Chapter 20 Meanwhile , at the Lopez's house , Evenly sat on the couch , tears streaming down her face . 52 % 55 vouchers Her husband was beside her , trying to console her . Across from them , their daughter Gloria and Tracy , Amelia's best friend sat in silence , pain etched into their expressions . " How could he do this to my daughter ? " Evenly cried , her voice cracking . " She was just laid to rest today , and he couldn't even let her soul rest in peace before announcing his relationship with Sofia ! " The pain seared through her chest like a knife . Evenly felt like she was dying inside . She could have endured Amelia choosing another man , even if they hadn't approved of him - as long as she was alive and happy . But now , knowing her daughter would never return , that she was truly gone ... She sobbed harder , her heart shattering all over again . " You should stop crying , " Greg muttered quietly . " Your tears won't bring her back ." Evenly's body went stiff . Her hands clenched into fists as she stood abruptly , rage exploding in her chest . " You're really saying that ? " she screamed . " This is your fault ! She's dead because of you ! If you hadn't punished her so harshly for marrying Aiden , if you'd just let her stay here with us , she would still be alive ! But no ! You drove her away . You killed her ! " Her voice echoed through the house . Veins popped from her forehead , her face red and swollen from hours of crying . Her eyes were bloodshot , her entire body trembling with grief and fury . Greg said nothing . He simply stared at her , guilt etched deep into every line of his face . " Mom , please ... you have to calm down , " Gloria said gently , rising to touch her . But Evenly yanked her arm away and turned on her . " And you ! You're no different from your father ! " she spat . " You're just as much to blame . You both killed her ! " With that , she stormed out of the house . Tracy stood quickly and followed behind . Outside , Evenly stood silently , staring into the distance . Her mind drifted back to Amelia waving goodbye before she left . If only she'd known . If she'd known her daughter would never return ... she never would have let her go . The guilt crushed her . " Aunt Evenly ," Tracy said softly , wrapping her arms around her from behind . " You have to stop crying . I'm sure Amelia wouldn't want to see you like this ," she whispered , her voice shaking . Tears welled in her eyes , but she tried to hold them back . She didn't want to break down . If she cried , Mrs. Evenly would only cry harder , But she couldn't hold it anymore . The grief burst out of her in uncontrollable sobs . She had loved Amelia more than words could explain . She'd known her since they were little . Amelia was everything , her best friend , her sister , her constant . And now she was gone . 1/3 Mon , 13 Uct Chapter 20 The pain was unbearable . " This hurt ... it'll never go away , " Tracy cried . " Not now , not ever . Especially knowing she was pregnant . " ༥ . 52 % E 55 vouchers She couldn't understand how someone could be so heartless , how they could kill Amelia and her unborn child . The cruelty of it twisted her insides . " They killed Eva , and now Amelia too , " she wept . " How could they be so cruel ? I curse whoever had a hand in her death ! " Evenly turned to Tracy and wrapped her in a tight hug . They held each other , sobbing until the storm of grief began to subside . " Come , Aunt ... let's go back inside ," Tracy whispered , her voice raw . But then Tracy heard a low growl . Tracy froze . She turned toward the woods across the road . Red eyes . She saw them , briefly , glaring from within the trees . And then ... nothing . The eyes were gone , but the feeling remained . They were being watched . A chill ran down her spine . " Let's go inside , " she said firmly , gripping Evenly's hand and leading her back into the house . Meanwhile , in the woods ... A massive wolf stood silently beneath the shadow of a tree , watching the Lopez house from afar . Aiden . In his wolf form . He stared at Tracy and Evenly as they clung to each other , crying . His chest ached with guilt . They would blame him forever . And maybe they should . Especially after what he'd done , announcing his engagement like that . It was unforgivable . He let out a low whimper . Then he turned , slinking deeper into the woods . His paws carried him to the place where they had found Amelia's body . The blood was still there , dried into the ground . He lowered his snout and sniffed . Her scent still lingered . A broken , anguished howl tore from his throat , echoing through the night . The sound was raw , primal . A cry of pain that shook the trees . Suddenly he heard a rustling behind him . He spun , teeth bared , growling fiercely ... until he saw James . James stood still , hands raised , a bag clutched in one of them . 2/3 GP . 15:50 Mon , 13 Oct AG ཊཱི 52 % Chapter 20 55 vouchers Aiden growled again , louder this time , baring his fangs . But James immediately dropped his head in submission . He knew better . Aiden let out another low growl before shifting back to his human form . Sweat covered his skin . His expression was hollow . James exhaled in relief and quickly stepped forward , offering the clothes he'd brought . " How did you know I was here ? " Aiden asked , pulling on the trousers and buttoning them . " I just knew , " James said . " You're still mourning her . I knew where you'd go . I also heard the howl . The whole pack did ." He handed Aiden the shirt . Once dressed , Aiden began walking . James followed , silently . Soon , they reached Amelia's grave . Aiden stared down at it , eyes dark with pain . His fists clenched at his sides , his jaw tight . Then suddenly ... he paused . He sniffed the air . His expression changed . " What's wrong ? " James asked , noticing the shift in Aiden's posture . " I don't know . But ... it doesn't smell like her here . " James sighed heavily . " Oh , so now you're saying she's not the one in the grave ? " He shook his head . " Aiden ... I know you're hurting, and I know you'll believe anything just to think she's still alive . But she's gone . She's really gone . " Aiden didn't respond . James continued , quietly . " Before she was buried , her body was treated with chemicals . They cleaned the blood , removed the child from her womb ... covered the scent . That's why it doesn't smell like her . " Aiden nodded slowly , eyes still on the grave . After a long silence , he turned and walked away . James wa art heavy . 3/3