The Wolf

Rejection

“Clearly, that was a girl you knew, Daniel. Do you expect me to play dumb and pretend?” I confronted him closely, searching for his hidden face as we headed to our hotel room.

“Would it be too much to ask you to be discreet then? Being prudent is a virtue of a good girlfriend,” he said with a slight half-smile, mocking my intelligence.

“Stop making fun of me! You’re a lying manipulator!” I quickly covered my mouth, surprised at my outburst. It was strange; I had never insulted anyone, even when upset. He stopped walking and turned toward me, his face filled with anger, closing the distance in quick strides.

“Do you think everything I’ve sacrificed means nothing? Being forced to marry the walking sow of the Hacketts—do you know what that meant for me? Family reputation, being mocked by everyone.” I turned my gaze away in pain at his words. “You wanted honesty? There it is, darling. Yes, I slept with every woman who crossed my path. But don’t blame me—just look at yourself in a mirror for once. You don’t arouse the slightest desire in any man, Angela... you’re a walking whale.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I turned toward the mirrors in that elegant corridor. I averted my eyes from my reflection and looked back at him, trembling.

“I’m sick of you. I wanted to marry your sister, and look who I ended up engaged to—just because your mother asked me to. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even speak to you.” He walked past me, leaving me alone in the hallway. I put my hands over my ears, trying to block out those damned voices in my head.

“Miss Angela, where are you?” our housekeeper, Miss Rotermaller, whispered. I lay stretched out on the hotel bed as a pounding headache assaulted my brain. I opened one eye.

“I’m in bed dealing with a nasty hangover. Why are you whispering?”

“I’m in the assembly hall listening to your mother’s protocol address. She’s about to call on you to choose who will accompany her.”

“W-w-what? No, no, no, no...” I exclaimed, glancing at the time and feeling like I was about to faint. I jumped up, running back and forth. How could I have forgotten? I must be going insane. “Why didn’t you call me earlier?” I berated myself, still on the call.

“Miss Angela, you’re never late for anything. Besides... you’ve been looking forward to this day more than anyone,” she said. I sat on the bed, adjusting my shoes.

“I know... I know... just ignore me. I’m a complete scatterbrain. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” I hung up and stared into the mirror, adjusting my skirt and jacket ensemble. But as always, it felt tight, making me look ridiculous. Why? I had tailored it to my exact measurements just days ago. I tore my gaze away from that cruel reflection and focused on what really mattered—my future. Everything I had worked for since I was born. What it meant to carry the Hacket name.

I had studied all my life to reach this point: to work alongside my mother and, in the not-so-distant future, become the next mayor of Hacket Stown—already married to Daniel. I only wished for a peaceful, fulfilling life, even if I knew he didn’t love me. I had fervently hoped he would, in time. But I suppose I expected too much from something that was never possible.

I got out of the car without hesitation and walked straight to the parliament, where the meeting was taking place. My steps quickened as I followed my mother’s voice over the microphone. When I reached the assembly hall, I peeked through the double doors and saw the entire audience watching the elegant woman speaking confidently at the podium. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding.

“This is your moment, Angela. You must not be afraid... not today.”

I gathered my courage and entered the room, catching everyone’s attention. My sister was already seated behind our mother, watching me. The murmurs from the audience echoed in my mind—every word like a dagger to my festering insecurity, growing and growing, making me feel even more grotesque. I looked up at my mother, who sent me a sharp, disapproving look. My fears reignited. What had I done wrong this time? Again, I was the one embarrassing her.

And before I could react, I misstepped on the stairs and fell flat on the floor. My mother took a deep breath and approached, lifting me up with a false smile for the audience. She gripped my arm tightly and whispered:

“What are you wearing? You can’t even dress properly for this appointment...”

Nervously, I walked alongside my shadow—the person who was my blood and at the same time my rival in everything. She was everything I wasn’t. But this position was mine. I might never have her beauty or charisma, but I had the intelligence and preparation required for such a role. My mother would see that, even if I wasn’t her favorite.

“Excuse the interruption. As I was saying, our families have guided the beloved town of Hacket Stown for generations, filling it with pride through the people we’ve placed in leadership. Today, I will appoint the deputy mayor and prepare the town’s future leader.”

The audience applauded, while nervous tension froze every inch of me.

“They’re not going to choose you,” Kara whispered, also watching the crowd.

“You don’t know anything. This time, I’m more prepared than you,” I replied calmly, refusing to let her shake me.

“I know more than you think. I overheard it... Do you really think I care about this stupid position? If they choose me, it’s Carmila’s decision, not mine. She found out Daniel wants a divorce.”

I turned quickly to face her, her expression icy.

“You told her...”

“What do you think?”

Terrified, I looked away, clenching my fists.

“My daughters, Angela and Kara.”

Applause erupted, and I saw Kara rise with elegance. I stood quickly, trying to stay composed. My mother placed a hand on each of our shoulders.

“One of them will assist me in my duties as mayor and, in time, take my place. I’ve already made my decision.”

“Mother, I need to talk to you...” I whispered tensely. She gave me a hard look and said:

“Kara will be my new deputy. I want her to learn the responsibilities of a mayor so that in the future, she can prepare to run for office in Hacket Stown.”

I clenched my jaw, holding back the tears that threatened to rise. Applause followed quickly. Kara wore her usual bored expression—just like Mother’s.

“Angela, Angela... Angela!”

I turned to look at her, tears in my eyes.

“You’re acting like a child,” she said, dismissing my pain. She walked ahead, and I followed behind—her daughter, always in her shadow.

“What does modesty matter when your own mother never trusts you, not even once?”

“Enough, Angela! You’ve been throwing this childish tantrum since we got in the car. Now ask yourself why I don’t trust you.”

She stopped and turned to face me.

“I don’t know, Mother. You tell me. You don’t... you don’t even give me a single chance to show you can be proud of me.”

“Stop playing the victim. I do trust you, Angela. But are you going to deny that you drank last night? You look deplorable. Do you know the shame I felt when I saw you walk in wearing that ill-fitting outfit, your hair a mess?”

I lowered my gaze and snapped back angrily:

“Lies! You never trust me over Kara. You knew how hard I’ve worked for this position. Kara hasn’t done anything, and still you chose her. Tell me why, Mom! I am enough—give me a chance.”

She looked at me in silence, her icy stare cutting through me.

“The Goldings want a divorce. She’s been talking about it all over the committee. You know how much I despise rumors of marital scandal—especially from our own family.”

“So what? It’s not my fault that—”

“So what?”

She cut in harshly, forcing me to look at her.

“How can you ask me to name you my right hand when you can’t even preserve our family’s reputation? A mayor excels in duty, but must also protect her public and private image. You should never let anyone stain your name. The fact that you can’t even handle something as simple as a marriage shows me you’re not ready for greater responsibility. Go find your husband. Fix your marriage. And while you’re at it, fix your appearance. You look heavier than last month—it’s unacceptable.”

“As if I haven’t wasted months of my life trying to get that damn position!” I shouted, as if the voice came from somewhere deep and unfamiliar inside me.

“That mouth, Angela! I don’t recognize you. What’s gotten into you?”

Through tears, I walked in silence to my room. I was tired—tired of my mother’s rules, of a last name that didn’t define who I really was. So if I wasn’t going to be Angela Hacket, the next mayor, as my ancestors had dictated, then what should I do?

Who should I be?

There was no answer that could soothe the storm inside me. But if I learned one thing today, it was that from now on... I would follow only my own desires.