Phoenix 83

Posted by ADMINHRADMIN, ? Views, Released on August 2, 2025

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Chapter 83: The Weight of Secrets

(Elena Blackwood’s POV)

I remained silent for half a minute, studying Marcus’s face carefully. His golden eyes held that familiar dangerous edge, but there was something else beneath the surface. Something I couldn’t quite identify

“What do you want to eat?” I asked in a calm tone. “I’ll make it.”

The words felt strange on my tongue. How long had it been since I’d offered to cook for him? Years, perhaps. Back when I still believed our mate bond meant something.

Marcus studied my face intently, as if searching for cracks in my composure. I kept my expression neutral, deliberately obedient. It was a facade, and we both knew it.

Instead of exposing my pretense, he pulled me into his arms.without warning. His scent surrounded me, that familiar mix of cedar and dominance that once made my heart race.

Now it only made me feel hollow.

In the Alpha’s Private Chamber, our mating was intense and desperate. Marcus’s hands roamed my body with practiced familiarity, claiming what he believed was his.

Yet I felt completely detached, as if watching from outside myself. My body responded to his touch through the mate bond, but my heart remained locked away.

I stared blankly at the ceiling above our bed, feeling nothing despite our physical connection. The ornate molding seemed more interesting than the Alpha moving above me.

This was what our relationship had become. Physical need without emotional intimacy. A hollow shell of what mates should be.

(Marcus Blackwood’s POV)

After a long time, I rolled away from Elena, my breathing still heavy. Something felt wrong, but I couldn’t pinpoint what.

“Make me the same lunch you used to prepare,” I said, watching her face for any reaction.

Elena sat up slowly, pulling the silk sheet around herself. “I don’t remember your tastes.”

Her words hit me like a physical blow. “What do you mean?”

“I never truly knew you,” she replied with devastating honesty. “I always relied on Catherine Hayes for Information about your preferences.

The admission stung more than I expected. Had I really been that distant? That unknowable?

“I’m not picky,” I said quietly, though the words felt inadequate.

Elena got up and began dressing, her movements efficient and emotionless. I watched her from the doorway as she headed toward the Moonhaven Kitchen.

Memories flooded back unbidden. Elena in that same kitchen years ago, her face bright with enthusiasm as she prepared my meals. Her sweet greetings when I returned home. Her eagerness to please me

Chapter 83 The Weight of

And

my

dismissive responses. My cold shoulders. My complete indifference to her efforts.

When had I started caring about the past? The pressure in my chest felt foreign, uncomfortable.

My phone rang, shattering the moment. Elena glanced back at me, and I saw recognition in her eyes. She knew who was calling before I even looked at the screen.

Sophia Rivers‘ name flashed on the display.

I walked to the window before answering, putting distance between Elena and this conversation,

“Marcus!” Sophia’s voice was distraught, bordering on hysterical. “Oliver fell and injured himself. He’s asking

for you.”

Annoyance flared in my chest. “How badly is he hurt?”

“He’s scared of the strangers here,” Sophia continued, her voice breaking. “He won’t let anyone near him

except me. He keeps crying for you.

I glanced back at Elena, who had turned away, deliberately avoiding my gaze. Her indifference was like a slap.

“I’m coming over,” I told Sophia, ending the call.

I returned to the kitchen, where Elena was already preparing ingredients. The domestic scene

after everything that had just happened.

Before I could speak, Elena asked without looking up. “Will you be staying for lunch?”

“I’ll be back later,” I said, though the words felt like a lie even to me.

urreal

Elena simply nodded, her expression unchanged. “I’ll eat the lunch I prepared. No point in wasting food.”

The casual dismissal stung. She didn’t care whether I stayed or left. The realization hit harder than i

expected.

I arrived at the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute to find Oliver withdrawn and scared in the

Recovery Ward. He huddled in the corner of his bed, flinching away from the nurses.

“He’s been like this since the fall, Sophia explained, her eyes red–rimmed, “The trauma from that incident with

the Elder Blackthorne Couple has made him afraid of strangers.”

I studied Oliver carefully. He was thin and pale, his small frame seeming even more fragile in the hospital

gown. Dark circles shadowed his eyes.

In contrast, Sophia looked radiant despite her supposed distress. Her skin glowed with health, her figure full

and well–nourished.

“How are you caring for him?” I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.

Sophia’s face flushed. “I do my best, but the stress of his condition-”

“He would be better off with me,” I interrupted. “Away from whatever is causing this deterioration.”

“Did the Elder Blackthorne Couple really push him?” I asked, studying her face. “The evidence was circumstantial at best.”

Sophia seemed nervous, her hands fidgeting with her sleeves. “Oliver, tell Marcus what happened.”

The boy looked between us, then nodded slowly. “They pushed me down the stairs.”

Chapter 23 The Woo

But something in his eyes didn’t match his words, Fear, yes, but not of the memory. Fear of disappointing his

mother

Til take him to the Blackwood Ancestral Manor,” I decided. He needs proper care.”

At the Blackwood Ancestral Manor, Margaret Blackwood and Victoria Blackwood were notably absent. Only Grace Burton and two Manor Staff members greeted us at the entrance,

“Mrs. Rivers,” Grace Burton said coolly, “the Blackwood family is already doing you a favor by taking Oliver in.

I hope you understand the boundaries.”

Sophia’s face reddened with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again, speechless.

I watched as Grace Burton gently led Oliver away, the boy clinging to a small comfort toy. He didn’t look back

at his mother.

1 should go.” Sophia said quietly.

I nodded, offering only a simple farewell. “Take care of yourself.”

(Elena Blackwood’s POV)

For three days, I didn’t see Marcus. He was presumably with Sophia and Oliver, playing the devoted father figure.

At the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute, Sophia deliberately sought me out. She cornered me near the Surgical Wing, her smile sharp as a blade.

Elena, do you mind Oliver’s presence in the Blackwood household?” she asked sweetly.

I looked up from my patient files, meeting her gaze directly. “I wouldn’t even mind if you yourself entered the Blackwood family.”

Sophia’s smile froze on her face. The barb had hit its mark.

“After all,” I continued casually, “it would save me the trouble of pretending to care about Marcus’s affairs.”

Sophia’s composure cracked slightly. She hadn’t expected such direct dismissal.

After completing a particularly complex surgery, I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. I barely made it to the

private washroom before vomiting.

This was unusual. I rarely felt sick after procedures, no matter how intense.

A terrible thought crept into my mind. Could I be pregnant?

The possibility filled me with dread. With the mate bond severing looming, a pregnancy would complicate

everything beyond repair.

I needed to know for certain.

At the Moonstone Apothecary East Wing. I purchased a Luna’s Truth Pregnancy Test Kit discreetly. The pharmacist barely glanced at me as I paid.

As I left the pharmacy, I spotted Marcus’s Shadow Moon Alpha’s Phantom Rolls Royce parked nearby. My heart jumped into my throat

I

I quickly hid the test kit in my jacket pocket, praying he hadn’t seen me emerge from the pharmacy.

Chapter 83. The Weight of

Marcus rolled down the window as I approached. “Buying medicine?”

“Stomachache,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “Nothing serious,”

He studied my face with those penetrating golden eyes. Professor Andrew Kelly is hosting a dinner tomorrow night. Academic exchange. Would you like to attend?”