Semua Bab The Alpha's Scorned Bride: Bab 271 - Bab 280

Ava's POVI forced myself to focus as Nora turned the steering wheel."Mr. Shelton already filed for your divorce from Victor. You need to be prepared."Then Nora tossed something into my lap. I looked down. It was a phone."This is your new phone. Give me your old one."I immediately understood. They were cutting off contact and protecting me from the world.I didn't resist. I handed it over, and Nora tucked it away."If anything happens, contact us immediately."Her voice became firm."If anyone from the Stone family or the Smith family reaches out to you through social media regarding the appeal...""Ignore them," I finished."Exactly," Nora agreed.I looked down at my bandaged hands. Everything I had now, the surgery, the appeal, the chance at freedom, and the possibility of clearing my name, had all come at an unbearable cost.Maria had died. Oliver Hale had sacrificed everything. Countless others had suffered.I had to protect these hands no matter what.Because if I lost them n

Ava's POVThe second Laura stormed out of the funeral hall, Nora rushed toward me."Ava, your hand!"She grabbed my wrist before I could stop her.Her scent carried genuine concern. "Are you hurt?"I couldn't help smiling. "No."I lifted my right hand."I'm fine. She squeezed my left hand. My right hand's okay."Nora's expression immediately darkened. "Your left hand shouldn't be hurt either."Her wolf flashed through her eyes. "She did it on purpose."I knew that. Of course I knew that."You need to watch out for her from now on," Nora continued. "She knows she can't compete with your design skills."I looked down at the bandages wrapped around my damaged hand.The hand Laura had tried so hard to destroy."She's terrified." Nora folded her arms. "The second your hand heals, everyone will realize she's an amateur compared to you."A bitter smile touched my lips as I walked toward the window and stared outside."I know."*****After Maria's cremation ceremony ended, Anderson walked me t

Victor's POVAva stepped forward. The moment her eyes locked onto mine, I knew there was nowhere left to hide."I told him how I'd been wronged."Each word struck like a hammer. I stood there silently while she spoke."Victor, I already took the blame for Laura for five years. After I got out, I endured humiliations and insults from you and those I called family."The shame was unbearable. I remembered moments when I had contributed to that, the times I'd looked away, convincing myself there had to be a reason, a justification for the way she was treated."What did I get from being your wife?"The question shattered me."Five years ago, when I went to prison for a crime I didn't commit, all I got was pain, destruction, and broken promises from you."I couldn't even look her in the eye anymore because she was right."I am done, Victor. I am done letting everyone get away with their nonsense!"Nora snarled with contempt."He has an amazing woman standing right in front of him, and he'd

Ava's POVBy the time we reached the hospital in Drakoria, it was almost three in the morning.The entire drive back, my wolf had been restless, pacing, growling, and terrified.I kept staring out the window, praying to the Moon Goddess that we'd arrive and find out Richard was already awake.That this had all been a misunderstanding. That he was fine.But the moment I stepped onto the surgical floor, I knew it wasn't.The scent of fear and anxiety filled the air.Nora was standing against the wall outside the operating room.She was barely holding herself together. Her face was ghostly pale. Her eyes never left the operating room doors, not even for a second.It was as if looking away might somehow cause Richard's heart to stop beating.My chest tightened."Nora."My voice came out soft and fragile. She turned.For a second, she simply stared at me. Then her eyes filled with tears.The next thing I knew, she was running toward me. I caught her instantly.She buried herself against me

Ava's POVBy the time I reached Smith Villa, dawn was breaking across the horizon.The silver gates of the villa stood before me, just as imposing as I remembered. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin as I stepped out of the car and stared at the mansion that had once been my home.The place I never thought I would return to.I expected the estate to be empty. Victor was usually away at this time of day.But the moment I entered the house, I knew he was around.His scent lingered in the air, but it was somehow different. It was laced with weakness, exhaustion, and medicinal herbs.I frowned.Victor was ill?The house was unusually quiet. No servants bustled through the halls.Following the scent, I walked upstairs. The bedroom door was partially open.I hesitated before pushing it wider. Victor was asleep.For a moment, I simply stood there. The powerful Alpha I remembered looked nothing like himself.His face was pale, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.Even in sleep, his breath