Chapter <b>28</b><b>: </b><b>Trust </b><b>and </b><b>Temptations</b><b>–</b><b>1 </b>


    Chapter 28: Trust and Temptations


    (Olivia’s POV)


    I nced lightly at Vanessa, then turned to Connor with an unreadable expression. The hospital room felt suffocating with tension.


    “If I say Vanessa is lying, would you believe me?” I asked quietly.


    Connor froze, his ice–blue eyes widening slightly. The silence stretched between us, heavy and ufortable.


    I mocked myself inwardly. How could I have been foolish enough to ask such a question? Of course he would choose Vanessa. She was the girl who had grown up


    with him, the one he saw as a sister. I was merely a mate–to–be he hadn’t seen for three years, with little emotional foundation between us.


    Anyone would expect Connor to choose Vanessa.


    Yet, after only a moment’s hesitation, Connor’s ice–blue eyes grew firm as he dered,


    “I believe you.”


    I stood frozen, hardly daring to believe my ears. He actually chose to trust me over


    Vanessa?


    Shock flickered across my face while Vanessa’s expression turned ashen in an


    instant.


    “Con, she’s talking nonsense!” Vanessa protested, her voice trembling with emotion. “How can you believe her instead of me?”


    Connor’s gaze turned cold and sharp as he cut her off. “Enough.”


    The single word sliced through the room like a de.


    “From the first time you met Livvy, you’ve shown her a strange hostility,” he continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous timbre. “When you said she kicked the horse just now, I already suspected you were lying.”


    His voice grew even colder. “Livvy <b>is </b><b>not </b>that kind of person. <b>That</b>, I know very well.


    <Chapter 28 Trust and Te


    + Points >


    You yourself admitted she has no grudge against you, so why would she harm you?”


    I quietly watched him, feeling aplex, bittersweet swirl inside. I had thought that between Vanessa and me, he would never hesitate to side with her. Yet now, he was


    so resolute, so unwavering in his trust.


    My nose tingled with sourness, my eyes stinging with tears I couldn’t voice.


    Connor then looked at Vanessa with an icy expression. “Vanessa Reed, don’t forget,


    your surname is Reed.”


    The implication was crystal clear: Vanessa was merely a foster child, not a true Rivers, so she should not act recklessly under the Rivers pack’s name.


    Hearing this, Vanessa’s face grew paler, her lips trembling, tears streaming down uncontrobly. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.


    Connor turned away indifferently. “Rest well. I’m leaving.”


    As he headed for the door, I looked coldly at the sobbing Vanessa and sighed softly,


    “Why do this to yourself?”


    Outside the hospital, in the open–air parking lot, Connor walked beside me, his eyes


    full of apology.


    “Livvy, I’m sorry,” he said quietly.


    I turned to him, genuinely confused. “Why are you apologizing to me?”


    Connor sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “It’s my pack’s fault for not teaching Vanessa well. I don’t know why she would nder you like this. Don’t worry,


    I’ll find out.”


    I gave a faintugh. “No need. I already know why.”


    Connor looked puzzled, his brows drawing together. I met his gaze calmly.


    “Connor, can’t you really see Vanessa’s thoughts<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    He frowned. “What do you mean<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    “She targets me because of you,” I said unhurriedly. “<b>She </b>likes you, and she sees me


    as a rival. She did all this <b>to </b><b>create </b><b>discord </b>between <b>us</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Connor fell silent, his expression thoughtful as he processed my words. I continued


    < Chapter 28 Trust and Te…


    walking forward, the cool evening air refreshing after the stifling hospital


    atmosphere.


    +8 Points


    Connor hurriedly caught up with me. “Then from now on, I will keep my distance from


    her.”


    I paused slightly, turning to face him. “Why?”


    “You said she likes me,” Connor replied earnestly. “I never realized before. I only saw


    her as a sister, but now that I know her feelings, of course I’ll distance myself.”


    His ice–blue eyes softened as they met mine. “Livvy, I want to give you a sense of


    security.”


    I shook my head slightly, then asked softly, “But why did you believe me


    unconditionally just now? Vanessa grew up with you. You should have trusted her


    more, so why me?”


    Connor looked deeply into my eyes, his voice gentle yet resolute. “Because, as I said,


    you are not that kind of person.”


    “Is that all?” I pressed, needing to understand.


    Under the dim streetlights casting warm amber through the windshield, the look in Connor’s ice–blue eyes was full of undisguised affection. He spoke slowly but firmly.


    “And because I love you. Love means unconditional trust.”


    My heart trembled violently. I turned away in a panic, cheeks flushed crimson, unable


    <i>to </i>speak.


    Was that… a confession?


    Seeing my reddened ears, Connor smiled quietly to himself. I could feel his gaze on


    me, warm and tender.


    The following day, the examination results on Moonbeam came back. All indicators were normal, but a fresh scratch wound was found on the back of the mare’s neck, likely caused by a sharp brooch or pin, in a location only essible by a rider.


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