Chapter 89: Rejected Advances
Chapter 89: Rejected Advances
(Victoria’s POV)
I stood in the doorway of my bedroom, watching Ethan’s reaction as his amber eyes took in my appearance. The midnight blue nightdress had been chosen specifically for this moment- the silky material clung to every curve of my body, the neckline plunging low enough to reveal
the swell of my breasts.
“Emma’s asleep,” he said, averting his gaze: “I should get back to the pack house.”
I moved forward with practiced grace, closing the distance between us. My arms slid around his waist as I pressed my body against his, looking up with undisguised longing.
“Ethan…” I made my voice husky, inviting. “Stay tonight, okay?”
I was confident in my allure. After all, Ethan Stone had always desired me. We shared a history that predated his accidental mating with Olivia Winters. He had loved me first, had chosen me first. That bond couldn’t be broken by a mere technicality.
I leaned in, tilting my face toward his. My scent–deliberately enhanced with a subtle perfume that I knew he liked–surrounded us both. My lips parted slightly, invitingly.
“Victoria.”
His voice was calm and clear. There was no trace of conflicted desire in his amber eyes, only rational composure as he gently but firmly removed my arms from around his waist.
I felt tears welling in my eyes, genuine confusion and hurt washing over me. “What’s wrong?”
Ethan took a step back, creating distance between us. “I need to get back.”
“Ethan,” I whispered, a tear sliding down my cheek. “Do you not want me because of what happened five years ago when you accidentally mated with Olivia? Do you find me repulsive
now?”
(Ethan’s POV)
“Victoria.” My voice deepened with displeasure at her words.
I watched as panic flashed across her face, her posture immediately shifting to one of
submission. This was a side of Victoria I’d seen before–the calculated vulnerability that
emerged whenever she sensed my disapproval.
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“Ethan, I’m sorry,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “I shouldn’t have said that. Don’t be angry.”
She lowered her stance submissively, her eyes wide and appealing. “You know I love you.
We’ve loved each other since we were young. Why won’t you stay with me? You and Olivia are
separated now. There’s nothing stopping us from being together.”
I remained silent, momentarily stunned by her question. Why couldn’t I bring myself to be
intimate with Victoria? I had told myself for years that I loved her, that she was the one I truly
wanted.
I didn’t dislike Victoria. I never minded that night five years ago when I was drugged and
accidentally mated with Olivia. If anything, I blamed myself for not being there for Victoria
when she needed me most.
So why did I keep pushing her away?
Victoria pressed closer, sensing my hesitation. Her hand came up to rest against my chest,
her touch light but insistent. “Ethan, please…”
I instinctively stepped back again, creating distance between us. “Victoria, I haven’t found Lily
yet. I don’t have the energy for this right now.”
Relief washed over me as the words left my mouth. Yes, that was it–I was preoccupied with
finding my daughter. That explained my reluctance.
Victoria’s expression softened with understanding. “Of course. Lily is important, Ethan. I’ll wait
for you.”
I nodded, my mind already drifting to thoughts of my daughter. Where could she be? Why was
Olivia hiding her from me?
“Goodnight, Victoria,” I said simply, turning to leave Rosewood Haven.
(Victoria’s POV)
I watched him walk away, his broad shoulders disappearing down the hallway. The moment
the front door closed behind him, my sympathetic expression vanished.
My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms until small crescents of blood
appeared. Rage bubbled inside me, hot and poisonous.
Once again, Olivia Winters had come between us. Even in her absence, she managed to keep
Ethan from me. And now this obsession with finding Lily–a child who had never meant anything to him while she was alive.
I had been so close. If I could just get Ethan to stay one night, to share my bed again, I might
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conceive his son. A male heir would secure my position in the Stone family and the Silvercrest Pack hierarchy forever.
But no. He was too preoccupied with Olivia and Lily to see what was right in front of him.
My perfectly manicured nails dug deeper into my palms as resentment filled every fiber of my being.
(Olivia’s POV)
The Silvercrest Pack Medical Den was quiet at this late hour. Most visitors had gone home, leaving only essential staff to monitor patients through the night.
I sat beside Matriarch Evelyn’s bed, gently bathing her face with a warm cloth. Her skin felt papery beneath my touch, fragile with age yet still bearing the dignity that had defined her throughout her life.
“There we go,” I murmured, though I knew she couldn’t hear me. “Let’s get you comfortable.”
With practiced care, I changed her into fresh clothes, moving her limbs gently to avoid causing
any discomfort. I even took the time to comb her silver hair, arranging it neatly around her
face.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Winters?”
I looked up to see Sarah Jenkins, one of the medical assistants, standing in the doorway. Her
expression was hesitant, uncertain.
“I can help with that if you’d like to take a break,” she offered.
Before I could respond, Bernard Sheppard appeared behind her. The Stone family’s head butler
assessed the situation with a single glance.
“Sarah,” he said quietly, “I believe Dr. Fletcher was looking for you regarding another patient.”
Sarah looked confused but nodded respectfully. “Of course, Mr. Sheppard.”
As she left, Bernard gave me a small nod of acknowledgment before withdrawing, closing the door softly behind him. I silently thanked him for his discretion. He understood my need to care for Matriarch Evelyn personally.
Alone with the elderly woman once more, I took her hand in mine. Her fingers were cool, the
skin thin enough that I could see the blue veins beneath.
“Grandmother,” I whispered, leaning close to her ear. “You have to wake up soon. Wanwan still needs you to protect me.”
3/5
< Chapter 89. Rejected Advances
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I used the nickname she had given me years ago when she first welcomed me into the Stone family. Back then, she had been my fiercest advocate, defending me against those who questioned my suitability as Ethan’s mate.
Now, with her mind fixed five years in the past, she remained one of my few allies in a pack that had largely turned against me.
(Ethan’s POV)
I arrived at the medical den shortly after ten, nodding to the night staff as I made my way to Grandmother’s private room. Through the small window in the door, I could see Olivia sitting beside the bed, her head bowed as she held Grandmother’s hand.
The sight stirred something in me–a complex emotion I couldn’t quite name. Olivia had every reason to abandon the Stone family after how she’d been treated, yet here she was, tending to Grandmother with genuine devotion.
I pushed the door open quietly, but Olivia’s head snapped up immediately. Her emerald eyes met mine briefly before she rose from her chair.
“Grandmother,” she said softly, addressing the unconscious woman, “it’s getting late. I’ll go back now. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
She gathered her things, clearly intending to leave rather than share the room with me. The avoidance irritated me, though I couldn’t explain why.
As she turned to go, I caught her wrist, my grip gentle but firm. “Wait. I’ll take you back to Maple Grove. I have something to say to you.”
Olivia’s eyes flicked meaningfully toward Grandmother’s still form, reminding me that this wasn’t the place for a confrontation. She pulled her wrist from my grasp.
“No, thank you,” she replied, her voice cold as she walked past me and out the door.
I stayed with Grandmother for a while, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. Dr. Bennett had assured me that her condition was stable, but seeing her like this–frail and vulnerable–was unsettling.
After ensuring that the night staff had clear instructions for her care, I left the medical den. My car automatically navigated toward Maple Grove, where I knew Olivia would have returned.
I found her at her door, key in hand. She froze when she saw me approaching, her posture immediately defensive.
“What do you want?” she demanded, quickly unlocking her door and attempting to slip inside.
< Chapter 89: Rejected Advances
I moved faster, catching the door before she could close it. “We need to talk.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” Olivia hissed, trying to force the door shut.
+15 PORTS
I pushed back, my superior strength easily overcoming her resistance. “This isn’t a request.”
Olivia stumbled backward as the door swung open. Her emerald eyes flashed with indignation, her slender frame vibrating with anger.
“How dare you force your way into my home! Get out before I-”
“I came here tonight just to talk to you calmly about Lily,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “I want to see Lily!”