Emily’s POV

The hospital hallway felt like a vacuum, sucking away what little emotion I had left as I stood facing Dr. Lawrence. His expression was grave as he delivered the news about my father.

"Miss Emily, I’m afraid Alpha Liam’s condition has deteriorated beyond surgical intervention." Dr. Lawrence’s voice was detached yet sympathetic. "Even with surgery, we wouldn’t be able to save him."

I nodded, maintaining a composure. "Then we’ll go with palliative care. No surgery."

The doctor seemed taken aback by my calm demeanor, but I felt nothing. Not grief, not relief, just emptiness where feelings should be.

"We’ll make him comfortable," he added hesitantly.

Nova stirred within me. "You’ve done more than most daughters would after what he did. That’s enough."

"I know," I responded silently. "He didn’t just destroy my life. His criminal empire ruined countless others. This is simply karma catching up."

My dad has never said sorry for what he did to me. He never told me he felt bad about destroying his own grandchild’s future. He never gave me any reason, not even a crappy one, for killing the person I loved.

I’ve hated him for so long, and I still hate him now that he’s dying.

Am I terrible for saying I’m just waiting for him to die? Am I awful for knowing I won’t cry when it happens? Am I a horrible daughter for admitting I won’t feel guilty about letting him go like this?

I turned to leave, then stopped halfway and turned back.

"Please ensure he receives the best pain management available," I told the doctor. "Spare no expense."

"Miss Emily," Dr. Lawrence said. "Your father has been asking for you. He seems quite eager to speak with you personally."

My jaw tightened as I recalled our last conversation.His desperate attempt to manipulate me into finding Kieran, to resurrect his rogue faction. Always using me, even from his deathbed.

"That won’t be necessary," I replied coolly. "Good day, Doctor."

The walk through the hospital corridors felt endless.

Each step echoed my thoughts—was I truly heartless for feeling nothing as my father lay dying? The man who had ordered the murder of my fiancé, who had been responsible for the death of my unborn child?

The crisp autumn air hit my face as I pushed through the hospital’s glass doors, offering momentary relief from my thoughts. I headed straight for my car, fishing for my keys in my purse.

Just as I reached for the door handle, someone slammed it shut. Instinctively, I thought it was Matt, who had developed an annoying habit of showing up everywhere I went.

"What now, Matt—" The words died on my lips when I realized it wasn’t Matt at all, but someone with his face. His twin brother, Mason.

His jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed at the mention of his brother’s name.

"So my suspicions were right," he snarled. "You’re always with Matt. What exactly are you doing to my brother?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

I forced a laugh, though nothing about this encounter was amusing. "Don’t worry. Soon enough he’ll introduce me to your family. Try to contain your excitement."

His forehead wrinkled in disgust. "What the fuck are you talking about, whore?"

The slur hit me like a physical blow. In all my years, through all my hardships, no one had ever called me that. I slapped him hard across the face, my hand stinging from the impact.

"You have no right to insult me, Mason Foster," I hissed."I’m not doing anything to your brother. He’s the one who won’t leave me alone."

He licked his bottom lip, a mocking laugh escaping as he recovered from the slap. "What? Don’t like being called a whore? That’s what you are, right? My brother picked you up at some sleazy bar. You’re nothing but a gold digger after his money—"

I slapped him again, harder this time, shoving him back with all my strength.

"You ignorant bastard! You know nothing about me!" I shouted, beyond caring who might hear. "Look me up, asshole! I’m wealthier than your entire family combined. Your precious brother is the one obsessed with me. He practically begged to be my boyfriend. If you care so much, convince him to leave me the hell alone because I want nothing to do with him!"

I yanked my car door open and slid inside, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. My heart pounded painfully against my ribs. Why did his words affect me so deeply? Was it because he shared the same face as the man I was reluctantly growing fond of?

A tear escaped down my cheek, and I angrily wiped it away.

"Why am I crying?" I whispered to Nova. "His opinion means nothing."

"Because you’re tired of being hurt," she answered softly. "We’ve endured too much already."

The passenger door suddenly opened, startling me. Matt slid in with a smile that quickly faded when he saw my face.

"What happened to you?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

I pressed my lips together, refusing to admit his brother had reduced me to tears. "Nothing. Get out. I’m going home."

"I’m going home too, so I’ll stay right here."

"Going home? To my place?" I asked incredulously.

His expression remained serious. "Yes. So what?"

Something inside me snapped. "What don’t you understand, Matt? I don’t like you! I don’t want to be with you! I don’t fucking need you in my home or in my life!"

He stared at me, speechless. My heart raced so hard I thought I might pass out. The truth was, Mason’s words had wounded me deeply. After everything I’d survived, I’d somehow become more vulnerable rather than stronger. Perhaps I’d foolishly thought I’d found someone to lean on, only to discover his family would never accept me.

Matt’s jaw tightened. "We’ll talk when you’ve calmed down. For now, go home and rest."

I watched silently as he exited the car. Biting my lip, I gripped the steering wheel tighter, fighting back more tears. After a moment to collect myself, I started the engine and drove to my condo.

The emptiness of my home hit me immediately. Without Kyra and Snow, the place felt lifeless. Matt’s brief two-day stay had somehow filled that void, making me feel alive again. Now the loneliness was crushing me once more.

Maybe I needed to accept that solitude was my fate. Kyra deserved her happiness with Nathan and Snow. I was simply destined to be alone.

After a long, hot bath that did nothing to ease my troubled mind, I collapsed on the couch without bothering to eat dinner, despite my stomach’s protests. I drifted into an uneasy sleep, only to be awakened by the sensation of fingers gently caressing my cheek.

My eyes flew open to find a familiar face looming over me, sending my heart racing with shock and confusion.

"K-Kieran?" I whispered, unable to believe he was actually in my home.