Chapter 50 food when I was locked away. She stood between me and Alaric's lists more times than I could count. If not for her... I wouldn't have survived.. "Truly," I added, my fingers tightening around the bowl. "I'm still alive because of you." Her eyes welled up, but she smiled gently. Then, after a pause, she whispered. "Miss Riley... maybe you should run. Tonight. Slip away while they're distracted." Her words hit like a gust of wind through my already cracked defenses. Fora split second, I wanted to say yes. Gods, I wanted to say yes. But then Nyra stirred inside me. "Run?" her voice was faint, almost a sigh. "You've run enough. We both have. You know what must be done." I exhaled slowly and looked back at Mia. "I can't," Her face crumpled. "Why not? You don't owe them anything. You- Her voice broke. "You don't know what he did while you were unconscious. I didn't need to ask. I already knew.) Nyra's presence pulsed gently in my chest, coiled but aware, She never truly slept-not when danger was near. Mia tried to keep her voice calm. "They dragged you out of the hospital bed, Riley. The wound on your shoulder split open. You bled through your gown, and he still forced you into the car like you were a sack of grain." I swallowed hard. Nyra growled softly in the back of my mind. "Cowards. Bastards. They will pay, Riley. I'll make sure of it." I forced a smile onto my lips. "Maybe marrying into the Stormridge won't be so bad." Mia stared at me, horror on her face. "You can't mean that." "I don't, I whispered. But she and her daughter were the only two people in the world I cared about. And I knew one thing as long as they remained within Alaric's reach, I would never be free. So I had to stay. I had to play along until I had what I needed. One million credits. That was the bride price. Enough to get Mia and her daughter out of the country, They were my weakness. My soft spot. If they stayed, the Vales would always have a chain around my neck. "I should eat this before it gets soggy," I said, changing the subject and shoving a mouthful of noodles into my mouth before Mia could argue. She watched me, sadness etched into every line of her face. Late the entire bowl-soup and all. When she left with the empty dish, my smile dropped instantly. I sat in the silence and made a silent vow. "Just a little longer, Mu. Hang on. Once I get that money, I'll burn this house to the ground if I have to." The next seven days passed in uneasy calm. Chapter 50 I barely left my room except to eat. I avoided everyone else like the plague. Even Scarlett, for once, kept her distance. But I knew it couldn't last. That morning, after brushing my hair and slipping on something simple, I opened my bedroom door and nearly ran face- first into Zara. She was smiling. Too widely. Too fake. n her hands was a glossy shopping bag- 1 froze. "What do you want?" Zara kept her tone light, sugary sweet. "I just wanted to give you something. A gift." She held up the bag like it was the moon itself. "I had this dress specially picked for you. For tonight." I didn't take it. "I'm not in the mood for charity, Zara, Just say what you want and go." The fake smile twitched. "Riley, do we really have to keep fighting? I'm still your mother." I let out a sharp. humorless laugh. "You're my mother now? Since when? When you ignored me in the storage room? When you let your husband beat me bloody?" "Don't you want to try on the dress?" she asked weakly. "Let me be a mother to you, just once?" "Why now?" I snapped. "What's so special about tonight? Wait-let me guess. There's a banquet. Some public event where you want me to show up like a good little daughter, arm candy for the Stormridge heir." Her silence was answer enough. I stepped back and crossed my arms. "If you really cared, you'd give me money. I could buy my own dress. Something I actually like. But no, you want me to wear your pick, smile on cue, and impress your precious guests." "You think I want to sell you off?" she whispered, eyes welling with tears on command. "Yes," I said bluntly. That's exactly what you're doing." "I'm trying to help," she pleaded. "You're trying to look like you care. But you don't. You never have." I could see it in her eyes-guilt and shame fighting for dominance, "Let me guess," I said. "The banquet's tonight, right? The Stormridge prince will be there, and you want me to dazzle him with my charming personality?" "Riley... "Save it," I cut in, stepping forward. "We both know I don't have a choice. You want me to go because you think it'll make you look good. And if I refuse, you'll find a way to punish me." She said nothing. That silence told ine everything. Nyræstirred again, her voice low and lethal. "Let me out, Riley. Let me speak through you. Let me show them what a real Alpha looks like" "Not yet," I whispered back. "Soon" Zara tried to smile again, but I could see the cracks. "You've always wanted to be accepted," she said gently. "Maybe tonight's your chance." Chapter 50 "Maybe," I murmured, reaching for the door. "Riley- "Don't worry." I said without looking back. "I'll wear the damn dress." And I will. Because when I burn this family to ash, I want them all dressed for the occasion. Send Gifts