Chapter 121: She’s Back

Just a few days ago, the Morrigans had showered me with expensive gifts. Smiles. Warm words. Respect.

I’d almost believed they wanted peace.

Now I understood.

They weren’t fixing anything. They were laying bait.

Camilla had been planning this for a long time.

I had to admit it she was impressive in the worst way. If she used even half that focus on something decent, she could have gone far. But instead, she chose schemes and lies. That was her nature. She didn’t build. She trapped.

I reached for some napkins to wipe the lemon water from my clothes, but Julian was faster. He handed one to me.

I wanted to refuse.

But Sera was sitting right there, watching. If I pushed him away too hard, it would look strange. Suspicious. And I wasn’t about to give her space to imagine things that didn’t exist.

So I accepted it with a small nod.

“Thanks.”

When I looked up, I froze for a second.

Julian wasn’t reacting to the news at all.

No anger. No shock. No fear about Camilla carrying his blood while being claimed by another man.

Instead, his attention was locked on me.

There was a softness in his eyes. Concern. Almost instinctive, like he was checking if someone from his past was hurt.

“You okay?” he asked quietly.

I nearly laughed.

Out of everyone at this table, I was the least affected. I’d just choked on water, not had my life rewritten.

“I’m fine,” I said calmly.

Sera’s gaze flicked between us, sharp despite her polite smile. My chest tightened. I didn’t like the way the air shifted when she looked at us like that.

So I stood.

“Why don’t we take a walk to the greenhouse?”

Fresh air. Distance. And answers.

Sera agreed easily.

Once we were surrounded by flowers and glass walls glowing with soft light, I asked, “So… how did Camilla get pregnant so quickly?”

Sera didn’t hesitate. “She missed her cycle and went to the hospital. They checked her levels and did a scan. She’s about two weeks along.”

I smiled faintly. “That’s… convenient timing.”

Outwardly, I stayed relaxed.

Inside, everything clicked into place.

Fake reports. Fake results. A perfect performance. Camilla had been cornered, so she didn’t run she rewrote the rules. That was always her way.

I used to wonder what she’d do when every door closed on her.

Now I knew.

She didn’t retreat. She shifted the ground beneath everyone else.

Sera kept talking, her voice light with relief. “It’s been so long since our family had good news. My parents still don’t like Camilla much, but now that she’s pregnant, they have no choice but to accept her. Even my grandfather is happy. He plans to officiate the ceremony once things stabilize.”

A ceremony.

A bond announced before the pack.

Camilla had turned herself from an outsider into someone untouchable. All with smoke and timing.

But lies had a scent. And eventually, they always surfaced.

“So the wedding will be soon?” I asked.

Sera hesitated. “Right after New Year’s. We can’t wait too long. If her stomach shows, people will start counting dates. Riley… I know Yenik hurt you, and ”

I smiled before she could finish.

“It’s fine. That’s all behind me.”

And it was.

“I’m bonded now. That Chapter is closed.” I paused, then added honestly, “If anyone’s hurting, it’s Lincy. I could tell she cared about Yenik. When she finds out he’s marrying Camilla… that won’t be easy for her.”

Sera fell quiet.

The greenhouse hummed softly around us, alive with warmth and breath.

And deep down, I knew this wasn’t over.

This was what happened when people reached for things that were never meant for them.

“Riley, you look glowing lately,” Sera said with a soft smile. “You and Mr. Hale seem very close.”

Her eyes paused just for a second on my neck.

And suddenly, everything made sense.

Lewis was never careless. He was controlled. Thoughtful. Always three steps ahead. A mark like that wasn’t an accident. He had left it on purpose.

Not for me.

For someone else to see.

For Julian.

The realization settled deep in my chest. Heavy. Quiet.

Lately, Julian had been… strange. Too gentle. Too attentive. I had wondered if he’d found the notebook I left behind. If he’d finally understood the pain I carried in another life. If his sudden kindness wasn’t love at all but guilt.

Maybe he saw shadows of Elena in me.

Maybe he was trying to make peace with himself.

Still, I didn’t hide the mark.

People like Julian. Like Yenik. They belonged in my past. Bad luck. Old scars. I wouldn’t let them near me again.

“Yes,” I replied calmly. “Lewis treats me well. And I care about him.”

As I turned, I saw Julian standing near the rose bushes.

He was holding a freshly cut red rose.

The thorns had bitten deep into his palm. Blood ran freely down his fingers, dripping onto the stone floor. But he didn’t react. No flinch. No pain.

His eyes were fixed on me.

Once, even a small cut on him would’ve sent me running. Panicked. Shaking.

Now?

I felt nothing.

Sera gasped and rushed to him. “Julian! You’re bleeding!”

“It’s nothing,” he said quietly.

“It’s not nothing,” she insisted, already pressing tissue to his hand.

Still, he didn’t look away from me.

Like he was searching my face for something. Regret. Feeling. A sign I still cared.

I gave him none.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” I said evenly.

The moment the words left my mouth, his jaw tightened. The muscles in his hand flexed, blood dripping faster, like he was holding something back.

The air felt wrong. Heavy. Thick.

The way he looked at me sent chills across my skin.

Like he knew.

Like he had figured out something impossible.

That I wasn’t supposed to be here.

That Elena was standing in front of him, wearing a different face.

I turned and walked out.

The moment I stepped outside, my phone rang.

“Mom!” I answered, smiling instantly.

Her voice was warm. Familiar. Safe. “Are you free today? I bought groceries. Thought I’d cook your favorites. Can you and Lewis come over?”

“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “We’d love to.”

We should’ve visited earlier, after the bond ceremony. But life had been chaos. Now felt right.

Lewis was still tied up with work, so I sent him a message and decided to go ahead first.

Before leaving the Hale estate, I gathered gifts. My family didn’t need anything my mother had always lived comfortably but I wanted her to feel seen.

Dresses. Jewelry. Shoes. Things she’d love.

I packed everything into the trunk and called her again. “I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”

“Drive slowly,” she warned gently. “The roads are slick.”

“I will.”

As the call ended, I looked up.

My reflection met the driver’s eyes in the mirror.

Something was wrong.

It was Julian.

“What are you doing?” I shouted. “Stop the car!”

He didn’t.

The vehicle kept moving, smooth and steady.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said calmly. “I just want to talk.”

My breath caught.

“Don’t call me that,” I said, shaking. “What did you just say?”

“Elena,” he repeated softly. “I know it’s you.”

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