Drake exhaled, low and irritated. “And if she sees everything, what then? Have you thought about that? What happens to Chiara? What happens to her when the truth comes out?”
“Alpha, with all respect, your mate’s life should come first,” the doctor insisted. “You can’t just keep her in the dark because it’s convenient for you.”
“It’s not convenient. It’s balanced.” Drake’s voice dropped, dangerous now. “I’m keeping things stable. I’m protecting both of them. You don’t get to question that.”
My hand tightened around my ring. My fingers shook.
So this whole time… he knew. He knew I could’ve seen again. And he chose to keep me blind.
Why…? Was I really that easy to control? That easy to hide away?
A sharp crack echoed in my ears. I didn’t even realize I’d forced the ring off until pain shot through my finger. Blood slipped down between my fingers, warm and sticky.
I ran. I didn’t even know where, just back to my room, my whole body shaking so hard I couldn’t breathe.
I knocked into the table, and the framed wedding photo fell to the floor.
In it, Drake leaned forward, pressing a soft, sacred kiss to my forehead. His eyes were full of devotion. Like I was everything.
“Why…” I whispered, staring at it. “Why did you lie to me like this…?”
My tears hit the floor before I could stop them. And then I started laughing. Loud, broken, ugly.
“Hahaha… Drake… you’re amazing. You really are.” My stomach twisted, and I doubled over, gagging, bitter liquid rising in my throat. “You planned everything… didn’t you? Every day I am scared, confused… thinking I was broken… that was all you.”
I cried until there was nothing left. Then I picked up the photo, pulled it out of the frame, and shoved it into the shredder.
The machine chewed through it slowly, the sound sharp and final.
And it felt like something in my chest was being shredded too. Every memory, every moment, every time he said he loved me.
Gone.
“Honey… what are you doing?”
I didn’t even turn around. I just gathered the torn pieces, white and lifeless now, and dumped them into the trash.
“It’s nothing,” I said, my voice dry, empty. “Just… a corrupted file. Didn’t need it anymore.”
Drake stepped closer. “Corrupted? Let me see that.” He frowned slightly, staring at the shredded pieces. “Why does this look familiar… Chloe, what exactly did you—”
Before he could finish, the door opened.