Free Web NovelChapter 30: Chapter 30
Aria’s POV
I hurried towards the women, glancing between them as I asked in a slightly steady voice, "Why are they looking for the woman?".
They exchanged glances before returning their gazes to me.
"I think they mentioned something about compensating her", one of them replied.
I drew in a deep breath, trying to suppress the fury fraying my nerves.
They wanted to compensate me after my child nearly died. I huffed and went back to my seat.
When the nurse finally called, "Lana?", I rose, holding my little girl close. Her small arms looped around my neck, her warmth steadying me.
After the checkup, I sat outside the pediatric exam room, waiting for the results.
The rhythmic sound of footsteps and muffled conversations filled the air, but my mind was elsewhere, floating between exhaustion and that dull ache that never really left.
Then my gaze drifted toward the ultrasound room nearby.
To my greatest shock, Sophia stood there, perfectly groomed as always, clutching an ultrasound image like it was a trophy.
My wolf’s ears perked, instincts sharpening. Beside her stood a man with tall, broad-shoulders. He was achingly familiar but it wasn’t Nathan.
When he turned, my breath hitched. My heartbeat stumbled, then pounded hard against my ribs.
Richard.
What in the Moon Goddess’s name was he doing with her?
I double-checked the sign above the door, as if that would change what I was seeing. But it was still the ultrasound room.
The rumors about Sophia’s pregnancy were already everywhere online.
One thought tugged at me though. Why was Sophia here with Richard instead of Nathan?
She was obviously here for prenatal checkup.
Were both of them still entangled with each other?.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. Of course, that had to be it.
So all that concern Richard had shown, when he stopped me from meeting Nathan the last time was all part of the act. He wasn’t protecting me. He was clearing the path for Nathan and Sophia to waltz around freely.
What a noble sacrifice, I thought, my lips curling into a mocking smirk. How selfless of him, to sacrifice his own happiness for Sophia’s.
The smirk hadn’t faded when his eyes found mine.
Our gazes locked for a heartbeat. The air between us crackled. I froze, then schooled my expression into indifference, tearing my gaze away as if he were nothing more than another stranger in a hospital room. freewebnoveℓ.com
But even without looking, I could feel his gaze still on me but I pretended not to notice.
I bowed my head, my bangs falling like a curtain over my face. It was easier that way. I needed to hide the flicker of emotion I didn’t want him to see.
My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, her senses prickling at the weight of his gaze still burning into me.
I kept my eyes fixed on the tiled floor, refusing to meet his.
My sharp ears caught Sophia’s nervous words as she spoke to him. She must have noticed his distraction. "What’s wrong, Richard? Are Nathan’s people nearby?"
I caught on fragments of their conversion.
Eventually Richard told her curtly, "Take a cab back. I’ve got something to handle,"
I froze.
Something to handle.
I didn’t need to wonder who that "something" was.
I knew it had to do with me.
Sophia hesitated but didn’t argue. She covered her face and hurried off.
My pulse quickened. Not again. I grabbed my bag and stood, ready to make my escape before our paths crossed.
"Aria."
His voice slid through the air behind me. My feet faltered for just a second before I forced myself forward. I kept my expression blank, every muscle tight, pretending I hadn’t heard.
Then his hand caught my wrist.
My wolf snarled in protest, wanting me to rip free.
"What do you want?" I snapped, spinning around. My voice came out sharper than I intended, brittle with anger and something dangerously close to pain.
Richard looked momentarily lost, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t name. "I..." he started, but the words crumbled before they reached me.
"Just listen to me," he finally pleaded, desperation bleeding into his tone.
"Your explanations have nothing to do with me," I shot back, my voice cold and steady even as my wolf bristled, pacing beneath my skin.
He flinched, his eyes dimming. "Aria, you’d rather go back to Nathan than give me a second glance? We were so close once. Have you forgotten everything?"
I laughed, but the sound that came out wasn’t of joy, it was jagged and bitter, like broken glass. "Forgotten? Oh no, Richard, I remember everything. I remember every lie, every manipulation, every time you used me as your shield while you played hero for someone else."
I stepped closer, my wolf pushing against the surface, letting her presence edge into my tone. "Looking at you now makes my skin crawl. So do us both a favor and stay the hell out of my life."
The words hung heavy in the air between us. He met my eyes, really met them, but all he saw was ice. Whatever warmth used to live there had long since frozen over.
Just then, the nurse called Lana’s name, I turned and headed towards her without sparing Richard another glance.
I walked swiftly toward the examination room with Lana in my arms.
The doctor’s calm voice steadied me. "The fever’s broken, and the chest X-ray shows everything’s clear."
I exhaled slowly, relief flooding through me like cool water. My shoulders finally loosened. The tight coil of worry that had gripped me since last night unraveled a little
"Thank you," I murmured, bowing slightly in gratitude to the doctor and nurse before turning to leave.
Lana’s soft breaths warmed against my neck.
As I stepped into the hallway, I didn’t realize Richard was still there. My focus was only on getting Lana home, feeding her, letting her rest.
I adjusted Lana in my arms and kept walking, never looking back.
Outside, the sky was bright and sunny. I stood by the roadside to halt a taxi when a shadow fell across my path, blocking my way.
I froze. My wolf snapped to attention, claws scraping at the edge of my consciousness.
"Aria, it really is you." The person said.
My heart clenched.
