Chapter 5

(Olivia's POV)

I woke up with a gasp. The nightmare of Lily's death still clung to me like a shadow.

As my vision cleared, I realized I wasn't alone. Ethan was holding me, his amber eyes unreadable in the dim light.

"Let go of me," I hissed, pushing against his chest.

His grip only tightened. "You were having a nightmare."

"I said let go!" I shoved harder, fury building inside me. "You have no right to touch me."

Ethan's expression darkened. "I'm still your mate, Olivia."

His words sent rage through me. After everything he'd done—neglecting Lily, celebrating Emma's birthday while our daughter lay dying, choosing Victoria over us—he still believed he had a claim on me.

"Mate?" I spat the word like poison. "A mate doesn't abandon his sick daughter. A mate doesn't celebrate another child's birthday while his own daughter dies alone!"

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Stop with these lies about Lily."

"They're not lies!" Tears burned in my eyes. "She died waiting for you, Ethan. She died asking why her daddy loved Emma more than her."

His face softened slightly, and he leaned closer. "Olivia..."

When his lips brushed mine, something snapped inside me. I bit down hard on his lower lip, tasting blood.

Ethan jerked back with a curse, his hand flying to his bleeding mouth. I scrambled away from him, nearly falling off the bed.

"Get out," I whispered, my voice raw from crying. "GET OUT!"

Ethan stood slowly, wiping blood from his lip. His amber eyes flashed dangerously.

Finally, he turned and walked out without another word. I listened to his footsteps receding, then the slam of the front door.

Through my window, I watched his car pull away into the darkness. I knew exactly where he was headed. To them. To the family he had chosen over us.

I clutched Lily's urn closer. "I'm so sorry, baby," I whispered. "I'm so sorry I couldn't make him love you."

(Ethan's POV)

The gates of Rosewood Haven opened as my car approached. Victoria's elegant residence stood illuminated against the night sky.

My lip still throbbed where Olivia had bitten me. The taste of blood lingered in my mouth.

Before I could reach the front door, it burst open. Emma stood in the doorway, her small figure silhouetted against the light.

"You're late," she pouted, crossing her arms dramatically. "I waited for hours!"

Despite my dark mood, I felt a smile tugging at my lips. I climbed out of the car and approached the sulking child.

"I'm sorry, princess. I got delayed."

Her frown melted away instantly as I scooped her into a hug, kissing her forehead. Emma giggled, all traces of annoyance vanishing.

"I knew you'd come," she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck. "You always come when I need you."

The simple statement sent an uncomfortable pang through my chest. I pushed the feeling aside as Victoria appeared in the doorway.

"Emma, it's past your bedtime," she scolded gently, though her eyes were fixed on me. "Ethan, what happened to your lip?"

I set Emma down, careful to keep my expression neutral. "It's nothing. Just a small accident."

Victoria's perfectly manicured fingers reached up to touch my injured lip. "Doesn't look like nothing." Her voice lowered. "Did she try to keep you with her?"

The implication was clear. I pulled away slightly, uncomfortable with her assumption.

"I was delayed with pack business," I said firmly, stepping past her into the house.

Victoria's lavender scent surrounded me as she closed the door. "Of course. Emma's been waiting for you to read her a bedtime story."

Emma bounced excitedly, grabbing my hand. "I picked out three books! And Mommy said you might stay for breakfast tomorrow!"

I glanced at Victoria, who smiled innocently. "I told her not to get her hopes up. I'm sure the Alpha King has important duties."

Emma's face fell immediately. Her lower lip trembled in a way that always tugged at something protective inside me.

"But I wanted to show you my new drawing in the morning," she whispered, eyes growing wet with tears.

I sighed, knowing I was being manipulated but powerless against those tearful eyes. "We'll see, princess. Let's get you to bed first."

Emma's bedroom was a fantasy of pink and purple. She climbed into bed, patting the space beside her.

"Read this one first," she instructed, handing me a colorful storybook.

I settled beside her, opening the book. Emma snuggled against my side, her small body warm and trusting.

Halfway through the second book, her eyelids began to droop. By the third, she was fighting to stay awake.

"Daddy," she murmured sleepily, using the title she knew I couldn't resist. "Will you stay tonight? Please?"

Victoria, who had been watching from the doorway, stepped forward. "Emma, don't be selfish. Ethan needs to get back to his territory."

"But I'm scared of the dark," Emma whimpered, her eyes filling with fresh tears. "What if I get sick again? The doctor said stress is bad for my new kidney."

I found myself nodding before I could think better of it.

"I'll stay," I promised, brushing hair from her forehead. "Just for tonight."

Emma's smile was triumphant as she drifted off to sleep.

(Olivia's POV)

Morning arrived with cruel brightness. My eyes felt swollen and gritty from crying myself to sleep.

The ringing of my phone jolted me fully awake. I reached for it blindly, half-expecting to see Ethan's name.

Instead, Victoria Frost's number flashed on the screen. My finger hovered over the reject button, but curiosity won out.

"Hello?" My voice sounded hoarse even to my own ears.

"Olivia, darling." Victoria's voice was syrupy sweet. "I hope I didn't wake you."

I sat up, instantly alert. "What do you want, Victoria?"

"I was hoping we could meet for coffee. There's something I need to give you."

Every instinct screamed at me to refuse, but something in her tone—a hint of smug satisfaction—made me agree.

"Moonlight Café. Thirty minutes," I said curtly before hanging up.

The café was nearly empty when I arrived. Victoria sat at a corner table, two cups already waiting.

She wore a pale blue dress that highlighted her perfect figure, her blonde hair falling in elegant waves around her shoulders.

"Olivia," she greeted with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I took the liberty of ordering for you. Cappuccino, no sugar—bitter, just like your life these days."

I slid into the chair across from her, ignoring the coffee. "Get to the point, Victoria. What do you want?"

Her smile widened as she reached for a shopping bag beside her chair. "I just wanted to return something that belongs to your mate."

With deliberate slowness, she pulled out Ethan's Black Leather Jacket. The premium leather gleamed under the café lights, the Silvercrest Pack emblem subtly embossed on the back.

I recognized it immediately. Ethan wore it constantly, the leather carrying his distinctive scent—sandalwood and pine, mixed with his natural Alpha musk.

Victoria placed it on the table between us, her perfectly manicured fingers lingering on the material.

"These are the clothes that Ethan left at my place last night," she said, her voice dripping with false concern. "I brought them to you."