C
Scarlett sprinted toward the door, yanking it open with desperate force.
Sunlight flooded in, pouring over her like a call to freedom, a beacon urging her toward the light.
For a fleeting moment, a flicker of hope and escape softened Scarlett’s fearful face.
But that hope shattered instantly when she saw the man blocking the threshold.
A small, sharp dagger traced under her chin, lifting it, forcing her backward step by step
As Scarlett retreated, the man holding the de came fully into view.
Finished
Tall andmanding, his figure was cloaked in a sleek ck suit that entuated broad shoulders and lean, powerful legs.
His expression was cold and unreadable–especially his eyes, burning with the icy fire of a seasoned warrior who had witnessed countless battles and spilled rivers of blood.
This man was none other than Caelum Knox.
“Go back,” Caelum’s voice cut through the room like a bullet, hitting Scarlett’s heart with brutal precision.
Her pupils dted; her smile froze in ce.
Reluctantly, she turned and returned to Dean Elira and Caden’s side.
Alpha ric watched the scene with a sinking heart.
Scarlett’s instinctive retreat revealed the deeper bond she shared with Caden, her driver.
Amid the tension, Ronan Duskcliff’s gaze fell painfully on Riley.
His legs buckled, and with a heavy thud, he sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
“Riley… I’m sorry,” Ronan sobbed.
Riley’s face remained calm, silent.
That cold calm pierced Ronan deeper than any anger could–because it meant she had long since given up caring in the slightest<b>. </b>
on him. no
longer
His body wavered, barely holding together.
“Riley, I’ll make amends. I’ll make it right. Even if you want my kidneys, I’ll give them to you–just please don’t turn away from me, please,” Ronan pleaded, voice breaking.
But Riley only averted her gaze, indifferent to his desperate words.
To her, his pain was <b>as </b>hollow as the air she breathed–meaningless.
Frustrated, Ronan began to bow his head wildly against the floor<b>, </b>each strike thudding with painful finality.
Soon, blood trickled down his bruised forehead.
Alpha Duskcliff turned <b>away </b>in silent agony, unable to bear the sight.
But Tessa sneered harshly.
“Ronan, does this look familiar? Like when you forced Riley to kneel by my bed, begging for forgiveness<b>?</b>”
Ronan froze, eyes wide in disbelief.
Tessa’s voice dripped with venom.
“Even though I <b>was </b>unconscious then, I was aware. I heard everything you did to Riley over these five years,”
<b>3:33 </b>PM P.
Finished
“Do you know how every time you spoke about her miserable time in prison, yet stood by doing nothing, it felt like salt poured into my wounds?”
“All that suffering–it should have been Scarlett’s to bear.”
“How cruel you’ve been to Riley, yet so merciful to Scarlett. What right do you have to im you
“You’re not worthy. Riley will never forgive you.”
“You got yourself into this mess. No one else to me.”
Ronan’s world spun, ckness swallowing his vision.
He copsed, crumpling to the floor.
Lady Duskcliff wanted to help, but the bitterness in Tessa’s eyes stopped them.
Their hatred silently aimed at Scarlett and the others.
love Riley?”
The room sank into a suffocating silence that stretched on until Theo Hale hurried back, clutching the DNA test results.
He stormed to Alpha ric, mming the papers down in front of him.
“Here. This should finally put your doubts to rest.”
Two reportsy on the table: oneparing Scarlett and ric, the other Scarlett and Caden.
ric’s trembling hands picked up the papers, scanning every line.
All hope shattered instantly.
The results were undeniable–no blood rtion between Scarlett and ric; instead, Caden ckthorn Scarlett’s true father.
The blow hit ric like a lightning strike, his body reacting with paralysis in half his limbs.
At that moment, Luna Zara–long unconscious–stirred awake.
Her first thought was to find Riley. –
Eyes burning with desperation, she scanned the room until theynded on Riley, sitting quietly on the sofa.
Ignoring her own frailty and disheveled state, Luna Zara forced herself to move toward her.
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