Chapter 179

Chapter 179
Richard's POV

I took a sip of water, watching Emma's furious expression over the rim of my glass. Her perfectly manicured fingers were clutching her phone so tightly I could see her knuckles turning white.

"What game are you playing, Richard?" Emma's voice was dangerously low. "I want answers. Now."

I set the glass down with deliberate slowness. This charade had gone on long enough, perhaps it was time to end this particular performance.

Emma thrust her phone in front of my face, her hand trembling with rage. "You still want to keep pretending? This is what someone captured tonight!"

The screen showed a clear image of me carrying Elena on my back through the moonlit alley outside Moonlit Pub. The intimacy of the moment was unmistakable—her head resting against my shoulder, my arms supporting her legs. We looked like lovers.

I met Emma's gaze without flinching. "You had someone follow me?"

"That's not important!" Emma's voice cracked with emotion. "What matters is why you're with her? How can you be with her when you're engaged to me?"

I set down my water glass, feeling my patience wearing thin. The wolf inside me was still restless from the earlier confrontation with Marcus, and dealing with Emma's jealousy was the last thing I needed.

"Emma," I said, my voice dropping an octave as I let my mask slip. "This is none of your business. The game is over."

She took a step back, her eyes widening as she sensed the change in my demeanor.

"So it's true," she whispered, realization dawning on her face. "You were never really hypnotized, were you?"

"To be precise, you hypnotized my other personality, but I still remember everything."

Emma's POV

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My entire body felt cold with shock.

"That's impossible!" I protested, trying to maintain my professional composure. "My hypnotic techniques have never failed before!"

Richard's eyes flashed with something dangerous—a brief hint of gold that made my heart skip a beat. The man standing before me was suddenly a stranger, powerful and intimidating in a way I'd never experienced before.

"You overestimated your abilities," he said with a dismissive coldness that cut like a knife. "And underestimated the connection between Elena and me."

My mind raced, piecing together the implications. "Then... these past months... you allowing me into your life, even our engagement..."

"It was all to bring Elena back," Richard interrupted.

The truth hit me like a physical blow. All this time, I'd thought I was in control, that I was helping him recover while building our future together.

"Did you ever have feelings for me at all?" I asked, hating how desperate I sounded.

Richard's expression remained impassive as he shook his head once.

Pain and rage swirled inside me, making it hard to breathe. "I gave you everything," I whispered, tears spilling down my cheeks. "I did so much for you. But she was always the only one in your heart, wasn't she? Even after she abandoned you and your child?"

For the first time, Richard's expression softened slightly. "That was my mistake. I drove her away. But now I only want to keep her by my side."

His words were the final confirmation that I would never have a place in his heart. The engagement ring on my finger suddenly felt like it was burning my skin.

"I'm such a fool," I said, my voice breaking. With trembling fingers, I pulled off the diamond ring and placed it on the coffee table with a small, definitive click.

I turned and walked toward the door, somehow managing to keep my head high despite feeling like my world was crumbling. Richard made no move to stop me.

I didn't wait for his response. I stepped out into the night, closed the door behind me, and only then allowed myself to cry.


Kathy's POV

The voices from the living room gradually faded as Emma left. Lily and I looked at each other with wide eyes from our hiding spot at the top of the stairs.

"Did you hear that?" Lily whispered, squeezing my hand so tightly it almost hurt. "Daddy always remembered Mommy! He wasn't really sick in the head!"

I nodded, my heart racing with excitement. "And he canceled the engagement! Emma's not going to be our stepmother!"

Lily's face lit up with pure joy. "Does this mean Mommy can stay with us forever?"

I couldn't help but smile as I nodded again. After overhearing everything.

"Daddy brought Mommy home tonight," I analyzed, keeping my voice low. "And he just told Emma that he only has Mommy in his heart..."

Lily bounced excitedly, shaking my arm. "We have to tell Mommy! First thing tomorrow morning!"

I put my finger to my lips, signaling her to be quieter, but I couldn't contain my own excitement. For the first time in forever, it felt like our broken family might actually have a chance to heal.

We tiptoed back to our bedrooms, our hearts full of hope for a reunion that had seemed impossible just days ago.


Elena's POV

Morning light filtered through the curtains, gently pulling me from sleep. I blinked, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar ceiling. My head still throbbed.

As my vision cleared, I began to recognize details of the room—the dark wood furniture, the subtle masculine decor, the faint scent that was unmistakably Richard's. With a jolt, I realized I was in his bedroom at Highland Estate.

I sat up quickly, wincing at the protest from my bruised body. Memories from the previous night flooded back: the confrontation at Moonlit Pub, Richard's rescue, falling asleep in his car...

I looked down and realized I was wearing a clean nightgown.

Carefully, I slid out of bed and made my way to the door. After a moment's hesitation, I opened it and stepped into the familiar hallway.

The sound of children's laughter drifted up from downstairs, making my heart race. My babies. I followed the sound, moving cautiously down the stairs toward the living room.

When I reached the bottom step, I saw Kathy and Lily sitting at the breakfast table, giggling over something.

They looked up simultaneously, and their faces transformed with joy.

"Mommy!" they cried in unison, abandoning their breakfast to rush toward me.

I knelt down, opening my arms just in time as they crashed into me. The impact nearly knocked me over, but I didn't care. I held them tightly, breathing in their sweet scents, feeling their small arms around my neck.

"My babies," I whispered, kissing the tops of their heads.

Lily pulled back, practically bouncing with excitement. "Mommy! We have big news to tell you!"

Kathy grabbed my hand and led me to the sofa. "Daddy had a fight with Emma last night," she announced triumphantly. "He canceled the engagement!"

"What?" I blinked in surprise.

Lily couldn't contain herself. "The most important thing is, Daddy never really lost his memory! He always remembered you!"

I felt shocked. "That's not possible... he clearly..."

"We heard it!" Kathy insisted, her eyes shining with certainty. "Emma asked Daddy if he wasn't really hypnotized, and Daddy admitted it!"

Lily looked up at me with innocent hope. "Mommy, does this mean you don't have to leave us anymore?"

Before I could formulate a response, footsteps sounded on the stairs. I turned to see Richard descending, his expression shifting subtly when he saw me with the girls.

Our eyes met across the room, and I felt a complex mix of emotions swirl through me—confusion, anger, and something deeper I wasn't ready to acknowledge.