Chapter 145: Both parties are at fault
Kieran hadn’t attended pack meetings. Hadn’t cared about politics while he was busy with the drug experimentation. Now he suddenly realised just how much he had missed. He looked up. "Where’s Killian?" he asked.
Estelle turned towards him with narrowed eyes. "You nearly scared Eloise to death, gave me several years’ worth of stress..." She crossed her arms. "...and the first thing you ask about is your brother." She sighed dramatically.
"Honestly... every one of my sons is a workaholic." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Definitely inherited that from Alexander."
"I heard he helped rescue everyone," Kieran replied calmly. "I wanted to make some inquiries."
That wasn’t why he wanted to see him. If anyone knew whether the arranged marriage was true... it would be Killian. Kaden wasn’t in the pack house but at the military base. Killian was the only one around handling pack affairs for Alexander, who was travelling because of his upcoming wedding.
There was still some resistance against the wedding. He had to take Aevia to Nyxoria’s head temple to prove the wedding wouldn’t be a curse on the pack. If Alexander was back and talking about marrying Yuki off, his trip must have been a success. He clicked his tongue. Nyxoria was partial to the Donovan sisters.
Eloise gently wiped her eyes before answering. "He went to visit the other victim. I heard she’s regained consciousness."
---
Several floors away, inside one of the hospital’s VIP suites, Killian stood near the foot of a hospital bed. The room was spacious and warmly furnished, overlooking the rain-soaked gardens below.
Fresh flowers lined the windowsill while expensive healing tonics, nutritional supplements and neatly wrapped gifts occupied an entire side table.
Near the window, the little boy from the accident sat happily on the floor, completely absorbed in the new gaming console Killian had arranged for him. His laughter filled the room.
On the bed, his mother looked considerably healthier than she had the previous night. Her complexion had regained some colour, although her left leg remained heavily bandaged after surgery. Beside her, her husband quietly peeled an orange.
"You saved my life." The woman looked at Killian gratefully. "If you hadn’t pulled me out before the explosion..." She shuddered. "I wouldn’t be here."
Killian gave a small nod. "I only did what anyone from Ravencourt should have done," he answered humbly.
"No." She smiled weakly. "You risked your own life."
Killian remained silent before gesturing towards his assistant. The man stepped forward, carrying a document folder.
"As for the accident..." Killian said evenly. "Your vehicle will be replaced."
The assistant opened the folder and presented a cheque. "An educational trust has also been established for your son."
The woman’s eyes widened. "In addition... the hospital expenses, rehabilitation and a professional caretaker throughout your recovery will all be covered," Killian mentioned.
The assistant placed the cheque into her husband’s trembling hands. One million. The couple stared at it speechlessly, stunned by the number of zeros. For average people like them, this was life-changing money.
"...Lord Killian..." Her voice trembled. "This is too much."
Killian shook his head. "It isn’t. My brother endangered your family. We intend to make things right," he insisted.
The woman hesitated before accepting it. "...Thank you." She bowed her head. "We’ll put everything behind us." After a brief pause, she added quietly, "I should apologise too."
Killian looked at her.
"I changed lanes without indicating. If I’d followed the road rules... this accident might never have happened." Her voice trembled as she spoke. She could have been killed for endangering the Alpha heir’s life by violating traffic rules, but Killian was here offering her compensation.
"I know." Killian offered a tired smile. "I’ve already reviewed the report." He glanced towards the little boy laughing with his new game. "The important thing... is that everyone survived."
Killian just wanted last night’s incident done with.
With that said, he excused himself. The moment the hospital door closed behind him, the smile disappeared from his face. Mental exhaustion settled over him like lead.
He loosened his tie as he wandered down the quiet corridor until a glass door leading towards the hospital’s small healing garden caught his eye.
Fresh air. That was all he wanted. He pushed the door open. Rain had stopped, leaving the garden washed clean beneath the afternoon sun.
Then a soft laugh drifted across the flowers. Killian froze. The sound tugged at something deep inside him. He slowly turned. Near the centre of the garden, beneath a blooming white magnolia tree, a young woman sat in a wheelchair.
She was laughing quietly at something Olivine had just said. Her long blonde hair stirred gently in the breeze. Her profile caught the sunlight. Killian’s breathing stopped. For a long moment... he simply stared.
...Yuki.
She was awake.
He had been swamped by Kieran’s accident and had no idea she was out of the coma. As if sensing someone’s gaze on her, Yuki glanced over, and their eyes met. Her laugh died instantly.
Killian stood there, unable to move. A part of him wanted to step forwards, but he’d rather not. What was he going to ask? How she was doing after the rejection?
He turned around to leave, barely taking a few steps away when a soft voice stopped him.
"Killian, why are you at the hospital?" Yuki’s voice rang behind him.
He glanced over his shoulder to see her approaching. Olivine was pushing her wheelchair. Her expression was serene, nothing like someone who had been rejected. If anything, she looked happier.
"I came to see someone," he said. "I can see you are up. Congratulations. I hope you get better soon."
Yuki smiled at him.
"Sure..." she chimed. "With the Ravencourt resources, I escaped death. Turns out rejecting three Alphas at once can take your life." She laughed casually about it, and Killian forced down a lump.
"By the way, I was given a new experimental drug that just passed testing. The results are astonishing. I was hoping you knew of the origins of the drug..." she asked, and Killian’s fist clenched. He was aware of its origin.
"There is no need to think about such little things. Take care," he said. Yuki smiled.
"I will," she replied, then paused before adding, "Also, thanks for convincing your brothers to reject me. I hope we stay out of each other’s way and you find your second-chance mate soon." She beamed, looking genuinely happy.
A bitter taste rose in his mouth.