The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 230

“You didn’t kill her,” he said firmly.

“We both know that. But the public won’t. Vanessa wouldn’t want you wrapped up in this.”

“It’s too late. I’m already wrapped up.”

I looked up at him and he held my gaze with intensity. “Laila. I’m willing to drop everything to protect you. Run away with me. We can change our names, find a new home, make our own happiness. It will be difficult on Ava for a while, but she will come around. Someday she’ll learn why this was necessary and understand.”

I was so grateful for William and all he had done for me and Ava, and all he was willing to do. But I couldn’t allow him to throw his entire life away out of some sense of loyalty to me.

Even if he thought his love for me was genuine, I couldn’t return it. To run away with him would feel like I was taking advantage of his feelings. I would never do that to anyone, especially someone who had been so kind to me, and so special to Vanessa.

“No, William. I’m so grateful, but no.”

“I’m begging, Laila. Don’t stay here and face this. There’s far too much to lose.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry.”

Running would only make me look guiltier, but I also just couldn’t. Ava still need her treatments. Her surgery. I couldn’t just up and move her without putting her at risk. Finding new doctors would take time. I wasn’t willing to chance her health.

“It’s going to be okay,” I told him.

“It isn’t,” he insisted.

Maybe he was right.

As the interview with Adelaide wrapped up, a commotion sounded from just outside my door. Through the windows, I saw nurses and healers trying to bar entry from a few burly police officers.

“She hasn’t fully recovered!”

“If you take her out of this room, you could set back her treatment!”

“Get out of the way!”

William clenched his fists. Fire burned in his eyes, telling me he wanted to fight for me.

“Stay out of this, William,” I said. “Whatever happens.”

“They will hurt you, Laila. I won’t allow that.”

“You have to,” I said, even as my own nerves spiked, knowing what was about to happen to me. “Else you’ll be in the jail cell right next to mine. We won’t resist. I… I’ll survive this.”

My words were stronger than my actual confidence, but I was relieved I came across strong to William, who closed his eyes and backed down.

I would survive this, though. I’d already lived through so many things, what was one more? Besides, living as Vanessa had been something of a dream. A grand opportunity. A gift.

But there was no way it could have lasted. Eventually, something like this was bound to have happened.

Adelaide came for my jugular, and she had found it. But if it hadn’t been her, it would have been someone else. Something else. I had lived the lie for a long time, but I couldn’t have done it forever.

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Now, I had to face the future.

I wasn’t that weak girl i rad been in my youth, but I wasn’t the real Vanessa Harper either.

Over the past few years, I had become someone else. Someone I was proud of. And that person would see me through this new nightmare.

Before long, the healers and nurses were pushed aside and the door to my hospital room opened.

“Step aside, sir,” the officer up front called to William.

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