Breeder

Second Partner (1)

Note: This IS a mature-rated, mature-themed story.

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Isabella Pov

I felt my eyebrows twitch with suppressed anger as I watched ray accept the bouquet of Sorrel from Erica. Out of all the kids in the orphanage, why them?! I shouted internally. Is she picking them knowing that they're Premium goods, the cream of the crop, or is there something more that I'm missing?

Just as I moved my gaze onto Erica to glare at the much smaller female, the loud chatter of the children caught my attention. They were busy gossiping about Erica and the top trio's relationships, coming up with random theories.

"Erica gave Ray flowers!!"

"Erica, are you cheating on Norman?"

"Ooh~ It's officially a love triangle!!"

"Doesn't that mean that Emma's the fourth wheel?"

"Where'd you learn all those things, you guys?! You're too young for romance!!" Emma exclaimed, pulling a horrified face as she scolded the others.

I let out a small sigh, adjusting the sleeping baby in my arms. The younger children watched the older ones gossip to themselves with mild interest. Just as I was about to approach Erica to talk to her, a whizz of white flew past me.

"Eri!!" Norman yelled, running towards her with an arm outstretched.

I recognized the look on his face.

Desperation. Sadness. Shock. Confusion.

Betrayal.

Just like the day I found out that my entire world was nothing but a lie.

My breath hitched as I froze on the spot, my eyes meeting Erica's frigid navy blue ones. A cruel, dark smile grew on her lips. The smile confirmed my assumptions. That little brat's choosing my best kids on purpose. And she's muddying the waters with the talk of love when the kids should be focusing on their other studies!!

I need to stop her-

Or get rid of her.

Meanwhile, Norman had stopped running, his feet planted into the ground a little ways away from me. His shoulders slumped down like a sad, dejected puppy.

"Norman~ Are you alive now?" Erica and Emma called out, a teasing tone in their voices.

I could see Norman hesitate at his spot, pondering if he should go up to them or return to his room to nurse his tiny, broken heart. I left to prepare for Ray's transfer into Erica and Norman's room.

~~~ Norman Pov ~~~

The world quieted around me as everything else disappeared- except for me, Erica, and Ray.

Erica had her usual empty smile on her lips, the cruelty nowhere to be seen as she met my eyes with her deep blue ones.

Ray was calm. The same as usual, almost as though he'd been expecting Erica's... proposal...? Thing.

Was Erica doing this because she thought that I wasn't enough? Or was there another reason for it? Countless scenarios and reasons flashed through my mind as I searched for a reasonable answer. All I could come up with was that there was a higher chance of her having a different reason than considering me not enough.

But was it just my hopes talking, or reality?

Did I even want to know the answer?

I could practically hear my metaphorical heart creaking in its spot, complaining about the strain.

"Norman~ Are you being jealous about Ray getting flowers from Erica? Your shoulders are drooping." Emma commented, patting me on the back reassuringly.

".....Do you think I'm not enough?" I asked.

"You're plenty enough, Norman!!" Emma argued.

"Then why-"

"I said I wanted some." A familiar voice interjected.

"Ray?"

"I told Erica I wanted some. The Sorrel, I mean. So I don't know what's going on in that head of yours, but there's no reason for you to look like a kicked puppy." Ray huffed, flicking Norman's forehead with his index finger.

"Ow! But-"

If that's the case, what was the cruel-looking smile about...? I wondered to myself.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, lover boy. Feeling better?" Erica asked, skipping towards us with her empty smile.

I nodded shyly, feeling the familiar heat rise to my cheeks as I evaded her gaze. I could see her tilting her head left and right, obvious looks of confusion filling her face as she circled around me.

"Your face is all red... ears and neck, too. Are you sure you're better?" She continued, seemingly oblivious to my embarrassment.

Emma and Ray were quietly snickering to themselves, hiding their laughter behind their hands. I gave them a small glare but they ignored me, stopping only when a larger shadow towered over the four of us.

"Ray, why don't you get your belongings and bed into Erica's room? Emma, help him out, will you?" A soft, caring voice cut through the strangely tense air around us.

"Yes, mom!!" Emma exclaimed brightly, dragging Ray off to get him situated into our room.

"Norman, I heard Don and Guilda were looking for you; it's about tonight's dinner." Mom continued, her comforting smile on her face.

"As for you, Erica-"

.

.

.

"-Follow me."

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2.6 pages, 836 words

3/8/2022