**Emma's POV**My knees felt weak as I wobbled to my feet, blinking away the tears clouding my vision. The knock on the door grew louder, more insistent. For a moment, I considered ignoring it, letting whoever it was think I wasn't home. But something inside urged me to move, to confront whatever waited on the other side.Gingerly, I walked to the door and peered through the peephole. My heart leapt to my throat. James stood there, looking impatient. A torrent of emotions surged within me—fear, panic, a sliver of hope.My body shook as I stepped away from the door, trying to steady my breathing. "No, he can't be here. Not now," I whispered desperately to myself.As if reading my mind, James’s voice came through the door, deep and resonant. "I know you're in there, Emma. I can smell you. Please, just open up."I stood frozen, my mind racing. Go with James, back to Nicholas, the man I loved but had hurt so deeply. The idea was unbearable. Or stay here, trapped in this suffocating pit of
**Emma's POV**Hours drifted by in a blur as I drove, the road stretching endlessly before me. My heart felt like it was in a perpetual state of near-explosion. I had always felt alone like no one understood me, but now, the loneliness was more profound than ever. Yet, I wouldn’t let it break me. I couldn’t succumb to it.The fluorescent glow of my car's dashboard lights was the only constant in the silent, dark night. The lines on the road seemed to blur together, and my eyelids grew heavy. The exhaustion was catching up with me, more emotional than physical, but it was pulling me under just the same.“Just a little further,” I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly as if it could anchor me to reality. But even my determination wasn’t enough to stave off the inevitable.I pulled over to the side of the road, the gravel crunching under the tyres as the car came to a halt. I rested my head on the steering wheel and closed my eyes. Almost immediately, an image of Nichol
**Nicholas's POV**Anger coursed through me, fierce and unrestrained, setting my senses ablaze. Betrayal was a familiar sting, yet it cut deeper this time.Finding out the baby wasn’t mine felt like the punch I never saw coming. Not that I wanted a child with Lena, but the deception—I let them fool me again. The fact that Emma was part of it cut like a savage wound through my heart. I had trusted her, and that trust felt broken.The sound of the front door opening tore me from my thoughts. James stepped into the room, bringing with him a different kind of energy. As he approached, he seemed to hold a quiet storm of his own.“She wouldn’t come back with me, Nicholas,” James said.A fresh wave of anger surged through me. "What do you mean she wouldn’t come back? Did you tell her that it was a direct order from me?"James met my gaze with steady eyes. “I tried, Nicholas. I told her. But she needs space, and I think you need to respect that.”I clenched my fists, raw emotion bubbling to t
**Emma's POV**It was time to confront what haunted my dreams: I needed answers. Hope View was my destination someone how it was tied into all this.The closer I got, the more my apprehension grew. Would I find what I sought, or was I diving headfirst into another mess I couldn’t untangle?As the hospital came into view, my grip tightened around the steering wheel.I parked and sat still for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself before stepping out. The air was crisp invigorating, as if urging me to push forward. With one final exhale, I made my way inside.The echoes of hurried footsteps and distant voices bounced off the walls as I entered the common room. My eyes darted around, searching for the one person who knew this place better than anyone—Grace.I found her talking with a patient, her smile warm and genuine. “Grace!” I called softly, nervousness tainting my voice. Her head lifted immediately, and her eyes met mine with a hint of surprise.“Emma,” she said, the surpr
Emma's PovThe dim light surrounded me as I went down the basement stairs. Shadows moved on the walls as if they were alive with secrets. Every creak of the steps under my feet echoed like my racing heartbeat, loud and ominous.It was very quiet, except for the occasional sound of water dripping somewhere I couldn't see. When I reached the bottom, I was met by a sharp cold that gave me goosebumps. Chilly drafts of air moved mysteriously through the worn floors and piled-up boxes.I walked down the narrow hallway, its twists feeling like a bad dream I couldn't escape. The hair on my neck stood up, sensing I was being watched. The silence around me felt heavy, filled with secrets I was determined to uncover.Then I saw it—the door. It looked simple but felt important, just like in my dreams. Memories of strange dreams filled my mind, feeling both familiar and ominous. My hand hesitated over the doorknob, and as my fingers touched it, the door creaked open on its own, slowly as if inviti
I stumbled out of the hospital, my scrubs clinging to me like a second skin. The neon lights flickered as I clutched my bag, exhaustion weighing me down. All I wanted was to crawl into bed and let the world disappear, but life had other plans.My phone buzzed just as I was about to get into my car. I fetched it out of my pocket, hoping it was Jason, my expression turning hopeful. But it was a message from an anonymous number. I furrowed my brows, quickly unlocking my phone to see what was so urgent."Emma, you deserve the truth. Jason is with another woman right now. I've seen them at The Silver Moon Bar. She's some rich heiress. – A friend."My heart sank, dread pooling in my stomach. I felt paralysed for a moment, contemplating whether to ignore it or go investigate. As much as I wanted to trust Jason, a gut feeling told me something was off.Deciding I needed to see it with my own eyes, I drove to The Silver Moon Bar, my heart pounding. When I arrived, the bustling crowd and the di
The lounge room was awash in expensive chandeliers' warm, golden glow bouncing off the polished mahogany furniture. My father was in full swing, his voice booming with excitement as he outlined another business venture, punctuating each declaration with grand gestures. For a brief moment, I envied his enthusiasm. It must be nice to live so blissfully blind to the real world.Lena sat next to me, her phone clutched in her manicured hand. She seemed disinterested at first, fidgeting with her diamond bracelet, but then I noticed her glancing at her phone with a smile, her eyes lighting up in a way I hadn't seen before. Suddenly, she stood up, her chair scraping against the floor."Where are you going?" our father asked, more out of obligation than curiosity."I need to make a call. I'll be right back," Lena said, her voice tinged with urgency.I watched her disappear down the hallway, something about her behaviour nagging at me. It was rare to see Lena smile like that. I shrugged off the
As we sped to the hospital, I sat next to Lena as she gripped my hand tight. As we pulled up to the hospital, everyone jumped out, rushing inside. Getting to the front desk, my father began to ask where Nicholas was when a doctor came up behind us."Family of Nicholas Blackthorn?" he asked."Yes, I'm his wife, Lena", Lena answered, her voice quivering. “is he okay?”"I’m Dr. Carter. Nicholas sustained severe injuries in a car accident. He has multiple fractures in his legs and spine. Unfortunately, he might not regain full use of his legs."Lena gasped, and I felt her grip tighten on my arm. Seeing her like this, so fragile and vulnerable, stirred something in me. I wanted to hold her and take away all her pain."Can she see him?" I asked for her because I could see she was seconds away from having a breakdown.Dr. Carter nodded, and I went to let go of Lena's hand to let her follow the doctor, but she gripped my hand tighter, telling me that she wanted me with her.Together, we follo
Emma's PovThe dim light surrounded me as I went down the basement stairs. Shadows moved on the walls as if they were alive with secrets. Every creak of the steps under my feet echoed like my racing heartbeat, loud and ominous.It was very quiet, except for the occasional sound of water dripping somewhere I couldn't see. When I reached the bottom, I was met by a sharp cold that gave me goosebumps. Chilly drafts of air moved mysteriously through the worn floors and piled-up boxes.I walked down the narrow hallway, its twists feeling like a bad dream I couldn't escape. The hair on my neck stood up, sensing I was being watched. The silence around me felt heavy, filled with secrets I was determined to uncover.Then I saw it—the door. It looked simple but felt important, just like in my dreams. Memories of strange dreams filled my mind, feeling both familiar and ominous. My hand hesitated over the doorknob, and as my fingers touched it, the door creaked open on its own, slowly as if inviti
**Emma's POV**It was time to confront what haunted my dreams: I needed answers. Hope View was my destination someone how it was tied into all this.The closer I got, the more my apprehension grew. Would I find what I sought, or was I diving headfirst into another mess I couldn’t untangle?As the hospital came into view, my grip tightened around the steering wheel.I parked and sat still for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself before stepping out. The air was crisp invigorating, as if urging me to push forward. With one final exhale, I made my way inside.The echoes of hurried footsteps and distant voices bounced off the walls as I entered the common room. My eyes darted around, searching for the one person who knew this place better than anyone—Grace.I found her talking with a patient, her smile warm and genuine. “Grace!” I called softly, nervousness tainting my voice. Her head lifted immediately, and her eyes met mine with a hint of surprise.“Emma,” she said, the surpr
**Nicholas's POV**Anger coursed through me, fierce and unrestrained, setting my senses ablaze. Betrayal was a familiar sting, yet it cut deeper this time.Finding out the baby wasn’t mine felt like the punch I never saw coming. Not that I wanted a child with Lena, but the deception—I let them fool me again. The fact that Emma was part of it cut like a savage wound through my heart. I had trusted her, and that trust felt broken.The sound of the front door opening tore me from my thoughts. James stepped into the room, bringing with him a different kind of energy. As he approached, he seemed to hold a quiet storm of his own.“She wouldn’t come back with me, Nicholas,” James said.A fresh wave of anger surged through me. "What do you mean she wouldn’t come back? Did you tell her that it was a direct order from me?"James met my gaze with steady eyes. “I tried, Nicholas. I told her. But she needs space, and I think you need to respect that.”I clenched my fists, raw emotion bubbling to t
**Emma's POV**Hours drifted by in a blur as I drove, the road stretching endlessly before me. My heart felt like it was in a perpetual state of near-explosion. I had always felt alone like no one understood me, but now, the loneliness was more profound than ever. Yet, I wouldn’t let it break me. I couldn’t succumb to it.The fluorescent glow of my car's dashboard lights was the only constant in the silent, dark night. The lines on the road seemed to blur together, and my eyelids grew heavy. The exhaustion was catching up with me, more emotional than physical, but it was pulling me under just the same.“Just a little further,” I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly as if it could anchor me to reality. But even my determination wasn’t enough to stave off the inevitable.I pulled over to the side of the road, the gravel crunching under the tyres as the car came to a halt. I rested my head on the steering wheel and closed my eyes. Almost immediately, an image of Nichol
**Emma's POV**My knees felt weak as I wobbled to my feet, blinking away the tears clouding my vision. The knock on the door grew louder, more insistent. For a moment, I considered ignoring it, letting whoever it was think I wasn't home. But something inside urged me to move, to confront whatever waited on the other side.Gingerly, I walked to the door and peered through the peephole. My heart leapt to my throat. James stood there, looking impatient. A torrent of emotions surged within me—fear, panic, a sliver of hope.My body shook as I stepped away from the door, trying to steady my breathing. "No, he can't be here. Not now," I whispered desperately to myself.As if reading my mind, James’s voice came through the door, deep and resonant. "I know you're in there, Emma. I can smell you. Please, just open up."I stood frozen, my mind racing. Go with James, back to Nicholas, the man I loved but had hurt so deeply. The idea was unbearable. Or stay here, trapped in this suffocating pit of
**Emma's POV**My entire body felt numb as I walked back to my car. Nicholas's face, contorted with pain and anger, haunted me. I couldn't shake the image from my mind as I reached the car. My father's voice cut through my pain, harsh and unforgiving."Emma!" he shouted, his voice filled with unrestrained rage. "You are no longer part of this family. You've destroyed everything!"I turned around to face him. The sting of his words cut deep, but strangely, I didn't care, not about him, Lena, or even the rest of my so-called family. They were nothing but a shell wrapped in their own lies and deceit."You know what, Father?" I began, my voice steady and cold. "This family was a mess long before I had anything to do with it. I might not have been born with a wolf, but at least I have a heart."His eyes flared with fury as he took a step toward me. "We should have disowned the wolfless freak years ago!" he spat.Those words hit me harder than any physical blow ever could. Wolfless freak.
**Nicholas's POV**The ride home was agonisingly silent, the only sound the rumble of the engine and the occasional bump in the road. Each passing mile did little to quell the storm inside me. Emma's voice still echoed in my ears, her words like splinters stuck deep under my skin. My mind was a chaotic whirlwind of betrayal and longing, of anger and sorrow.I pulled into the driveway of my house, the stone walls standing stoic and cold, symbols of a life I no longer fully understood. James helped me out of the car, though my humiliation growled deep within me, casting a shadow over any gratitude I might have felt."Do you need anything, Nicholas?" James asked, his voice tinged with concern as he watched me wheel myself towards the front door."Just leave me alone," I snapped, not turning to look at him. I heard his resigned sigh before he closed the car door and drove off, leaving me in the encompassing silence of my grand yet empty house.I wheeled myself into my study, the heavy oak
**Emma's POV**The familiar scent of home enveloped me as I stepped into my parents' house. It was a conflicting mixture of comforting memories and the looming sense of dread. My mother was the first to greet me, her warm smile a stark contrast to the icy tension pooling in my stomach."Emma, dear! It's so good to see you." She wrapped me in a tight hug, and I did my best to return it with equal warmth despite my jittery nerves."Hi, Mum," I said, pulling back and forcing a shaky smile. "Where's Dad?""He's in a meeting but should be joining us very soon," she replied, folding her hands neatly. The slight furrow in her brow told me she sensed something was up. "It's quite unexpected for you to want to have dinner with us. You never call.""Yeah, well," I started, feeling Lena's eyes bore into me from her spot in the living room, "I felt like it was time for a family talk.""Something serious?" my mother asked, her curiosity piqued."Yes, but I'd rather wait until everyone's here," I s
**Nicholas's POV**The hum of the bustling hospital was a stark contrast to the chaos echoing in my mind. Sitting in the sterile waiting room, the air tinged with antiseptic and cold efficiency, I couldn't get Emma out of my head. Her scent, the touch of her skin, and the pull I felt towards her—it was all-consuming.I shook myself out of the reverie as the waiting room door swung open. "Nicholas," the new doctor called out, snapping a file shut. If only it were that easy to close the chapters of my messy life.I wheeled myself into the consultation room, every rotation of the wheels reminding me of my incapacitation. Dr. Carter’s office had been a place of frustration and disdain. Now, facing a new possibility—or, more likely, another dead-end—left me with a sinking feeling of hopelessness I couldn’t shake.The new doctor, Dr. Blake, was a middle-aged man with greying hair and a kind demeanor. He extended a hand, and I shook it, forcing a polite smile."Nicholas, I've gone over your