Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me (by Sherry) novel Chapter 198

“Maybe,” I conceded, though privately I thought it was convenient how this supposedly irresistible bond had

manifested only after she’d deliberately sought Daemon out. “But even if the bond was real, the way she

handled it was a choice. Thank you for telling me. I know that couldn’t have been easy.”

He managed a weak smile. “Actually, it kind of was. I’ve wanted to tell someone for so long.”

Our food arrived then, breaking the intensity. We ate in relative silence, the conversation shifting to safer

topics. By the time we finished, Zane seemed more relaxed, that puppy–dog eagerness returning as we

walked to the parking lot.

“Violet,” Zane said as we reached my car, his voice suddenly urgent. “I just–I wanted to say thank you. For

everything you’ve done for me.” He took a deep breath, then suddenly stepped forward and wrapped his

arms around me in an awkward but genuine embrace. “Have a safe trip back to Silver Ridge. I hope

everything works out for you.”

I stood frozen for a moment, then slowly returned the hug, patting his back with distant fondness. “I’ll miss

you, Violet,” he mumbled into my shoulder.

He pulled back abruptly, cheeks flushed, refusing to meet my eyes as he practically fled to his beat–up

sedan. I watched him drive away and felt something twist uncomfortably in my chest. He was so young, so

earnest in his devotion to people who’d hurt him. I hoped the world wouldn’t crush that openness entirely,

though I suspected it was inevitable.

The next morning, I was barely through the doors of my office when Linda appeared, her face blotchy with

tears and rage. The open–plan office fell silent as heads swiveled toward the commotion.

“Violet, you’re so vicious!” Linda’s voice cracked, pitched loud enough to carry across the entire floor. Her

finger stabbed toward me. “Are you satisfied now?!”

I froze mid–step, exhaustion from the flight and morning sickness making my reflexes slower than usual.

“Linda, what-”

“Celeste collapsed because of your provocation! She has a severe congenital heart condition! She’s in the

1/3

17:26 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 198

:

ICU at Silver Ridge Clinic right now, hanging by a thread! Don’t you need to take responsibility?!”

The words punched through my confusion like a fist. Celeste–in the hospital–heart condition–ICU. My

mind immediately flashed to Sienna’s speculation about pregnancy, but this was something else entirely.

“What heart condition?” I heard myself ask, voice flat and controlled. “Explain clearly.”

78

Linda’s face contorted with fresh fury. “She has congenital heart disease. It’s very serious. She can’t handle

any stress, any emotional shock. And you kept provoking her-” Her voice rose to a near–shriek. “You’re

basically a murderer!”

“I never knew she had a heart condition,” I said, forcing my tone to remain level. “And I didn’t deliberately

provoke her. If anyone’s to blame, it’s her constant need to insert herself into my life-”

“Violet, are you even human?” Linda cut me off, tears streaming down her cheeks. “How can you be so cold-

blooded? You’re evil!”

She lunged forward, and despite my height advantage, Linda was taller, more solid. She grabbed my

shoulder and shoved hard enough to send me careening into the edge of someone’s desk.

“Linda!” Aiden’s voice cracked like a whip across the office, and suddenly he was there, his body a wall

between us, one hand gripping Linda’s wrist. “This is working hours. What the hell do you think you’re

doing?”

“Mr. Goldcrest,” Linda panted, “your cousin caused Celeste’s heart attack! Shouldn’t she be held

accountable?!”

Aiden’s expression went cold, authority radiating from every line of his body. “Wasn’t it Celeste who ruined

Violet’s marriage first?”

Linda’s face went sheet–white, then flooded with color. Her chest heaved with rapid breaths, clearly unable

to process that he would defend me over Celeste. Then she reached up and yanked her employee badge from

around her neck. “I quit,” she said, voice shaking. She threw the badge at Aiden’s feet. “I can’t work for

someone who protects people like her.”

She stormed toward the elevators, heels clicking out fury. The office remained frozen until Aiden called out,

“Show’s over. Everyone back to work.” Then, more quietly to me: “My office. Now.”

2/3

17:26 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 198

:

I followed him numbly, aware of whispers starting up behind us. In his office, he gestured me into a chair

and poured two glasses of water.

“Aiden, I’m sorry,” I said as he handed me a glass. “If I’d known she’d react that way-”

Comments

LIKE

Write Comments

SHARE

78

3/3