Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 85

85 Who’s the Woman in the Picture?

Deanna’s POV:

I had been in the hospital for a few days. Luis took such good care of me; he treated me like I was helpless.

He even brought in a housekeeper–an older woman with years of experience–who he claimed was the most attentive person from his pack.

Anyone watching would’ve thought I was seriously ill.

That day, after a follow–up for my concussion, I returned to my room. I saw a tall man in a white coat standing at the door.

His features were open and calm, and when he smiled, there was a polite, almost gentle air about him. His eyes swept over me quickly, though he tried not to make it obvious. He greeted, “Hello, I’m Erik.”

i blinked in surprise. I didn’t recognize him.

“I’m the director of this hospital,” he went on smoothly, “and Luis’s childhood friend.”

I nodded politely. “Nice to meet you. I’m Deanna.”

He smiled and said, “Small world. Didn’t expect we’d run into each other like this. Oh–forgot to mention, I was in the west district not long ago.”

West district?

My chest tightened. That was where I first met Luis, the night I’d been drugged.

The memory rushed back, and my cheeks flamed. My fingers curled into the edge of my hospital gown. “O–oh, is that so?” I stammered.

“Don’t worry,” Erik said with a wave of his hand. “Luis and I grew up together. You’re the first woman he’s ever cared about this

much.”

The first?

Then who was the woman in the photo on Luis’s desk?

Before I could ask, someone called from down the hall, “Mr. Harding.”

Erik crouched slightly to my level, his voice lowering.

“Alright, little Deanna, we’ll meet again. Just don’t tell him I stopped by.”

As he turned to leave, I blurted out, “Mr. Harding, about the photo in Luis’s office–the girl in it, do you know who she is?”

His smile widened.

“When you see the photo, you’ll understand.”

And with that, he left.

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Chapter 95 Who’s the Woman in the Picture?

I sat there, still unsettled by his sudden visit.

But honestly, what bothered me more was this: I’d been on medical leave for days. Not a single person from my pack had come to see me. The only call I got was from Philip.

I couldn’t say I was surprised. After all these years, I had grown used to their coldness.

On my first day back at work after being discharged, I finally sorted out the plan for Muses’s launch. Just as I placed the last file in order, my office door swung open.

Kathryn walked in wearing a designer suit, her face full of fake concern.

“Deanna, I just got back from Slico and heard you were in a car accident. I wasn’t avoiding you on purpose. Are you okay?”

I didn’t even look up; I just kept reading through my files.

“Not dead. Is that good enough for you?”

Kathryn’s POV:

I forced a smile, feeling a little awkward.

The truth was, Jillian dragged me out shopping in Slico.

She was upset when she learned about Deanna’s promotion, so I went along.

I only found out about the accident when we got back.

Deep down, I suspected Jillian knew Deanna was in the hospital and kept it from me. She probably pulling me away on purpose.

Jillian had suffered lately. I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.

Both of them were my daughters.

What could I do? Sometimes it’s easier to just turn a blind eye.

1 ignored the cold edge in Deanna’s voice and tried to sound casual.

“Why are you in Mooncrown Pack’s hospital of all places?”

Deanna set her pen down, leaned back in the chair, and stared straight at me. “You came here just to ask me that?”

Her sharp gaze made me uneasy. I coughed twice and quickly changed the subject.

“Your birthday’s coming up. I was wondering if you could celebrate it together with Jillian this year. We shouldn’t make her wait until the next day. After all, you two were born on the same date.”

Deanna let out a dry laugh. “You’ve always spoiled Jillian. For years, you said it was better for appearances if she had the main celebration and I was pushed to the next day. Funny how you never said this back then.”

My face burned with embarrassment.

Forget it. She’s been on edge lately, ready to explode at the smallest thing.

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Chapter 85 Who’s the Woman in the Picture?

I tried again, gently. “And what about Jake? I could invite him to celebrate with you.”

Deanna smiled. “He’s my boyfriend. I’ll invite him myself.”

Relief washed over me, and I quickly brightened.

It looked like she and Jake had patched things up.

“This is great. I’ll make sure we throw you a wonderful birthday party this year.”