After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Elle’s POV

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From inside, the sound of crashing glass and muffled sobs reached us. Ivy was clearly in distress, and I felt

a stab of sympathy despite our complicated relationship

Sophia moved closer to me, her voice low. “Elle, I know you want to help, but we need to be careful about

how involved you get in this mess.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it,” she said gently. “If something happens to Ivy, if she can’t… well, if she can’t be the Blair

family heir anymore, who benefits most from that situation?”

The implication hit me like a slap. “You think people will say I’m glad this happened? That I wanted this?”

“I think people love to talk,” Sophia replied. “And a human woman suddenly becoming the primary

beneficiary of the Blair family fortune? That’s going to raise eyebrows. You being too eager to help might

make you look calculating.”

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I felt my stomach drop. I hadn’t thought about it that way, but she was right.

“It doesn’t matter what people think,” Brad said, “Anyone who has a problem with Elle can take it up with

me.”

Brad didn’t worry about gossip because he had the power to silence it. But I was still just human Elle West.

More crashing sounds came from inside, followed by Ivy’s voice screaming something unintelligible. The

raw pain in her cries made my chest tighten.

I thought about my own situation carrying Brad’s child, facing an uncertain future. At least I had Brad’s.

protection, strange as our relationship was. Ivy had been abandoned by someone who should have stood by

her.

“Damn him,” I muttered under my breath. “Whoever hes, he’s a coward.”

A car pulled up to the hospital’s front entrance, and well turned to watch. A middle-aged man stepped

out, carrying what looked like expensive skincare products. He was probably around Martin’s age, well-

dressed but nervous.

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Chapter 156

Before he could even approach the hospital, Ivy’s parents rushed toward him. The woman’s face was

twisted with rage.

“You bastard!” she screamed, lunging at him. “How dare you show your face here!”

The man tried to dodge, but she was faster, her hands clawing at his face. Ivy’s father – joined in, grabbing

the newcomer by his jacket.

I instinctively stepped back as the woman stumbled in my direction, her wild swing nearly catching me

across the face.

“Sorry about this, Elle,” Martin said quickly, moving to shield me. “They’re… understandably emotional.”

I felt Brad’s body tense beside me, his Alpha instincts clearly triggered by the near-miss.

“Maybe we should go inside,” I suggested, suddenly less enthusiastic about getting involved in this family

drama.

Before anyone could respond, Stella’s voice rang out from the hospital. “Enough! Stop it right now!” She

appeared in the doorway, her authority cutting through the chaos. “Ivy wants to see him. That’s why we

called him here.”

The fighting stopped immediately. Ivy’s parents stepped back, breathing hard, but their eyes never left the

man who had presumably ruined their daughter’s life.

“She wants to see me?” he asked, his voice shaky.

“She does,” Stella confirmed. “So get inside before I change my mind about letting you anywhere near her.”

As the man hurried toward the hospital, I turned to Sophia. “This is a mess.”

“It really is,” she agreed. “You know what? I’m starting to think we shouldn’t have come today.”

I sighed. “If I hadn’t come, they’d probably say I was too proud to show up. That I think I’m above the Blair

family because I’m connected to the Raynes.”

“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Sophia muttered.

We settled in to wait, but the hospital wasn’t quiet for long. Raised voices carried through the walls, followed by the sound of something heavy being throw. Martin winced at each crash.

Then the man emerged from the hospital. His face was ed, whether from crying or arguing I couldn’t tell.

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Chapter 156

He walked straight to Ivy’s parents and dropped to his knees.

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“I know nothing I do today can make up for what I’ve done,” he said, his voice carrying clearly in the still

air. “I know I failed Ivy when she needed me most. But swear to you I’ll take responsibility. I’ll divorce

my wife and marry Ivy. I’ll make this right.”

–

My stomach turned. The casual way he talked reminded me too much of Jason. Men who made promises to

one woman and then abandoned them the moment something more appealing came along.

I tried to pull my hand away from Brad’s, suddenly needing space from all men and their casual cruelty.

But his grip tightened.

“Hey,” he murmured in my ear, his voice so low only I could hear. “I’m not him. This lifetime, next lifetime,

whatever you’re the only woman I’ll ever touch.”

–

His words sent heat flooding through my cheeks, making something tight in my chest finally loosen.

“You’re making me feel bad for being angry at all men, whispered back.

“Good,” he said with a slight smile. “Do you want me to handle this situation? Just say the word and I’ll

make sure that guy faces real consequences.”

Before I could answer, the man suddenly turned toward me. His eyes were desperate.

“Please, you have to help me! I’ll keep my promise – I really will! But I need your help to make my wife

agree to the divorce!” he called out, stumbling toward us.

The audacity of it hit me like a physical blow. Fucking bastard!

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Sophia snapped before I could respond. “What makes you think Elle

should get involved in your disgusting personal drama? You want to use werewolf influence to bully your

wife into a divorce?”

But the man ignored her, focusing entirely on me. “Please. My wife, she’s… she’s very difficult. She won’t listen to reason. But if you could just speak to her, or maybe have your…” He glanced nervously at Brad. “Just a phone call. Just enough to make her understand that it’s better for everyone if she doesn’t fight

this.”

The pure entitlement of it left me speechless for a moment. He wanted me to help him terrorize his innocent wife so he could abandon her for the woman he’d already abandoned once.

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Chapter 156

“You know what?” I said, standing up so abruptly that Bad had to release my hand. “I’m not a Blair by

blood. So Blair family business? Not my call to make.”

I turned to Stella, who had emerged from the hospital to listen to this exchange. “We should probably head

home.”

But before we could leave, Ivy’s voice rang out from inside the hospital, desperate and pleading.

“Elle! Please don’t go! I’m begging you – just this once, please help me! I have nowhere else to turn! The

Blair family is going to be yours anyway – can’t you do this one thing for me?”

The words hit like arrows, each one finding its mark. I stood frozen, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes

on me, knowing that whatever I chose next would define how this family saw me forever.

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18:54 Wed, Dec 31

After One Night with the Alpha

Chapter 157

Elle’s POV

Ivy’s parents were suddenly on their knees in front of me, their hands reaching out desperately.

“Please, Miss West! You have to help us!” Ivy’s mother sobbed, trying to grab at my dress.

I instinctively stepped back, my heart racing. “Don’t-”

This felt wrong. Everything about this felt like they were trying to corner me, force me into a position.

where I’d look heartless if I refused. Like I was being manipulated into bullying some innocent woman I’d

never even met.

Brad’s voice was suddenly low in my ear, warm breath against my skin. “Just say the word. Ask me, and I’ll

handle this.”

I shot him an annoyed look. Of course he’d turn this into some kind of negotiation.

“Martin,” I said firmly, stepping further back from the desperate parents. “This isn’t really my place to get

involved, is it? I’m a West, not a Blair. Blair family business is Blair family business. If you need someone

transferred to the werewolf medical center, I can arrange that. Anything else? I can’t help you.”

Martin nodded quickly, relief flickering across his face. You’re absolutely right, Elle. We shouldn’t be

putting you in this position.”

But before anyone could say anything else, Ivy stumbled out, her face pale as paper, one hand pressed

against her stomach. She looked like hell – her hair was a mess, her hospital gown wrinkled, and there

were dark circles under her eyes.

And then she dropped to her knees right in front of me joining her parents in their desperate tableau.

“Elle,” she gasped, looking up at me with wild eyes. “I know I have no right to ask this of you. I know I’ve

been… difficult. But look at me now. I’m ruined. I can never be the Blair family heir again. I can never

compete with you again!”

Her gaze dropped to my stomach, and something vicious flashed in her expression before she quickly

masked it with desperation.

“The Blair family is yours now, Elle. All of it. So please can’t you help me just this once? Can’t you see it

as… as payment for everything you’re getting?”

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