I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 111

**TITLE: I Left Before He Learned My Worth**

**Chapter 111**

KAEL

D

58%

+10 Free Coins

In that moment, I found myself trapped in a web of my own making. I had no legitimate grounds to voice my dissent. I was bound to another, my choice had already been made. Ivory’s recovery and her relentless pursuit of answers took precedence over the tumultuous storm of emotions swirling within me.

“If that’s truly what you desire,” I replied, striving to maintain a calm and steady tone, though the weight of my words felt heavy in the air.

“It is,” Ivory affirmed, her voice unwavering. Then, she locked her gaze onto mine, her golden eyes piercing through my facade, searching for something deeper. “Can I ask you something? About the attack?”

“Absolutely,” I responded, bracing myself for the conversation that was about to unfold.

“Do you genuinely believe Luna Aria attempted to take my life?”

The question lingered between us like a thick fog, a question I had been avoiding for far too long. I had steered clear of confronting it directly, fearful of the implications it carried, regardless of the answer.

“I can’t say for certain,” I confessed, the truth spilling from my lips. “I want to believe she didn’t mean to harm you. I want to trust that there was indeed an assailant, just as she claimed. But the evidence—”

“Is circumstantial,” Ivory interjected, her tone contemplative. “I’ve been mulling it over. Reflecting on the fragments of memory I possess and those that elude me. I distinctly felt someone seize me from behind. That much is true. And the pain that followed was immediate. But Kael, I was already succumbing to the effects of the poison when that memory formed. My perception was skewed. My ability to draw connections between cause and effect was deteriorating.”

“What are you suggesting?” I asked, my voice cautious, as I navigated the delicate terrain of this conversation.

“I’m suggesting that my recollections might not align with reality,” Ivory articulated slowly, her words measured. “The memories I hold were shaped by duress and the poison coursing through me. It’s entirely possible—possible—that Luna Aria’s version of events is accurate. Perhaps she reached for me to push me out of harm’s way. Maybe the true assailant and the dart originated from a different direction altogether. I could have inadvertently merged two separate incidents because my mind was already beginning to shut down.”

A flicker of hope ignited within my chest. “So, you’re saying there’s a chance you could have been mistaken? That Aria might be innocent?”

“I’m saying I cannot be certain,” Ivory clarified, her expression serious. “I remember what I remember. However, I also understand enough about the nature of memory, particularly under trauma and the influence of poison, to realize that my recollections may not be trustworthy. They feel authentic, but feeling authentic does not equate to truth.”

This revelation was monumental. If Ivory were to acknowledge that her memory could be flawed, if she were to concede that her account might be incorrect—it would shift the entire dynamic of how the pack perceived this situation.

“Will you communicate this to the elders?” I inquired, my heart racing. “Will you testify that your memory could be inaccurate?”

Ivory remained silent for what felt like an eternity. “That depends,” she finally responded.

“On what?” I pressed, my curiosity piqued.

“On whether you want me to do so because you genuinely believe Luna Aria is innocent, or if you wish to protect your mate, regardless of the reality of her actions.”

Her question pierced through me, cutting deeper than I anticipated. I found myself grappling with the truth, unsure of how to articulate my own motivations.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify