The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 121

Ella

The days blurred together after Alexander returned from his trip. I spent most of my time in bed, sleeping fitfully or staring out the window at the garden below. The bandage on my head had been replaced with a smaller one, but the headaches were still pretty persistent.

Alexander barely spoke to me anymore. He would come to bed late, long after I’d pretended to fall asleep, and he would leave early in the morning before I woke up. When we did cross paths, we would just exchange angry glares and then go our separate ways.

It was better this way. Easier.

I didn’t have to pretend anymore that there might be something between us. Didn’t have to wonder if those moments in the hospital or the way he’d looked at me for those brief seconds meant anything.

Gabriel had made it crystal clear what Alexander really thought of me: weak, manipulative, pathetic. He didn’t care if I died. He only cared about himself.

I hated him.

The cherry blossom bracelet was still somewhere behind the dresser where I’d thrown it. I could have asked Sarah to retrieve it, but I didn’t want to see it again. Didn’t want another reminder of how stupid I’d been to think Alexander might actually care.

On the fourth day, there was a soft knock on the bedroom door. I expected it to be Lilith with soup or Sarah with her fake sweetness, but instead, Liam poked his head around the door.

“Hey,” he said gently. “Mind if I come in?”

sit up straighter, smoothing down my hair. I probably looked like

and closed the door behind him, then pulled the chair closer

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” I said automatically.

that he’d always

sag. “Like shit. But what else

“I talked to Alexander.”

stomach clenched.

1/2

Chapter 121

elbows on his knees. “Ella, why didn’t

I didn’t

about you.” Liam’s voice was gentle but there was an edge of frustration there. “You’ve been suffering alone for

pattern of the wallpaper like I hadn’t already

angry with you. I’m just… I

felt hollow in my mouth. What was the point of rehashing it now? “But it doesn’t

now, and I think he really wants to help. He might mark you soon, and then all

out a bitter laugh.