My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 33

*Then you walk away with your head held high, knowing you gave him a chance he probably didn’t deserve.” My father’s expression hardened slightly. “But if he hurts you again, if he takes advantage of your forgiveness, I don’t care that he’s the Alpha’s son. I will end him.”

Despite everything, I smiled. “Dad

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“I mean it. You’re my daughter. My only child. And watching him break your heart once was hard enough. I won’t watch it happen twice.”

Jeremy’s eyes fluttered open again, catching the tail end of my father’s threat. His gaze moved between us, processing

“Beta Marcus,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “That’s… fair.”

My father’s eyebrows rose. “You heard that?”

“Some of it. Drifting in and out.” Jeremy’s focus shifted to me. “He’s right, Emma. You should walk away. You should hate me. I don’t deserve-” He stopped, coughing weakly.

I reached for the water cup, holding the straw to his lips. He drank gratefully, his eyes never leaving my face.

“You don’t get to decide what I deserve,” I said quietly. “Or what I should feel. That’s my choice.”

“But-”

“No.” I set the water down. “Jeremy, you hurt me. Badly. And we need to have a lot of conversations about what happened, why it happened, and what it would take for me to trust you again. But right now, you need to focus on healing. Everything else can

wait.”

“You’re too good,” he whispered. “Too forgiving.”

“I haven’t forgiven you yet,” I corrected. “I said I love you. That’s different. I can love you and still be angry. Still be hurt. Still need time.”

Something like understanding crossed his face. “Okay. Time. I can give you time. All the time you need.”

“Good.” I squeezed his hand. “Now rest. Dr. Reeves said you need to stay awake longer each time, build your strength. But you still need sleep.”

“Will you be here when I wake up?”

The question was so vulnerable, so uncertain, that my heart ached. This wasn’t the confident future Alply I’d mated. This was someone who’d lost everything and was desperately hoping for a second chance.

“I’ll be here,” I promised.

He nodded and let his eyes drift closed, but his hand remained tight around mine.

My father watched this exchange with an expression I couldn’t quite read. After Jeremy’s breathing evened into sleep, he spoke.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I think he really does love you. The real question is whether love is enough to overcome what he did.”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I think I need to find out.”

“Then I’ll support you. Whatever you decide.” He stood, kissing my forehead. “Just promise me you’ll protect your heart this time. Don’t let him back in until he’s proven himself worthy.”

“I promise, Dad.”

After he left, I settled back into my chair, Jeremy’s hand still in mine.

Chapter 34

+25 BONUS

The past couldn’t be changed. The betrayal, the pain, the three months of carefully constructed walls all of that was real and

valid.

But so was this. Jeremy fighting through unconsciousness to find me. His hand reaching for mine. The way he looked at me like I was his entire world.

Maybe my father was right. Maybe love wasn’t enough.

But maybe it was a start.

And right now, a start was all I needed.

I opened my book and began reading aloud again, even though Jeremy was asleep. The story didn’t matter–it was just the sound of my voice, the presence of someone who cared, the promise that he wouldn’t wake up alone.

I’d stayed through his unconsciousness. Through the uncertainty and fear.

Now I’d stay through his recovery.

What happened after that—whether we rebuilt what we’d lost or went our separate ways–that was a question for another day.

For now, this was enough.

We were enough.

Even broken, even uncertain, even still figuring out what love looked like after betrayal.

We were enough.