Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 279

279 Old Wounds, Old Truths

Vander

The cottage hadn’t changed. Time hadn’t touched it much. The same stone path, the same vine-covered walls-if anything, it looked even more peaceful now. Like Katya and Lydia had poured love into the place. It looked like a home, not just a shelter.

I had bought this cottage for Katya as a thank-you-back when I thought that was enough. I never imagined she’d live here. Not full-time. Not after her marriage fell apart. I didn’t even know her husband had left her until our last trip to Neev. I couldn’t blame him entirely-Katya could be difficult, controlling even-but abandoning your family is inexcusable. No matter what.

The door opened, and Lydia stood there, staring at us like we were ghosts.

Her eyes went straight to Lucian, then to me. And just like that, the warmth of the cottage vanished. Her

gaze was ice-resentment and anger layered deep. The kind that doesn’t fade with time.

“Lydia,” Lucian said gently. “Please. Let us in.”

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, without a word, she stepped aside and let us pass.

The sitting room was just as I remembered-small, modest, neat. Lived-in, but not tired. We took our seats

quietly.

Lydia stood, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me. “What brings you here, Alpha Vander?” she asked, her voice

cool, pointed.

I didn’t rise to it. I smiled politely, choosing grace over pride. “I’m here to see your mother.”

She shook her head, her jaw tight. “I don’t think-”

“She’ll want to see him,” Lucian cut in, firm but respectful. His tone didn’t allow for argument.

Lydia’s eyes flicked between us, weighing something behind them-pride, pain, maybe fear. She didn’t speak again, but the wall she’d put up started to crack, just a little.

And that was enough-for now

now.

“Lydia, please,” Lucian said, his voice low, steady. “We shouldn’t be here right now-not with everything going on. But we are. So let’s not drag this out. Let us get it over with.”

I could see the conflict in Lydia’s eyes-pride warring with pain. She wanted to push us out, hold onto the grudge, keep the wound open. But eventually, she gave in with a sigh and wheeled her mother into the

room.

Katya looked older than I remembered. Smaller. Fragile in a way that twisted something in my chest. But the moment her eyes met mine, she broke. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and her hands began to move-

signing with urgency, with emotion that words would’ve failed to carry.

73

(279 Old Wounds. Old Truths

Claim

Lydia froze beside her, stunned. It took her a moment to catch up, to begin translating.

“Mother wants you to know… she’s sorry,” Lydia said, her voice softer now, less guarded. “She misjudged

you. She says she knows the truth now.”

I stood there, stunned, the weight of her words sinking in slowly. After all these years… she believed me.

Katya signed again, her hands trembling with the effort.

“We saw the broadcast,” Lydia continued, interpreting, her voice steady now. “And we hope… you give our

Natasha the justice she deserves.”

I stepped forward without hesitation and gently took Katya’s hand in mine. Her skin was cold, but her grip

was firm.

“I’m glad you know the truth,” I said, my voice thick. “And I want you to hear it from me-I never cheated on your niece. Natasha meant the world to me.”

Katya nodded, her tears still falling. But there was peace in her eyes now. For the first time, she believed me, Fully.

Martha’s confession had done more than clear my name-it had finally closed a wound that had been left

bleeding for far too long.

And for that, I was grateful.

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