The Silvercrest Pack Medical Den was quiet at thiste hour. Most visitors had gone home, leaving only essential staff to monitor patients through the night.


    I sat beside Matriarch Evelyn''s bed, gently bathing her face with a warm cloth. Her skin felt papery beneath my touch, fragile with age yet still bearing the dignity that had defined her throughout her life.


    "There we go," I murmured, though I knew she couldn''t hear me. "Let''s get youfortable."


    With practiced care, I changed her into fresh clothes, moving her limbs gently to avoid causing


    any difort. I even took the time tob her silver hair, arranging it neatly around her


    face.


    "Excuse me, Mrs. Winters?"


    I looked up to see Sarah Jenkins, one of the medical assistants, standing in the doorway. Her


    expression was hesitant, uncertain.


    "I can help with that if you''d like to take a break," she offered.


    Before I could respond, Bernard Sheppard appeared behind her. The Stone family''s head butler


    assessed the situation with a single nce.


    "Sarah," he said quietly, "I believe Dr. Fletcher was looking for you regarding another patient."


    Sarah looked confused but nodded respectfully. "Of course, Mr. Sheppard."


    As she left, Bernard gave me a small nod of acknowledgment before withdrawing, closing the door softly behind him. I silently thanked him for his discretion. He understood my need to care for Matriarch Evelyn personally.


    Alone with the elderly woman once more, I took her hand in mine. Her fingers were cool, the


    skin thin enough that I could see the blue veins beneath.


    "Grandmother," I whispered, leaning close to her ear. "You have to wake up soon. Wanwan still needs you to protect me."


    < Chapter 89. Rejected Advances


    +15 Points >


    I used the nickname she had given me years ago when she first weed me into the Stone family. Back then, she had been my fiercest advocate, defending me against those who questioned my suitability as Ethan''s mate.


    Now, with her mind fixed five years in the past, she remained one of my few allies in a pack that hadrgely turned against me.


    (Ethan''s POV)


    I arrived at the medical den shortly after ten, nodding to the night staff as I made my way to Grandmother''s private room. Through the small window in the door, I could see Olivia sitting beside the bed, her head bowed as she held Grandmother''s hand.


    The sight stirred something in me-aplex emotion I couldn''t quite name. Olivia had every reason to abandon the Stone family after how she''d been treated, yet here she was, tending to Grandmother with genuine devotion.


    I pushed the door open quietly, but Olivia''s head snapped up immediately. Her emerald eyes met mine briefly before she rose from her chair.


    "Grandmother," she said softly, addressing the unconscious woman, "it''s gettingte. I''ll go back now. I''lle see you tomorrow."


    She gathered her things, clearly intending to leave rather than share the room with me. The avoidance irritated me, though I couldn''t exin why.


    As she turned to go, I caught her wrist, my grip gentle but firm. "Wait. I''ll take you back to Maple Grove. I have something to say to you."


    Olivia''s eyes flicked meaningfully toward Grandmother''s still form, reminding me that this wasn''t the ce for a confrontation. She pulled her wrist from my grasp.


    "No, thank you," she replied, her voice cold as she walked past me and out the door.


    I stayed with Grandmother for a while, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. Dr. Bet had assured me that her condition was stable, but seeing her like this-frail and vulnerable-was unsettling.


    After ensuring that the night staff had clear instructions for her care, I left the medical den. My car automatically navigated toward Maple Grove, where I knew Olivia would have returned.


    I found her at her door, key in hand. She froze when she saw me approaching, her posture immediately defensive.


    "What do you want?" she demanded, quickly unlocking her door and attempting to slip inside.


    < Chapter 89: Rejected Advances


    I moved faster, catching the door before she could close it. "We need to talk."


    "I have nothing to say to you," Olivia hissed, trying to force the door shut.


    +15 PORTS


    I pushed back, my superior strength easily oveing her resistance. "This isn''t


    a request."


    Olivia stumbled backward as the door swung open. Her emerald eyes shed with indignation, her slender frame vibrating with anger.


    "How dare you force your way into my home! Get out before I-"


    "I came here tonight just to talk to you calmly about Lily," I interrupted, my voice firm. "I want to see Lily!"