Chapter 26: Mom, You Always Want Everyone’s Attention
Chapter 26: Mom, You Always Want Everyone’s Attention
(God’s POV)
After Isadora left, Olivia pushed herself up from the hospital bed with determination.
“want to be discharged,” she announced to Eleonora and Theodore.
Theodore frowned immediately. “Livvy, you need more rest. The healers said-”
“Tomorrow is the anniversary of my mother’s death,” Olivia interrupted, “Her ashes need to be moved to the new memorial grove. I have to be there.”
Eleonora nodded approvingly. “Of course, dear. Lyra deserves proper respect from her daughter.“.
Theodore’s jaw tightened. “The ceremony can proceed without you. Your health is more important.”
“No! My mother was buried hastily before the grove was completed. Now that everything is ready, I will not
miss this.”
Eleonora placed a protective hand on Olivia’s shoulder. “Theodore, some things are more important than
medical caution. Olivia needs to honor her mother.”
Faced with both women’s determination, Theodore finally relented with visible reluctance.
An hour later, Olivia was bundled in a thick coat with a hood pulled low over her face. Pack enforcers
surrounded her as they exited the infirmary.
The sight that greeted them was overwhelming.
Dozens of reporters and camera crews had gathered outside the facility. Flashes exploded like lightning as they pushed forward against the barrier of pack guards.
“Luna Olivia! How are you feeling?”
“Alpha Theodore, is it true you personally rescued your mate?”
“What can you tell us about the Drake pack incident?”
Theodore’s arm wrapped protectively around Olivia as they moved toward the waiting car. Eleonora flanked
her other side, her expression regal and fierce.
“Look how much Alpha Theodore loves his Luna,” one reporter commented to his cameraman. “He hasn’t left
her side since the rescue.”
“And Elder Eleonora treats her like her own daughter,” another added. “Such a devoted family.”
But then a voice cut through the admiring chatter with sharp accusation.
“What about the rumors of Alpha Theodore’s affair?” The reporter’s voice carried clearly over the crowd.
“Sources say he has an illegitimate pup with his mistress.”
The crowd erupted in heated debate. Some reporters shouted denials while others pressed for more
information.
“My source is extremely reliable,” the original reporter insisted. “There will be a major revelation at tomorrow’s
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Chapter 26 Mom You AL
memorial ceremony for the Luna’s mother.”
In the crowd, a small hand tugged insistently at a man’s sleeve.
“Daddy, is the pretty auntie okay?” Elara’s worried voice was barely audible above the commotion.
Killian held his daughter closer, his ice–blue eyes fixed on Olivia’s retreating figure. His heart clenched seeing
her weakened state.
He had learned from Matthew Kane about Olivia’s plan to abandon her current life and return to the organization. Years ago, she had left the Shadow Syndicate to mate with Theodore. Now she was going
back.
It wasn’t hard to imagine what she had endured.
Seeing her like this tore at his heart, but his new mission required him to maintain his cover. His identity was
about to debut in the Northern Territory. He couldn’t contact her yet.
“She’ll be fine, little star,” he whispered to Elara, though his own voice was tight with concern.
(Olivia’s POV)
The Redgrave Manor came into view as our car pulled through the gates. My chest tightened when I saw two
familiar figures waiting at the entrance.
Leo stood beside Alistair, his small frame rigid with what looked like forced patience. The sight of my little boy safe and unharmed was the only thing that mattered right now.
I hurried from the car the moment it stopped, ignoring Theodore’s protests about taking it slow.
“Leo!” I called out, rushing toward him with open arms.
But when I tried to embrace him, he pulled back sharply. His small hands pushed against my chest.
“Ow! You’re hurting me,” he complained, his voice cold and distant.
My arms fell to my sides as confusion and pain washed over me. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I just missed you so
much.”
Leo barely looked at me as he turned to Theodore. “Dad, can I go watch cartoons now? I already said hi to
Mom.”
The casual dismissal hit me like a physical blow. I remembered how this same little boy used to shower me
with kisses when I had even the smallest scrape. Now he couldn’t be bothered to look at me properly.
“Leo, why don’t you care about Mommy anymore?” The words escaped before I could stop them.
His response was like ice water in my veins.
“Are you having your old problems again? Just a minor illness, and you need everyone to revolve around you?”
Then he turned and ran back into the house without another word.
I stared after him, my heart breaking into smaller pieces. When Hooked at Theodore for explanation, “I didn’t
tell him about the k********g,” he said quietly. “I thought it would frighten him unnecessarily.”
But that didn’t explain the coldness. The complete lack of concern for my wellbeing. This wasn’t just about
not knowing what happened.
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Chapter 26: Mom, You Al
This was about not caring.
Eleonora approached with a tablet in her hands, her expression brightening with satisfaction.
48 Fomto >
“Wonderful news, dear,” she announced. “The media coverage of the Drake pack annexation has been completely suppressed. Instead, all the headlines are about Theodore rescuing you from the infirmary.”
She showed me the screen filled with photos of our exit. “I think we should arrange for reporters to attend tomorrow’s memorial service. Create some positive publicity to help people forget about the Drake incident entirely.”
My stomach churned at the thought of turning my mother’s memorial into a media spectacle. But I thought of Isadora’s current situation. The pack members were calling her the ultimate spy, sent to destroy the Drake pack from within. They painted the Redgrave family as bullies and manipulators.
“If it helps Isadora,” I said quietly, “then we’ll do it.”
Eleonora beamed with approval. “Such wisdom, my dear. Your mother would be proud.”
Footsteps on the stairs drew my attention. Isadora descended slowly, “Olivia,” she said softly, “could I speak with you? It’s about Iris.”
I nodded and followed her upstairs.
“She’s been crying since the servants told her about her father’s arrest,” Isadora explained as we walked. “She doesn’t understand what’s happening.”
We found Iris curled up in a window seat, her small face streaked with tears. When she saw me, her eyes widened with innocent concern.
“Aunt Olivia, did Daddy really hurt you?” she asked in a tiny voice.
My hand instinctively went to the fading bruises on my face. “No, sweetheart. I scratched myself by accident.”
“What happened to your face? It looks scary.”
“Just a silly accident,” I assured her, sitting beside her on the cushioned seat. “Nothing to worry about.”
But her next question nearly broke my composure entirely.
“Are Memmy and I going to be kicked out? The servants said we might have to leave.”
I pulled her into my arms, feeling the familiar ache for my own lost daughter. “This is your home too, Iris. You and your mommy will always have a place here.”
The child’s innocence reminded me how much children suffer when adult relationships fall apart. They become casualties in wars they never chose to fight.
After comforting Iris until she fell asleep, I pulled Isadora aside.
“I need you to come with me to the Northern Territory Joint Council the day after tomorrow,” I said quietly.
Isadora looked confused. “Why? What’s happening there?”
“I’m transferring all the territorial rights Theodore gave me during our mating to you.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Olivia, I can’t accept that. Those rights are worth-”
“I understand your position in the pack is difficult right now,” I interrupted. “These rights will give you security.
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Chapter 26 Mom You Al
43 Fonts >
You won’t have to feel like you’re dependent on charity anymore.”
Tears began falling down Isadora’s cheeks as she took my hand. “Why would you do this for me?”
“Because I’m sorry for what Iris is going through. Her childhood shouldn’t be affected by adult mistakes any more than it already has been.”
The truth was deeper than that, though I couldn’t tell her. I only had twenty–five days left to spend with Leo.
If he cannot come with me, then by granting Isadora these territorial rights, I hope she can take care of him after I leave.
He would need someone to rely on in the pack after I left.
“I’m going to spend some time with Leo in the recreation room now,” I said, forcing a smile. “There are things I need to make up for.”
Isadora squeezed my hand tightly. “Thank you, Olivia. For everything.”
As I walked toward the recreation room, my heart was heavy with the knowledge that every moment with my little boy was precious now.
I only had twenty–five days left to try to win back his love.
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