Chapter 70
Chapter 70
Chapter 70
A
48
EX 55 vouchers
Cassia sat on the edge of the hospital bed, her gaze fixed on Arthur’s sleeping form. His little chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, his lashes brushing his cheeks as if nothing in the world could disturb him. Relief tugged at her heart, but behind it, worry churned endlessly.
Her eyes flickered toward James, who leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, watching her with a calm patience that almost annoyed her.
“Did everything in the house burn?” Cassia’s voice broke the silence, quiet but heavy.
James straightened. “Not all, but most of it. We’re trying to recover what we can. Some of your things might have survived p>
She exhaled slowly, looking down at her hands clasped in her lap. “Arthur and I will need clothes, and other necessities… since we’ll be staying at Aiden’s house. Just one week p>
James nodded. “Yes, only one week. I’ll take care of it, I’ll go shopping later, get everything you both need p>
Cassia gave a small nod, her lips tightening as silence filled the room again. But her thoughts pressed too heavily on her chest to remain quiet for long.
“James,” she said finally, lifting her head to him, “tell me the truth. What really happened between you and Tracy? I know she loved you, and you loved her. You would never have hurt her p>
For the first time, James’s calm façade cracked. His eyes darkened with something raw, a sadness he usually kept buried. He hesitated, then spoke, his voice low.
“She left me because of what happened between you and Aiden. She asked me to choose, her, or Aiden. And when I couldn’t… she walked away p>
Cassia froze, her brows furrowing. She drew in a sharp breath, guilt washing over her. “James… I’m so sorry p>
He gave a bitter little smile and shook his head. “It’s fine p>
“Does Aiden know?” she asked carefully.
“No,” James replied firmly. “I never told him. He has no idea p>
Cassia let her shoulders drop. There were no more words that could fix what was already broken. Silence lingered before she sighed.
Tm worried about Tracy. And about my family, too. They’ve vanished, James. No trace, no word. I’ve tried everything to find them but nothing”
James’s head jerked slightly, surprise etching into his features. “Your parents are missing p>
“You didn’t know?” she asked, searching his face.
He shook his head, genuine confusion written across his eyes. “No… I had no idea.” He paused, then said with
17:40 Fri, Oct 17
Chapter 70
443
55 vouchers
quiet resolve, “I’ll ask around. I’ll reach out to my contacts. If they’re out there, I’ll find something p>
Cassia’s lips trembled before curving into a faint smile. “Thank you, James p>
He dipped his head slightly in acknowledgment. “We’ll find them, Cassia. I promise p>
Her throat tightened, but she nodded. “We should leave already. And James…” She hesitated, looking at Arthur’s small body curled beneath the blanket. “…stop at a restaurant on the way. I’ll buy food for myself and Arthur p>
James frowned at first, confusion flickering across his features. There was more than enough food at Aiden’s mansion, so why insist on buying outside? But then realization dawned. His chest tightened with quiet sympathy. That same house was where Eva had been poisoned. No wonder Cassia wanted to avoid anything cooked under that roof.
“Sure,” he said gently.
He stepped inside and carefully lifted Arthur into his arms. The boy stirred, his head resting against James’s shoulder. James stared at him for a moment, unable to look away. Arthur’s sleeping face… It was like looking at a younger version of Aiden.
James’s jaw tightened. What if Aiden’s right? What if this boy truly is his son?
Meanwhile, in Velaris pack, Seraphina stirred awake. She blinked slowly, her vision clearing until she saw Damien sitting beside her, his hand resting lightly over hers. A small smile tugged at her lips.
“Have you heard from Cassia?” she asked immediately.
“Yes,” Damien said, relief slipping into his tone. “She called. She’s fine… Aiden saved her.” His jaw clenched on the name, his expression betraying his distaste.
Seraphina caught it instantly. “Cassia loves you, Damien. She’s just afraid. I know my daughter….she would never go back to Aiden. Not after everything he did p>
Damien shifted, helping her sit up. He slid a pillow behind her back for support, his touch careful.
“Thank you,” she whispered, giving him a faint smile.
“Aiden keeps bothering her,” Damien muttered bitterly, “hovering over her, not letting her breathe…even though he’s married p>
Seraphina chuckled humorlessly. “That’s pride, Damien. Men like him can’t stand seeing the woman they rejected move on. Their ego bleeds, so they claw and grasp, trying to hold what they’ve already lost p>
Her words made him laugh softly, but there was no humor in his eyes.
“You’re not like him, Damien,” Seraphina continued, her voice firm. “I’ve always loved you as a son–in–law. You’re the best for Cassia. I can’t wait for the day you two are mated… Have you told her she’s your mate yet p>
Damien’s lips parted, but he shook his head. “No. Not yet p>
17:40 Fri, Oct 17
Chapter 70
“You should have,” Seraphina said gently but firmly.
“I want her to feel it herself,” he said quietly.
Z (48 )
E55 vouchers
“She lost her wolf, Damien. She can’t feel the bond,” Seraphina reminded him softly. “Unless you plan to wait until her wolf awakens… which could be forever p>
“Even if it takes a lifetime, I’ll wait,” Damien said, his eyes hard with resolve. “I won’t fumble this. I won’t rush her. I love her… and I respect her. It has to be on her terms p>
Seraphina’s eyes softened, misty with memory. “You remind me of my husband. He was just as sweet as you… until death stole him from me.” She let out a small, sad laugh.
“I’m sorry,” Damien whispered.
“It’s fine. Maybe soon I’ll join him,” she said with a half–smile. “With this sickness, who knows p>
Damien’s brows furrowed, his chest tightening. “Why would you say that? You’re not dying, Seraphina. It’s just panic attacks, we can manage that. What I don’t understand is why you’d need syringes for it p>
Seraphina frowned. “I didn’t prescribe the syringes myself. Kael brought a doctor from the hospital. He gave it to me p>
Damien’s head snapped up. Shock, then suspicion sharpened his gaze. “Kael p>
“Yes. Doctor Erik Williams, I think. That was his name. Honestly, I have forgotten his name p>
Damien’s mind raced. His father had told him Seraphina administered the drug herself. He lied. Why? His gut twisted with unease.
“And since when have you been forgetting things, Seraphina?” Damien asked softly.
She pressed a hand to her temple, thoughtful. “I don’t know. Maybe since the attacks started p>
Or maybe since the injections started, Damien thought darkly. He rose from his chair p>
“You’re leaving?” Seraphina asked, her voice laced with worry.
“Yes,” he said quietly, his jaw set. “I’ll be back in an hour p>
He turned and left the room.
While he stood outside the room, he pulled out the syringe he’d taken earlier from his pocket. He studied the liquid inside, his eyes narrowing.
the syringe cold in his palm. Something about it was wrong…everything about it was wrong.
And he intended to find out exactly what.
TBC