Chapter 22: A Cruel Revtion
Chapter 22: A Cruel Revtion
(Olivia''s POV)
Her eyes widened in shock. She clearly hadn''t expected me to retaliate
"Victoria, instead of wasting time causing trouble for me, you should focus on controlling Ethan and prevent him from harassing me!" I warned coldly, my emerald eyes shing despite
my status.
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away, my bandaged hand held carefully st
my side as I left the stunned woman behind.
The satisfaction of finally standing up to her gave me strength as I made my way down the
corridor. My injured hand throbbed beneath its bandages, but the pain was worth
it.
As I approached the supply room, voices drifted through the partially open door I slowed my pace, recognizing Megan Porter''s distinctive tone.
"Did you see that confrontation between Olivia Winters and Victoria Frost?" Megan asked
someone.
I froze mid-step, instinctively moving closer to the door.
"No, what happened?" Another voice responded - Rachel Bet, if I wasn''t mistaken,
"Victoria was blocking Olivia''s path," Megan continued, "That woman is such a cold-blooded
love rival."
I pressed myself against the wall, careful to remain out of sight while straining to hear their
conversation.
"Love rival?" Rachel''s voice held genuine confusion. "I don''t understand why Victoria treats
Olivia that way."
There was a rustling sound as Megan moved around the supply room. "It''s about the Alpha King, obviously," she replied. "Victoria wants him all to herself."
“But what about Lily?" Rachel asked quietly. "That sweet little girl..."
My heart clenched painfully at the mention of my daughter''s name.
"That''s the worst part, Megan''s voice dropped lower. "Victoria knew exactly what she was
doing."
Rachel sighed heavily. "The day that little girl died, her mother was crying her heart out...that Frostdy, she was standing around the corner, smiling so happily."
The blood in my veins turned to ice. Victoria had known about Lily''s death? All this time?
"I still remember that smile, Megan added. "It gives me chills just thinking about it. Truly a venomous heart... She has a daughter too, and her daughter is also sick. Isn''t she afraid of
karma?"
My entire body began to tremble with rage. Victoria had known Lily was dead when she called to invite her to Emma''s celebration. It hadn''t been a mistake - it was deliberate cruelty.
I clenched my fists unconsciously, sending a sharp stab of pain through my injured hand.
"Careful, Liv, a familiar voice murmured near my ear.
Strong fingers gently uncurled my fist before I could reopen my wounds. James Knight stood
beside me, his hazel eyes filled with concern.
"You''ll tear your stitches," he warned, his voice low enough not to alert the gossiping medical
assistants.
I hadn''t heard him approach – a testament to how distracted I''d been by the revtion about
Victoria.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered, allowing him to guide me away from the supply room.
James''s lips quirked into a small smile. "I''m here to take you to Sacred Moonlight Cemetery,"
he reminded me gently. "To purchase the burial plot for Lily''s ashes."
The million-dor check from Lucas ckwood felt heavy in my pocket. At least something
had gone right.
"Your hand needs to be checked before we leave," James insisted, his tone brooking no
argument.
I didn''t have the energy to protest as he led me back to Dr. Fletcher''s office.
The doctor examined my hand with clinical precision. "The wound is healing well,"
he confirmed. "Just be careful not to put too much strain on it."
James watched the examination with hawk-like intensity. Once Dr. Fletcher finished, he turned his attention to me.
27
"What had you so upset earlier?" he asked, his hazel eyes searching my face. I could feel your distress from the parking lot."
I hesitated, unwilling to burden him with Victoria''s cruelty. James already had enough reasons
to hate Ethan and his circle.
*Just Victoria being Victoria," I said dismissively, "Nothing I can''t handle,"
James didn''t look convinced, but he didn''t press the issue. "Let''s get going then, he said
instead. "The cemetery administrator is expecting us at noon,"
As we walked toward the exit, our conversation shifted to logistics,
"The burial ceremony is set for Sunday," I confirmed, my voice catching slightly. "Will you be
there?"
James squeezed my uninjured hand. "I wouldn''t miss it, Liv, I''ll be right beside you,"
Neither of us noticed Victoria emerging from behind arge flower arrangement, her eyes
narrowed as she watched us leave.
(Victoria''s POV)
I arranged a tray of venison treats carefully, making sure each piece looked perfect, Emma''s excited voice carried from the living room of our Rosewood Haven home.
"Daddy! Daddy! Guess what?" she squealed as Ethan walked through the door.
I smiled to myself, enjoying the sound of Ethan''s deep chuckle. He was always so different with Emma - warm, affectionate, nothing like the cold Alpha he presented to others.
"What is it, Emmy?” he asked, his voice softening as it always did for my daughter.
I peeked around the corner, watching as Emma bounced on her toes in front of
him. Her small face was alight with excitement.
"I won third ce in the running race at school!" she announced proudly.
Ethan''s amber eyes, usually so hard and unforgiving, melted as he looked down at her. He
ruffled her hair affectionately.
"That''s wonderful, Emmy," he said, his pride evident. "I knew you could do it."
I stepped into the room, carrying the tray of treats. "I think this calls for a celebration, don''t
you?"
Ethan looked up, his smile remaining in ce as his eyes met mine. It was moments like
Chapter 22 A Cruel Revtion
these that reminded me why I''d fought so hard to keep him.
* Fonts7
Emma pped her hands together. "Can I invite my friends from ss?" she
asked eagerly.
"Of course you can, sweetheart," Ethan agreed immediately. His authority
softenedpletely
in Emma''s presence.
I set the tray down on the coffee table. "We could hold it at Silver Crown Hotel,” I
suggested.
"They have that beautiful ballroom."
Emma''s eyes widened with delight. "With a cake? A big one?"
"The biggest cake they can make," Ethan promised, pulling her into a hug.
I watched them together, satisfaction warming my chest. This was how it should
be Ethan,
Emma, and me. A family.
"When should we have it?" Ethan asked, looking to me for guidance.
I pretended to consider for a moment, though I already knew exactly when I
wanted it to be.
"How about Sunday?" I suggested innocently. "That would give us time to n everything properly."
Ethan nodded,pletely oblivious to the significance of the date. "Sunday works for me."
Emma squealed with delight, throwing her arms around Ethan''s neck. "Thank you,
Daddy!"
I smiled, carefully hiding my triumph. Olivia would be burying her daughter''s ashes on Sunday
and Ethan would be celebrating with us instead.
(Olivia''s POV)
Sunday arrived with a gentle breeze that rustled the ancient trees of Sacred
Moonlight
Cemetery. The moonstone-iid path glowed softly beneath my feet as I carried
Lily''s urn to
its final resting ce.
James walked beside me, a silent pir of strength. His presence had been my anchor
throughout the ceremony.
The burial plot was everything I''d hoped for – a peaceful corner beneath a
flowering tree,
where moonlight would always reach Lily''s resting ce.
"I''d like some time alone with her," I whispered to James as the ceremony
concluded.
He squeezed my shoulder gently. "She''s at peace now, Liv," he said softly. "I need
to get back to the repair shop, but call me if you need anything."
*Chapter 22 A Cruel Revtion
GLATORY
I nodded, grateful for his understanding. As he walked away, I knelt beside the
small memorial stone we''d ced.
"It''s just you and me now, baby, I whispered, tracing the etched letters of her
name.
Grief washed over me in waves, somehow both familiar and newly painful. I had
done everything I could to give her a proper resting ce, but the emptiness in my heart remained.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, breaking the solemn silence. Assuming it was James
checking on me, I pulled it out without looking at the screen.
My thumb identally pressed the answer button before I realized whose name
was
disyed.
"Olivia?" Victoria''s sharine voice filled my ear. "Can you hear me?"
I was too shocked to respond, my finger hovering over the end call button.
"Olivia, Emma won third ce in her school''s runningpetition, and Ethan and
I are celebrating for her at Silver Crown Hotel today," Victoria continued, her voice dripping with
false sweetness. “Emma wants to invite Lily to join us. I''ll have Ethan pick you and
Lily up
now, okay?"