The chicken wing slipped from my fingers and landed back in the box.
For a second, I just stared at it.
I thought I had already seen the worst parts of this world. I thought I understood how cruel people could be. But I was wrong. There were always more monsters hiding behind smiles.
Whenever power and desire were involved, hearts turned ugly fast.
"Elena." Lewis’s voice pulled back.
I looked up and gave him a weak smile. "Sorry. I suddenly don’t feel like eating anymore."
He drew closer, picked up a warm towel, and carefully wiped my hands as if I were sothing fragile.
I stared at the food and spoke quietly.
"We’re no different from those wings. In a world ruled by strength and dominance, the weak don’t even realize when they’ve beco prey. If you hadn’t uncovered his sche, Mom and even Grant would’ve walked straight into it."
Lewis set the towel aside and rested his hand on my shoulder.
"I’m here," he said firmly. "With or without proof, no one gets to hurt you."
The warmth of his words settled deep in my chest.
He was right.
In this life, I wasn’t standing alone anymore.
On the screen, Monica’s face twisted in shock.
"Kill Grant?" she whispered.
Zack scoffed. "What’s wrong with that? After twenty years, are you letting attachnt cloud your judgnt?"
She imdiately softened her tone.
"Don’t be ridiculous. Back then, we only drugged him. He never touched . All these years, he’s been obsessed with that woman. He only kept around to provoke her."
Her voice cracked.
"If I hadn’t used our daughter to pull him back, he wouldn’t have co ho at all. And even when he did, he slept separately. From beginning to end... I’ve only ever belonged to you."
I froze.
Grant never touched her?
That shattered everything I believed.
She had always acted like the one he cherished most. But the hunger in her eyes now told a different story. Soone untouched for years looked exactly like that.
"Then why won’t you listen to ?" Zack asked.
Monica snapped back, "Even if I take his inheritance, you already have a mate and children. Do you expect to live forever without a na or standing?"
Zack sighed, playing the role of a trapped man.
"I didn’t have a choice when I bonded with her. My company needed backing, and you couldn’t get more from Grant. But you’re the only one in my heart."
I felt uncomfortable listening.
If that were true, he wouldn’t have five children with another woman.
But Monica believed him.
"Will you really claim ?" she asked.
He took her hand.
"I never forgot how you left school to support . My greatest regret is not choosing you. Help fix that."
She nodded eagerly.
"Alright. I’ll follow your plan. Once Grant is gone, the three of us can finally be together."
Lewis and I exchanged a look.
"So Lincy really isn’t Grant’s," I said quietly. "He thought he was surrounded by devotion. In the end, neither of them truly wanted him."
"This is the cost of greed," Lewis replied.
I smiled faintly.
"If their goal is to push Mom away from him, I’ll help them. I want to see his face when the truth finally hits."
Later, Zack transferred money to Monica.
Not much.
He told her to look weak, to make Grant feel guilty and damage their bond even further.
Honestly, it was laughable. With his resources, that amount was nothing. Yet he still acted like a man with principles.
I turned to Lewis. "Can you look into the Harrisons for ?"
"Of course," he said, then glanced at the ti. "But it’s late. You should rest."
To him, I was still soone who needed sleep on ti, warm milk in the morning, and quiet protection without question.
And for once
I let myself accept it.
I knew how it must have looked to outsiders.
People who knew the truth understood our bond. To everyone else, it probably seed like Lewis was treating like sothing fragile, sothing to be guarded. Almost like a child.
But I didn’t mind.
Being cared for like that felt warm. Safe.
I shifted closer, found a comfortable place in his arms, and let my eyes close. Sleep ca easily.
The next day, the Hale residence was busy with preparations for the New Year. I was helping oversee the final touches when a call ca in from the Hudsons.
They were hosting a small gathering.
Not a celebration more like a ritual. The Hales, the Morrigans, and the Gardners were all invited. A show of unity. A reminder that, despite recent tension, the packs were still tied together by shared interests.
Over the past months, cracks had ford. But appearances mattered.
Nolan’s death had left scars. Even though the truth had co out and Lincy had nothing to do with it, distrust lingered in the air.
Grant arrived without Lincy.
He only brought my mom.
I watched as he supported her carefully when she stepped out of the car, his hand steady at her back. For a brief mont, I felt a flicker of pity.
His fate was cruel.
After years of indulging Lincy, he would soon learn she wasn’t even his blood. The woman he protected had never loved him. Monica’s heart had always belonged elsewhere, and her loyalty was only to his resources.
And his real daughter?
She had died long ago.
It wasn’t that there was no consequence.
It just hadn’t arrived yet.
When it did, everything Grant had done would return to him in full.
Not long after, Lincy appeared uninvited.
Grant’s expression darkened imdiately. "Why are you here? Haven’t you caused enough trouble? This isn’t your place."
Lincy lowered her head, playing ek.
"Dad, I know I was wrong. I won’t act out again. I was just afraid you might abandon . I didn’t co for anything else."
Grant scoffed, but still asked about her injured hand.
She was quieter today. More careful.
It ant my ssage had reached her. Letting her know about the Hudsons’ gathering had worked. Fear made her obedient.
I only hoped she wouldn’t ruin things.
I turned away and helped my mom walk forward. "Co on, Mom."
She was too tired to care about the familiar drama behind us. She’d lived through it too many tis already.
Lately, rest had been her routine. A slow walk outside lifted her spirits more than any conversation.
Lincy’s presence didn’t bother her at all.
She didn’t know it yet, but that was exactly how I wanted it.
As we rounded the garden corner, soone stepped out from behind the stone arch.
Nicholas.
He stood still, watching my mom from a distance. There was longing in his eyes. And regret.
"Lena," he called softly.
My mom froze and instinctively stepped back. "W–why are you here?"
I spoke before the tension could deepen.
"Mom, he just wants to talk for a mont. I’ll keep an eye on Grant."
Nicholas stopped a few steps away, giving her space. She looked uneasy, but the warmth in his gaze drew her in despite herself.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I’m fine," she replied quietly.
I stepped back and motioned Theo over.
"Theo," I said softly, "I need you to do sothing for ."
"Of course, Mrs. RIley."
I leaned in and whispered, "Let Lincy know that Camilla is pregnant. And the child belongs to Julain."
Theo’s eyes flickered with understanding.
The ga had just moved forward.
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