Justin and Julie hit the ground hard, their faces pressed into the dirt as they struggled against the Alpha command flooding their systems.
“This is my father’s funeral,” Caelan’s voice was deadly quiet, more terrifying than any shout. “Not a place for your petty grievances.”
His cold gaze swept over the cowering relatives. “You dare attack my woman? Threaten my mother?”
Edward appeared with several pack guards, surrounding the troublemakers. “Your Majesty?”
“Remove them from Blackwood territory. Permanently.” Caelan’s tone brooked no argument. “They are never to return.”
“Yes, sir.” Edward gestured to his men, who hauled the protesting relatives to their feet and began dragging them away.
As their voices faded into the distance, Katherine’s knees finally gave out. I caught her as she collapsed, her face chalk-white with shock.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Sable… you protected me.”
Her trembling hand touched my injured shoulder. “You’re hurt because of me. After how terribly I’ve treated you…”
“You don’t need to apologize,” I said gently, helping support her weight. “We’re family, Katherine. Family protects each other.”
Katherine’s eyes filled with fresh tears, but these seemed different somehow. Softer.
“Sable, I…” she started to say, but then her words turned into a gasp of pain.
She pressed her hand to her chest, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow. “I can’t… I can’t breathe…”
Her skin turned an alarming shade of gray, and cold sweat broke out across her forehead. She clutched at her dress, her fingers clawing at the fabric over her heart.
“Mom!” Caelan caught her as she started to fall backward. “What’s wrong?”
Katherine’s lips were turning blue, and her body began convulsing in Caelan’s arms. Her eyes rolled back, showing only the whites.
“Edward!” Caelan’s voice cracked with panic, “Call an ambulance! Now!”
I dropped to my knees beside them, my medical training kicking in automatically. “Lay her flat! Quickly!”
My fingers found her pulse point-weak and irregular. Her breathing was becoming more labored by the second.
“Dilated pupils, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing,” I announced, my voice calm despite the adrenaline coursing through me. “Possible acute myocardial infarction.”
I tilted Katherine’s head back to open her airway and positioned my hands on her chest. The heel of my palm pressed against her breastbone, my other hand interlocked on top.
“One, two, three, four…” I counted aloud as I administered chest compressions, putting my full weight behind each one.
After thirty compressions, I tilted her head back and gave her two rescue breaths, watching for her chest to rise and fall.
“Come on, Katherine, I murmured, returning to compressions. “Stay with us.”
My arms were beginning to ache, but I didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. Every compression was a chance to keep her heart beating, keep blood flowing to her brain.
By the time the paramedics arrived, Katherine’s vital signs had stabilized. They loaded her onto a stretcher and into the ambulance, Caelan climbing in beside her.
As they prepared to close the doors, Katherine’s eyes found mine. Despite her weakness, she managed to speak.
“Sable…” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You saved my life. You’re… you’re a good girl. Caelan chose well.”
Tears blurred my vision. “Don’t talk, Katherine. Save your strength.”
“I want to try again,” she continued, her words slurred but determined. “To be better. Will you… will you give me a chance to be your mother-in-law?”
My throat closed up with emotion. “Of course, Katherine. We’ll have plenty of time for that.”
Three hours later, I stood in the doorway of Katherine’s VIP room, watching Caelan maintain his silent vigil.
Katherine lay peaceful against white pillows, her breathing steady and even. The monitors showed strong, regular vital signs. Color had returned to her cheeks.
Caelan occupied the leather chair beside her bed.
Katherine is Caelan’s only family now.
I moved quietly into the room. Caelan didn’t look up until I knelt beside his chair, bringing myself to his eye level.
“You didn’t lose her.” I placed my hand over his free one. “Katherine is strong. She’s going to be fine.”
“Come on, Katherine, I murmured, returning to compressions. “Stay with us.”
My arms were beginning to ache, but I didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. Every compression was a chance to keep her heart beating, keep blood flowing to her brain.
By the time the paramedics arrived, Katherine’s vital signs had stabilized. They loaded her onto a stretcher and into the ambulance, Caelan climbing in beside her.
As they prepared to close the doors, Katherine’s eyes found mine. Despite her weakness, she managed to speak.
“Sable…” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You saved my life. You’re… you’re a good girl. Caelan chose well.”
Tears blurred my vision. “Don’t talk, Katherine. Save your strength.”
“I want to try again,” she continued, her words slurred but determined. “To be better. Will you… will you give me a chance to be your mother-in-law?”
My throat closed up with emotion. “Of course, Katherine. We’ll have plenty of time for that.”
Three hours later, I stood in the doorway of Katherine’s VIP room, watching Caelan maintain his silent vigil.
Katherine lay peaceful against white pillows, her breathing steady and even. The monitors showed strong, regular vital signs. Color had returned to her cheeks.
Caelan occupied the leather chair beside her bed.
Katherine is Caelan’s only family now.
I moved quietly into the room. Caelan didn’t look up until I knelt beside his chair, bringing myself to his eye level.
“You didn’t lose her.” I placed my hand over his free one. “Katherine is strong. She’s going to be fine.”
Caelan turned to meet my gaze.
“Thank you, Sabi.”
I reached up to smooth the worry lines from his brow. “Do you remember what you told me when we first started dating? You said I needed to stop thanking you for everything.”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips.
“Well, now I’m telling you the same thing.” I squeezed his hand gently.
“I love you, Sable. You should go home and rest.”
I stood, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead before running my fingers through his tousled hair. “I love you too, Caelan. Try to get some sleep yourself.”
He nodded, though we both knew he wouldn’t leave Katherine’s side tonight.
I touched his cheek once more, memorizing the feel of stubble against my palm, then slipped out of the room.
The taxi dropped me off in front of my apartment building, and I was fumbling with my purse when I noticed the figure leaning against a black Maserati parked under the streetlight.
Fire-red roses filled his arms, the blooms vivid against the night sky. The sight was so unexpected that I actually rubbed my eyes, thinking exhaustion might be playing tricks on me.
But no. It really was Darrell.
He straightened when he spotted me, right hand automatically smoothing his tie.
My first reaction was irritation. I was bone-tired, emotionally drained from the night’s events, and in no mood to deal with complicated relationship drama.
The night breeze caught my hair, sending long strands across my face. I pushed them back with one hand.
‘Darrell?” I stopped about two meters away, exhaustion clear in my voice. “What are you doing here? It’s almost ten PM.
He lifted the roses slightly, his expression uncharacteristically uncertain. “Sable, I… I heard some news. Thought I should check on how you’re doing.”
“What news?”
Darrell cleared his throat, clearly struggling to appear casual. “About… about Caelan’s infidelity. And the news that you two called off the engagement. I thought maybe you needed someone to talk to, to comfort you.”
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