Chapter 181
Chapter 175
Fiona’s POV:
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The afternoon sunlight streamed through Grayson Manor’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
I adjusted my position on the cream-colored sofa, cradling my newborn son against my chest with practiced tenderness.
The weight of him felt both precious and strategic, a living shield I’d carefully cultivated over nine months.
Elizabeth Grayson swept into the room with her characteristic grace, and straightened instinctively. Even after giving birth to a Grayson heir, her approval still mattered. Still controlled everything.
“Tori, Morgan-how wonderful you could make it.” Elizabeth’s warm greeting made my stomach clench.
I kept my expression serene, maternal, unthreatening. But inside, my wolf stirred with something darker.
Through my lashes, I watched Tori Sullivan enter beside that enthusiastic riend of hers.
The baby squirmed in my arms, and I made a show of soothing him, cooing softly.
I watched Lucas excuse himself toward the study, his broad shoulders disappearing down the corridor. Morgan’s mother called her away to help
with something in the kitchen. And just like that, the stage was set.
Tori remained in the sitting area, examining a silver picture frame on the side table. Alone. Vulnerable.
Finally.
I rose slowly, careful to appear slightly unsteady-the exhausted new mother.
“Tori,” I called softly, my voice honey-sweet. “Would you mind keeping me company? Everyone’s so busy, and I’d love to chat p>
She turned, wariness flickering across her features before she masked it with politeness. “Of course p>
I settled back onto the sofa, arranging the baby’s blanket with deliberate cure. Tori took the armchair across from me, maintaining distance.
“It’s strange, isn’t it?” I began, letting my fingers drift to my engagement ring, stroking the band with obvious satisfaction. “After everything, all the twists and turns… we’ve ended up as family anyway p>
Tori’s expression remained neutral, but I caught the slight tightening around her eyes.
I continued, my voice dropping to something more intimate, almost conspiratorial, “I should thank you. Really p>
“You know,” I mused, adjusting the baby’s position, “I was sentenced too. But here I am-free, with a beautiful son p>
I paused, letting the knife twist. “And you? You spent four years in Silver Fang, lost everything, everyone. While 1…” I gestured around the
opulent room. “I gained everything I wanted p>
Silence stretched between us. Then, unexpectedly, Tori smiled.
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Chapter 175
It started small. Then she laughed, the sound bright and genuine, like ice breaking in spring thaw.
My triumphant smile froze. The satisfaction curdled in my chest.
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“What-I frowned, glancing instinctively toward the second-floor study. knew the soundproofing was excellent, that nothing we said down here would reach Lucas’s ears.
Still, years of ingrained wariness made me lower my voice further. “What are you laughing at p>
She kept laughing, and something hot and ugly twisted in my gut.
“Stop it,” I snapped. “Are you insane? Stop laughing p>
Tori’s laughter faded, but that maddening smile remained, edged with something that looked almost like pity. “I’m just happy for you, Fiona. Isn’t that what you wanted? You told me all this to make me acknowledge your victory, didn’t you p>
Her head tilted slightly. “So now I’m happy for you. Why does that make you unhappy p>
The casual dismissal in her tone-as if my words had slid right off her without leaving a mark-made my blood boil.
Before I could respond, she stood. “Actually, I should check on Morgan p>
“Wait.” I shifted forward, making my voice gentler, more inviting. “Would you like to hold him? The baby p>
Tori’s gaze dropped to the bundle in my arms, and for a moment, something flickered across her face.
“No, thank you,” she said quietly.
The rejection stung more than it should have. “Are you sure? Most women can’t resist.” I lifted the baby slightly, his tiny face peaceful in sleep. “He’s really quite p>
“I’m sure p>
Morgan appeared in the doorway. “Everything okay here p>
“Of course,” I said quickly, my voice taking on a wounded quality. “I was just offering to let Tori hold the baby, but…” I let the sentence trail off, injecting just enough hurt into my tone.
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