141 The Dreaded Moment
Lucian
I ended the call and stared down at the phone, dread pooling in my gut. I glanced up at Mara, and the look on her face
said she’d already sensed something was wrong.
“What is it, love?” she asked softly, reaching for my hand.
I squeezed her fingers gently, hesitating. Darian’s sharp eyes caught mine; he instantly knew something was up. Quietly, he motioned to Tiffany to give us privacy. They both left without a word.
Mara watched me carefully, concern etched in her eyes.
“It’s Tina,” I finally admitted. “She’s in labor. They’re at the hospital right now.”
Mara jumped up immediately. “Then what are we still doing here, Lucian? We need to go-right now. Everything else can
wait.”
Her instant urgency surprised me. I hadn’t expected such clear-headed calmness from her, not with something that threatened our peace so directly. Yet here she was, practical and unshaken.
We dressed quickly, and on our way out, I told Darian I was heading to the hospital. He offered to come along, but I shook my head.
“Stay here with Tiffany and your daughter,” I said firmly. “I’ll handle this. It’s either mine or it isn’t, and either way, she’s out of our lives after today.”
Darian nodded slowly, and I followed Mara out the door.
As I drove, Mara quickly called Mary. “Mary, cancel all my meetings today-conference calls included. Delegate everything to the managing director. I won’t be available.”
She hung up and placed a comforting hand on my thigh, gently rubbing in soothing circles.
“Lucian,” she said softly, her voice filled with reassurance, “whatever happens, we’ll face it together. If the baby is yours, we’ll deal with it. Like I said, I’m ready to care for the child. Leaving the baby with Tina would be far worse-especially when she figures out she won’t be getting much financially. She might mistreat the baby just to spite you.”
I exhaled sharply, tension coiled tight within me. Mara’s reassurance was comforting, yet the fear lingered. That child-if it truly was mine-would always remind me of Tina’s manipulation, her lies. Despite what I’d told everyone else, deep down, I hoped against hope the baby wouldn’t share my blood.
We arrived at the hospital sooner than I’d have liked. Mara was out of the car instantly, moving purposefully toward the entrance. My own steps felt heavy, reluctant, and Mara noticed immediately. She slowed her pace, turning to wait for me. She reached for my hand, squeezing it gently.
“Lucian, listen to me-I’m not upset with you,” she said earnestly, looking up into my eyes. “This won’t come between us. She can’t hurt us anymore.”
I forced a smile for her sake, but it felt stiff, artificial. Mara deserved better from me-more honesty, more strength. We went directly to the maternity ward. Austin was already there, standing quietly by the entrance. And then I saw him- Dr. Green. The snake was present too, acting like nothing was wrong, like he hadn’t spent weeks gossiping, spreading rumors to Mara’s father, trying to poison our marriage with his lies.
Anger surged through my veins, hot and fierce. I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my composure. Now wasn’t the
< 141 The Dreaded Moment
time-but his betrayal wouldn’t go unaddressed forever.
The bastard approached with a smug smile.
+8 Points?
“Alpha Lucian,” he began, as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn’t betrayed his professional obligations to stir trouble in my family.
I held his gaze coldly. “Dr. Green,” I replied, voice low with controlled anger. Mara squeezed my hand again, silently reminding me to keep calm.
He blinked, momentarily stunned. Mara’s fingers tightened around mine. I inhaled deeply, pushing down my fury.
This wasn’t the moment.
But that moment would come soon enough.
“Alpha Nighthorn,” Dr. Green began, his voice carefully polite, “Miss Livingston is requesting you in the delivery room. She’s nearly fully dilated.”
“No,” I replied immediately, my voice cold and sharp.
Mara touched my arm gently, her voice calm and firm. “Go, Lucian. It’s only today-just this once. I’m right here. This is the last time you’ll ever have to do this.”
I hesitated, glancing at her. She met my gaze steadily.
“Please,” she urged quietly. “For the sake of the baby. I’m here, and our child is here with us too. We’ll be waiting.”
I drew a heavy breath, nodded reluctantly, and turned toward the delivery room, feeling like each step drained something
from me.
The moment Tina saw me enter, her eyes widened. She was covered in sweat, her face pale and puffy, and for the first
time, I felt absolutely nothing for her-not even pity. She reached desperately toward me.
“Lucian! You came,” she gasped, her voice strained.
“Just do what you need to do, Tina,” I replied stiffly, standing next to her bed.
“Hold my hand, Lucian, please,” she begged, reaching further. Her fingers trembled, desperate for contact.
With barely disguised reluctance, I took her hand, immediately regretting it. She squeezed my hand tightly, pulling me
closer until it became suffocating.
“Stop it!” I snapped suddenly, voice booming louder than I intended. Everyone paused, startled: After a tense second, they
returned to their tasks.
I leaned closer, voice lowered to a dangerous edge. “Get a grip on yourself, Tina. I’m here for the baby. Nothing more.”
I linked Austin instantly. “Austin, go stay with Mara. Now,”
“Yes, Alpha,” Austin replied swiftly.
Dr. Green checked Tina briefly and nodded. “Alright, Miss Livingston. You’re fully dilated.
When you feel the contraction coming again, push. Only when you feel it, understand?”
She nodded weakly, gripping my hand with desperation as she began to push. I silently thanked the goddess there were
no complications-this situation was already complicated enough. The quicker it ended, the better.
A few more pushes, and a cry pierced the room. The baby emerged into Dr. Green’s waiting hands.
“Alpha Lucian, would you like to cut the cord?” Dr. Green asked carefully.
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*# Points >
I hesitated, then stepped forward with a grim sense of duty and made the cut. I glanced at the baby-a boy. No Alpha Mark was visible, though I kept this quiet for now. It meant even if this child was mine, he wouldn’t be my heir.
Darian already had a legitimate heir, a beautiful daughter bearing our mark. My true heirs, my true legacy, would come from Mara alone. Gratitude surged quietly in my heart.
“Do you still want to do the DNA test, Alpha?” Dr. Green asked, breaking through my thoughts.
Tina stared at me tearfully, pleading silently for mercy. But mercy was a luxury I couldn’t afford, not with so many lies already between us.
“Yes,” I replied firmly. “Proceed with the test.”
Tina’s hopeful expression crumbled, the final illusion shattered.
I turned away, feeling nothing but relief as I stepped toward the door. I wanted nothing more than to return to Mara’s side
-to my real family.
