted to hurt you.

But you did.

His eyes returned to mine.

I know.

For the first time, his voice sounded broken.

I thought I could keep everyone safe.

You weren't keeping me safe.

You were keeping me ignorant.

He reached for my hand.

I stepped back.

Don't touch me.

Noah stopped.

Ruby, there is something else you don't know.

I laughed bitterly.

Of course there is.

Tell me.

His face turned pale.

The reason your father was so determined to control Scarlett wasn't because of her first mate.

Then why?

Because five years ago, Scarlett discovered that the Calder family had been using the Grayhaven Registry to alter mate records.

My blood ran cold.

Alter mate records?

Noah nodded.

Some contracts were being changed after they were signed.

Families with enough money could make unwanted bonds disappear from the public record.

And my family knew?

Your father knew.

Your mother knew.

And Scarlett knew.

I stared at him.

What about you?

I discovered the truth last year.

Then why didn't you tell me?

Because by then, I was already trapped in the same system.

His words sounded almost convincing.

Almost.

But I remembered the slap.

The lies.

The five years with Scarlett.

The pregnancy he had tried to use against me.

I shook my head.

You made your choices, Noah.

So did I.

I walked past him and headed toward the exit.

Behind me, Noah said my name.

I stopped but did not turn around.

Tomorrow, the council is holding an emergency hearing about the registry.

If you bring those documents, your entire family could be exposed.

I looked over my shoulder.

Good.

Then maybe the truth will finally have a chance.

I left the registry hall with the evidence hidden beneath my coat.

Outside, my phone vibrated.

A message from Scarlett appeared on the screen.

Please meet me alone.

I have something to tell you about Noah.

I stared at the message for a long time.

Then another message arrived.

It is about the night you were born.

My heart stopped.

The night I was born?

What could Scarlett possibly know about that?