I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 53

**TITLE: I Left Before He Learned My Worth 53**

**Chapter 53**

**ARIA**

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Nina stood at the threshold, her internal struggle evident in the way her brow furrowed and her lips pressed together. Duty and desire danced a delicate waltz in her mind, and after a moment that felt stretched by uncertainty, she finally gave a small nod. “Just a few hours. Then I’ll be back to help coordinate the council meeting,” she said, her voice laced with a mix of resolve and reluctance.

“Take as long as you need,” Kael replied, his tone reassuring, as if he sensed the weight of her decision.

Once Nina departed, Kael turned his gaze toward me, his expression a blend of apology and resignation that tugged at my heart. “We should probably check on Ivory ourselves. Make sure she has everything she needs,” he suggested, the words heavy with unspoken emotions.

Of course, we should. Of course, our first act as newly bonded mates wouldn’t be a cherished moment alone together but rather a visit to the woman who had suffered injuries while protecting our ceremony. I felt a pang of disappointment, but I swallowed it down, forcing a nod in agreement.

“That’s a good idea,” I said, trying to mask the bittersweet ache in my heart. I meant it, even as a part of me mourned the loss of what I had envisioned this morning to be.

The journey to the clinic unfolded in silence, each step echoing the turmoil in our minds. Through the bond we shared, I sensed Kael’s anxiety escalating with every stride we took toward where Ivory lay. His worry for his childhood friend, the guilt gnawing at him over her injuries, and his desperate need to see her recover all coalesced into a palpable tension that hung in the air.

Upon our arrival at the clinic, a sense of calm enveloped us, the usual flurry of activity subdued, as if the very atmosphere was holding its breath. Eliza met us at the entrance, her expression professional yet tinged with a flicker of concern.

“Alpha, Luna,” she greeted us with a formal nod. “I assume you’re here to check on Ivory?”

“How is she?” Kael asked, his voice urgent, almost pleading. “Any change in her condition?”

“She’s stable. The swelling in her brain has started to decrease, which is a promising sign. I anticipate she’ll regain consciousness within the next few hours.” Eliza’s gaze shifted between us, assessing our reactions. “Nina’s with her now. She arrived about twenty minutes ago and hasn’t left her side.”

“Can we see her?” I inquired, my heart racing at the thought of Ivory.

Eliza nodded and guided us through the clinic to a private room tucked away at the back. The door stood ajar, and as I peered inside, I caught sight of Nina sitting beside the bed, holding Ivory’s hand with a tenderness that spoke volumes. Her head was bowed, as if she were lost in prayer or simply too weary to lift it any longer.

Ivory lay small and fragile in the clinic bed, her once vibrant essence diminished by the harsh reality of bandages and bruises. Her face was swollen and discolored, one eye completely shut, a stark reminder of the battle she had fought for us.

Bandages wrapped around her head, and I could see the remnants of healing marks where Eliza had worked tirelessly to mend the worst of her injuries. This was the raw face of protection, the true visage of sacrifice. I had spent so much time feeling envious of her strength instead of recognizing the lengths she would go to for those she loved.

We stepped inside quietly, not wanting to disturb Nina if she had finally managed to find a moment of rest. But as if sensing our presence, she lifted her gaze, her expression haunted and weary.

“She hasn’t woken up yet,” Nina said, her voice breaking the silence. “Eliza says she will soon, but—” Her words faltered, and I could hear the tremor of fear. “What if there’s permanent damage? What if—”

“She’s going to be fine,” Kael interjected firmly, moving to stand on the opposite side of the bed. “Ivory’s strong. Stubborn. She’s survived worse than this.”

“Has she?” Nina’s voice was barely above a whisper, filled with doubt. “Because I can’t remember a time when she looked this broken.”

We stood in a heavy silence, the three of us fixated on Ivory’s chest as it rose and fell, each breath a testament to her resilience. Then, as if our collective attention had summoned her, her eyes began to flutter open.

“Ivory?” Nina leaned closer, her voice filled with urgency. “Can you hear me? It’s Nina. You’re in the clinic. You’re safe.”

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