HAYE

ently, his polite pres

far beyond my reality, it felt like a cruel joke. I was a

ing the words out. "Please.

alked into the ICU. Seeing my mother, unconscious and frail, felt like a knife

falling silently onto the crisp white

sell

r. "I need to go home," I told Mr. Reynolds. "I have to ta

ed his head. "Th

renda and stepsister Amber were on the sofa, their faces masks of smug satisfaction. My

harp, dripping with venom. "Good. Get yourself read

jealousy. "Being Rick's mate is a blessing. He's an Alpha with his own busin

g straight to Arthur.

ing with agitation. "I told you, I don't ha

A useless Omega like you should be thankful you can finally do

these people, my supposed family, and a

voice cold and steady.

hoice!" Brenda shri

at that exact moment

tout, fleshy man with cruel eyes and a s

cal violation, greedy and possessive. "S

twisting into a fawning smile. "Mr. Tu

as he stood up, like a

h hand out to touch my face. "Don't be scared, little th

head away

ed. "What, not

my skin. "Don't you dare upset him," she hissed in my ear.

g smile, at my stepmother's vicious face, and

er's pale face. Kaelen Be

ween hell an

that was the price, I'd walk through fire, through i

heart didn't freeze

o Rick, my voice steady, cli

riumphant smiles. Arthur

py. Let them th

lked to my small room, locked the door

the tea

ntly down my cheeks and landing on

st stood there, letting them

ing away a piece of weakness, l