Chapter 17

Turning back, she found Michael-Lucas's beta-staring at her with shock etched across his face, his

dropped briefcase scattered across the hospital floor.

“L... Luna?” he stammered, face draining of color. "Is that really you?"

Escape, it seemed, wouldn't be so simple. Michael recovered quickly, positioning himself between

Aria and the exit with newfound determination.

"Please," he implored, lowering his voice. "You can't just disappear again. You have no idea what Alpha has been through since the fire. He hasn't slept through a single night in a year. Even if you want nothing to do with him now, at least stay until he's out of surgery. He literally just took a car impact for you."

Aria regarded him coolly, her expression betraying nothing of the calculations happening behind it.

"First," she stated with clinical precision, "I am not your Luna. That person died in a fire last year-a fact your Alpha publicly confirmed."

"Second, I'll stay until he's stable, but I'm leaving immediately. My company has a performance

tomorrow."

"Third, I have zero interest in rekindling any connection with your Alpha. Our relationship ended the moment he orchestrated my death."

With each statement, Michael's professional facade cracked further, revealing genuine distress, but he eventually nodded in reluctant agreement to her terms.

They settled into the antiseptic waiting room chairs, silence stretching between them as surgery continued behind closed doors.

the twenty-first time-nearly three hours had elapsed-the operating room

gaze swept the

"Aria!"

16:40

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Chapter 17

multiple fractures and internal bleeding, Lucas reached for her the moment

intensity.

sure you were here

as if expecting her to evaporate

still within his grasp, her voice devoid of emotion: "Your enthusiasm isn't

clouded

his

thing that ever happened to me, Lucas, was when everyone believed I died." Her tone was conversational, as if discussing the weather. "It gave me the freedom to build a life

calculated humiliations from the person they trusted most and still remain standing in the same room with

face drained of

she

nearly tearing out his IV in

her. "It wasn't-it started that way, but things

watch. "I have a performance tomorrow that requires my

he pleaded, grabbing her wrist. "I can't lose you again. Not when I've

me." Her voice

He shook his head frantically, his grip tightening. "Please, just listen

16:40

Billionairo ALIN.

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