Chapter 4: Freed by Pain

Elena lifted her eyes slowly and met Dolphus’s steady gaze.

For a moment, the hospital room faded away.

Eight years ago, Dolphus arrived in Glendale from Atlanta. He had searched for her patiently, found her, and spoken words she had never expected to hear.

If she were willing to walk away from Drake, he would arrange for her to study overseas.

Despite being her uncle, he felt it was his duty to look after her. However, Elena had declined his request.

Back then, Elena had been deeply trapped in the fragile dream called love. Drake Hamilton was her whole world. She believed love could heal memory loss. She believed loyalty could conquer bloodlines. She believed effort was enough.

She was wrong.

Among the Farrington family, Dolphus was the only member of the Farrington family ready to assist her.

Others had turned her away, unable to accept the offspring of a traitorous wolf. The Hamilton family had only taken her in for one reason alone. To keep the Farringtons on their side. She was never truly family to them.

As time passed, Elena’s feelings for Drake only grew stronger. She loved him quietly. Deeply and recklessly.

Drake was the only heir of the Crescent Moon Pack’s Beta. His parents had never wanted her. But Drake had chosen her anyway.

Until the accident.

Until memory erased her existence.

Drake moved on. Cassandra stepped into the space Elena once held. And Elena became invisible.

Now Dolphus was back again, standing before her, offering the same door she once shut.

"Do you still wish to go with me?" Dolphus asked.

Elena lowered her eyes. Her voice was gentle, but her resolve was firm.

“I am grateful for what both the Hamilton and Farrington families have done for me,” she said quietly. “Leaving Atwater Village and attending university was more than I ever dreamed of. But now, I do not want to depend on anyone anymore.”

She paused, then added softly, “Blood or not, the care I received is already more than enough.”

Dolphus watched her in silence.

He remembered what Gamma Raphael Farrington once said. This pup is too soft.

But Dolphus knew better. Elena’s kindness was not weakness. It was a choice.

To ease the Farrington family’s guilt, Elena had buried her own desire for love and belonging. She never asked for comfort. Never asked for security. Staying with the Hamiltons had been her way of freeing the Farringtons from responsibility.

She carried grace the way true heirs should.

“However,” Dolphus said calmly, “you know the old man’s influence in this city. He will eventually learn about your bond with Drake.”

Elena’s fingers grasped the edge of her garments.

“When the truth is revealed and Drake apologizes publicly,” she said softly, “I will finalize the divorce. After that, I will leave Glendale and cut off all ties with him.”

She did not say where she would go.

She did not plan to tell Dolphus.

The future of an omega was hers alone to guard.

Dolphus bent forward, placing his hands on his knees. His voice was low, “Years ago, you stood before me and said Drake mattered more than anything else.”

He lifted his eyes to her. “And now?”

Elena did not hesitate.

“Yes, Dolphus,” she answered firmly.

Dolphus reclined, coolly pushing his sleeves up, with one leg crossed over the other. He slightly narrowed his eyes while observing Elena before him.

Drake had been eavesdropping outside the door. He walked away. He wished Elena were sincere in her words.

Later, in Drake’s hospital room, Drake reclined and shut his eyes. But as soon as he did, a memory emerged.

He spotted Elena once more, giggling as she playfully pressed him against a sunlit wall, and his heart started to race. He woke up immediately.

In reality, he had listened to tales regarding his history with Elena from both her and others. However, he was not interested in them. The previous events were insignificant. Not any longer.

At this point, he is already in love with Cassandra. She was the one he wished to shield and grow old with.

Following a cold shower and a glass of water, Drake gazed at the vacant cup. Elena's voice resonated in his ears. “Publicly apologize and restore my reputation, and I will divorce you right away.”

Drake was eager to bring Elena’s words to life.

The following morning, Drake hurried to the hospital, determined to talk about the divorce. As he neared Elena’s room, his acute hearing detected a recognizable voice within.

"Elena, could you dismiss the charges?" Ezra begged. You and Maya were raised together as if she were your sister. "Do you genuinely want to ruin her future because of this?"

"She merely sedated you to create an opportunity with Drake, to assist you both in getting back together." "Can't you see that she had good intentions?" Ezra stated.

"Did she have good intentions?" Does that permit anyone to ruin my life? "To cause me pain and label it as kindness?" Elena asked.

Ezra exhaled deeply, brushing a hand through his hair. "I know that she took it too far." Indeed, it was a mistake. But, Drake was about to ask Cassandra to marry him. Maya simply freaked out. No one anticipated Drake's reaction, particularly when he leaked your personal photos.”

After a moment of silence, Ezra said, tiredly, "What if Maya talks to Drake and explains everything herself?" "Would that be beneficial?"

Ezra and Maya had been friends with Drake since they were young. The trio had been raised together. Maya had even supported Elena after she came out of her coma, striving to keep her and Drake united.

Elena’s hand shook as she tightened her fists once more. "Why isn’t she present to share this with me directly to my face?"

"She feels embarrassed," Ezra responded. She realizes she crossed the line. "How could she confront you?"

Elena inhaled deeply, and her tone became soft. "Do you really think Drake will believe her?" "Do you think that he will believe she’s not simply lying to defend me?"

Ezra remained silent.

Elena's laugh was soft and harsh. “Drake's opinions no longer mean anything to me. "It did before, but it doesn't count anymore."

She faced Ezra with a determined look. "Never bring up such a discussion about Drake and me again. In my world, that chapter of my life has been closed."