Chapter 128
Chapter 122
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“She nearly killed me, Sophia continued. “When I woke up from the coma you’d already been sentenced, and the original recording my mother
had destroyed p>
She nodded toward the device in my hand.
“This is a copy I secretly made. My mother had powerful connections in enforcement. I was afraid if I gave it to the wrong person, she’d have it
destroyed too. So I hid it p>
“Now that our family’s power has diminished, you can use this recording t petition the Council for a new hearing.” Sophia looked at me,
smile crumbling as tears slid down her face.
“This time, they won’t be able to twist the truth p>
her
“Thank you,” I managed to say, clutching the device.
I stared at the small device, still processing everything.
“I’m sorry,” she continued, her voice breaking. “I was a coward. I knew wha Noah planned, but I was too afraid to warn you directly. When I learned he’d invited you to our estate, I… I finally told your brother Ryan bout it p>
Her shoulders shook slightly. “I’m sorry. If I’d warned you sooner, you wouldn’t have been tricked by Noah, and Ryan wouldn’t have died trying to save you. It’s my fault. All of it p>
Sophia’s eyes, so like her brother’s yet so different, brimmed with years of guilt and regret.
She squeezed my arm once, then hurried away, disappearing into the crow before I could respond.
I stood frozen, the weight of the device in my hand feeling impossibly heavy.
My brother had gone to Morris Manor deliberately to save me, not by chance.
As I walked back to Morgan, my mind was swimming.
That night when I woke on the floor, Ryan was already dying, his last word simply ‘don’t cry. He never woke again.
Id always wondered how he knew to find me there.
Now I knew.
Hours later, I stood on the moonlit terrace of Lucas’s private residence, th cool night air caressing my skin.
I wore a simple pale blue dress that flowed around my ankles, my hair loo around my shoulders.
Lost in thought, I didn’t hear Lucas approach until his warm scent-pined winter frost-enveloped me.
His arms wrapped around my waist from behind, and I instinctively leaned into his embrace.
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Chapter 122
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“What has my little wolf looking so far away tonight?’ he murmured against my hair, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated through my body.
I turned in his arms, looking up into those impossibly blue eyes.
Something in my chest eased at the sight of him, and I found myself reaching up to touch his face, tracing the strong line of his jaw.
Lucas guided me to the wicker chair on the terrace, sitting down and pulling me onto his lap. His arms encircled me protectively as one hand
began to stroke soothing patterns on my back.
“Your heart is racing, he observed, his lips brushing my temple. “Tell me what’s troubling you p>
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
“Sometimes,” I began carefully, “I wonder if the past is better left buried. digging up old wounds only creates new ones p>
Lucas’s hand stilled on my back. “Is this about what happened at the ceremony? Tori, no one believes-
“No,” I interrupted. “Not exactly. It’s just…” I took a deep breath and met s gaze.
“Today I received new evidence about what happened five years ago. Evidence that proves Fiona set me up p>
Lucas’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What do you want to do with it p>
“I want to appeal my case,” I said quietly but firmly. “Clear my name officially p>
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