Chapter 136: Emotional Support

My emotions spun wildly, crashing into each other until my whole body trembled.Even if this was only a guess, it was enough to shake me to my core. My pulse raced, sharp and fast, like something inside me had just caught a scent it couldn’t ignore.

"Elena," Lewis said calmly, his voice firm but gentle. "Slow down. Don’t jump ahead without solid proof. We can’t let hope run faster than reason. For now, let’s treat this as a possibility nothing more."

I nodded, forcing myself to breathe. It wasn’t easy. My thoughts kept circling, refusing to settle.

"Alright," I said quietly.

"What we know for certain," he continued, "is that whether Camilla is real or fake, she holds deep resentment toward the Morrigans. Now, let’s assume someone behind the scenes found the real Camilla first. They controlled her, used her blood for the test, and cleared the way for a substitute to walk straight into the family."

I nodded again. "Yes."

"If that’s true," Lewis said, his tone steady, "then there’s another outcome you need to prepare for. Even if your sister survived back then, so many years have passed. The real Camilla may already be gone."

His words hit harder than I expected.

I knew he was being realistic. I knew he was right. But it still felt like he had handed me a fragile spark only to crush it seconds later.

Seeing my expression, his voice softened. "Elena, don’t let this break you. If nothing else, we can prove this Camilla is a fraud. But until we’re certain, we can’t alert anyone. The one pulling the strings must not realize we’re onto them."

I swallowed and nodded. "I understand. You want to draw them out."

"Yes," he said. "Camilla stays untouched. That’s the bait."

He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "I can feel it. The trap is set. Now we wait. Patience is everything. They still don’t know about your return... and that’s our strongest edge."

There was a flicker of frustration in his eyes as he added, "This is partly on me. I focused too much on watching Camilla. I didn’t expect her to use Sadie to turn things around."

I reached for him without thinking. "Lewis, you’ve done more than anyone could. This isn’t your fault. Camilla’s cruelty is the problem not you."

He studied me for a moment, then nodded.

"By the way," I asked, "Camilla followed Vicky into the Boltons. Do you think Vicky is involved too?"

He shook his head immediately. "Unlikely. If Vicky were that sharp, she wouldn’t still be powerless, unable to handle someone like Julain. More likely, they used her identity as a bridge to plant Camilla where she needed to be."

The pieces slid into place.

"Vicky lost a daughter," I said slowly. "Any woman would cling to a child who suddenly appears at her door. Especially one who looks like she needs protecting."

I let out a breath. "So she’s just another pawn."

"Exactly," Lewis said. "She may not be innocent, but she’s been close to Camilla long enough that we might uncover something useful. A trail. A past."

"That makes sense," I said, my thoughts finally clearing.

He leaned back slightly. "With Ethan gone, Camilla will stay quiet for a while. She won’t risk exposure."

I turned to the window, watching snow drift lazily through the air, soft and silent.

My mind wandered back to the dream from the night before.

If the Morrigans ever discovered that the daughter they had protected all these years was the true monster...

I wondered what their faces would look like when the truth finally stood in front of them.

"The most important thing now," Lewis said, his voice steady and sharp, "is getting Camilla’s blood sample. Once we run the bond test again with the Morrigans, we’ll know whether our suspicions are right."

There was a quiet certainty in him. The kind that didn’t need to be loud to command trust.

I reached for his hand without thinking, my fingers curling around his. "I’m really glad you’re here with me," I said softly.

He tightened his grip, as if anchoring me in place.

"Elena," he replied, his voice low, carrying a weight that settled deep in my chest, "I lost you once. I won’t waste the second chance fate gave me."

Before I could respond, the door suddenly opened.

Mom stood there, freezing when she saw our hands intertwined. She quickly turned away, clearly flustered. "Sorry," she murmured. "I’m still not used to Riley being married yet."

I pulled my hand back at once and rested it on the wheelchair handle. "Let’s eat breakfast first," I said, trying to sound calm.

"Alright," Lewis agreed easily.

During the meal, Mom kept sneaking glances at me, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. It was the look of a mother watching her child step into a new stage of life. It made my ears burn slightly.

Ever since Lewis confessed his feelings, something inside me had shifted. I could feel myself leaning toward him, drawn in ways I hadn’t planned. It wasn’t love yet not fully but it was growing. Quietly. Steadily.

I believed that one day, when I was ready, I would stop holding back and accept him completely.

After breakfast, Lewis left for the office.

Not long after, mum pulled me into the bedroom and shut the door behind us. Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"Riley, your father has been pressing me these past few days. He keeps focusing on the child I’m carrying. I’m afraid it might disrupt our plan."

I helped her sit down, my heart tightening. "Mom... do you really have to give this child up?" I asked carefully. "If you decide to keep it, Lewis and I can help. We’ll protect the baby too."

She let out a deep sigh, exhaustion lining her face. "You know how things are between me and your father. He refuses to separate cleanly. Even if I force it, it could drag on forever. A child right now will only make everything harder."

She hesitated, biting her lip.

"What are you afraid of?" I asked gently.

"I’m afraid it will bring trouble I can’t control," she said quietly. "That it will tie me to him even tighter. I can’t keep it."

She squeezed my hand, her grip trembling. "Riley... your father only cares about power and status. Can you ask Lewis to distract him for a while? Once I go through with the procedure, everything will settle down."

Pain spread through my chest, slow and heavy.

"I respect your decision," I said, forcing myself to stay calm. "But you still have one more day to think it through."

Tears welled in her eyes. Despite the hesitation written all over her face, she spoke quickly, as if afraid she’d lose her resolve.

"I have to do this, Riley. We need to go to the hospital today. I’ve already made up my mind."

I nodded, even though my heart resisted every step of the way.

Some choices, once made, could never be undone.