Chapter 73
Ronan Duskcliff’s furious roar echoed through the room, causing Riley to flinch but quickly steady herself.
Tessa had awakened. Finally, Riley’s name would be cleared of murder.
Now, the ones who should be afraid were not her–but Scarlett.
And Kael. Maddox, Ronan–the ones who had wronged her.
Curiosity flickered in Riley’s eyes. She wondered what their faces would look like when they learned the truth.
She straightened her back, never feeling more confident than in this moment.
A faint, almost mocking smile curled on her lips as she locked eyes with Ronan.
Her calm gaze made his heart skip a beat.
In that instant, he realized Riley had changed.
Her entire aura had shifted, inside and out.
Once, she had cowered before him like a frightened wolf before a hunter.
Now, she stared at him boldly, her eyes dripping with scorn, as if he were a complete failure.
Riley stood beside Tessa’s bed, one hand holding onto the frail figure lying there.
Both were painfully thin and pale; even the bruises on their necks looked eerily similar.
For a moment, Ronan felt a strange pang of empathy, as if Riley and Tessa were bound by the same suffering.
A creeping fear settled in his chest–one he dared not analyze, fearing it would consume him utterly.
He tore his gaze away and forced down the emotions threatening to burst forth, signaling the healers to examine Tessa.
The room fell into a suffocating silence.
All eyes focused on Tessa, except for Riley’s, which burned with fierce determination at Scarlett.
Scarlett’s face was pale and trembling, like a startled prey, her body shaking uncontrollably.
In her mind, she screamed, Why is Tessa still alive? Why can’t she just die?
Scarlett’s fear was not only over the failed attempt to kill Tessa but also that every word she and her father had whispered in secret had been heard.
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If Tessa spoke out, Scarlett and her father would have no hope left.
This was why Scarlett had lured Tessa into the Black Forest, trying to end her life.
Finished
As everyone’s attention was fixed on Tessa, Scarlett tried to edge toward the door, intending to alert her father and escape with her family.
But a ghostly voice stopped her cold.
“Miss Scarlett, where do you think you’re going? Don’t you want to see your best friend safe and sound?”
Scarlett froze, eyes wide with terror as they met Riley’s mocking gaze.
All attention shifted to Scarlett.
Her face drained of color, eyes wild with panic.
Kael and Maddox noticed the change and exchanged questioning looks.
Kael asked with concern, “Scarlett, are you alright? Why do you look so pale?”
Scarlett nervously twisted her hands, avoiding eye contact, stammering, “I… I’m not feeling well all of a sudden.”
Maddox stepped closer gently. “If you’re unwell, I’ll take you to see a healer.”
He reached to guide her away.
“Stop!” Riley’s shout cracked through the room, making Scarlett and Maddox jump.
Maddox frowned, about to admonish her, but Riley’s cold glare cut him off.
“There’s a healer right here. Taking her out means waiting in line and wasting time.”
Her words silenced Maddox completely.
Though he disliked Riley’s domineering tone, he couldn’t deny the logic.
The healer finished examining Tessa and announced, “Congratulations, Tessa’s awakening is a blessing in disguise. While being strangled, her survival instincts kicked in. Originally, she was only conscious, but fully waking would have taken much longer. The near–death struggle accelerated her recovery.”
“Thanks to the timely rescue, she avoided suffocation and death.”
The simple explanation settled over everyone.
It meant that although Tessa had been unconscious for five years, her body was weakened, unable to resist attacks. But her mind’s fight saved her life.
Kael exhaled deeply and turned to Riley, his anger barely contained.
“Riley, what do you have to say now?”