Louise's POV
"Now that you’re finally seeing things clearly, confess," my mother urged, her voice quivering with fragile hope. "Do it for Chelsea." Every syllable carried the weight of her sorrow and longing, her anguish bleeding through her words.
Tears clouded my vision as I gazed at Chelsea’s photo—propped delicately atop her coffin. I could almost hear her again—gentle, vibrant, full of life.
"My beautiful Auntie! Come on, play with your adorable niece!"
Her giggles echoed in my ears, so vivid it felt like she was still here. I saw her jumping onto my bed, laughter spilling from her lips as she planted kisses on my cheeks.
"Come on, wake up! Let’s play already!"
I used to hold her close, tickling her until she squealed with delight, the room bursting with joy and warmth.
Now, only silence remained.
An empty ache expanded in my chest. My throat constricted, and before I could stop myself, I broke into sobs.
"Please, Louise," my mother implored again.
"Tell us the truth, Louise," Charlene added, her voice cracked and desperate.
The pain clawed at my insides. My hands gripped my chest, as if I could stop myself from falling apart. My voice shook as I spoke.
"I'm so sorry, Chelsea," I whispered through the tears.
I cried harder. "I’m sorry I failed you. I should’ve protected you. I made a promise and I broke it. I couldn’t keep you safe. I couldn’t get you the justice you deserve."
"What are you saying? Just tell us what really happened!" my mother snapped, her composure crumbling.
"I’m sorry..." My words quivered. "Sorry that you’re blaming someone who isn’t responsible. Sorry that—"
A sudden, violent tug on my hair silenced me.
Charlene.
Her fingers twisted into my hair, her fury flaring with every syllable. "Sorry for what, Louise? Just tell me where my baby’s body is! Stop hiding behind lies!"
"I didn’t hurt Chelsea!" I screamed, voice ragged from anguish. "I swear on the Moon Goddess! On my life—I swear I’m innocent!"
Charlene’s grip loosened, her face streaked with tears.
Phyllis rushed to her side, wrapping her in his arms. Then he faced me, his eyes ablaze with hatred.
"Why can’t you just admit it, Louise?" His tone was cutting, detached. "That’s all your family wants—to know where Chelsea is. Just tell us."
I stared at him, my heart fracturing again.
"I’ve told you already—I didn’t take her. I never laid a hand on Chelsea!" I dropped to my knees on the cold floor. "Why won’t anyone believe me? Why does no one trust me?"
My father stepped forward, his expression unreadable. My mother’s was twisted with rage and unbearable grief.
"How are we supposed to believe a murderer? A liar?" my father barked. "Even the Moonstone revealed your guilt!" His hand lunged forward and clamped around my throat.
I gasped for breath. My lungs screamed, my vision dimmed.
"Would the Moonstone lie?!" he roared. "Why won’t you admit what you did?! You’re a monster—you deserve death!"
I didn’t resist. I just stared at him—the man who once called me his little girl.
And then, I let out a cold, bitter smile.
"Then kill me," I croaked. "Isn’t that what you all want? The killer dead?"
His hands began to shake where they held me. Then suddenly, he let go, and I collapsed to the polished floor, gasping for air.
"Kill you?" His voice was like ice. "No. Death is too easy. You’ll suffer for what you’ve done. I won’t let a Gorman get away with murder—not even if she’s my own flesh and blood. As Alpha of Night Owl, I will make sure justice is done."
I pushed myself up slowly, my limbs weak, but my voice firm.
"You talk so much about justice," I said, pain laced in my words. "But you’ve never given me fairness. You didn’t even try to hear me out. You didn’t ask for the truth. You just threw me away—like a criminal—without a shred of proof."
A sharp slap rang through the room.
My face exploded in pain. I tasted blood on my lips.
"You will not speak to the Alpha that way!" my mother hissed.
Despite it all—despite how they had hurt me so deeply—I still cared.
I still loved them.
"I’ve respected you all my life," I said quietly, my voice turning cold. "But now I finally understand… I’ve had enough."
Another slap. This one from my father.
"Say another word and you’ll get more than that," he growled through gritted teeth.
I laughed bitterly. "Don’t worry. I’m done talking." I lifted my chin, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Believe whatever suits you. I won’t waste another breath trying to change your minds."
I turned my back on them and walked away.
My vision wavered, the world spinning as despair and exhaustion weighed heavy on me. Still, I kept moving—past the pack hall, past the main house—further away from the people I once called family.
I reached up, fingers brushing against the chain around my neck—the one that held the ring Phyllis had given me. A symbol of a love that had never been real.
I tore it off and flung it as far as I could.
There was nothing left for me here.
Nothing worth staying for.
Nothing worth living for.
Today, I would end it all.
