The Breaking Point of Mate: Giving Up on My Alpha novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Melanie’s POV

After dropping me off at the apartment, Elmer had other appointments and left quickly.

The door closed behind him. The silence was broken only by the low hum of the air conditioner.

I suddenly realized I hadn’t stopped since noon: exhibits, meetings, polite small talk, one thing right after the other.

Fatigue washed over me like a slow tide, creeping up to my chest.

I wanted to take a nap and discuss the assignment from Prof. Norman with Elmer later, but my nerves were still running on momentum, trembling like a wheel with the brakes slammed on.

Just as I set my phone down, it rang.

An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.

Frost perked up, then slowly settled down again–weak but alert.

My finger hovered over the answer button for half a second. For some reason, my heart felt a gentle tug, like a fine thread was pulling it.

I answered anyway. “Hello, who is this?”

“Dwight.”

I stiffened, sitting up straight. “Mr. Santos?”

The day had been so overwhelming that I had almost filed away the morning’s incident as irrelevant until this call.

“I had my people take care of your car. You can pick it up in a little while,” he said. He paused, then added, “If it’s inconvenient, I can have the car delivered straight to your apartment.”

I instinctively refused. “No need to bother. I can pick it up myself.”

My tone was quick and direct. The other end went silent for a few seconds. The quiet was so complete I could hear my own breathing echoing in my ear.

“Mr. Santos?”

“Fine. I’ll text you the repair shop’s contact information shortly.”

“Okay, thank you.”

He didn’t say anything else, just hung up abruptly.

Once the call ended, the silence truly settled in.

I looked down at my ankle–the swelling followed the curve of the bone, and the skin was tight and hot.

Frost cautiously tucked her paws under her belly, letting out a low whimper that wasn’t painful but was deeply annoying.

It wasn’t her being dramatic; it was pure instinct warning me, “Don’t push yourself.”

I texted Elmer.

He quickly called back. “I’ll go pick up your car for you when I’m done with my meetings.”

“Thanks,” I sighed with relief, though I felt that vague, familiar bitterness.

I hate owing people favors, yet time and again, I needed help with trivial things.

1/3

Chapter 48

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My logic told me this was “team support,” but emotionally, it felt like keeping a tab–Don’t forget what you owe.

Night fell. I ordered a spaghetti. Midway through my meal, Trista called.

“Mommy, when are you coming home?”

“I twisted my ankle. I’m taking a few days to rest outside. I won’t be back tonight. You go to bed early.” I kept my answer brief.

“Is it serious? Does it hurt?” Trista asked immediately.

“It hurts, but it’s not serious. I’ll be fine in a few days.”

“Where are you, then? When Daddy gets back, we’ll come visit you tomorrow—”

“No need. I can take care of myself. Just focus on your schoolwork.”

The moment she mentioned “Daddy,” the sound of a door hinge came through the receiver–Archer was home.

“Dad, Mom hurt her foot! She’s recovering outside!”

He just hummed flatly. “I see.”

I didn’t listen further. I hung up immediately.

The thin thread behind my sternum gave a slight tremble, like wind blowing across a nearly extinguished candlewick.

I hated this passivity–nothing actually happened, but the pain still radiated from the edges of the news.

Just after eight, Elmer drove my car back.

I took the key. “How much was the total repair cost?”

He sat on the sofa. “How should I know?”

“Wait? How did you get the car without paying?”

“No one asked me to pay. They heard it was your car and just let me drive it straight out.”

I paused. That meant Dwight had covered the bill for me.

That was truly unexpected.

“What’s wrong?” Elmer asked.

“Nothing “I shook my head, pushing the thought aside.

“Let’s finish the paper. I’ll leave right after. I really can’t take much more today.”

Marcus’s post–expo summary was waiting. I nodded. “Okay.” Then, remembering the repair bill, I added, “I need to make a quick call first.”

“Mhm.”

I dialed Dwight’s number directly.

He picked up almost instantly. “Hello,”

“Mr. Santos, it’s Melanie.”

“I know. What’s up?”

“I’ve picked up the car.” I glanced at the keys on the table. “Did you pay the repair cost for me? What was the total? I’ll transfer it to you now.”

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