My heart broke at the words. Victoria had coached her well, using our daughter as an emotional shield. For ten years, I''d allowed
this to continue, telling myself it was better for Emma to have both parents in her life.
I''d been a fool.
"Emma," I said gently, pulling back to look into her eyes-eyes so like my own.
"Your mother is manipting you. Using you to
protect herself.''
Emma''s lower lip trembled. "But
it she said-''
"I know what she said." I stroked her hair, my touch gentle. "But adults who truly love you don''t ask you to hurt yourself or
threaten to hurt themselves to get what they want."
Victoria''s voice cut through the moment, sharp as a de. "Connor, don''t you dare turn my daughter against me!"
I ignored her, focusing entirely on Emma. "Does your ankle hurt badly?"
Emma nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "It''s okay though. I deserved it for being clumsy."
The practiced response sent rage coursing through me. How many times had Victoria conditioned this response? How many
"idents" had Emma endured?
My wolf growled with determination beneath my skin. I knew what I had to do, despite the cost to my heart.
I stood, lifting Emma carefully in my arms. "I''m taking her to get this ankle
examined," I told Victoria, my voice leaving no room
for argument.
Victoria''s face contorted with fury. "Put her down! She''s fine!"
I turned my back on her, carrying Emma to the door. A nurse in the hallway
noticed Emma''s distress and immediately
approached.
"Her ankle needs attention," I exined. "Could you please take her to pediatrics while I have a word with her mother?"
The nurse nodded, taking Emma from my arms with practiced care. "Of course, sir. We''ll take good care of her."
Once Emma was safely out of earshot, I returned to Victoria''s bedside. Her eyes burned with hatred, all pretense of weakness
gone.
Victoria Frost, listen carefully," I stated, deliberately using her full name to distance myself emotionally.
I pulled out ckthorn''s Evidence Phone from my pocket, watching as her eyes widened with horror. Without breaking eye
contact, I dialed Olivia Winters'' number.
"What are you doing?" Victoria hissed, attempting to snatch the phone from my hand.
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I stepped back, out of her reach. The call connected, and Olivia''s voice came through the speaker.
"Hello?"
"Olivia, I''m bringing you the evidence today," I said clearly, maintaining eye contact with Victoria as her face contorted with
fury.
Her wolf''s rage pheromones filled the room, but I remained unmoved. This was for Emma. For Lily. For justice.
After ending the call, I turned to Victoria with cold finality. The woman I had loved for a decade, the mother of my child, the
center of my world for so long-now I saw her clearly for what she was.
"You wouldn''t dare," she snarled, her fingers clutching the hospital sheets. "After everything we''ve been through? After
everything I''ve given you?"
"Given me?" Iughed bitterly, "You''ve taken everything from me, Victoria. My dignity. My self-respect. And worst of all, you''ve poisoned our daughter''s mind."
Victoria''s expression shifted, vulnerability recing rage. "Connor, please. I love you. I''ve always loved you."
The words that once would have melted my resolve now rang hollow. "No, Victoria. You''ve only ever loved yourself."
Her mask slipped, revealing the cold calction beneath. "If you do this, you''ll regret it. I''ll make sure you never see Emma
again."
"I won''t allow Emma to remain in your care any longer," I replied, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions within. "After you''re imprisoned, I''ll take care of her properly."
Victoria lunged forward, her bandaged wrist forgotten in her fury. "You''re nothing without me! Nothing!"
I turned away, her words washing over me without effect. The chains that had bound me to her for so long were finally broken.
With that deration, I walked out of the hospital ward, heading to retrieve the damning evidence that would finally bring
Victoria to justice for Lily''s death.
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