bChapter 183/bb: /bbThen /bbwill /bbyou /bstay bwith me/bb? /b

bChapter /bb183/b: Then will you stay with me?

b(/bElena ckwood’s POV)

“What do you mean!” Isabe ckwood’s voice cracked with indignation as the Elite Guards bremained /bsilent She stamped her foot against the polished floor, the sound echoing through the corridor.

“Marcus! I’m your cousin, what did I do to make you unhappy!” she shouted toward the recovery chamber door.

Her designer handbag trembled In her grip as she waited for a response that never came. The guards bstood /blike stone statues, unmoved by her outburst.

L Lancaster stepped forward with a mischievous smile ying on her lips. “Isabe, even your own bcousin /bis blocking you now?”

Isabe’s face flushed deeper red at the taunt. Her knuckles went white as she clutched her handbag btighter/bb. /b

“I’ve never experienced such a thing,” L continued cheerfully. “Maybe it’s because bI /bdon’t rely on the ckwood family name to act unreasonably.”

She tilted her head with mock innocence. “You’ve made Marcus ignore youpletely. That takes real talent.”

Isabe’sposure finally shattered. She clenched her designer handbag so hard her knuckles turned

white, then spun on her heel and stormed off down the corridor.

Her heels clicked angrily against the floor as she disappeared around the corner. The sound faded into

silence, leaving only the steady breathing of the guards.

I watched Isabe’s retreating figure with mixed feelings. Despite everything between us, seeing her so

humiliated felt ufortable.

I turned to L with curiosity. “You two don’t seem to get along well.”

L’s expression immediately darkened. “I hate her,” she said with surprising vehemence.

“Whent was little and visited the Northern Territory, she used her family’s influence to bully me constantly.”

L’s voice carried years of resentment.

She crossed her arms defensively. “Isabe acts like a spoiled princess who thinks everyone should worship

her because of herst name.”

“She has very few genuine friends,” L continued. “Her social circle only exists because people want to bcurry /bfavor with the ckwood family.”

I nodded slowly, understanding the dynamics better now. The secondary branch of the ckwood family bhad /b

always struggled for recognition and power.

L’s expression suddenly brightened as she focused on me. “But you have such a beautiful smile! You should smile more often.”

I was taken aback by the suddenpliment. “How do you know I don’t smile much?b” /b

“I’ve seen you in family photos with my aunt and brother,” L exined matterb–/bbof/bb–/bbfactly/b. b“/bbYou /bbrarely /bbsmiled /bbin /b

Chapter 183 Then bwill /bbyo /b

bthose /bbpictures/bb. /b

My bchest /bbtightened /bas memories bflooded /bback. bThose /bbphotos /bwere btaken /bbshortly /bbafter /bbmy /bbmating /bceremony

bwith /bMarcus.

bBack /bbthen/b, I was painfully aware that Marcus didn’t love me. The knowledge had filled bme /bbwith /bsadness band /bdisappointment that I couldn’t hide.

b“/bbI /balso recognized you from photos I saw with my cousin,” L added softly.

(Marcus ckwood’s POV)

Inside the recovery chamber, I sat alone with a leather–bound photo album in myp. My fingers btraced /bbthe /b

edge of qur only picture together.

In the photo, Elena stood beside me in her ceremonial Luna

expression was cold and detached.

Aress. Her smile was polite but distant, while my

I regretted my demeanor in that moment. She had deserved so much more than my indifference.

Looking at her forced smile in the photograph, I realized I had never deserved her genuine happiness. bThe /b

weight of that truth settled heavily in my chest.

The sound of the door opening made me quickly close the album, hiding the photo beneath its cover. I

assumed Elena had left me alone again.

“I thought you had left…” I said without looking up.

Elena’s voice came from closer than expected. “I can’t leave.”

I looked up to see her sitting across from me, arms crossed in a defensive posture. Her expression was resigned but determined.

“Your Elite Guards confiscated my luggage and ID,” she pointed out matter–of–factly.

11

I felt a pang of guilt at her trapped situation. “You could ask Adrian Whitmore to pick you up.”

“My family might return your belongings out of respect for the Whitmore family,” I suggested quietly.

Elena shook her head firmly. “Doing that before our mate bond is severed would reflect poorly on me.”

She met my gaze directly. “I’m still a Luna of the Shadow Moon Pack who was just recognized by the Whitmore family.”

“It would cause trouble for them if I involved them in our personal disputes,” she continued.

I chuckled softly at her thoughtfulness, even in this difficult situation. She always considered others before

herself.

“Then proceed with the treatment,” Elena urged, her voice carrying both frustration and concern.

I studied her face carefully before asking the question that mattered most. “Then will you bstay /bbwith /bbme/b?b” /b

Elena hesitated, her eyes flickering with conflicted emotions. She looked at meb, /bthen looked baway /bbtow/b.

window.

“I can’t leave until you cooperate with the healing treatment,” she said finally. “I have work bto /bdo.”

A faint smile crossed my lips at her practical response. “I’ll cooperate if you stay bwith /bbme/bb./bb” /b

ne

Chapter 183 Then will yo

Elena’s eyes flickered with emotion again, but she remained silent. The unspoken agreement hung between us like a fragile thread.

Watch videos get points (0/10b) /b

Vote

685