Chapter 144 Complicated.

bChapter 144/bb: /bbComplicated /bbFamily /bbHistories /b

bChapter /bb144/bb: /bbComplicated /bFamily Histories

b(/bElena ckwood’s POV)

ce

Hugo approached me in the bcorridor/b, his amber eyes bfilled /bwith concern. “Elenab, /bhow biare /i/bbyou /bbfeeling/bb? /bbIs /byour bcdy alright?b” /b

3 the

bI /bpaused, surprised by his gentle inquiry. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“I need to apologize for my father’s behavior yesterday,” he said quietly. “His harsh words weren’t directed bat /byou personally.”

I smiled, touched by his consideration. “I understand it’s because of my identity. I didn’t take bthose /bwords to

heartb./b”

Hugo’s expression remained troubled. “Are you truly not bothered by what he said?”

“I’ve heard all kinds of words before,” I replied honestly. “I can’t afford to take everything personally.”

Despite my reassurance, found myself curious about the deep animosity I’d witnessed. The business cooperation between my former mentor Professor Theodore Ashworth and Margaret ckwood suggested their families maintained decent rtions.

Yet Hugo’s father Theodore had shown such strong reaction to anyone with the ckwood surname. “What’s the real reason for this deep–seated grudge between your families?” I asked directly.

Hugo looked surprised. “Marcus hasn’t told you?”

I shook my head, waiting for his exnation.

After a moment of silence, he spoke calmly. “My mother had a romantic rtionship with Marcus’s father Alexander ckwood.”

My eyes widened in shock.

“This rtionship continued even after she mated with my father,” Hugo continued, his voice steady despite the painful revtion.

I stared at him, stunned by this revtion. Theplexity of these family rtionships was beyond anything

I’d imagined.

“My father harbored resentment because of this emotional entanglement,” Hugo exined further. “He believed for years that my mother still had feelings for Alexander ckwood.”

The pieces suddenly fell into ce. /‘That’s why he has such prejudice against anyone connected to the

ckwood family.”

Hugo nodded grimly. “Exactly.”

bI /bsuddenly understood why my inws seemed respectful but distant with each other. There was no love

between them.

I had always thought the cold rtionship between Alexander ckwood and Marcus was due to inherited personality traits. Now I realized it was because of the absence of love.

Chapter 144, Complicatedb. /b

bI /bbhope /bbmy /bbfuture /bbmate /bbwill be /bsomeone bwith whom /bI bshare /bbmutual affection/bb, /bbHugo /bsaid bquietly/bb. /bb“/bUnlike my bparents/b‘ bloveless /bbmating/bb./bb” /b

bHis /bbwords /bbcarried /bba /bbweight /bof blonging /bbthat /bbmade /bmy heart bache /bfor him.

b(/bbGod’s /bbPOV) /b

At bthe /bSouthern Territory bCentral /bHealing Instituteb, /bra Parker visited her mate William with a lunch container. She found him bstaring /bnkly at the ceilingb, /bhis bexpression /bdejected and babsent/b–minded.

“I brought your favorite venison stew,” she saidb, /btrying bto /bsound cheerful.

William barely acknowledged her presence. His face remained clouded with disappointment band /banger.

“Elena returned the card,” ra said carefully. “She exined that someone was threatening herb, /bnot acting maliciously.”

William’s jaw tightened. “If she knew she was wrong, she shoulde apologize in person.”

“William, please don’t be so harsh-”

“I want to be discharged from this hospital,” he interrupted firmly. “I feel uneasy staying here.”

ra looked rmed. “But the doctor said you need more time to recover.”

E

Rachel Thompson entered the room at that moment, carrying IV supplies. “Time for your afternoon treatment, Mr. Parker.”

ra seized the opportunity. “Nurse, is it possible for my mate to be discharged soon?”

Rachel shook her head professionally. “I’m afraid it’s too early. The surgery was recent, band /bhe needs

continued monitoring.”

William’s frustration was evident as he turned away from both women.

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

That evening at Shadowmere Heights Residential Complex, Rachel mentioned William’s eagerness to leave

the hospital.

“Older generations dislike hospitals,” I exined. “They prefer to save money and recover at home.”

The doorbell suddenly rang, interrupting iour /iconversation.

I opened the door to find Marcus standing there with a travel bag. “Good evening, Elena.”

Before I could respond, Amber Stone appeared with two Elite Guards carrying additional luggage.

“What’s all this?” I asked, bewildered.

D

“I nned to stay in the adjacent apartment,” Marcus exined smoothly. “But itcks furniture, so I need to temporarily stay here.”

My eyes widened in protest. “Marcus, this is highly inconvenient, especially with Rachel present.”

“It’s only for one night,” he insisted. “I’ll move next door tomorrow once the furniture arrives.”

Rachel ilooked /iufortable, clearly sensing the tension between us.

“Fine,” I said reluctantly. “One night only. But you move next door tomorrow.”

Chapter 144 Complicated.

Marcus bnodded/bb, /bbthough /bbhis /bbexpression /bbsuggested /bhe bhad /bbno /bbintention /bof bkeeping /bbthat /bbpromise/b.

bThe next /bbmorning/bb, /bRachel band /bI encountered bHugo /bwhile leaving the bbuilding/b. His amber eyes bimmediately /bbnoticed /bMarcus bemerging /bfrom my apartment bbehind /bus.

bThe /btension was instant and palpable.

“Interesting coincidenceb,/bb” /bHugo said coldly, his gaze fixed on Marcus.

Marcus stepped forward, his golden eyes challenging. “Not a coincidence bat /bball/b.”

“You deliberately bought this apartment building and moved bnext /bdoor,b” /bHugo used. “This is obvious

provocation.”

“Since Elena and I aren’t divorced yet,b” /bbMarcus /breplied smoothly, “your scheming behavior forces me to bbe /b

defensive.”

Hugo’s face darkened with anger. “At least I have more principles than your former lover.”

Theparison hit its mark. Marcus’s jaw clenched visibly..

“I wouldn’t cross boundaries before a proper severing of the mate bond,” Hugo continued pointedly. “Unlike Sophia Rivers.”

The mention of Sophia’s name made Marcus’s golden eyes sh dangerously.

(God’s POV)

Meanwhile, at Moonstone Auction House in the city, Sandy Parker clutched the old red bracelet nervously.

The pawn shop owner examined it through a magnifying ss, his expression growing increasingly amazed.

“This is extraordinary,” he murmured. “This bracelet was previously in the Whitmore family’s possession.”

Sandy frowned. “It’s just an old bracelet. How much can you–give me?”

The shop owner shook his head. “I cannot price such a valuable antique. This requires auction house

evaluation.”

“What’s all the fuss about a broken bracelet?” Sandy muttered, bewildered by his reaction.

“Please leave your contact information,” the shop owner requested urgently. “Someone will contact you soon.”

After Sandy left, the shop owner immediately reached for his phone to

(God’s POV)

the discovery.

In Riverside City, Adrian Whitmore’s phone rang while he was reviewing pack documents. His father Samuel’s

voice was urgent and emotional.

“Adrian, they found your sister’s bracelet in the Southern Territory.”

Adrian’s hand tightened on the phone. “What bracelet?”

“Your grandfather gave two heirloom bracelets to you and your sister,” Samuel exined. “When your sister

was bornb, /bshe was dered stillborn.”

Adrian’s heart began racing as memories surfaced.

“But your mother Dorothea ced the bracelet on the living baby,” Samuel continued. “The dead infant found

bhad /bno bracelet.”

Chapter 144 Complicated

bThat’s /bbwhat /bbdrove /bbMother /bbto /bbmadness/b,” Adrian bwhispered/bb, /bbremembering /bbthe /bbtraumatic /bbhospital scene/bb. /bb“/bbWhen /bbno /bbone /bbbelieved /bbher/bb./bb” /b

bHe recalled /bhis grandfather’s promise bto /bgive bhim /ba bracelet and save another bfor /ba bfuture /bbsibling/bb. /bbHe /bbremembered /bthe horrific scene when his sister was supposedly stillborn band /bhis mother blost /bbher /bbsanity/b.

M

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