Chapter 56: Wounds of the Heart 

Chapter 56. Wounds of the Heart 

(Ethan’s POV) 

Blood trickled down my back as Olivia’s whip cracked against my skin again. Each lash burned like fire, but ! remained motionless. My face showed nothing while my back became a canvas of pain. 

Her emerald eyes blazed with hatred as she delivered another strike. The hot blood ran down my skin in 

rivulets 

I deserved this punishment. The memory of locking her in that basement with rats her greatest fear – 

flashed through my mind. Yet I couldn’t stop thinking about Victoria, trapped with the snakes she feared 

above all else. 

“Did you vent your anger? Can we put this matter to rest now?” I asked, my voice steady despite the searing 

pain. 

Her emerald eyes narrowed instantly. She knew exactly what I meant. I wanted Victoria released. 

“No,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “Never.” 

She tried to raise the whip again, but her strength failed her. Her body swayed dangerously 

Without thinking, I lunged forward. I caught her limp body before it hit the cold stone floor. 

She felt impossibly light in my arms. Like a fragile bird with broken wings. Her chestnut hair fell across her pale face as her head dropped against my chest. 

Grandmother watched from near the entrance, her eyes sharp with judgment. “Take her to your bedroom,” she 

commanded. ‘Til summon Dr. Bennett.” 

I carried Olivia through the long corridors of our ancestral home. With each step. I felt my blood seeping into 

her clothes. 

Her face, relaxed in unconsciousness, looked younger and vulnerable. She reminded me of the girl I’d rescued 

from that same basement years ago. The same basement I’d later thrown her into without a second thought. 

Dr. Harold Bennett arrived quickly. His weathered face grew grave as he examined Olivia with practiced 

movements. 

“Her heart condition has been exacerbated by extreme emotional distress,” he announced. The basement 

incident nearly killed her, Alpha. Her heart simply couldn’t handle the terror” 

Grandmother’s eyes flashed with rage. “As I told you, Ethan. You nearly killed your mate with your 

foolishness.” 

“I didn’t know,” I said. The words sounded hollow even to my own ears. 

“You didn’t want to know,” she fired back. “Too busy believing Victoria’s lies to remember your own mate’s 

trauma” 

I felt a flicker of defensiveness rise inside me. ‘Grandmother, it has nothing to do with Victoria.” 

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Nothing to do with Victoria? Who poisoned you against Olivia? Who convinced 

you she was quilty without evidence?” 

Dr. Bennett cleared his throat uncomfortably Perhaps this discussion could wait until the patient is stable?” 

Grandmother’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You’re right, Harold. My grandson’s blindness can be addressed 

later 

She turned to leave, but her legs wobbled slightly. Bernard Sheppard appeared at her side, offering his arm 

for support 

“You should rest, Grandmother,” I said, truly concerned. “This stress isn’t good for you either” 

She paused, her amber eyes–so like my own–studying me. “You’re worried about me now? What about your 

wife? 

“Olivia will worry if she wakes and finds you’ve collapsed,” I replied softly 

Something in my voice must have reached her. She nodded slowly. Take care of her, Ethan. For once in your life, put her first” 

After they left, I removed my blood–soaked shirt. I winced as the fabric pulled away from my raw wounds. 

The mirror reflected fresh lash marks crisscrossing my back. They overlaid older, unhealed ones from previous incidents when I’d let Olivia vent her anger at me. 

Dr. Bennett returned with his medical bag. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of my back. These need treatment, Alpha.” 

I nodded silently and submitted to his care. The special healing salve burned at first contact with my torn 

flesh. 

Then it cooled, bringing blessed relief to my wounds. The pain dulled to a manageable throb. 

When he finished, he packed his supplies and headed for the door. “Take care of her,” he said, echoing Grandmother’s words. “Her heart can’t take much more strain,” 

After he left, I turned my attention to Olivia. Her bandaged fingers caught my eye–white gauze wrapped 

around each digit. 

Carefully, I unwrapped them. The raw torn skin beneath made my stomach clench with guilt. 

She had clawed desperately at the stone walls of her prison until her fingers bled. Until her nails broke and tore away from the beds. I had done this to her. 

A soft knock announced Grandmother’s return. Without waiting for permission, she entered with her phone in 

hand. 

“You should see this,” she said, her voice unusually gentle. 

She held out her phone showing photos of the basement where Olivia had been confined. The images were stark and damning. 

Bloody scratches marked the walls where she had tried to escape. Chunks of fingernails were embedded in 

the stone. Dark stains showed where she had bled onto the floor. 

“She begged you,” Grandmother said quietly. “She reminded you of her fear. And still, you locked her in.” 

I couldn’t speak. My throat felt tight with an emotion I refused to name. 

“Take good care of your wife, Ethan,” Grandmother said, her voice softening. She deserves that much, at 

least 

After she left, I sat beside Olivia with Dr. Bennett’s healing salve in my hand. I began applying it to her damaged fingers with gentle movements. 

As I worked, a memory surfaced unexpectedly. Lily, our daughter, watching wide–eyed as Olivia burned her hand making special tea during one of the child’s fevers. 

Without hesitation, Lily had taken her mother’s injured hand and blown on it gently. Her small face was 

serious with concentration. 

“Mommy, does it still hurt?” she had asked, her innocent eyes filled with concern. 

“No, baby” Olivia had replied, her smile radiant despite her pain. “Your magic breath made it all better.” 

Without thinking. I found myself copying my daughter’s gesture. I blew softly on Olivia’s fingers while 

applying the healing salve. 

The memory of Lily was so vivid it made my chest ache. Our daughter had been gone for months, yet the pain 

felt fresh 

Why hadn’t I been there more for them? Why had I let Victoria come between me and my family? 

A slight movement caught my attention. Olivia’s eyelashes fluttered as consciousness returned. 

Confusion clouded her features as she saw me tending to her wounds. “Grandmother?” she murmured, 

disoriented. 

“No,” I replied softly. “It’s me, Ethan.” 

Recognition dawned in her eyes, followed immediately by wariness. She pulled her hand away from my touch 

as if burned. 

Her expression hardened into a mask of distrust. The brief vulnerability I’d glimpsed vanished completely. 

“Ethan Stone, don’t be hypocritical in front of me, I don’t need it,” she said coldly. “Give up, I won’t agree to let Victoria Frost out of that basement.” 

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