Liam’s POV
The sound of Mabel’s heels clicking against the tiled floor was the only noise breaking the heavy silence as we walked toward the operation room. She glanced at me, a faint smirk tugging at her lips, her words sharp enough to cut.
“You seem to be very close with Freja,” she said, her tone casual but loaded with insinuation.
Her comment was like a spark to dry tinder. My jaw tightened as I forced myself to keep my composure.
“Close or not, it’s none of your business,” I replied coldly, my voice low and firm. “Don’t overstep your boundaries because of what you just witnessed.”
She chuckled, her laugh light but biting. “Oh, you mean what I witnessed? You acting all intimate with Freja? Sure, I won’t overstep my boundaries,” she said mockingly, quickening her pace to leave me behind.
The audacity. I clenched my fists, the frustration boiling in my veins. Why did everyone feel the need to test me today? Her words lingered, gnawing at my thoughts like an itch I couldn’t scratch.
******
Ashley’s POV
The quiet of the hallway felt suffocating as I approached Steven’s room. I waited until I was sure Maya and her entourage had left before stepping in. Steven stood by the window, his broad shoulders backlit by the soft glow of the evening sun. His presence was commanding, radiating power even in stillness.
“Are you okay?” I asked hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turned, his piercing gaze cutting through me like a blade. His expression was unreadable, but there was a storm brewing beneath the surface.
“Find your way home,” he said curtly. “I have somewhere to be.”
“What about my mom?!” I shouted, my voice cracking with desperation.
He didn’t respond. He didn’t even glance back as he walked out, leaving me standing there with the crushing weight of his indifference.
My chest felt hollow as I made my way to my mother’s hospital room. The sight of her frail, motionless body broke something inside me. I sat beside her bed, taking her cold hand in mine, and let the dam of my emotions burst.
“I miss you, Mom. I miss you so much,” I sobbed, my tears soaking into the fabric of the hospital sheet.
For a moment, I stayed like that, clutching her hand as though my touch could somehow wake her. Then I sat up, wiping my face with trembling hands.
“Guess what, Mom?” I said, forcing a laugh that sounded more like a sob. “Your girl is married now. I got married recently.” I tried to smile, but the pain in my chest was too overwhelming.
“It’s not the fairy tale you used to dream about for me,” I continued, my voice thick with emotion. “I married a ruthless Alpha-Steven. He’s powerful and commanding, but there’s no love between us. At least I know I’ll always be protected… even if it’s just for his own selfish reasons.”
My fingers tightened around her hand as the words poured out of me.
“Do you remember how you used to tell me I was special? That I had an extraordinary destiny? Turns out you were right,” I said bitterly. “My special destiny is to marry an Alpha CEO and endure a lifetime of misery with a man I can never love.”
As the tears flowed freely down my face, I looked at her, hoping-praying-for a sign that she could hear me. Then I saw it. A single tear rolling down her cheek.
“Mom?” I whispered, my heart pounding.
Before I could process what was happening, Freja walked in, her expression shifting from curiosity to shock.
“What’s going on?” she asked, rushing to the bedside.
“She’s crying,” I said, pointing at the tear that glistened against my mother’s pale skin.
Freja’s eyes widened. “Oh my goddess. Is that even possible?”
“I don’t know,” I replied, my voice trembling. “You stay here. I’ll get the doctor.”
I practically ran down the hallway, my heart racing as I spotted Dr. James and Mabel.
“Ashley!” Mabel exclaimed, pulling me into a quick hug.
“We’ll talk later,” I said hurriedly, turning to Dr. James. “Doctor, my mom… she’s crying!”
He frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Crying?”
“Yes! I was just talking to her, and then I saw tears on her face,” I explained, my words tumbling out in a rush.
He nodded, his expression skeptical, and followed me back to the room. The tension in the air was palpable as he examined my mother, his movements methodical and precise.
“Is she waking up? Is she regaining consciousness?” I asked, my voice thick with hope.
Dr. James sighed, his face a mask of professionalism. “On the contrary, she’s slowly dying.”
“No,” I whispered, my knees buckling as I slumped into a chair.
“Ashley!” Freja exclaimed, rushing to my side.
Dr. James continued, his tone detached. “It’s called terminal lucidity. Sometimes, patients in critical condition show brief signs of recovery just before they pass away. It’s likely your mother won’t last the month.”
His words felt like a punch to the gut.
“You’re wrong,” I said, my voice shaking. “She cried because she heard me. She’s waking up!”
He shook his head. “I’ve told you before-her condition is irreversible. You should consider donating her organs while she’s still alive. That way, her death can serve a purpose.”
His coldness was unbearable. “You’re asking me to let you kill my mother and take her organs?!” I shouted, anger and despair warring within me.
“Yes,” he began, but Freja cut him off.
“Will you shut up!” she snapped, her eyes blazing with fury.
She grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the room, leaving me sobbing in Mabel’s comforting embrace.
*******
Freja’s POV
The hallway was empty except for me and Dr. James. I released his arm, my anger bubbling over.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I shouted, my voice echoing.
“Nothing,” he replied coolly, his composure infuriating.
“Have you no compassion?!” I yelled. “Ashley’s mother is dying, and all you can think about is harvesting her organs?!”
“Compassion doesn’t save lives,” he said bluntly. “I stated the facts. Nothing more.”
“You stated the facts like you were happy she was dying!”
“I wasn’t happy,” he said evenly. “But I wasn’t sad either. Emotions are irrelevant to my work.”
“How can you be so heartless?” I asked, my voice breaking.
He stepped closer, his dark eyes boring into mine. “You have no idea what I’ve endured to become who I am,” he said quietly, his voice laced with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.
For a moment, I saw vulnerability in his eyes-a fleeting glimpse of pain before his mask of indifference returned.
“Whatever you’ve endured, it doesn’t excuse your lack of humanity,” I said softly, my anger giving way to pity.
He turned away, his shoulders stiff. “You wouldn’t understand.”
And with that, he walked away, leaving me standing alone in the cold, empty hallway.