My eyes darted to Olivia''s sleeping form on the bed. The sedative Dr. Bet had


    administered ensured she wouldn''t wake until morning, giving me time to repair what I had so


    carelessly destroyed.


    A soft whimper escaped her lips, drawing me to her side. Her forehead felt hot


    against my


    palm. Fever.


    "Maxwell," I called softly to my beta waiting in the hallway. "Bring me the moonberry fever reducer from my cab."


    While waiting, I dampened a cloth with cool water and gently pressed it to Olivia''s forehead.


    Her chestnut hair syed across the pillow, reminding me of how beautiful she''d always been.


    Maxwell returned with the medicine and a small jar. "Dr. Bet''s rare healing salve as well,


    Alpha."


    I nodded my thanks and dismissed him. The salve had a distinctive herbal scent, specially


    crafted for the Stone family. I carefully applied it to the cuts on Olivia''s hands- injuries I hadn''t.


    even noticed until now.


    "Ethan Stone..." she murmured, her voice barely audible.


    My heart leaped. "Liv, I''m here..." I whispered, using the nickname I hadn''t spoken in years.


    Her response cut through me like a silver de. "Go away!"


    Even in her fevered sleep, she rejected me. I deserved nothing less.


    I administered the fever reducer and continued to cool her forehead until her temperature


    normalized. Only then did I return to my task, determined to finish before she woke.


    The night deepened as I worked, my powerful hands surprisingly gentle as they held the


    delicate pieces. Each fragment told a story of my daughter''s love-a love I''d never


    acknowledged.


    As dawn approached, I ced the final piece. The mug would never be perfect again; hairline cracks ran through it like scars. But it was whole, the childish inscription once again readable:


    "IDAD!"


    Chapter 85 Malnarch''s Mem


    A surge of joy filled me at this small victory.


    Ports


    I traced the wobbly letters with my fingertip, my throat tight with emotion. "I''m sorry, Lily," I whispered to the empty room. "I''m so sorry I never knew you. I will spend more time with you


    in the future."


    (Olivia''s POV)


    Consciousness returned slowly, my mind emerging from the deepest sleep I''d had in months. My body felt heavy, rested in a way I''d forgotten was possible. Ten hours had passed


    ording to the clock on the nightstand.


    As awareness sharpened, I felt something warm against my hand. Turning my head, I found


    Ethan asleep in a chair beside the bed, hisrge hand holding mine.


    I withdrew my hand coldly, severing the brief connection. The movement woke him, his amber


    eyes opening to meet mine.


    "You''re awake," he said, relief evident in his voice. "How do you feel?"


    "Where am I?" I asked, ignoring his question as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings.


    "The recovery chamber in my private quarters," Ethan exined. "You copsedst night. Dr.


    Bet administered a sedative to help you rest."


    I pushed myself up, noticing I was wearing clothes that weren''t mine-a soft nightgown that


    smelled faintly of moonflowers. The thought of Ethan changing my clothes made my skin


    crawl.


    "Don''t worry," he said, reading my expression. "The female staff attended to you."


    He reached out to touch my forehead, but I recoiled. "Don''t touch me."


    Hurt shed across his face before his expression became carefully neutral. "Your fever broke


    during the night. That''s good."


    I swung my legs over the side of the bed, testing my strength. "Where are my clothes?"


    "They''ve been cleaned and pressed," Ethan replied, gesturing to a neatly folded stack on a


    nearby chair. "I had some fresh items brought for you as well."


    I ignored the new clothes, deliberately choosing my own. "Turn around," Imanded.


    Surprisingly, heplied without argument, giving me privacy to change. The simple act of putting on my own clothes restored some sense