Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 166
Roana,
Z.9 p>
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I froze, my eyes widening. The grip around Rosetta’s neck slowly loosened. She dropped to the floor. The dull thud of her fall barely registered as I moved toward Carl within seconds.
He flinched under my gaze but stayed still. His shoulders stiffened, jaw tightening as if bracing himself.
“Repeat what you said p>
His fingers curled into a tight fist as he looked straight into my eyes and said something that shook my entire being.
“She can help you find Cassian p>
“Wh-what?” My eyes widened further, my heartbeat skipping. I slowly turned, facing Rosetta, who was standing there coughing, one hand braced against the wall. “Cassian… how can she help me? Can she bring a dead person back p>
My voice shook despite my effort to steady it. Rosetta straightened, wiped the corner of her mouth, then walked toward me. She stopped an arm’s length away, staring at my face as if she were memorizing every line, every flaw, every reaction.
“Cassian is alive,” she said so matter-of-factly that I took an involuntary step back.
For a heartbeat, I wanted to believe her. The words Cassian is alive echoed too perfectly in my head, shaped like bait meant to drag me under. Hope stirred-dangerous, unwanted-and I crushed it before it could rise any higher. I had trusted certainty once before. I had watched his blood, heard the finality in every voice that told me he was gone. Anyone could lie. Anyone could say a name and watch me unravel. My knees weakened anyway, traitorous, even as my jaw locked tight.
If this was a trap, it was because I wanted it to be true. I studied Rosetta’s face, the steadiness of her gaze, the measured calm in her breathing, the way she said his name without hesitation, and wondered how far they were willing to go to break me. If Cassian was alive, I would tear the world apart to reach him. And if he wasn’t, I would finish what I had started with both of them.
“What-what did you say?” I asked, my voice hoarse, as if the words scraped my throat raw. “Cassian is alive p>
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain still even as my knees threatened to give way. It felt as if her single sentence had lifted a crushing weight from my chest, leaving something hollow and sharp behind.
“Yes. And I can help you find him,” she said.
I could feel it immediately. There was something she wanted. I didn’t waste time. Not anymore.
“What do you want p>
She clearly hadn’t expected that. Her eyes flickered, surprise flashing across her face before a dry, flat chuckle escaped her.
18:30 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 166
“You are direct, aren’t you p>
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I straightened my back, rolling my shoulders as my jaw tightened. “Where is he? Tell me. I will give you anything you want p>
The corner of her lips rose. “You shouldn’t promise something that easily p>
I scoffed, my voice sharpening, my gaze cutting into her. “Please- don’t look so smug. Right now, I’m considering helping you should be enough for you to feel grateful. Because either way, I can make you find Cassian p>
Her eyes widened. Her jaw clenched as realization set in. She stood before me knowing she had only two outcomes-help me or die.
“I think we should talk properly,” Carl chimed in carefully. “Because both of you need something from each other p>
My eyes narrowed as I exhaled slowly. “Fair enough. Killing her won’t change anything anyway.” I sat down on the couch, crossing one leg over the other. “What’s your deal, Estelle? Bring Cassian, and I will help you p>
“Then come with me,” she said. This time, her composure cracked. Her shoulders tensed, and her fingers curled nervously at her side.
“Where to?” I asked.
She glanced at Carl, then back at me. “Downstairs. To Keane’s apartment p>
My eyes widened. “What are you trying to do p>
“You will see p>
We walked downstairs together. The pieces began aligning in my head. Was this why Carl had asked me to choose where I wanted to go first? The tension crawled under my skin, sharp and relentless.
But after hearing her words about Cassian, I didn’t waste another second. This time, I would die, kill, or do whatever was necessary to bring Cassian back-alive and whole.
Rosetta unlocked the door with her fingerprint. I frowned. Why would she have access to this place?
The moment the door opened, a familiar scent hit my nostrils.
“Keane?” I muttered sharply.
“Yes,” Carl said, walking inside. I followed, shock tightening my chest as disbelief settled in. “He’s alive p>
My jaw clenched. So he was alive while my mate was still missing. How unfair!
Before I could stop it, a dark aura surged around me. The air thickened. Carl and Rosetta both turned, sensing the shift as my mood soured.
Neither of them spoke, knowing one wrong word could cost their lives now.
18:32 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 166
Rosetta cleared her throat and turned on the light.
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The light hit my eyes. Still, I looked ahead, just to see what’s inside. A sharp breath escaped my chest as the room was revealed.
Keane lay on the bed, wrapped in bandages, his body riddled with wounds. Parts of his face were burned, but he was unmistakably alive.
My chest heaved as I stared at him. Rosetta, who was adjusting the blanket, turned toward me. “I need one thing p>
“Name it,” I said, my voice clipped.
“Let us pass through the border and help us hide until we’re somewhere safe p>
I paused. I had braced myself for something far worse, especially after Carl’s earlier question about how much pain I could endure.
“Just that?” I asked quietly.
She nodded. “Yes. As long as you give us protection and a way out of this place, I will help you find Cassian p>
“Great. But if you bring Cassian first, you’ll be able to leave. However, if you’re joking or trying to use me, I will finish the unfinished job. With both of you p>
She flinched, then nodded quickly. “Don’t worry. I don’t like partnerships either p>
“We aren’t partners, Rosetta Estelle,” I said coldly. “I’m giving you a chance to live in exchange for my mate p>
Her expression tightened as her gaze dropped. It flicked toward Keane. My brow lifted slightly when I noticed it.
It was genuine heartbreak. She was in love with Keane?
“What the…” I whispered.
“She’s in love with Keane,” Carl finally said.
“No wonder,” I murmured. “But how did he survive? He was upstairs in that building p>
“Maybe we can talk about it once the deal is done,” Rosetta said quickly, her eyes hard with resolve.
A flicker of hope and restrained excitement washed through me. I could finally see him again-warm, alive, mine.
“Sure,” I said, folding my arms. “We’ll have a very long conversation about it p>
Rosetta glanced at Carl and bowed slightly.
“Please p>
18:33 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 166
20
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My eyes narrowed. So he knew where Keane was and kept him hidden until I agreed. Calculated and Manipulative. Just as I should have thought about him.
Carl met my gaze and pulled out a key.
“It’s the basement key. I want you to go alone p>
My pulse spiked. He was in the basement the entire time? Was that why the room had been sealed-to keep him and his scent away from me until they secured my help?
My eyes hardened. “Alone?” I scoffed. “No. I’m excited to meet my man, but I’m not stupid. There’s no way I’m walking in blind. But don’t worry p>
I grabbed the key and turned. “Come out, Draken. Have you heard enough p>
Draken, who had been lurking since we entered Keane’s room, finally stepped forward.
“You noticed me?” he asked with an awkward chuckle.
“Keep an eye on them,” I said without looking back. “One wrong move, kill them. I don’t care p>
“What do you mean?” Rosetta shouted. “We protected him! Keane almost gave his life for your damn mate p>
I lifted my head, silencing her with a single look, and walked toward the basement.
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18:33 Tue, Feb 3
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.