148 Anger and Regret 2
Lucian
We stood in silence as the chopper lifted off the helipad, its blades slicing through the night air like a parting promise. I kept my eyes on the small bundle inside-the incubator that cradled Richard-until the aircraft disappeared into the clouds. It felt like watching a part of my soul leave my body.
Mara stood beside me, her hand steady on her phone as she texted swiftly. The wind from the chopper whipped through her hair, but she didn’t flinch.
“I’ll handle the bills,” she said quietly, without looking at me. “Everything. Neev, the staff, the surgery… I’ve got it covered.”
She wasn’t just saying that to comfort me. Mara was in charge now-not just of our company’s finances, but of so many pieces of our future. She moved with purpose, with strength. I nodded, unable to speak for a moment.
Aiden Thornridge stood on my other side, a calm, grounding presence. Austin lingered just behind, his usual sharp energy muted by the weight of the day.
Aiden placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he said. “The doctor said they’ve seen worse. Richard is in good hands. He’ll pull through.”
I nodded again, holding onto that reassurance like a lifeline. The only caveat was the waiting. Three months before we could even visit. Three months of silence, of wondering, of hoping.
But if that silence meant Richard had a real chance at life, we would endure it.
I exhaled deeply, then turned to Tina.
“It’s time to get your things from the Nighthorn mansion.”
She froze, her face pale under the parking lot lights. The fear in her eyes was unmistakable.
“Please… come with me. I’m afraid of your father,” she whispered.
I glanced at Mara, silently asking for her permission. She gave a subtle nod. I wouldn’t have agreed without it.
I thanked Aiden for all his support, and we parted ways outside the hospital.
Tina left in Joey’s car. Mara, Austin, and I took the lead, heading straight to the mansion. The ride was quiet, heavy. I couldn’t stop picturing the tiny rise and fall of Richard’s chest in that incubator.
When we arrived, my father was pacing in the hallway like a storm waiting to break.
He looked ready to explode-until I told him what we had done.
That Richard was safe.
That the best specialists in the region were now his guardians.
His fury softened, but not completely. “At least the boy will live,” he muttered. “But a Nighthorn who can’t run? Who can’t lead a charge or defend his bloodline?”
I clenched my jaw but didn’t argue. This was how he measured worth-through power, ability, dominance. But I knew better now. Richard would grow up in peace, with compassion. That would be his strength.
“When is the b***h packing her s**t?” he snapped, eyes narrowing as he glanced toward the door. “She’s here to do that now,” I said, tone controlled. “Please, Father. Let Mara and I handle this.”
<148 Anger and Regret 2
He grunted and disappeared into his study.
+8 Points>
Joey was standing outside the mansion, visibly shaken. His hands kept twitching, and he wouldn’t meet my eyes. The man was terrified, and not just of my father. It was obvious Tina had left out a few details-about the pregnancy, the lies, the drugs.
I didn’t care enough to ask. Let him figure it out.
Inside, Tina moved slowly through her old room, packing her belongings through a haze of tears. The silence was
suffocating. Mara and I stood by the door, watching. I didn’t say a word. I had nothing left to say.
Tina had burned every bridge, and this-this final act of departure-was her consequence.
The boy she had broken would never call her mother.
And she would never again walk freely through these halls.
Letting her go wasn’t a punishment.
It was the only mercy I had left to give.
