Chapter 119: Fragile Spirits and Shattered Peace
(Lucas''s POV)
I paced outside the therapy room, checking my watch every few seconds.
Forty-five minutes had passed since Olivia went in with Dr. Nora Xu.
My phone buzzed with messages from my pack, but I ignored them all. Right now, nothing mattered except making sure Olivia was okay.
The door finally opened, and Dr. Xu emerged alone. Her expression was grave as she gestured for me to join her in a small consultation room across the hall.
"How is she?" I asked immediately, not bothering with pleasantries.
Dr. Xu sighed, removing her sses and rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Not good, Alpha ckwood. Ms. Winters is experiencing severe psychological trauma."
My stomach tightened. "Tell me everything."
"She''s exhibiting clear signs of post-traumatic stress disorder,plicated grief, and depression," Dr. Xu exined. "The incident at Silvermoon River wasn''t her first suicide
attempt."
I felt the blood drain from my face. “What?”
"She confirmed that jumping into the river was deliberate," Dr. Xu said quietly. "And based on our session, I believe she''s still at high risk."
I clenched my fists, fighting to maintain myposure. "What can I do? How can I help her?"
Dr. Xu''s expression softened slightly. "She needs medication, which I''ve
prescribed. Regr therapy sessions are essential. But most importantly, she needs constantpanionship
right now."
She leaned forward, her voice firm. "She cannot be left alone, Alpha ckwood. Not even for
short periods."
I nodded, taking mental notes. "What else?"
“Keep her in a positive environment, away from pack politics and especially away from Alpha Stone and Victoria Frost," Dr. Xu continued. "Any interaction with them could trigger another
crisis."
< Chapter 119. Fragile Spirits a
Her eyes met mine directly. "And most critically, protect her from anything rted to her
daughter''s remains. That''s her most vulnerable point."
I frowned, confused. "Her daughter''s remains?"
+15 Points >
"The ashes," Dr. Xu rified. "Ms. Winters is terrified something will happen to them. It''s the
The door opened behind us, and Olivia stepped in. Her emerald eyes were dull, her face pale,
but she maintained aposed exterior that broke my heart. I knew what it cost her to
appear so controlled.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked quietly.
I stood immediately, offering her a gentle smile. "Whenever you are."
Dr. Xu handed Olivia a small paper bag containing her prescriptions. "Remember what we
discussed. I''ll see you in three days."
Olivia nodded, clutching the bag tightly. "Thank you, Dr. Xu."
As we walked to my SUV, I kept close to her side without touching her. She
seemed fragile, like
a porcin doll that might shatter at the slightest pressure.
"Where would you like to go?" I asked as we settled into the vehicle. "Back to your cottage?"
Olivia shook her head quickly, panic shing across her face. "No. Not there. Not yet."
"Okay," I said soothingly. "How about somethingpletely different? Something fun?"
She looked at me skeptically. "Fun?"
I started the engine, an idea forming. "Trust me?"
After a moment''s hesitation, she nodded.
Twenty minutester, we pulled into the Shadow Creek Indoor Entertainment Complex. Olivia
looked confused as I led her inside the massive facility.
"Go-karts?" she asked, eyeing the track where small vehicles zoomed around
curves.
I shrugged, trying to keep things light. "Why not? Nothing clears the mind like a little speed
andpetition."
For a moment, I thought she might refuse. Then, to my surprise, a tiny smile tugged at her
lips. "I haven''t done anything like this since college."
"Perfect time to remember how," I said, guiding her toward the ticket counter.
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+15 Points >
Soon we were racing around the track, the roar of engines drowning out everything else. I watched Olivia''s face transform as she focused on navigating
the curves, her emerald eyes lighting up with concentration.
By our third race, she was actuallyughing as she cut me off at a turn.
"That''s cheating!" I called out, pretending outrage.
"That''s strategy!" she shot back, her voice lighter than I''d heard it in days.
We moved from go-karts to archery, where Olivia surprised me with her precision. Each arrow
she loosed hit close to the center, her form perfect.
"Where did you learn to shoot like that?" I asked, impressed.
A shadow crossed her face. "I took sses when I was pregnant with Lily. I
wanted to teach
her when she was old enough."
I cursed myself for the thoughtless question, but Olivia shook her head.
"It''s okay," she said softly. "Not every memory of her hurts. Some are beautiful."
As we tried different activities throughout the afternoon, I watched Olivia carefully.
The
moments of joy were real but fleeting, like sunlight breaking through storm clouds only to be
swallowed again by darkness.
Between activities, I checked my phone, reviewing information my contacts had sent about
Lily''s medical records. What I found disturbed me deeply.
Someone had deliberately erased hospital records about both Lily and Emma''s kidney procedures. The timing of the deletions coincided with Ethan Stone''s visit to the medical
archives. He was covering up Victoria''s maniption of the donor situation-a maniption
that had cost Lily her life.
I felt sick with anger but kept my expression neutral. Olivia didn''t need more darkness today.
By evening, I could see exhaustion setting in. Olivia''s shoulders drooped, and the light that had
briefly returned to her eyes was fading.
"You need rest," I said gently as we walked back to my SUV. "And somewhere
safe to sleep
tonight."
She nodded, too tired to argue. "I don''t want to go back to my cottage."
"The Silver Crown Hotel is nearby," I suggested. "It''s a ckwood Pack Enterprises property. I
can ensure your privacy and safety there."
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< Chapter 119: Fragile Spirits a...
Olivia hesitated, then agreed. "Just for tonight."
+15 Points >
At the hotel, I arranged the Presidential Suite for her and took the adjacent room
for myself. I wanted to be immediately avable if she needed anything during the
night.
"Thank you," she said quietly as we stood outside her door. "For everything
today."
I resisted the urge to touch her face, to brush away the strand of hair that had
fallen across
her cheek. "Try to get some rest. I''m right next door if you need anything."
She nodded, offering a small smile before disappearing into her suite.
I entered my own room and immediately called the hotel security team, instructing
them to
monitor all ess to Olivia''s floor. No one-especially not Ethan Stone or Victoria Frost-was
to be allowed near her.
Then I called Dr. Xu to update her on Olivia''s condition and confirm our next steps. The
medication would take time to work, but the distraction had helped today. It was a
start.
(Olivia''s POV)