Lahat ng Kabanata ng Second Chance At Love: Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

Cassie.My gaze flickered toward the door as it creaked open, a nurse walked in with a nervous smile and Axel straightened almost immediately. “I have something to take care of,” he said, his tone curt and distant, “I’ll be back.”He didn’t wait for me to respond, he just strode toward the door, his broad shoulders rigid, and disappeared out of the door.The nurse bowed slightly, a sign of respect for her Alpha, before turning to me. “How are you feeling, Cassie?” she asked softly, approaching the side of my bed.“I’m fine,” I muttered, even though I knew it wasn’t true. My body felt heavy, my mind even heavier. The piercing headache from earlier still throbbed faintly behind my eyes, but it wasn’t just physical pain gnawing at me.The nurse started administering some medication, her hands quick and efficient. I barely paid attention to her, my thoughts reverting to the memory of what had just happened.Axel had almost kissed me. And I almost let it happen.I closed my eyes briefly,

Cassie.I walked silently behind Axel, unsure of what to expect from his words. I could hear the faint sound of crickets, but even that sound couldn't drown out the relentless thudding of my heartbeat. Each step felt heavier, the tension between us pulling me closer to something I wasn't sure I was ready to face.When we reached the door at the end of the hall, he pushed it open without hesitation.I stepped in first and froze.Bella and Carly knelt in the center of the room, their hands bound behind them.The flickering light overhead cast uneven shadows across their faces, and even though they weren't battered or bruised, their tear-streaked cheeks told me enough. They'd been crying for a long time—probably for days.The room was small and suffocating, with walls that seemed to close in the longer I stood there. A tiny window, even smaller than the ones from earlier, sat near the ceiling letting in just enough moonlight to highlight the cold, unwelcoming space.Torture devices hung

Cassie.The moment Axel and I stepped into the apartment, I turned around to face him, planting my hands on my hips. My chest tightened as I glared up at him, the weight of my unresolved emotions boiling to the surface.“You know,” I started, my voice sharper than I intended, “I tried to make sense of it on our walk here, and I just… didn’t. You’re so confusing. One minute, you’re nice, and the next, you’re cold. Is it because it’s natural for you to be mean to me, and the mate bond is getting in the way of that? Forcing you to try and be nice to me? Is that what this is?”Axel’s expression didn’t shift at first—his dark eyes studying me with an unreadable intensity. Then he exhaled slowly, running his fingers through his hair like my words had physically weighed him down.“Cassie,” he said in that infuriatingly calm voice, “go to your room.”“No.” I straightened, my voice growing louder. “I’m going nowhere until I get an answer from you.”“Then, by all means, stay here!” Axel bit ou

Cassie.A frown instantly settled on my face at Axel’s words.And you must never let anyone know that you’re my mate, or that you’re related to me in any wayThe sharp edge of his command echoed in my mind, leaving behind a bitter sting. I’d heard him say it before so I shouldn’t have been shocked to hear it again, especially now, but I couldn’t stop the ache that bloomed in my chest.I did not intend to be hurt by his words, but the pain was there nonetheless, curling deep in my ribs like a wound that refused to heal.I parted my lips, wanting to ask why it mattered so much to keep me a secret. Was I something he was ashamed of? A hidden mistake he’d rather no one knew existed?But I was tired—exhausted beyond belief. I didn’t have the strength to fight him, not tonight.“This will not be up for debate,” Axel continued, his voice firm as if reading my thoughts, “If you can abide by these rules, you’re free to go. But if you can’t…” He paused, his gaze piercing through me. “Then I don

Cassie.After a little contemplation, Jake and I settled to head to a mall, because I figured if I wanted to make the best of the opportunity and the card Axel gave me, it'd be best to go there. The mall hadn’t changed one bit. The last time I’d been there was to shop for Cam—every visit before that had been for him too. Never for me. The ache in my chest flared up at the memory, making it harder to breathe.Beside me, Jake walked calmly, but I could feel his eyes flicking toward me now and then until he finally broke the silence.“Are you okay?”I forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”He nodded, but his eyes lingered a little longer like he didn’t believe me, but thankfully he didn’t say anything more. We walked inside, greeted by the cool air conditioning and the scent of humans. The noise of people chatting and the way it all seemed normal, reminded me how long it had been since I’d done something as simple as shop for myself.“What do you want to get first?” Jake asked.“Clothes,” I