The Vampire Who Chose Herself

"For five years, my relationship with Vampire Lord Dominic had endured every trial set by my grandfather—the reigning Vampire King.He had finally been prepared to pass the Vampire King’s throne to me—until the truth surfaced: my bond with Dominic was never real.The Sterling family’s wealth—worth hundreds of billions—and the Vampire King’s crown could be inherited by me alone.“Miss Sterling,” the Council archivist informed me coldly,“the Blood Registry confirms that your Blood Bond was formally dissolved one year ago.”“Dominic Costa’s registered Bloodbound Consort is… Ava Morgan.”“You are currently listed as unbound.”“Which means,” the message concluded,“Lord Dominic Costa is disqualified from inheriting the Sterling family’s assets, titles, or the Vampire King’s throne.”Ava Morgan.Dominic Costa’s human companion.I stared at the message sent by the Sterling Council Elders, unable to steady my breathing.So all these years—his devotion, his exclusivity, the affection he claimed was meant for me alone—had been nothing but a carefully constructed lie.I had planned to tell him about my pregnancy on the fifth anniversary of our Blood Bond.After all, for five years of marriage, this child had been the future we both claimed to long for.But now, it was clear—perhaps he had never been waiting for a child at all.I rested my hand against my abdomen and thought quietly:my twins do not need a father to exist.As for a man who built our love on deception—the only thing left for me to do is to leave."