Chapter 72: Find out the Truth 1
The prison visitation room is colder than Adrian expects.
A thick glass wall separates visitors from inmates, with only a telephone connecting both sides.
Adrian sits in silence, clenching and unclenching his fists. A few moments later, the metal door on the other side opens.
Ronan strolls in wearing an orange prison uniform, wrists cuffed, looking far too relaxed for someone behind bars. The moment their eyes meet, a slow grin spreads across his face.
"Well," Ronan drawls as he picks up the receiver. "To what do I owe this honor?"
Adrian doesn’t waste a second. "How long?"
Ronan tilts his head innocently, like he hasn’t heard about how much chaos Moon-Crest has been in since those photos dropped.
"How long were you sleeping with Anna?"
"Oh... so that’s why you’re here." He leans back in his chair, looking thoroughly entertained. "You really do look heartbroken, though. Thought Anna said you’d moved on."
Adrian’s jaw clenches. "I’m asking one last time."
"Almost a year." Ronan hums thoughtfully. "But I think you already pieced that together, so tell me, Adrian, why are you really here?"
Adrian’s grip on the telephone tightens. Ronan is toying with him. And judging by the way he’s watching every tiny reaction with obvious satisfaction--he’s enjoying it.
"You know what’s funny?" he says after a beat. "She was the one who came after me. It started after the inter-pack tournament welcome party last year."
He chuckles at the memory. "My friends and I were outside praying before heading home when she walked over." He shrugs. "I wasn’t even interested at first, but she was very persistent."
Adrian remembers that night so damn well. The way Anna had disappeared for almost thirty minutes, then came back with those puppy eyes that used to make his knees go weak, claiming she’d been lost.
But she wasn’t. She’d been with fuckass Ronan.
And for some reason, Adrian doesn’t doubt Ronan when he says she came onto him. The pattern is clear as day as the pieces slide into place.
Anna has a type. Ronan clearly is a strong combat fighter, same as his cousin. In fact, he and Dorian used to argue over who was the best cub fighter back when they still lived here.
It makes him wonder if there are more.
If during all those out-of-pack games he usually took Anna to, she also slept around with other Alphas then. Just the thought of it makes him want to puke.
Ronan watches Adrian lean closer, the anger still evident in those silver eyes.
"If Anna was your target from the start, then why the hell did you go after my mate?" His voice drops. "Why did you order Nyra drugged during that party?"
For the first time since entering the room, Ronan’s smile fades. He studies Adrian quietly, then smiles again.
"You know, it’s funny. You came here asking about Anna, but somehow you ended up talking about your mate." He hums, lacing his fingers together. "I can see why Anna almost went crazy."
"Answer my question, and stop playing, Ronan." Adrian snaps.
Ronan looks like this visit is the best thing that has happened since he’s been locked up. "I could answer your question." He drums his fingers lazily against the table. "But I won’t."
"Then why the fuck are you wasting my time!?" Adrian stands impatiently, his chair screeching against the tile as he does.
The elderly visitor and police officers glare at him for the noise, while Ronan just chuckles at the sound, pointing back at the telephone.
Adrian frowns and snatches it up, his nails scraping against the wooden table.
"Just know one thing." Ronan’s whisper reaches him when he presses it against his ear. "I don’t regret a single second I spent with Anna."
His expression softens in a way Adrian never expects. "I actually fell for her. And unlike you, I’m ready to care for her."
The words only fuel Adrian’s anger. "Then answer this if you care... Are you the father of her baby?"
Ronan’s smile disappears. For several long seconds, he simply stares at Adrian through the glass.
He doesn’t deny it, doesn’t accept it either. Just stares until Adrian finally snaps and slams the telephone back into its cradle.
Just then, his phone vibrates inside his pocket. He tears his gaze away long enough to check the screen.
Dad. One missed call, and a single text message:
«The DNA results are ready. Come to the mansion immediately.»
Adrian slowly lowers the phone, his pulse pounding in his ears. Whatever happens next is about to change everything.
---
Nyra sits curled up on Julian’s couch, a mug of untouched tea warming her hands.
Julian and Elena sit across from her, watching her with obvious concern.
"So?" Julian asks. "Any updates?"
Nyra shakes her head. "They’re... doing the DNA test."
"And?"
"That’s all I know. We’re supposed to get the results today."
The room falls quiet. Neither of them pushes her to say more; they can tell she’s exhausted.
Then her phone rings: Mom.
Nyra frowns. Her parents never call her first. They don’t even pick up her calls when she does.
She answers cautiously. "Hello?"
Her mother’s voice is shaky. "Nyra! Have you seen Anna?"
Nyra blinks. No pleasantries, no acknowledgment. Okay.
"No."
"We thought she’d come home after leaving Adrian’s condo, but she never did." Her father takes over the call. "She’s pregnant, Nyra. We don’t know where she is."
Her mother’s voice breaks again. "Please call your sister. Tell her we’ll fix everything. Tell her you’ll convince Adrian to let her stay with him again. She’ll listen to you."
Julian raises an eyebrow from across the room, as the phone is on loudspeaker and they can hear every word.
Her parents continue without remorse. "Please, Nyra. You’re her sister. She just made a mistake. Adrian can forgive her again, right?"
"Do you even care about me at all!?" Something inside Nyra finally snaps, her knuckles tightening from how tightly she’s gripping the phone.
"Anna, Anna, is that all you care about? You don’t even care if I’m okay... Am I not your child too!?"
Neither of them even tries to correct her.
"I’m done." Nyra laughs bitterly. "If Anna needs help, that’s between her and the people she hurt. And don’t ever ask me to sacrifice myself for her again."
She hangs up before they can answer, not like they were going to. And then, without a second thought, blocks both of their numbers.
The room falls silent.
Julian reaches over and squeezes her shoulder. "You did the right thing, standing up for yourself."
Before Nyra can answer, another notification appears on her screen.
Luna Selene.
«The DNA results are ready. Please come to the Blackwood mansion immediately.»