Chapter 252: Chapter 252 Her Ti Running Out
Lilith’s POV
Brett held my test results, still skeptical.
"Alpha Brett, eting you at the hospital today was pure chance..." I struggled to explain. Thea howled inside , sharing my pain and desperation."These are fresh test results, I couldn’t have faked them. I really am terminally ill. It wasn’t this severe two weeks ago, but now it’s reached the late stages."
I took a deep breath and continued."I don’t have much ti left. I won’t be able to raise Clara to adulthood, that’s why I’m begging you to do another lineage test with her, please?"
Brett gripped the reports tightly, his face a mix of hatred and sothing else I couldn’t read. "Lilith, I warned you before. Karma always catches up. This is your punishnt!"
He clenched his jaw, his brow furrowed. "Lilith, this really is your karma..."
His voice suddenly beca strangely weak as he spoke.
Each word cut into my heart like a knife. But it didn’t matter,let it be karma! As long as Clara had a chance at life, I didn’t care how cruelly Brett wounded .
"I don’t care if I die. I know you hate , and my death will give you peace. But before I die, couldn’t you just do one more lineage test with Clara?"
My throat tightened, but I had to finish. "She really is your daughter. Can’t you show her so rcy?"
"No matter what, she’s your child. If there’s no one to care for her after I’m gone, she won’t survive..."
Clara’s soft little face appeared in my mind.She was such a sweet child, always carefully watching my expressions. Every ti I saw her like that, my heart ached with guilt. At just five years old, she’d paid too heavy a price for the mistakes between
and Brett. A child her age should be enjoying a carefree childhood under her parents’ care.
"Brett, if I’m lying about any of this, may I go to hell after death. I swear to the—"
"Lilith, I don’t care if you go to hell or not," he cut
off harshly. "We have nothing to do with each other anymore. As for Clara, I’ll arrange another test."
He studied
for a long mont, and I knew he was assessing my condition. I’d deliberately applied makeup to hide my illness.
"If you’re really sick, focus on getting treatnt instead of scheming. The Moon Goddess is watching or your karma will be even worse!"
I didn’t want to explain anymore, focusing only on one thing. "So you’ll do another lineage test with Clara?"
"I’ll arrange it," he answered curtly.
I finally felt so relief, though the tension didn’t completely disappear. Nothing was settled yet until Clara was secure, I couldn’t rest easy.
In the afternoon, I went to pick up Clara from kindergarten. Before going, I touched up my makeup,adding extra blush and lipstick to mask my sickly appearance.
I stood at the front of the parents’ line, waiting to be the first to greet my angel. The mont Clara saw , she ran for a hug. I bent down to lift her up, and she imdiately wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Mommy, did you go to the hospital today? You can’t let your cold get worse," she asked.
"Of course, how could Mommy not listen to Clara?" I kissed her forehead. "Mommy saw the doctor, and he gave Mommy dicine. I’ll get better soon."
Another lie. Since my terminal diagnosis, I’d told Clara so many lies.
"Did Clara have a good day at school?" I forced a smile.
"Yes!" she answered. "Mommy, you’re sick.Put
down. Clara’s a big girl now, I don’t need to be carried."
"It’s okay, let Mommy hold you a little longer." I tightened my arms around her. How many more tis would I get to hold her? Each ti was one less remaining.
Just a month ago, I could carry Clara’s forty-so pounds without any strain. I’d even thought she was too thin and needed to gain weight. But now, holding her felt impossibly difficult.
After just a few steps, my arms started trembling, and my whole body felt weak. Still, I gritted my teeth and managed to carry her to the car.
"Mommy, are you very tired?"
I shook my head. "No, it’s just a little cold. Mommy will feel better after taking the dicine."
I knew this wasn’t just a cold, but a terminal illness that would take my life. Thea whimpered restlessly inside , and I soothed her as I tried to soothe myself. For Clara, we had to stay strong, had to hold on,at least until Brett acknowledged and accepted her.
Brett’s POV
At 6:30 PM, I entered Aurora BioSciences’ laboratory in my white research coat, looking for Vanessa. She was so absorbed in recording pharmaceutical research data that she didn’t notice my arrival.
As Blood Moon Pack’s Alpha, my presence usually commanded imdiate attention and respect from any werewolf. But Vanessa was different, especially when imrsed in her research.
I rembered the high hopes Silas Hartwell once had for Lilith. That was before the revelation about Lilith’s mother’s affair. After her mother died in childbirth, Silas transferred all his love for his late mate to Lilith, showering her with affection. Everything in Shadowpine Pack was ant to be hers.
And Vanessa, the illegitimate daughter, initially had no chance at all. Silas wouldn’t even acknowledge her existence or let her return to the Shadowpine Pack. Only after Lilith’s true parentage was discovered did Vanessa get her opportunity.
Vanessa’s dical aptitude was nowhere near Lilith’s.When Lilith worked at Aurora BioSciences, she led the breakthrough solutions for werewolf genetic disease challenges,even I couldn’t match her expertise.
Our current experints still built upon Lilith’s research direction and findings.
But Vanessa worked at Aurora BioSciences with such dedication and focus that she didn’t even look up when I ca to take her to dinner.
"Vanessa, it’s ti for a break. I made reservations at your favorite restaurant."
"Never mind, I’ll just order takeout later. I want to work a bit longer," she replied without looking up.
"You skipped lunch. You need a proper dinner." I forcefully took the lab equipnt from her hands, unconsciously using my Alpha command. Jacob, my wolf spirit, approved of my decision. As Alpha, it was my responsibility to care for every pack mber, especially Vanessa. She’d stood by
during my darkest tis.
Vanessa couldn’t refuse . "Fine, but let’s make it quick. I need to get back to the lab later."
"Go change first!" My tone softened slightly.
Vanessa smiled, "Give
two minutes, I need to use the restroom too."
"You’re always so pressed for ti once you’re in the lab," I chided affectionately.
"I just want to make breakthroughs soon! I was also devastated to hear about your ntor’s diagnosis. Don’t worry too much, Brett. Our specialized anti-werewolf genetic defect dication might show results soon, and then we can help him."
She always knew how to comfort
in my most vulnerable monts.
"Go change," I urged, watching her leave the lab.
After Vanessa left, I hesitated for a mont before pulling out my phone and dialing a number,Lilith’s number. This was the first ti I’d initiated contact since returning to the city. Despite my hatred for her, for her betrayal, seeing her test results today and her concern for Clara...
My hand grab the phone firmly as Jacob restlessly stirred within . The mating bond between us, even when rejected, never truly disappears.
The phone rang only three tis before she answered,she must have seen the caller ID. I could almost picture her surprised expression; she certainly hadn’t expected
to contact her.
The silence on the other end was deafening. I knew she was waiting for
to speak, and I suddenly realized I wasn’t sure what to say. Damn it, what was I doing? Seeing her so weak at the hospital, hearing her beg for another lineage test... Could that girl really be my blood?
I took a deep breath, catching Vanessa’s faint vanilla scent still lingering in the air. I needed to make a decision. Regardless of what Lilith had done in the past, if that child really was mine...
"Lilith," I finally spoke, "we need to talk."
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