Chapter 160 Death Settles All Debts

Chapter 160 Death Settles All Debts
Aria's POV

The day of Ava's funeral arrived under a somber sky. As sunset approached, I found myself standing at the edge of the Sterling Pack cemetery, watching the final preparations being completed around her grave.

The ceremony was smaller than I'd expected, but somehow more meaningful because of it. Ava lay surrounded by white lilies and moonflowers, their pale petals glowing softly in the fading light. The entire time, I couldn't shake one question that kept circling in my mind.

How could Cecilia do this?

I watched Marcus's mother standing beside the grave, her eyes dry but gentle as she listened to Rowan speak about Ava's journey to the Moon God. This was the same woman whose husband had betrayed her, whose family had been torn apart by scandal. Yet here she was, ensuring Ava received a dignified burial.

After the ceremony, as mourners began to disperse, Cecilia approached me. Her composure was perfect, but I caught something softer in her expression.

"You look confused," she said quietly.

I hesitated, then decided on honesty. "I just... I can't understand how you could give her this. A proper funeral, respect. You're his mate."

Cecilia's lips curved in a sad smile. "I've been thinking about love lately, Aria. Real love, not the fantasy we tell ourselves when we're young."

"What do you mean?"

"Love, at the end of the day, comes down to conscience," she said, watching as Rowan placed a single moonflower on Ava's casket. "Ava is gone. Death settles all debts. I don't want to become the kind of person who kicks someone when they're already in the ground."

I stared at her, not entirely sure I understood. "Thank you," I said finally.

She shook her head. "You young people, your love stories are just beginning. You'll understand someday what it really costs." Her eyes found Marcus across the cemetery. "And what it's really worth."

Two weeks passed in a blur of work and caring for Sophia. I'd almost managed to push the funeral - and Marcus - from my mind when my phone rang.

"Hello, Aria." Isabella's voice was sickeningly sweet. "I hope you're having a lovely day."

My hand tightened on the phone. After everything that had happened, I'd thought she might leave me alone. "What do you want, Isabella?"

"I want you to come to the square today. My mate Marcus is going to propose to me, and I'd love for you to witness it." Her tone was pure venom disguised as sugar. "You're not scared, are you?"

Every instinct told me to hang up, to stay away. But as I stared at my reflection in the window, something crystallized in my mind. I was tired of running, tired of being the victim in Isabella's twisted games. More than that, I realized I needed this. I needed to see him choose her, once and for all. Only then could I truly let go of whatever foolish hope still flickered in my chest.

"I'm not afraid of anything you can do," I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

She laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Perfect. I'll be waiting. Don't be a coward now."

The line went dead. I sat there for a moment, my wolf stirring restlessly. This wasn't about proving anything to Isabella. This was about proving something to myself - that I could face the final closing of this chapter and walk away whole.

I found myself getting dressed carefully, choosing jeans and a soft sweater that made me feel confident without trying too hard. If this was going to be the end, I'd meet it with dignity.

The square was packed when I arrived. Christmas decorations sparkled overhead, and families milled around with shopping bags and warm drinks. It would have been beautiful if my stomach wasn't twisting into knots.

I spotted Isabella immediately. She stood near the fountain wearing a flowing white dress that made her look ethereal in the winter light. Her ice-blue eyes found mine across the crowd, and she smiled like a predator.

Then I saw Marcus.

He approached slowly, his expression unreadable. Even from a distance, I could see the tension in his shoulders, the reluctance in every step. He didn't want to be here.

"Marcus!" Isabella's voice carried across the square. "You're looking everywhere except at me."

My breath caught as he pulled out a small velvet box. This was really happening. But instead of moving toward Isabella, he began walking in my direction. The crowd seemed to part around him, and suddenly I couldn't move, couldn't breathe.

Our eyes locked across the distance, and what I saw there sent my heart into a violent, thunderous rhythm. Raw confusion, aching longing, and something that looked dangerously close to desperation.

"What are you doing?" Isabella's voice cracked as she rushed forward, grabbing Marcus's arm. "I'm the one you're supposed to propose to! I've been with you for five years. Five years, Marcus! I helped you deal with Felix, never asked for anything in return except for you to love me."

Marcus stopped, the ring box still clutched in his hand. For a moment that lasted forever, he looked between Isabella and me. I could see the war playing out in his expression - duty versus desire, obligation versus his heart.

My chest tightened as I watched him struggle. Part of me wanted to call out to him, to tell him to choose what his heart wanted. But I stayed silent, knowing this decision had to be his alone.

Finally, he turned to Isabella. His movements were mechanical as he took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger.

"I love you," Isabella cried, tears streaming down her face. She threw her arms around him, but over her shoulder, Marcus's eyes found mine again.

The pain hit me like a physical blow. I'd thought I was prepared for this moment, thought seeing it would somehow set me free. Instead, it felt like watching the last star go out in my sky. But at least now I knew. At least now I could stop wondering, stop hoping.

Isabella pulled back from Marcus's embrace and looked directly at me, triumph blazing in her ice-blue eyes. The message was clear: he chose me.

I needed to leave. Now. Before I completely fell apart in front of everyone.

But as I turned to go, a hand caught my wrist.

"Where are you going?"

I froze.