Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Ch 123: You are the only one I trust
“Miss Rika, here is your soup. I hope you enjoy it.”

The Omega servant carelessly placed the soup before Rika, splashing and staining her clothes. Rika’s quick reflexes saved her from a mess, but the maid’s nonchalant attitude only added to the tension.

Rika’s eyes searched the maid’s face for any sign of regret or apology, but her expression remained indifferent as if she had done nothing wrong.

Instead, her eyes were sneaking glances at Damian while adoration covered her eyes.

Rika’s mind raced with conflicting thoughts. ‘This maid must be new if she’s trying to win Damian’s favour with such transparent tactics. Should I intervene before she gets herself into trouble?’

The poor maid looked love-struck. But she was not the first person to express thirst after seeing Damian.

If that man could make a beta like Rika fall for him, the enticing of a clueless omega was not a big deal for him.

Just one look was enough to entice and capture anyone’s heart, so he had more fodder to go through and reject.

“Do you like Damian? I would advise you not to go after him if you value your life. Someone like Emily would be better if you want to survive your crush.”

Rika kept her voice down and advised the maid to change her preference while there was still time.

But the maid looked embarrassed and offended by such a suggestion.

The maid was professional enough not to speak up and ruin herself. But her eyes told Rika everything she needed to know about her.

“So, Rika, how is living in a dorm compared to living in your house? I bet it feels awkward not to have people do basic chores like cleaning and laundry for you. You should accept my offer and shift into our family’s complex.”

Rika was busy figuring out what the maid was about to do, so she almost missed this question when her mother asked her.

“I am so sad that Rika decided to live away from us and even applied to a public university. I know it is suitable for socialising, but I…did not expect to feel this lonely to see her go.”

Her father also joined in and sounded sad about Rika’s university choice and her leaving home.

For someone who did not know Rika, her father sure had a lot to say about Rika.

But despite her feelings on the matter, Rika knew it would be in her best interest to keep reasonably until she was called out directly. And she doubted her father would do something like that.

The last time her father talked directly to her was on her previous birthday. And it had been to ask Rika to thank Suzie for her gift.

Rika did not want a gift from Suzie, but her younger sister threw a tantrum when she refused her gift.

That led to her father pleading with Rika to give in and not torment her younger sibling.

“I am happy in the beta-only dorm. The people there understand my needs. Maybe it is because they are betas like me and grew up with the same needs, but that place makes me feel comfortable.”

Rika preferred to avoid politics or twisted speaking methods, but she had learned a lot by observing people.

And sometimes, it showed up when she least expected it.

Like, right now.

She did not mean to say these words in a tone that indicated she was mocking her father, but they still sounded like that anyway.

Her mother’s glare made it apparent that she did not appreciate Rika’s words.

Along with that glare came a surge of pheromones that made Rika’s sick stomach react. It was unlike anything she had felt until now.

“Rika, you need to be respectful to your father. He is concerned for you, and this is how you repay him. I am so disappointed in you and-”

Her head was spinning because of the sudden rush of pheromones around her.

Rika had never smelled them this before, and she had certainly not felt this influenced by them.

Suddenly, Rika knew why everyone said her mother’s pheromones were terrifying when she was mad. It was because they pressed at someone and forced them to bend to her will.

Her pale complexion gained Rika three concerned looks and a scared one.

“Rika, do you feel alright? You look paler and before and-”

Her father made the mistake of reaching out to her, and his pheromones flowed out unabashed to soothe her pain.

It was likely an unconscious response on his part, but having an omega’s pheromones cut through that fog of alpha pheromones was too much.

Even if Rika’s mind knew that she was not in danger, her body and instincts did not follow suit.

“Excuse me! I need the bathroom-!”

Rika ran away as fast as she could toward the washbasin and dry-heaved. Nothing came out of her mouth since she had not eaten anything for a while.

And that made the feeling of wanting to vomit but not being able to do so even more powerful.

“This…shitty…body…is…a…curse! Fucking hell…it…sucks….”

It was painful, and Rika would rather vomit and get rid of this feeling.

But of course not! Her body refused to give her the satisfaction of this.

“Rika, are you alright? Do you want me to come in and help you out? Rika, answer me now.”

Emily’s worried voice called out to her. Rika was sure she could smell her pheromones if she tried hard.

Rika’s newly forming omega instincts begged her to seek out her alpha. That way, she could feel safe and secure.

Her body ached for that contact, and Rika almost gave in to her desire before her rationality kicked in.

‘Fucking darn, it! These shitty instincts! I refuse to give in to them. I only have one option left.’

Rika was as rational as possible, but her brain was also affected by pain and pheromones.

So, it was understandable that her decisions were not the best for her.

That was why she decided to trust Emily and Damian this time.

“Emily, come in after two minutes. I will knock myself out so that I am not a danger to anyone. I hope you will know what to do.”