Free Web NovelChapter 59: Chapter 59 The Protective Lie
Bella’s POV
Jack’s understanding response helped ease the tension between us. He didn’t press the issue further, choosing instead to shift our conversation toward lighter topics. His calm acceptance stemmed from the fact that my refusal had been justified - I’d been honest about my married status.
The others wouldn’t be nearly as gracious about rejection.
Their self-absorbed nature meant they’d fixate entirely on their own circumstances, dwelling on their unhappy marriages without sparing a single thought for my situation. What about my feelings? What about my own marriage and the complications it brought?
Once again, everything revolved around their perspectives, their lives, their choices.
It was perpetually about them.
When they desired me, they pursued me. When they lost interest, they discarded me, completely disregarding my emotions in the process.
The elevator carried me upward, and I watched the floor numbers climb with growing dread.
I already knew what awaited me the moment I crossed the threshold into the suite - three alphas primed for another confrontation.
This time, however, I’d prepared exactly what I intended to say.
The doors slid open, and I stepped into the suite to find all three of them positioned there, their intense gazes fixed on me.
"What did he tell you?" Parker’s demand came immediately, exactly as I’d anticipated.
"That’s not your business," I responded with firm conviction, maintaining a steady tone that left no opening for their usual intimidation tactics.
"That wasn’t my question," he shot back.
I’d miscalculated their persistence. They completely ignored my boundary and continued their interrogation relentlessly.
"Did you miss what I just said? I don’t owe you any explanations. If anyone has the right to question me about these matters, it’s my husband," I snapped, pulling my shoulders back defiantly.
"The same husband you supposedly care about while sneaking around to kiss Derek behind his back."
Ice-cold dread flooded my veins when that voice spoke directly behind me.
I spun around to discover Serena standing there. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Before I could process her unexpected appearance or create distance between us, she was already launching herself forward.
Her fingers tangled violently in my hair from behind, the sudden assault catching me completely off guard as she attempted to slam me into the nearest wall.
Something primal ignited within me.
In the next instant, I thrust my arm out and shoved her away from me.
That single action was all it took.
Her grip on my hair released instantly, and she went flying backward, her body colliding with the wall before she crumpled to the floor.
"Ah!" Her cry of pain echoed through the room.
Derek immediately rushed toward our direction, positioning himself between us with both arms extended protectively.
"What the hell is happening here? Serena, why are you even in this suite?" he shouted, his furious glare directed at her prone form.
Serena struggled to catch her breath and pushed herself upright.
That’s when I noticed her companions - Lord Morris and Felicia, Derek’s stepmother and father, standing near the entrance.
I should have realized his father wouldn’t simply ignore the situation.
That man had dedicated years to keeping me separated from his son.
The moment those video clips reached him, he must have been consumed with rage.
I observed Felicia rushing to assist Serena, carefully examining her for any visible injuries.
During that brief interlude, my eyes met Lord Morris’s. The same hollow darkness I remembered from my youth stared back at me.
That particular expression was permanently etched in my memory.
It wasn’t driven by lust or anger - just cold, inhuman calculation.
Pure malevolence lurked there, the type capable of destroying everything without the slightest trace of guilt. freёwebnovel.com
"This is completely inappropriate behavior - barging into someone’s private space and physically attacking them," Parker declared, pointing an accusatory finger at Serena.
"Parker, I’ll handle this situation," Derek replied curtly, motioning for him to step aside.
Serena’s fury intensified, particularly since she was Derek’s wife.
Yet his friends were openly criticizing her actions.
"You’re absolutely right, this behavior is unacceptable." Morris finally contributed his perspective.
He maintained his composed exterior, though I recognized he wasn’t nearly as collected as he pretended to be.
He moved forward, walking past Serena and advancing in my direction.
Derek quickly repositioned himself in front of me, though I could still observe Morris from my peripheral vision.
"Aren’t you going to extend an invitation for us to enter your suite?"
Lord Morris’s question made his son grunt with obvious irritation.
"Of course, please come inside. However, if anyone came here intending to attack me or create disturbances while my children sleep in the adjacent room, I’ll request your immediate departure," I stated, keeping my voice controlled despite clenching my fists and maintaining my hostile stare toward Serena.
I understood her anger toward me was justified, but why attack me instead of confronting her unfaithful husband?
I hadn’t initiated that kiss.
I’d been prepared to push him away when those cameras appeared at the worst possible moment.
Still, I recognized her ignorance of the full circumstances.
We arranged ourselves in the living area like civilized adults, and Lord Morris initiated the discussion.
"You must realize it’s highly unusual for a wife to discover online video footage of her husband with the woman who rescued the children."
Predictably, Morris maintained his external composure, concealing the tempest brewing beneath his calm facade.
"I completely understand your point, and I sincerely apologize, Serena, that you were subjected to seeing those images," I responded immediately.
She sniffled quietly, averting her gaze while crossing her arms defensively across her chest.
She wouldn’t even permit Derek to sit beside her.
Evidence of her recent tears was obvious, and my guilt intensified beyond what I’d felt previously.
My anger toward Derek’s arrogant dismissiveness grew correspondingly stronger.
"However, the media completely misrepresented the entire situation," I continued.
Hugo remained in his customary position at the suite’s far corner, arms folded across his chest, leaning against the wall while observing every detail intently.
"Your husband underwent a transition, despite having wolfsbane in his system. Consequently, he was experiencing tremendous pain. When he kissed me, he called me Serena. He spoke your name."
The moment I repeated Parker’s fabricated explanation, I watched Serena’s rigid posture soften as she turned toward me.
For a Wolf to transition while poisoned by wolfsbane and call someone’s name during that moment of desperate need held profound significance.
Such behavior was typically interpreted as evidence of deep love.
"He actually said my name? He called for me?" Serena asked, touching her chest hopefully.
"He did. You can verify this with him directly. Naturally, the media never included that crucial detail in their coverage. I was preparing to push him away - everything happened within seconds. That kiss was meaningless. I’m a married woman who loves my husband. I have children with him."
I felt terrible about lying so blatantly, but if my deception could preserve his marriage, protect their relationship, and provide Serena with some comfort, I was prepared to bear that burden.
My words apparently satisfied her concerns because she turned toward Derek with a small, relieved smile spreading across her face.
