Chapter 24

Chapter 24
|| CEDRIC's POV ||

The truth hit me hard, each detail sinking in like lead. I’d been wrong—so wrong—about Vanessa. I’d let my fears and anger consume me, had seen betrayal where there was only loyalty. As her blood healed over the wound she’d cut to prove her innocence, my heart dropped, heavy with guilt. She’d nearly fainted in her exhaustion, and I barely caught her in time. Holding her, seeing how drained she was, I felt a wave of shame so powerful I couldn’t breathe for a moment.

“Vanessa…” I whispered, my voice choked. But she didn’t respond, her body sagging in my arms as her eyes fluttered closed. I knew she was only resting, but the sight still twisted something deep inside me.

Without a word, I lifted her, cradling her gently as I carried her toward my chambers. Every step felt heavier, as if the weight of my mistakes was trying to drag me down, reminding me of how close I’d come to shattering everything between us. My mind raced with each step, replaying every accusation, every bitter word I’d thrown her way. I’d made her bleed to prove herself, and she’d done it—without hesitation, without blame. She’d been loyal, steadfast, and I… I’d been a fool.

Pushing the door to my room open, I laid her down on my bed, taking a moment to pull the blanket up to her shoulders, tucking her in as gently as I could. She looked so peaceful in sleep, her face softened by exhaustion. I brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, feeling an ache in my chest. “I’m sorry,” I murmured, though I knew she couldn’t hear me. “I don’t deserve your loyalty, Elnora.”

Standing by the bed, I watched her sleep for a moment longer, the silence thick around us. But I couldn’t afford to dwell on my mistakes right now—not with Vanessa resting, drained after everything she’d been through. I needed to act.

“Marco!” I called out, my voice echoing down the corridor. Within moments, he appeared in the doorway, his expression wary as his eyes darted from Vanessa to me.

“Yes, Cedric?” he asked, his voice quiet.

“She was innocent,” I said, the words tasting bitter as I spoke them aloud. “ Vanessa had nothing to do with the attack on my dragon.”

Marco’s eyes widened, shock and confusion flickering across his face. “But… the werewolf who was caught—he swore it was her.”

I clenched my jaw, anger boiling beneath the surface. “He lied,” I said, each word sharp as steel. “He lied, or someone forced him to lie. And I’ll bet everything it was Diego’s doing.”

Marco took a step back, the realization dawning on him. “You’re saying Diego orchestrated this?”

“Yes,” I replied, my voice tight with controlled fury. “He planted this lie to tear us apart, to make me doubt her. And I fell for it. I let him win.”

There was a moment of silence as Marco absorbed my words, his face darkening with anger. “What do you need me to do?”

“I want you to reopen the investigation. Start from scratch—question everyone who was there that day, every person who might have seen or heard anything. And track down the werewolf who made the accusation. I want to know why he lied, and I want to know who put him up to it.”

Marco nodded, his expression resolute. “I’ll get to the bottom of this, Cedric. I’ll make sure we find the truth this time.”

“Good,” I replied, my voice low. “I can’t let Diego get away with this. Not after everything he’s done.”

Marco hesitated, his gaze flicking to Vanessa, then back to me. “And… Vanessa?” he asked quietly. “Does she know you’re… does she know you regret what happened?”

I looked down at her, guilt gnawing at me. “She hasn’t heard it yet,” I admitted. “But she will. When she wakes up, I’ll tell her everything. She deserves that much.”

Marco nodded, his expression thoughtful. “All right. I’ll keep you updated as soon as I find anything.”

“Thank you, Marco,” I said, my voice softening. “This is important. I want every lead, every detail.”

Without another word, he left, the door closing quietly behind him. The room was silent again, and I was left alone with my thoughts. I returned to Vanessa’s side, pulling up a chair and settling beside her, watching her sleep. My hand found hers, and I held it gently, careful not to wake her. I owed her this moment of peace, a small comfort after all the pain I’d put her through.

“You were right,” I whispered, though I knew she couldn’t hear me. “You were right, and I was a fool. I doubted you, pushed you away… and you still chose to stay by my side.”

The words spilled out, each one heavy with the regret and shame I carried. “I don’t know how to make it up to you, Vanessa. But I swear, I’ll spend every day proving that I’m worthy of your loyalty.”

She stirred slightly, her fingers twitching in mine, but she didn’t wake. I let my thumb brush over the back of her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my touch. How could I have ever doubted her? How could I have let Diego’s lies turn me against her, make me see her as the enemy?

But I couldn’t afford to dwell on that now. What mattered was making it right, proving to her that I’d learned from my mistakes, that I’d never doubt her again. And I would start by finding out the truth, by ensuring that Diego paid for every lie, every scheme that he’d woven to drive us apart.

Hours passed, the room bathed in the soft glow of early morning light. I stayed beside her the whole time, watching her sleep, feeling the guilt gnawing at me with every breath she took. And as I sat there, a silent vow formed within me: I would protect her, guard her from whatever else Diego tried to throw our way. She had given everything for me, and it was time I did the same for her.

At last, she stirred, her eyelids fluttering open, and for a moment, she looked at me, her gaze soft and unfocused, before a flicker of recognition settled in. Her eyes held a mixture of weariness and confusion, and I could see the remnants of pain there, pain that I had caused.

“Cedric?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

I leaned forward, my hand tightening around hers. “I’m here, Vanessa,” I said, my voice gentle. “I’m here, and… I owe you an apology.”

She looked at me, her eyes searching mine, and I could see the questions there, the doubts she hadn’t voiced but had surely felt. “Apology?” she echoed softly.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice thick with regret. “I doubted you, Vanessa.I let my anger and fear cloud my judgment. I believed the worst when I should have trusted you. And I can’t… I can’t tell you how sorry I am for that.”

She was silent for a long moment, her gaze steady on mine, as if she were assessing the sincerity in my words. Then, slowly, she nodded, her expression softening just a little. “Thank you, Cedric,” she said quietly. “It… it means a lot to hear that.”

A wave of relief washed over me, though I knew this was only the beginning. I would have to work hard to rebuild the trust I’d nearly shattered. “I’ve already ordered Marco to reopen the investigation,” I told her, determined to show her my commitment. “He’s looking into everything, every detail. We’re going to find out who planted that lie, who made me doubt you.”

She nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Good,” she murmured, her voice weary but steady. “Because I want to see Diego pay for what he’s done. I want him to know that his lies couldn’t break us.”

I squeezed her hand, a fierce determination burning in my chest. “He will pay,” I vowed. “For everything. For every lie, every scheme. I won’t let him tear us apart again.”

Vanessa’s gaze softened, and she gave a small nod, as if finally reassured by my words. She let her head rest against the pillow, her eyes drifting closed once more. I stayed by her side, the weight of my guilt slowly giving way to resolve.

As she drifted off to sleep again, I knew that I had been given a second chance—a chance to be the partner she deserved, to prove my loyalty to her, j
ust as she had proven hers to me. And I wouldn’t waste it. Not this time.