Chapter 85: Don’t Betray Me

How could I not know what Julian had done?I was almost there when it happened. Close enough to feel it in the air, to sense the shift. I even knew the exact time. Some things don’t need proof. Your instincts remember for you.

So when he reacted like that, I already had an answer ready.

"You and Camilla chose each other on Elena’s bonding night," I said calmly. "You wanted the thrill. Let me guess... the bridal suite? On the new bed?"

Julian’s face drained of color.

That night was supposed to stay buried. If Camilla hadn’t gotten pregnant, the truth would’ve rotted quietly in the dark forever.

I didn’t stop.

"Why are you so worked up?" I asked, my voice light, sharp around the edges. "It’s normal, isn’t it? Men chasing excitement. I get it."

His eyes narrowed, cold and dangerous. "And if it were your mate?" he asked. "What would you do then?"

"I’d break his legs."

The words came out clean. Steady. No pause.

I meant them.

In my first life, I had chased shadows. I suspected Julian and Camilla, doubted myself, blamed my own paranoia. I never had proof until after I died. Until I saw everything clearly.

That betrayal carved something out of me. It killed any blind faith I once had.

For a split second, I forgot I was bonded to Lewis now.

Then Lewis looked up from his book and said casually, "Mine are already broken. Guess I’m safe."

His gaze met mine. Calm. Direct.

Heat rushed to my face. "Lewis I wasn’t talking about you. I just "

Just talking too much. Forgetting myself.

For a moment, I forgot we were supposed to be nothing more than partners on paper.

I cleared my throat and turned back to Julian.

"Let’s stop digging up the past," I said evenly. "It’s over. You and Camilla are done. She’s entering another bond. You’re about to enter one too. What matters now is where you and your future mate will live."

I made sure he heard the message beneath the words.

Elena’s name wouldn’t save him. Guilt wouldn’t either.

Julian went quiet. Whatever storm was inside him, he forced it down.

"You’re the one calling the shots now," he said flatly. "I’ll go with whatever you decide."

"That won’t do," I replied. "It’s your territory. You’re the one living there, not us. Lewis and I only narrowed things down. Choose."

I handed him the folders.

He barely looked before pointing at one. "This one. It doesn’t matter. I’m not bonding with Elena."

The bitterness in his voice slipped through, no matter how careless he tried to sound.

He stood, one hand in his pocket. "I’ll start treatment tomorrow. Aunt Riley... I’ll leave the rest to you."

The smirk he wore as he walked away wasn’t friendly.

It was sharp. Mocking.

I watched his back disappear, unease curling in my chest. Something about him felt off like a cracked surface hiding pressure underneath.

Lewis spoke again, quietly.

"I won’t betray you."

I looked at him, startled.

"You saw his reaction," I said after a moment.

"He’s used to control," Lewis replied. "Losing it unsettles him. Don’t carry that weight. It’s late. You’ve done enough today. Let’s rest."

The way he said let’s made my heart stumble.

Almost like we were real.

Still flustered, I wheeled him back to the bedroom and went to wash up.

When I returned, the room glowed softly. Candles flickered on the dresser, warm light dancing across the walls. The scent was subtle, calming.

"You like candles?" I asked.

"They help settle the mind," he said, glancing up. "You don’t?"

"I do," I admitted. "It’s... comforting."

"Good," he said gently. "Sleep."

"Goodnight."

I lay down, thoughts tangled and heavy.

As the year neared its end, everything felt rushed. Powerful families never rested, and with Julian’s sudden bond added to the chaos, I was stretched thin. For the first time, I understood what it meant to hold things together from the shadows.

It wasn’t just exhausting.

It drained you.

The soft scent eased me into sleep.

Sometime later, a voice brushed my ear. Low. Broken.

"Elena... love me... please..."

It sounded familiar. Too familiar.

I wanted to open my eyes, but my body wouldn’t move. I was caught between worlds, floating.

Fingers brushed my cheek. Gentle. Lingering. Like someone afraid to let go.

Then the darkness pulled me under again.

The next morning, soft sounds drifted in from the terrace and pulled me out of sleep. Light footsteps. Quick, playful chirps.

Squirrels.

The Hale estate sat deep in green land, old trees stretching high, their branches thick and alive. Small creatures treated the place like their own territory, darting freely without fear.

I stretched and yawned, then sighed quietly.

Another full day ahead.

Being Mrs. Hale wasn’t just a change of name. It meant stepping into a space filled with eyes, rules, and expectations. There was no room to slack off.

I noticed two squirrels outside the glass doors. I grabbed a few nuts from a tray and tossed them over. They rushed forward, cheeks puffing as they ate.

I smiled without thinking.

"You’re awake?"

Lewis’s voice came from behind me.

I turned, a little startled. "Aren’t you going to the company today?"

It was almost year-end. I assumed he’d be drowning in work.

"I hired someone to manage things," he said easily. "I’m taking a break."

That fit him. He worked hard, but once he decided something, he never hesitated. After years of carrying everything alone, rest was overdue.

His gaze followed mine to the terrace. "You like animals?"

"They’re peaceful," I said. "They help me ignore the noise."

"When we move out, we can keep some," he said. "Do you like cats?"

My eyes lit up. "I love ragdoll cats."

"Then we’ll get two."

I blinked. "Wait those are high maintenance. They shed a lot, and their stomachs are sensitive. What if you’re allergic?"

"It doesn’t matter," he said simply. "If you like them, we’ll get them."

The words hit something deep.

In college, I once rescued two stray kittens. They were tiny, shaking, barely alive. I took them home, only for Julian to react like I’d committed a crime. He said I was wasting time. Said they didn’t belong.

So I hid them at the Morrigan house. Built a small shelter in the yard.

One day, they were gone.

Later, I learned Malcom had ordered them thrown out after a business loss. He said they brought bad luck.

I searched the streets until my legs gave out.

That night, I ran into Lewis.

He didn’t ask questions. He just opened the car door, turned on the heat, and made a call. His people found the kittens. He took me to a vet. Then he arranged for them to be sent somewhere warm and safe.

Back then, I barely dared to look at him. His presence was heavy, steady, impossible to ignore. Even though he wasn’t much older than me, he felt untouchable.

"You’re spacing out," he said softly.

I shook my head. "Just remembering things."

Then reality rushed back in. "I’ve got work to do."

I hurried off, and soon the butler arrived with a few senior maids. They knew the estate well and handled things smoothly.

Over the next few days, Lewis stayed nearby. He didn’t interfere. He just... stayed. Quiet support. Solid presence. Without noticing, I began to rely on it.

One afternoon, he spoke casually.

"There’s an art exhibition coming up. Want to go?"

I nearly missed it. "An exhibition?"

"Camilla’s showing her work."

My body went still.

After my death in my past life, she took everything I’d hidden away. Every painting. Every piece of myself. She claimed them as hers and enjoyed the praise meant for me. Worse, she twisted the story and painted me as the villain.

"She’s trying to impress the Hudsons," Lewis added. "Hoping they’ll value her more after the bond."

Camilla was smart. If she stood out, the Hudsons would see her as useful.

What she didn’t know was that she was standing on my bones.

My hands clenched slowly.

She took what was mine once.

This time, I’d take it back.

No matter how high she climbed, I’d be waiting.

She wouldn’t rise again.

Not in this life.