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    Chapter 53: Family Secrets and <b>Aftermath</b>–<b>1 </b>


    Chapter 53: Family Secrets and Aftermath


    (Katherine’s POV)


    “I told you long ago that bastard must not be allowed to live!” I sobbed, pointing an using finger at William’s face.


    My voice echoed through the sterile hospital corridor, each word dripping with years of suppressed rage. “All because of your affair back then, fathering a child with that woman! Now, your bastard has caused Connor to be gravely injured, his life hanging


    by a thread!”


    William’s face darkened with shame as hospital staff and other visitors nced our way. I didn’t care who heard. My son was fighting for his life because of his mistakes.


    “Listen to me, William,” I hissed, stepping closer. “If anything happens to Connor, <b>I’ll </b>have someone kill that bastard of yours!”


    William flinched as though I’d struck him. His jaw tightened, eyes shing with a


    mixture of guilt and defensiveness.


    “What’s the point of bringing this up now?” he growled, keeping his voice low. “I never wanted her to have that child. Frederick’s mother told me she’d aborted it, then


    secretly ran off to America. What could I do?”


    My fury only intensified at his pathetic excuses. “I think you’re just pretending ignorance. Maybe you were secretly happy she gave you a child!”


    The words hung in the air between us, sharp and poisonous. William’s face contorted with anger, but I could see the truth in his eyes.


    (Richard’s POV)


    I stood awkwardly nearby, witnessing the Rivers family’s dirtyundry being aired in public. As Alpha of the Winters pack and Olivia’s father, I’de to support my daughter through this nightmare, not to be privy to another pack’s scandals.


    A flicker of embarrassment crossed my face as Katherine’s usations grew louder. This was hardly the time or ce for such revtions.


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    Eleanor Rivers, Connor’s grandmother, sat rigidly in a nearby chair. Despite her


    obvious grief, she maintained a formidableposure thatmanded respect. Her


    silver hair was perfectly styled despite the hours of waiting, her posture impable.


    “Enough!” she suddenly barked, her aura oppressive and cold. “What time do you


    think it is to be quarreling like this? You’re humiliating the entire Rivers pack in front of


    our inws!”


    Her authority silenced the room instantly. Even Katherine, still trembling with anger


    and tears streaming down her face, dared not continue her tirade.


    (Eleanor’s POV)


    I fixed my sharp gaze on Katherine, my daughter–inw of thirty years. Her behavior


    was uneptable, regardless of her distress.


    “Katherine,” I said coldly, “Connor is still fighting for his life inside. Saying things like ‘if


    anything happens‘–are you cursing your own son?”


    Katherine’s tears flowed harder as she stammered, “Mother… I didn’t mean that…”


    William’s patience snapped again. “Stop crying,” he ordered harshly. “Our son is still in


    surgery. Crying now is just unlucky.”


    Katherine turned away, weeping silently into her handkerchief. Her shoulders shook


    with the effort of containing her sobs.


    Richard Winters stepped forward awkwardly, clearly ufortable but trying to offer


    I nodded slightly in acknowledgment of his attempt. At least someone was trying to


    maintain decorum in this dreadful situation.


    (Olivia’s POV)


    I stood apart from the Rivers family, my back against the cold hospital wall. Their


    voices faded into meaningless noise around me.


    None of it registered–not Katherine’s usations, not William’s defenses, not


    Eleanor’s reprimands. My world had shrunk to a single point of crushing self–me


    and fear.


    Each second dragged like an eternity. My chest felt tight, my heart throbbing painfully


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    <Chapter 53 Family Secret


    against my ribs. I couldn’t breathe properly, as if I were drowning on drynd.


    +8 Points


    Every heartbeat was torment. Regret wed at my insides like a living thing. If only I


    hadn’t rushed to the rooftop. If only I’d trusted Connor’s n. If only I’d been less


    impulsive.


    The beautiful engagement gown I still wore was stained with Connor’s blood. I


    couldn’t bring myself to change, as though removing it would somehow sever my


    connection to him.


    Desperate hope and terror battled within me. What if the silver had spread too far?


    What if the doctors couldn’t save him? What if thest memory Connor had of me


    was my foolish, reckless decision that put him in danger?


    Time inched forward with excruciating slowness. The sun sank lower outside the


    windows, shadows lengthening along the hospital corridor.


    Then, atst, the doors to the operating room opened with a soft click.


    Katherine rushed forward, her quarrel with William instantly forgotten. “Doctor, how is


    my son?” she demanded, voice trembling.


    The others swarmed behind her. I remained frozen, my hands trembling violently, palms slick with sweat. Hope and dread warred within me as the surgeon finally


    removed his mask.


    Exhaustion lined his face, but it gave way to a faint smile. “The patient is out of danger now.”


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