Chapter 119 119

Chapter 119 119
LYKA

Derrick was terrifyingly difficult to read when he wanted to hide something. His face remained cold and controlled even when his emotions were in chaos.
I had already gotten used to that frustrating trait of his.
“What are you saying?” Zuri asked, visibly surprised by his response. “Are you trying to say you don’t mind me telling Lyka everything I know about that night?”
There was clear disbelief in her voice.
She hadn’t expected Derrick to react this way.
“Go ahead,” Derrick replied firmly. “Tell her. I’m also curious to hear what exactly you think you know.”
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Even Zuri looked caught off guard by his answer.
“Don’t blame me for being cruel then,” she huffed before turning toward me dramatically. “You know how I always teased Alpha about the former Luna, right?”
The moment those words left her mouth, something inside me tightened.
I could already tell where this conversation was heading.
And suddenly… I didn’t want to hear it anymore.
The confidence I had moments ago disappeared instantly, replaced by a strange uneasiness creeping beneath my skin.
What if whatever she said ruined everything?
What if hearing the truth changed the way I looked at Derrick?
No.
I didn’t want that.
“Don’t tell me,” I blurted out suddenly.
Both of them froze.
“I don’t want to know.”
The words came out louder than I intended, fueled more by fear than confidence.
Because deep down, I already knew something important.
Sometimes ignorance was safer.
And whatever Zuri was preparing to say… I had a feeling I wouldn’t like it.
Still, I couldn’t help feeling slightly satisfied when I saw the irritation flash across her face.
She must have been furious.
“What are you doing?” Zuri snapped incredulously. “Are you crazy?”
I didn’t even bother sparing her a glance.
Honestly, why would I waste my energy listening to whatever nonsense she wanted to spew?
“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” I said smoothly, finally looking at her with a fake apologetic smile. “Seeing how eager you were to tell me all these things.”
My voice turned colder.
“But unfortunately, I don’t think I’m interested in your stories right now. I have somewhere more important to be.”
Without giving her another chance to speak, I grabbed Derrick by the arm and dragged him away immediately.
I didn’t stop walking until we reached the hallway inside the mansion.
Only then did I finally let go of his hand.
The entire walk back, Derrick remained silent.
Painfully silent.
The tension around him was suffocating.
“I don’t think you should have meddled,” he finally said quietly.
I blinked at him in surprise.
That was the first thing he chose to say?
Honestly, what was I supposed to do with this man?
I sighed heavily.
“What exactly were you two arguing about?” I asked, genuinely curious now. “You looked ready to confess everything earlier.”
Derrick looked away briefly before speaking.
“Are you curious?” he asked coldly. “Then maybe you should have let her tell you.”
His jaw tightened.
“I don’t think what I would’ve said would’ve been any different from hers.”
I stared at him carefully.
He was definitely hiding something.
I couldn’t understand why he was so determined to keep secrets from me, but fine. If he didn’t want to speak, then I would simply find out myself eventually.
“Forget about them,” I said dismissively. “What we were discussing earlier in the room... ”
“I’m going to find a way to get this thing out of me,” he interrupted immediately. “But for the time being... ”
I cut him off before he could finish.
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” I snapped, glaring at him. “Did you seriously think I was going to allow that?”
His eyes darkened slightly.
“And you think I can live peacefully knowing I’m a threat to your life?” he asked bitterly. “Don’t tell me what to do, Lyka.”
His voice cracked slightly beneath the frustration.
“I’m going to find a solution. So please… let me handle this.”
Then his gaze softened painfully.
“And you should focus on figuring out how to run away from me.”
The words stabbed directly into my chest.
Before I could respond, he blinked slowly, avoiding my gaze entirely as he turned around.
And then he walked away.
I stood there silently, watching his retreating figure disappear farther down the hallway. For the first time, I noticed how heavy his steps looked.
How slumped his shoulders were.
How exhausted he truly seemed.
The sight made my chest ache.
I rubbed my jaw in frustration.
“What am I supposed to do with you, old man?” I muttered under my breath.
A sigh escaped me as I turned and began walking back toward my room, countless thoughts spiraling through my mind at once.
Phoenix.
Zuri.
Sheila. The former Luna.
Everything was becoming too complicated too quickly.
But just as I reached my door... I froze.
Someone was standing there.
Waiting.
The moment my eyes landed on the figure, my breath caught sharply in my throat.
“You?” I whispered in shock.
Fear immediately crawled through my veins, making my fingers tremble uncontrollably.