The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 72

Laila’s POV

I seethed at the implication of Sheila’s words. She was acting like Ava was a weakness, holding me back from a successful career. This wasn’t true. I worked so hard in part because of Ava, because I wanted to provide for her and give her everything that she needed.

She was the bright spot of my life. She kept me going even when I felt like giving up. If I didn’t have her, I didn’t know where I’d be.

So to hear Sheila talk about her like she was a burden made me unbelievably angry. I had to use all of my restraint to not lash out physically. To do so would only allow Sheila to act even more like a victim. She’d turn everything around on me like the masterful manipulator that she was.

“I think you should focus on your own life, Sheila, and leave me to mine,” I said, “After all, when I win out contest, you will have to eat your words. You’ll see that there is nothing I can’t do, and my daughter only helps me.”

“We’ll see,” Sheila said, clearly skeptical. “But maybe you should start looking for another job, because I’m coming for yours.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” I told her. “Every time you try to antagonize me, it only makes me more motivated to win.” I stepped closer to her, just slightly. I wanted her to know I was serious. “Leave my daughter out of this.”

“Is that a warning?” she asked. “Some kind of threat?”

I was irritated beyond the point of being kind. “Yes,” I said. “I didn’t send the email calling everyone here tonight. I’m sure the IT department can determine that the email came from my work computer, and I can prove I was never there.”

She lifted her chin, retaining her calm. “That doesn’t mean I had anything to do with it.”

“Maybe. Maybe not,” I said. “But I’m sure the security cameras in my office would tell us who used my computer at that time.”

Now, finally, she did pale somewhat, likely finally realizing the potential mess she was in. If I pushed for it, I could make everything very messy for her. I only didn’t because even with the video evidence, I wasn’t sure the board would side with me. I was on the back foot here, and I needed to prove myself capable to them. Attacking my competition wasn’t going to prove my ability. I had to beat her fair and square.

I was only hoping that the threat would keep her honest, and make her back off of attacking Ava.

It seemed to work. She didn’t say a word more to me. Instead, she just turned around and walked in the other direction. Feeling victorious, I continued on my way, walking out of the office to return to the hospital.

When I arrived, before I could reach Ava’s room, I was pulled aside by one of the older healers.

7

I was hopeful that perhaps this meant Ava would get to go home soon. After all, this time, she had only been admitted because of shortness of breath. Already, she’d had to stay a few days. Her symptoms didn’t seem to have worsened, so hopefully that meant she would get to go home soon? 1

Before he could speak, I asked, “Is Ava going to be released?”

“This is what I hoped to talk to you about,” he said.

That he didn’t say ‘yes‘ straight out meant that the answer wasn’t likely to be one I would be happy about.

“We are inching closer to knowing if the new surgery might help cure Ava for good,” he said, “but there is more testing that needs to be done. We request that Ava stay here at the hospital, or at least not leave for very long, until we finish these final tests.”

I hated the thought of Ava staying here for any longer than absolutely necessary. However, if a cure could be found that would

Chapter 12-

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keep her from being sick in her future, perhaps the stay would be worth it. I only hoped Ava would understand. “We would need your consent for this, of course,” the healer said.

“I would do anything for my daughter,” I replied. “If staying would help her in the long term, then she will stay,” “Thank you,” the healer said. “We’ve been working hard. I feel we are truly close.”

“Thank you,” I told him.

He nodded at me and walked away.

I turned toward the door and opened it.

It was already evening again when I arrived. Ava must have had a tiring day, because she was sleeping soundly, an open book on her lap, like she had nodded off while reading.

Moving closer, I carefully plucked the book from her lap, closed it and placed it aside, all without waking her.

Once I did so, I sat down in the empty chair at her bedside. Like a marionette with the strings cut, I slunk down onto the chair. I’d been awake now for such a long time, the exhaustion of the day was creeping over me. I had work to do, but I felt so very tired, even down to my bones. 1

In the quiet and the dim light, the machines beeped and wheezed while I watched Ava sleep.

Thoughts of the day came over me, and Gods, with all these challenges at work on top of concerns with Ava, some days I really wished I had a partner to help shoulder

the heavy load.

Reaching for my phone, I thought of calling William. He was usually who I turned to in my weaker moments. But… remembering his confession, I lowered my phone again. He had genuine romantic feelings for me, and I felt like to call him in these moments would be to take advantage of that. I just didn’t feel comfortable doing that.

As I pushed away the thought of calling

one to help. Should be. If he hadn’t be liam, Jason slipped into my mind instead. As Ava’s biological father, he should be the

arm like she belonged there.

me like he did, returning from that event all those years ago with Brittany on his

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