Chapter 26
Not long after, Audrey woke up in the hospital, and Liam called for Tessa to come.
She quickly gathered a few things, hurrying to the hospital.
The first thing Audrey said when she opened her eyes was asking about Tessa.
“Tessa, where is she?”
Liam reassured her that Tessa would be there soon, and Audrey finally seemed to relax.
“Did you know? Tessa found a second mate… she found a second home.”
Her voice trembled, laced with tears.
Liam nodded, of course, he knew.
Audrey thought Liam seemed distant, like he didn’t care about his child.
But she didn’t know that Liam had sent many messenger wolves searching for Tessa’s whereabouts.
He was the kind of man who believed that saying something or not didn’t change anything.
When Tessa arrived, Audrey forced a weak smile.
Her pale face was overshadowed by hollow eyes.
It was the first time Tessa had seen Audrey so frail.
Her lips trembled, wanting to say something, but she held back.
Liam stood up and motioned for Tessa to sit down.
“Sit down, talk to your mom. She’s been waiting for you.”
Audrey struggled to sit up.
“Tessa, your father and I truly hope you can come back to us. Be our daughter again.”
Tessa lowered her head, silent,
She didn’t know what to say to her parents now.
Her hope, the hope that hadn’t been crushed on the first day, maybe had been shattered when she was five. Or perhaps it was when Audrey had given her that necklace on the day of the mating ceremony.
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It didn’t seem to matter anymore.
Tessa stayed silent for a long while before finally speaking.
“I’ve already forgiven you both, in my heart…‘
Both Liam and Audrey smiled, a long–forgotten smile, one that Tessa could tell was genuine.
“But I’m not going back.”
The smiles froze on their faces, and Audrey looked disappointed.
“Why? Are you still angry with us?”
Tessa raised her eyes to meet theirs.
“No, when I first saw you, I was angry, but now… I’m not angry anymore. It’s like after leaving, I’ve come to understand so much.”
“When I was young, I could never understand why you treated me and Chloe so differently, even though we were both your daughters.”
“At five, I started trying to be obedient, to be understanding, to make you happy.”
“No one can ask the little me from back then to forgive anyone now.”
“I’ve forgiven you, but I can’t forgive myself for being soft–hearted.”
Audrey’s eyes began to redden as she listened to her.
She thought back on the past, and there wasn’t a single day she didn’t hate herself.
“You don’t have to do this. I just want you to stay healthy, please don’t worry about me anymore.”
Audrey nodded, holding back tears.
“We respect your decision. The Bloodmoon Pack will always be your home. If you ever want to come back, you’re welcome anytime, okay?”
Tessa was silent for a moment before replying,
“Okay.”
Watching Tessa walk away, Audrey couldn’t hold it in anymore and collapsed into Liam’s arms, crying.
It felt like her heart was being torn apart like it was healed, but also not healed at all.
–
Tessa seemed so far away now, unreachable.
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After leaving the hospital, Tessa made arrangements for them on a cruise ship.
It made her feel a bit more at ease, knowing they would be leaving soon.
But Ryan, he refused to leave.
In the end, he even boarded the cruise ship with Audrey.
No matter how much she didn’t want it, Tessa couldn’t bring herself to argue with him anymore.
Later that night, Tessa accidentally ran into Ryan sitting alone, drinking in silence.
She didn’t approach him, but just as she turned to leave, Ryan called out to her.
“Tessa, I really love you.”
“Won’t you give me another chance?”
