Aveline could barely breathe. But her blurry vision caught sight of the glass of water on the nightstand. With trembling but quick movements, she grabbed it and poured the water onto her stomach. The cold spread, though it wasn’t enough to ease the pain.
Before Aveline could calm down, Olivia dropped her bowl. She was injured on his finger by one of the shards. Her scream pierced the air.
“Help! My foot is bleeding!” Her face was innocent, like that of an innocent child.
Hurried footsteps approached. John, Emma, and Logan entered at the same time. John immediately picked up Olivia.
“What happened?” his voice was panicked.
Olivia cried loudly while pointing at Aveline. “I was just passing by and wanted to eat some protein porridge. But she suddenly pulled me here, she was angry and immediately spilled my porridge on her own clothes. Then she threw the bowl at me!”
Logan’s gaze was cold, piercing Aveline. John and Emma looked at her accusingly.
“You crazy kid!” Aveline forced her voice out, gasping, but her eyes blazed. “You’re the one who suddenly barged in—”
A hard slap from Emma struck her cheek. Aveline’s head jerked backward. Her vision spun.
“Since when did I teach you to hurt a child?” Emma’s voice pierced Aveline’s ears. “You should be punished! Look at Oliv, bleeding!”
Aveline felt her heart ache again after so long of being numb. Every wolf only cared about Olivia’s small wound, while Aveline’s stomach felt like it was being squeezed, burning, nearly shattered.
When John was about to slap her, Logan’s hand stopped him.
“What’s wrong, Logan? Just because she’s your fiancée, you want to defend her cruel actions?”
Logan looked at both of them, firm but calm. “I’m angry too. But I’ll talk to Aveline. You two take care of Olivia first.”
John and Emma left with curses. Now only Aveline and Logan remained in the chaotic room.
Logan approached, his face serious. “Olivia said she was just passing by, but you brought her here. Angrily.”
“If you came here just to accuse me, get out!” Aveline gasped, her stomach feeling like it was being choked from within.
Logan leaned in, gently touching the wound. But it felt crueler than a stab. “It hurts, doesn’t it? But I can only help you if you talk.”
Aveline stared into Logan’s eyes. Seeing how cruel he was. But the pain in her stomach couldn’t be ignored either.
She whispered, her voice barely audible: “Tell me quickly.”
“Answer honestly. You already know about Olivia, don’t you?” Logan narrowed his eyes sharply. “You couldn’t have gotten angry and hurt her without a reason.”
Aveline nodded without hesitation. “Yes. I know she’s your daughter and Rose’s.”
Logan’s eyes widened. But before he could see her reaction further, Aveline’s body weakened. She lost consciousness.
—
When Aveline opened her eyes, Logan was still by her side. He spoke immediately. “What if I apologize?”
Aveline didn’t respond. Her gaze was fixed straight ahead. Her heart was frozen.
Logan gripped her hand. “Aveline, I swear. There’s something you need to know.” He looked around, making sure the situation was safe.
His voice softened, but it was clear to Aveline’s ears. “Actually, without them knowing, I’ve secretly fallen in love with you. And if you hear that you’re going to be abandoned, it will never happen. I won’t put you in that position.”
Logan’s eyes darkened and demanded as Aveline remained silent.
“Please don’t leave, stay by my side. I only ask that you perform one more bone marrow transplant for Rose. After all, Rose is my first love. Then after that, I promise we’ll marry. We’ll leave together in secret. Escape from Darkvenom.”
Logan pulled her into his embrace.
Aveline laughed hollowly inside and swore it wouldn’t happen.
But when Logan asked, she only nodded her head. He was so happy and thought Aveline agreed.
“Rest, my love. After everything is better, I promise I’ll marry you. Don’t cause any trouble; I forgive you for what happened with Olivia this time.”
After that, Logan left Aveline feeling disgusted. Even though Logan truly loved her, Aveline would never return.
“Only two days left,” she said, clenching her fist tightly.
The next day passed quietly. Logan was afraid Aveline would leave, so he took care of her every day. He was truly gentle.
And this morning, the healer said she was well enough to go home. Aveline was ready to leave the healer’s room, but someone suddenly pushed open the door.
Rose.
Aveline’s breath caught. The person she now hated so much stood before her without a trace of shame.
With a sneering smile and no mask, Rose folded her arms across her chest. “Are you better now, sis?”
Aveline glared at her coldly. “Get out before I kill you.”
Rose’s laughter sounded piercing. “You’re the one who’s going to die, sis. You’ve always lost to me. No wolf has ever wanted you, except to be my bone marrow donor.”
Her words stabbed Aveline like hundreds of knives. To keep herself from lashing out, Aveline slammed into Rose’s body and pushed past her.
But as soon as she took one step away, Rose grabbed her hair. Rose sat dejectedly on the floor while her other hand poured thick red liquid onto her legs.
She pulled harder on Aveline’s hair, whispering slyly.
“I heard what you said with Logan yesterday. It turns out he has a little bit of love for you,“ her voice brimming with resentment. But it quickly turned into a sneering laugh. ”All this time, I pretended to be pregnant to stay by Logan’s side. And now I’ll pretend to miscarry. Logan will let you go because he believes... you’re the cause.”
“You’re crazy,” Aveline whispered in disbelief.
“Logan is mine forever!”
“Take him if that’s what you want!” Aveline roughly pulled Rose’s hand away from her hair.
Before Aveline could leave, a shrill scream echoed from behind.
“Aveline, what did you do to her?”
