Chapter 36
Aragon
too busy, 100 preoccupied with work, or just needed Over the next few days, I didn’t bother vishing Sapphire. I told myself it was because I was too busy, 100 space. But the innh was, I regretted my decision not to see her as soon as I realized she was avoiding me. She didn’t eat with us, didn’t stay in the same room if I was there, Netthan I blamed her, I’d been amass to her.
I kept telling myself that I was better off without her and that I would not be with her because we had so much history between us harder to de ilu
but it was g
it was getting
I had no one but myself to blame for how things had turned out. Every time I saw her fleeting form slipping down the hall or heard the soft click of her door closing before I could catch her, a sharp pang of frustration stabbed at my chest. I wanted to apologize, but I wasn’t sure she’d even listen.
I abandoned her at the hospital when 1 should have made sure she was okay.
I heard chantering as I walked out of my office into the main area. Her laughter caught my ear, and I turned to see her taking with Leah. They were standing close, deep in conversation, and both of them looked genuinely relaxed. I was a rare sight, and for a second. Falmost didn’t want so interrupt. But then I saw the way Sapphire’s eyes sparkled, the way her shoulders had lost their usual tension, and I felt something twist inside me.
She was only this say around Leal. –
“Sapphire.” I called. Both of them turned to look at me, but she merely glanced at me before resuming her talk with Leah, completely ignoring me. 1 Afelt my irritation flare. “Sapphire, come with me.”
She didn’t even flinch. “I’m in the middle of something,” she said, s facing Leah.
My blood boiled from the nonchalant way she was handling this. I wanted that fire back in her eyes when she looked at me, the one that normally screamed of horred and indifference
1 growled, stepping closer. “Now, Sapphire.
She turned to face me, her expression bored almost amused. “Thave things to do,” she said simply, turning back to Leah. “Til catch you later
Leah gave me a scathing look, her eyes practically burning a hole through me as she turned on her heel and walked away with Sapphire. I started to more after them, but Marcel suddenly cleared his throat, and I Froze
Thadn’t even noticed him standing by the doorway when I came in. He was good a blending in, but right now, he looked anything but invisible. His face was tight with anger, his fists clenched at his sides. “Teed to talk to you.” he said before turning and heading toward my office
Ibesitated for a moment, my eyes following Sapphire’s retreating form, but Marcel’s tense posture told me this convenation wasn’t one I could afford to put off. With a sigh Eburned and followed him, closing the door behind us.
He paced back and forth in front of my desk, his usually calm demeanor replaced with something bordering on fury. I locked the door and crossed my arma, leaning against it. “What’s going on. Marcel?
He stopped tumed to face me, and shook his head, exhaling sharply. “You are the problem,” he snapped.
I blinked, taken aback. “Me? What did –
He cut me off. “I was willing to overlook the fact that you didn’t come by to see Sapphire for one day, but after finding out what Millicent did to her, you still haven’t punished her? That bitch is the reason your mate was in the pack’s hospital and you look like you don’t give a shit,”
I felt my stomachiwist “Marcel, I
But he wasn’t finished. He slammed two pictures onto my desk, his expression dark. “Look at these.” he said.
I glanced down at the photos, squinting at them. The first showed someone lying crumpled on the ground, bruised but not too badly. The second was far worse, a person beaten to a pulp, barely recognizable. I felt a chill run down my spine. “What what is this?”
His eyes bore into mine. That was Sapphire before and after she met you,” he said quietly. “Look at what she’s gone through. Her father wasn’t the father of the year that you thought he is,”
I stared at the images, my mind reeling. “I didn’t know I stammered, trying to find the right words, but nothing seemed adequate.
He leaned closer, his face inches from mine. “I am disappointed in you,” he said softly, but with a deadly calm that sent a shiver through me. “You’ve ler Millicent get away with hurting her, and you’ve done nothing. If you aren’t going to do something about it, then I will”
His words struck me like a physical blow. I opened my mouth to defend myself, to say that I was handling things, but the truth was, I hadn’t done anything. Thadn’t even spoken to Millicent since I found out. I’d let it slide because why? Because she was my fiancéet
“I didn’t think it was that serious,” I finally managed to say, my voice sounding weak even to my own cars.
His eyes widened in disbelief. “Not that serious?” he repeated incredulously. “You saw the pictures! This isn’t just some petty rivalry or misunderstanding. This is abuse, and you’re letting is happen under your nose.”
felt a flare of defensiveness, “I didn’t know it was this bad,” I shot back. “Millicent she said she didn’t mean for it to get that far.”
Marcel’s expression twisted with disgust. “And you believed her! Just like that?”
I clenched my jar. “What do you want me to do, Marcel Break off my engagement!”
He didn’t even hesitate. “Yes,” he said finnly. “If it means protecting Sapphire, yes. Or at the very least, make Millicent fire some consequences Show her that you won’t tolerate this behavior.
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I looked away, feeling the weight of has words sink in. “I’ll talk to Millicem,” Immuntered, though it felt like a weak promise even to me.
scoffed. “Talking isn’t enough. You need to act. If you don’t. I will. I won’t stand by and watch you let her suffer any longer.”
I looked up, meeting his eyes, and for the first time, I realized just how serious he was. There was no hint of hesitation in his gaze, no room for negotiation. He was ready to take matters into his own hands #f1didn’t.
“Fine.” I said quietly, feeling a knot of fear twist in my stomach. “1 handle in.”
“You’d better,” he replied, his voice low and threatening
