Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Adrian Stuart's POV

Zoe's face turned ashen. She staggered forward and collapsed into my arms.

"I'm sorry, Adrian! It just hurts so much. And the doctor told me this wound is going to scar. When I heard that, my mind went completely blank..." Her voice grew smaller as she sobbed.

"Where did you go just now? Is it because you know I'll be ugly, so you want to leave me?"

I felt nothing but irritation.

Yes, she looked pitiful right now, but the fact remained that she'd framed Iris. Under these circumstances, I simply couldn't comfort her with a clear conscience like I used to.

She seemed completely different from the person I'd thought she was.

She reached out and held me tighter.

"Do you know why I was willing to risk my life to save you back then?"

I'd been about to push her away, but at those words, I froze completely.

Years ago, I'd lain alone in those woods waiting to die. Just as my consciousness began to fade, I'd heard a wolf's howl.

That place had been crawling with rogue wolves. Anyone who came alone to save me must have possessed extraordinary strength and courage.

"I can't lose you, Adrian. Don't leave me, please?" She buried her face against my chest, her voice trembling.

In the end, I could only pat her shoulder.

No matter what, she had saved my life. I owed her far too much.

"Don't overthink it, Zoe. Just rest." My voice softened despite myself.

Watching her cry, I couldn't bring myself to be angry anymore.

"Adrian, then answer me properly—are you going to abandon me?" She lifted her head, tears brimming in her eyes.

I didn't want to hurt her, but I couldn't lie to her about something like this either.

"Rest for now. Healing that wound is what matters most." I told her as gently as I could.

The only thing I could do was make her my nominal sister, give her all the rights of a Stuart family member.

But she would never become my Luna.

As for the person I actually cared about...

Iris—would she still be willing to remain my Luna?

While Zoe wept, Iris's childhood face appeared unbidden in my mind. Back then, she used to visit Bloodridge Pack often, always finding different excuses to see my mother. I'd stay behind them, listening to the two of them chat about various topics.

Sometimes she'd run straight up to me and pour her heart out.

But at some point, she'd stopped telling me anything. That gentle smile had appeared on her face, and she'd started standing there gracefully, like all Alpha heirs were taught to do.

She was good at acting, but it made me realize something—a rift had opened between us.

Now, that rift had only grown wider.

Iris Bennett's POV

"So that's the situation. I need to know if my baby is still healthy." I sighed and gently touched my belly.

Silvermoon Pack's hospital was fully operational again, so the moment I woke up, I'd returned to Silvermoon Pack.

Amelia, worried about me, had insisted on doing the examination herself.

"I knew it—nothing good ever happens when Zoe's involved. She must have terrified you yesterday, didn't she?" She tapped angrily at her keyboard.

"Don't worry, Iris. The test results show you're fine. But you can't eat too many sweets, or you might develop problems in your third trimester."

"I understand, but I just... crave them." I lowered my head helplessly.

Especially when I was upset—I simply couldn't control myself.

"Sometimes you shouldn't keep all your emotions bottled up inside. One day they're going to explode." Amelia walked over and handed me a slice of frosted cake. My eyes immediately locked onto it.

"Eat this now—it'll make you feel a bit better. But you'll need to be careful after this."

I carefully speared a piece of cake with my fork and put it in my mouth. The soft sweetness improved my mood just slightly.

"Okay!" I nodded, my eyes crinkling with happiness.

"Alright, but there's something else I wanted to ask. I know the timing isn't great, but... how is Mrs. Stuart doing? Has she moved in with you two?"

"Yes." I didn't mind her asking. After all, no one was closer to me than Amelia.

"She still hasn't fully recovered. Her mental state is very fragile right now. The doctor thinks we shouldn't do anything to upset her until she's better."

In her eyes, Adrian and I were true soulmates. We had no choice but to keep up the loving act in front of her.

I didn't dare imagine what state she'd be in when we finally separated for real.

"So you're going to keep staying at Bloodridge Pack? Iris, I know her situation is bad, but you need to think about yourself too." Amelia sighed. She gripped my hand, her expression pained.

"I'm worried Zoe will hurt you. She wants to be Adrian's Luna so badly—she'll definitely find a way to force you out of that position."

"I know. Don't worry, I'll take care of myself." I patted the back of her hand.

Before yesterday, I'd realized Zoe wasn't as kind as she appeared, but I'd still thought she simply wanted me gone—that she wouldn't actually hurt me. I'd even imagined that as long as I honored our agreement, she'd happily see me off.

But yesterday's events had completely shattered those illusions.

Beneath that gentle, perfect exterior lurked a vicious heart.

I would still leave Adrian as I'd promised. But I wouldn't tolerate her continuing to hurt me. What did it matter if Adrian took her side?

"Don't be too naive, Iris. I heard Zoe's face is going to have a huge scar. Someone like her can't possibly not care about that." Amelia's eyes suddenly widened as she looked at me.

"She might very well blame it all on you. Please be careful, Iris."

"I will." I smiled at her.

Zoe's face flashed through my mind. From the moment she first tried to harm me, I'd been on guard.

"Besides, think about it—this time she tried to hurt me, but in the end, she only hurt herself, didn't she?"