Chapter 144
+25 BONUS
Bryson’s POV
I’d spent the entire day knee–deep in site inspections, back–to–back meetings, and chasing down investors to fill the financial hole left in the pack–only to be hit with a frantic message from one of the servants.
Your mother fainted.
The words sucker–punched the breath right out of me.
With my heart pounding in my ears, I rushed home like a madman. The double doors of the estate banged open under my force, slamming against the walls as I charged inside.
Everything was chaos.
Servants and omegas bustled across the hall, shouting over one another while hauling bowls of water, cloths, and herbs. It looked like a war zone.
I didn’t even pause to ask questions. My feet carried me upstairs, my breath catching as groans and shouts grew louder.
Then I saw the door–her door–barely closed.
I slammed it open.
“Bryson! Finally, you’re back!” Julie stood up from beside the bed and hurried toward me, her face pale and frantic.
“What happened?” I demanded, voice sharp, eyes locked on my mother.
“I was only told she fainted.”
“Just fainted?” she echoed with disbelief. “She has a fever. High. Delirious. Look at her–she hasn’t stopped muttering nonsense since she returned from the palace.”
I crossed the room slowly, my eyes glued to the frail woman lying in bed. Sweat drenched her pale face, and her skin looked nearly translucent under the dim lighting.
“Mom…” I whispered, sitting beside her and gently squeezing her clammy hand. “It’s me. I’m here.”
“Wrong… you’re all wrong… not her…” she whispered feverishly, her words jumbled and broken.
Behind me, Julie let out an angry scoff.
“She hasn’t recognized anyone since last night,” she said bitterly. “This all started right after the party. After that girl disgraced our family.”
I didn’t need to ask who she meant. There was only one woman who made their blood boil that easily.
“Elena,” I muttered, exhausted.
Julie’s eyes flared. “Don’t start that again,” I warned.
“Me?” she spat, eyes wild. “You should be saying that to her! Elena didn’t just humiliate your mom and me
Chapter 144
+25 BONUS
-she was arrogant enough to take on the Grand Princess and the Duchess. And she did it publicly!”
She began pacing, arms flailing. “Her engagement was announced. They talked about our family, about your divorce, like we’re nothing but some joke!”
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, trying to push down the tension crawling up my spine.
“It’s already been circulating for weeks,” I said flatly. “What’s the surprise there?”
“But they made it official! The wedding is coming!” she cried out.
My heart skipped a beat.
“…Wedding?” I asked slowly. “With Prince Deacon?”
Hearing it spoken out loud… it hit different.
Before, the rumors had seemed like a smokescreen. A political trick to settle public unrest after the King’s challenge. But now…
It felt real. Like something permanent had been sealed.
I clenched my jaw, the air thick with silence. I didn’t say anything more.
Julie continued to rant, but her voice was drowned out by the sudden pressure building inside my chest.
“She provoked the Grand Princess,” I finally muttered. “Whatever Elena said was likely a response to that. She’s not the type to start it.”
I wasn’t defending her. Not really. Just stating facts. But I couldn’t ignore how defensive I sounded.
Julie’s eyes widened like I’d struck her.
“You’re taking her side?” she shrieked, her face twisted with rage.
Before I could respond, the door creaked open and Glenda stepped in, wearing jeans and a simple shirt. She looked tired, but she held her head high.
Julie scoffed dramatically. “Well, look who finally decided to show up.”
Glenda shot her a look colder than ice, brushing past her like she didn’t exist. “I don’t answer to you. Don’t forget–I’m your Luna.”
I stepped forward. “Where were you?”
My voice wasn’t angry at first–just disappointed.
She should’ve been here. This was her home. Her duty. Elena… Elena would’ve been here.
“Luna’s office,” Glenda said with a shrug. “Finishing reports.”
“You haven’t even-” I stopped myself, cutting off the rising heat in my throat. I looked back at my mother, her face still twisted in pain, her mouth moving in sleep.
I turned back to Glenda, glaring. “She’s suffering, and you’re worried about paperwork?”
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Chapter 144
She didn’t even flinch. “She never liked me. What’s the point in pretending otherwise?”
“That doesn’t matter right now!” I barked, unable to hold it in anymore.
Even if my mother didn’t treat her well, this was still her husband’s mother. Basic human decency should’ve meant something.
Mom’s groans filled the air again, weak and broken. Each one was a dagger to my gut.
I opened my mouth again, but Glenda beat me to it–her voice quiet, bitter.
“Maybe you should’ve stayed married to Elena, after all.”
Her words cut through the tension like a blade.
I stared at her, frozen. Confused.
“What… did you just say?” I asked, my voice low.
She didn’t falter.
“That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?”
The room fell quiet.
And for a brief moment, I didn’t know what to say.
Because maybe… just maybe… she wasn’t entirely wrong.
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.
