chapter 84
Hanna's POV:
"Mrs. Price, please try to calm down. Your blood pressure is dangerously high," the doctor said as he entered the room, chart in hand.
His face wore that patronizing expression medical professionals use when they think you're being hysterical.
"Calm down?" I snarled. "My baby is dead because of that ungrateful wretch!"
The doctor cleared his throat.
"Mrs. Price, while emotional distress can certainly be a contributing factor in pregnancy complications, I believe there may be other underlying causes for your miscarriage. Have you experienced any unusual symptoms prior to this event? Perhaps some discomfort or—"
"The only unusual thing was that my daughter made me lose face in front of the entire gathering." I cut him off, unwilling to hear his medical babble.
What did he know about a mother's pain?
From the corner of my eye, I saw Fiona step closer to my bed, her golden-brown hair perfectly styled despite the late hour. Even in crisis, my beautiful stepdaughter maintained her composure.
"Doctor," she said softly, "Hannah was under tremendous stress after Tori embarrassed her at the Grayson gathering. Everyone knows how dangerous that kind of emotional trauma can be for an expectant mother."
The doctor sighed. "While stress is a factor, Mrs. Price, I'd still recommend further tests to—"
"Get out," I whispered, then louder, "GET OUT! I don't need tests, I need justice!"
Alexander squeezed my hand. "Hannah, please listen to the doctor."
I yanked my hand away. How could he take their side? Didn't he understand what I'd lost?
The moment the doctor left, shaking his head in disapproval.
After Alexander and Ethan left to speak with the doctor, I turned to Fiona. "I need your help."
Her perfect lips curved into a slight smile. "Anything, Hannah."
"Do you still have those contacts? The ones who helped with... other matters?"
She nodded, understanding immediately. "Yes, but... are you thinking what I think you're thinking?"
"I want her run out of Moonhaven for good," I said, my voice dropping to a whisper despite the private room. "Everyone knows once you leave the four packs' territories, you become a Rogue wolf with no protection. She'll never be allowed to set foot in Moonhaven again. Let her wander the outside world alone, just like the worthless Omega she is."
Fiona leaned closer, her golden-brown eyes filled with understanding.
"Whatever you decide to do, Hannah, I'm with you all the way. But you've just suffered a miscarriage... perhaps you should rest at home for a few days first? Your health matters too."
I felt a rush of warmth toward my stepdaughter. Always so thoughtful, so considerate—everything Tori had never been. Fiona truly was the daughter I deserved.
I followed Fiona's advice and spent the next week recovering at home.
Alexander, despite his usual business-first attitude, had arranged for one of Moonhaven's most skilled healing practitioners to visit daily.
By the seventh day, I felt renewed—physically, at least. The emptiness where my child had been remained, but it had hardened into resolve.
My body was healed; now it was time to act.
While Alexander was at work, I retrieved the piece of paper Fiona had slipped to me at the hospital. The number had no name attached—just ten digits scrawled in her elegant handwriting.
I dialed from the burner phone I'd purchased specifically for this purpose.
"We were wondering when you'd call," a deep voice answered on the second ring. No greeting, no introduction.
"I'm ready to proceed," I replied, matching his businesslike tone.
"The terms Fiona discussed still stand. Ten million moonstone, half now, half upon completion." He paused. "We're available whenever you need us. Just get the Omega out of school."
My grip tightened on the phone. "I'll handle that part. I just need to know you'll do what's necessary to make her leave Moonhaven permanently."
"We understand our role, Mrs. Price," the voice continued with cold efficiency. "We have contacts at the Moonhaven border patrol who can help. Once we grab her, we can slip her outside the boundary without raising alarms. Once she's beyond the barrier, she'll be officially marked as a Rogue wolf."
The casual calculation in his voice mirrored my own thoughts perfectly.
"I'll contact you when it's arranged," I said, ending the call.
I stared out the window at the manicured gardens of the Price estate. Soon, very soon, I would avenge my precious baby.
Tori would pay for taking my child from me.
---
I parked near Moonridge High School at dismissal time, watching waves of students exit the building.
My fingers drummed impatiently on the steering wheel as minutes ticked by with no sign of Tori.
Just as I was beginning to wonder if she'd somehow slipped past me, my phone rang.
It was Victoria, one of my socialite friends.
"Hannah! Are you coming to Moonlight Downs today? They've added a special race with those new thoroughbreds from the Eastern territories," she gushed. "The odds are fantastic!"
My heart quickened with anticipation.
During my week of recovery, I'd discovered that betting on the races provided both distraction and profit. I'd already won nearly five million moonstones, and the thrill of watching my chosen horses cross the finish line first had become almost addictive.
"I'm just—" I began, then stopped as I finally spotted her emerging from a side entrance.
Silver-gray eyes, slim figure, that perpetual look of defiance. Tori.
"I'll be there shortly," I told Victoria, my eyes never leaving my target. "Save me a spot in the VIP section. I have a quick errand to run first."
When she passed near my car, I rolled down the window. "Tori."
She froze, her body tensing like a wild animal sensing danger. "Hannah? What are you doing here?"
"Get in. I have information about your father."
Her eyes widened, suspicion battling with desperate curiosity. "My father?"
"I've decided it's time you knew the truth. But not here."
Tori hesitated, taking a step back from the car. "Why the sudden change of heart? After all these years of keeping it secret?"
I forced my lips into what I hoped resembled a regretful smile. "Let's just say recent events have made me... reevaluate certain decisions."
"I don't trust this," she said, crossing her arms. "You could tell me right here."
"Fine," I snapped, feigning irritation. "Walk away. This is your only chance, Tori. I won't offer again. The truth about your father dies with me, and you can spend the rest of your life wondering."
I put the car in drive, making a show of preparing to leave.
"Wait," she called, her voice tight with frustration.
I watched the internal struggle play across her face—the desperate need to know warring with her instinctive distrust of me.
Finally, need won out. She yanked open the passenger door and slid in beside me.
"This better not be another one of your games," she muttered.