window at the passing streetlights, afraid to break this fragile moment of


    understanding.


    Ethan''s phone rang suddenly, shattering the quiet. Victoria''s name shed on the


    screen, illuminating the dashboard with an usatory glow.


    My heart sank as quickly as it had risen. Of course. Victoria always had impable timing.


    "Don''t answer it," I said, my voice tight. "Please, Ethan. This is yourst chance."


    His hand hovered over the phone, hesitation clear in his expression.


    "Yourst chance to choose," I continued, my words deliberate and measured. "Between Victoria and finally seeing Lily."


    Ethan''s jaw tightened as he declined the call, cing the phone back in the center console. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.


    His phone buzzed again with a text message notification. Despite myself, I nced down and caught the


    ha I


    words on the screen.


    "Ethan, please, answer the phone. If you don''t, Emma and I will die."


    The desperation in Victoria''s message was clear even through text. My stomach clenched with dread as Ethan snatched up the phone, all traces of our moment of connection evaporating instantly.


    "I have to call her back," he said, his tone brooking no argument.


    "Don''t," I pleaded, grabbing his wrist. "She''s manipting you, can''t you see that?"


    But his eyes had already hardened, concern for Victoria and Emma eclipsing any lingering guilt he felt toward Lily. He shook off my hand and dialed Victoria''s number, putting the call on speaker.


    Victoria''s frantic voice filled the car immediately. "Ethan! Thank God you called back! He''s here-he''s threatening us!"


    "Who''s there?" Ethan demanded, his knuckles whitening on the steering wheel. "Victoria, calm down and tell me what''s happening."


    "A man-he broke into the house," she sobbed dramatically. "He says I stole his first ce in the Pack Healer''s Crystal Competition. He knows about the judges being bribed!"


    My blood ran cold. I had just revealed that information to Ethan minutes ago in Lily''s room.


    "He says som


    someone told him everything." Victoria continued, her voice trembling. That I didn''t deserve to win. That I cheated. Emma is terrified, Ethan! We''re hiding in the bathroom, but he''s trying to break down the door!"


    Ethan''s gaze snapped to me, usation zing in his amber eyes.


    "Olivia, is this your purpose?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "Is this why you were showing me Lily''s drawings? To distract me while you set this up?"


    III 0 <


    * Chapter 47-The Last Cha


    "What? No!" I gasped, genuinely shocked by the usation, "I would never-


    "You better pray that nothing happens to Victoria and Emma," he cut me off, making a sharp U-turn in the


    middle of the road.


    The sudden movement threw me against the car door. My head hit the window, sending a burst of pain through my temple.


    "Ethan, stop!" I cried, clutching the dashboard for support. Think about what you''re doing! Victoria is lying!"


    But he wasn''t listening. His focus had narrowed entirely to Victoria''s continued sobs through the speaker.


    "I''ming," he assured her, his voice taking on that gentle tone he reserved exclusively for her and Emma.


    Just stay hidden. I''ll be there in five minutes."


    "Hurry, Ethan," Victoria whimpered. "I don''t know how much longer we can-" Her voice cut off with a theatrical scream.


    "Victoria!" Ethan shouted, pressing harder on the elerator


    I grabbed his arm. "Ethan, please! This is obviously a setup. She found out I told you about thepetition and she''s trying to turn you against me!"


    "Enough!" he roared, the Alphamand in his voice making me flinch. "I should have known better than to trust you. All that talk about Lily-it was just a distraction!"


    My heart shattered at his words. After that brief moment of connection, of hope that he might finally acknowledge our daughter''s death and help me honor her memory, we were back to suspicion and usations.


    "Stop the car," I demanded, my voice shaking with fury. "Let me out now!"


    Ethan ignored me, focused entirely on reaching Rosewood Haven. The elegant gates of Victoria''s residence came into view, and he screeched to a halt in the circr driveway.


    Before I could react, he was out of the driver''s seat and yanking open my door. His grip was bruising as he dragged me from the car, his eyes scanning the property for any sign of danger.


    I struggled against his hold, dizzy and disoriented from hitting my head. "Let me


    go!"


    But Ethan''s focus remained solely on Victoria and Emma as he pulled me toward the front door, his grip bruising on my arm.