Chapter 4

Linda sank onto the couch the moment she stepped inside the house. When she complained that she was hungry, Nathan immediately rushed into the kitchen. He said he'd personally cook her a nutritious meal himself to help her recover.

Nathan always took pride in his "warrior dignity" and never set foot in the kitchen. Yet now, he was holding his phone and scrolling through recipes. He was worried that Linda hadn't fully healed or had caught a chill somewhere.

Dad took out a limited-edition dress embroidered with rubies. He said it was a "recovery gift" for Linda. Meanwhile, Mom had redecorated Linda's entire room with moonlight grass and fresh flowers, hoping the cozy scene would lift her spirits.

As for Linda, she was simply lounging comfortably on the couch, holding up the dress against herself. Yet, even that tiny motion made everyone tense, afraid she might get hurt.

My soul came back with her, too. This house was full of all my memories, but it felt cold and biting now.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

I recognized the scent. It was my mate, Evan Davidson.

Clad in his warrior uniform, he walked through the door carrying a small bag of supplements. He walked straight to Linda and said with concern, "Lucia, I heard that Linda was discharged today. I brought her something to nourish her body."

Linda immediately put away the dress and put on a coy look. "Evan, you didn't have to. I'm already feeling much better…"

Evan nodded gently. His tender expression was so different from the cold, distant look he always gave me.

My heart ached in a way I couldn't put into words.

Suddenly, he asked, "Where is Connie?"

If he hadn't mentioned me, I think this family would've erased my name from their memory by now.

Mom's expression turned grim. "Don't bring up that heartless daughter of mine. After I scolded her that day, she stormed off in a huff. Fine! If she loves the life of a rogue so much, then let her stay out there forever and die!"

Evan nodded in agreement. "Right. We wouldn't want to disrupt Linda's recovery."

Nathan came out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl of spirit fruit salad. He chuckled and said half-jokingly, "So, have you decided when you're dissolving the mate bond with Connie? If some strong, handsome werewolf snatches up Linda, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Evan's cheeks flushed as he whispered, "I came to check on Linda today, but I was also planning to talk about that."

Bitterness spread in my chest. I gave a bitter smile and turned away, unwilling to witness any more of this. I should have been used to not being needed or cherished, shouldn't I?

That night, Mom's mood suddenly turned gloomy. She walked into her bedroom alone, checking her phone over and over again.

I walked closer to look. She'd been trying to reach me through calls and messages.

When I didn't answer, she began calling my name repeatedly through the mind-link. "Connie, stop this…"

However, I couldn't respond, no matter how many times she tried connecting with me.

In a sudden fit of rage, she hurled the phone at the ground and shouted, "How dare you ignore me? Do you really think I'd worry about you?"

I wanted so much to tell Mom that I was dead. That was why I couldn't pick up the phone or answer our mind-link connection.

Mom didn't sense any of this. Still unwilling to give up, she dialed a number again. On the other end was the trainee healer who once looked after me.

Mom gritted her teeth and demanded, "Is Connie hiding with you? Tell her that faking her death and disappearing won't work! As long as she apologizes to Linda, I might be willing to accept her back into this family."

There was a pause on the other end.

"Chief Healer Lucia, Connie was declared dead five days ago. The silver poison had reached her heart that day. And, since you summoned all the healers to Linda's tent, no one was left to save her."