Chapter 450
Chapter 450
Third Person’s POV
Early morning. VIP Wing, Private Healing Center.
Finished
Trista tucked the sleeping Sayer into bed and stepped out of the room, nearly colliding with Cassian, who was leaning against the wall at the end of the hallway, nursing a cigarette.
“Thanks for the help tonight, Cassian. You can head home now p>
Her voice was as flat as a sheet of ice. It was the kind of polite detachment you’d use with a complete stranger–or a guest who had overstayed their welcome.
Cassian stared at her, the raw, repressed violence in his chest making it hard to breathe. “In what capacity are you thanking me for him? Trista, you won’t even look me in the eye p>
Trista turned to face him, her expression a blank slate. Her eyes were clear but deep, like a frozen wall he would never climb over.
Cassian felt himself starting to unrave.
He dropped his guard, his voice bordering on a plea. “You have work tomorrow. Let me drive you back to your apartment so you can get some sleep. I’ve already hired private nurses for them; you don’t need to pull an all–nighter p>
“I don’t need your help,” she said, cutting him off. “I’m staying here to look after them p>
“Look after them?” Cassian’s face darkened, a dangerous current swirling in his eyes. “He’s an Alpha. I don’t care how bad the injury is, he doesn’t need you playing nurse personally p>
Trista looked him dead in the eye, her stillness more terrifying than any shout.
“Cassian, this is my call. I don’t owe you a report, and I definitely didn’t ask for your advice p>
She tilted her head toward the elevators, her tone final. “Now, please leave. There are patients trying to
rest p>
She took a half–step closer, her voice dropping to a whisper that cut like a razor. “Back when our mate bond was still intact, you spent over a month away from home, staying day and night by that she–wolf’s side because you ‘cared‘ so much. I didn’t say a word then p>
She paused, twisting the knife. “Now, Mr. Manwaring and I are both single. If I want to take care of him, whose business is it but mine? ”
Cassian’s throat tightened. He tried to swallow, but the words wouldn’t come.
He regretted it every waking second.
He hated himself for what he’d done back then. That one choice was a knot between him and Trista that would never be untied.
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1:18 pm M M M
Chapter 450
Finished
“Cassian,” she reminded him, “in a few months, I’ll have known you for twenty–seven years. For Alaina and Wynn’s sake, I don’t want to make this ugly p>
She stepped into his personal space, her eyes flashing. “Don’t forget what you promised me on that island p>
They stood in a silent deadlock.
Finally, Cassian managed to choke out four words: “…Get some rest p>
The moment he turned to leave, Trista shut the door.
He stood outside the glass for a heartbeat, watching her through the window. She was hovering over Elias’s bed, gently dabbing his lips with a damp swab.
Watching her be that soft, that careful with another man, felt like a serrated blade sawing through his heart.
They had been together for over two decades.
He knew she was stubborn, he knew she had high standards, and he knew she valued loyalty above everything else. So why? Why had he chosen to prioritize Samantha back then?
Cassian slammed his fist into the hallway wall.
When he pulled his hand away, he left a jagged smear of blood against the white paint.
One hour later, when Fred and Isaiah found Cassian at the club, he was already trashed.
Cassian pointed a bloodied finger at Isaiah, his voice sounding like gravel. “What are you doing here p>
Isaiah hopped onto the coffee table and poured himself a drink. “This club doesn’t belong to the Ironthorns. I go where I want p>
Cassian rolled his eyes and poured another round.
Fred stepped in, taking the glass away. “Wynn called me. She said your parents are in a massive blowout. Alaina took Wynn and went back to the Icepeak pack p>
Isaiah let out a dry whistle. “Picking a fight with his Luna? Real class act p>
Cassian looked at him with glazed, numb eyes. “You’re right,” he muttered. “The men in my family are all pieces of work p>
Isaiah watched Cassian’s total collapse and slowly backed away. He pointed at Cassian and whispered to Fred, “Is he… is he actually losing it p>
Fred frowned in disgust. “He’s gone. Ignore him p>
Isaiah turned back to Cassian. “I heard Manwaring got clipped. Is it bad p>
Cassian let out a bitter, acidic snort. “He’s doing great! He’s got someone special waiting on him hand and
foot p>
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Chapter 450
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Finished
Isaiah didn’t bother with a reply. He turned to leave. “Fred, I’m going to go grab some takeout for Trista. She shouldn’t be pulling all–nighters; I’m gonna go take the next shift so she can sleep p>
Fred caught him at the door.
“Wait, Isaiah. Since when are you so house–broken? You’re the most arrogant guy I know–why do you listen to her? ”
Isaiah’s expression actually turned serious for a second. “Because. She’s beautiful, she’s a damn good doctor, and she’s good to me p>
Fred looked back at the wreck on the sofa and challenged him. “Since when has she been ‘good‘ to you p>
Isaiah puffed out his chest. “You wouldn’t get it. When she first started treating me, I was a total dick to her. She never gave up. She introduced me to her friends. She knew things were rough with my grandfather, and she kept me grounded. One time, it was pouring rain and she spent half the night looking for me. When she found me, she was so exhausted she was falling asleep standing up, but she still insisted on making me something to eat p>
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.