Chapter 9: The Things She Still Remembered

Evelina’s POV

Mother's medicine was late.

I noticed it when I passed her room. The nurse was checking the bottles on the bedside table, looking through the labels.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

She glanced at me. "Miss Aurelia usually prepares these."

"I know. What time is the next dose?"

The nurse checked the small chart. "It should have been given twenty minutes ago."

I looked at the bottle. The label was familiar. So was the dosage. Mother used to take it after breakfast, never before. It upset her stomach otherwise.

"She hasn't eaten much," I said. "Give her something light first."

The nurse hesitated. "I'll ask Miss Aurelia."

"You don't have to. I can bring her some soup."

I went to the kitchen before she could answer.

The cook looked surprised when I asked for Mother's usual vegetable soup. He searched through the kitchen notes, then shook his head.

"We've been following Miss Aurelia's meal plan."

"Does Mother still eat the same things?"

"Some of them. But Miss Aurelia changed the menu last week."

I nodded. "Then just make a small bowl. Nothing too heavy."

While I waited, I found myself checking the ingredients. Mother couldn't tolerate too much pepper. She disliked carrots when they were overcooked. She always asked for a little ginger when her stomach felt unsettled.

The cook watched me.

"You still remember all that?"

"Yes."

He didn't say anything else.

I carried the soup upstairs myself.

Aurelia was already in Mother's room when I arrived. She sat beside the bed, holding a glass of water. Alistair stood near the window.

"What's that?" Aurelia asked.

"Soup."

"I already ordered something for her."

"She hasn't eaten yet."

Aurelia smiled, but her eyes moved to the bowl.

"I was just about to give her the medicine. The doctor said we should follow the schedule."

"I know the schedule."

The words came out before I could stop them.

Alistair looked at me.

I lowered my eyes and placed the bowl on the table. "It's only a little soup. She can eat it if she wants."

Mother turned toward me.

"Evelina?"

I moved closer. "I brought you something warm."

She looked at the bowl, then at Aurelia.

"Did you prepare this, sweetheart?" Mother asked her.

Aurelia shook her head. "Evelina brought it."

"Oh." Mother gave me a small smile. "Thank you."

I waited for her to take a spoonful.

She didn't.

Aurelia reached for the bowl. "I'll help her. You should rest, Mother."

Mother allowed her to take it.

I stepped back.

There was nothing wrong with that. Aurelia was her daughter. She had every right to care for her.

Still, I had spent years learning how to do these little things without being asked.

Now I had to stand there and watch someone else do them.

"Did you eat?" Mother asked me.

"Yes."

It was a lie. I had only taken a few bites earlier, but there was no reason to tell her that.

"Good. You should take care of yourself too."

"I will."

Alistair opened the door. "Come on, Evelina. Let them finish."

I followed him into the hallway.

He stopped after a few steps.

"You don't need to keep doing things like that."

I looked at him. "Like what?"

"Bringing food. Checking the medicine. The staff can handle it."

"I know."

"Then why—"

"I was passing by."

He stared at me, as if he expected another explanation.

I didn't have one to give.

He walked away first.

I returned to my room and closed the door. My stomach hurt, but I ignored it. The tray from breakfast was still on the desk.

I picked up a piece of bread.

My wolf remained quiet.

I waited for even the smallest stir.

Nothing.

"Nyra?"

No answer.

I put the bread down.

Across the estate, Theron Valtieri was reading a report that had just been delivered to him.

The prison record was incomplete. Several medical entries were missing, and the dates of two disciplinary incidents did not match the official summary.

He turned another page.

Then he found the adoption document.

His eyes stopped at the date.

He read it once.

Then again.

"Who prepared this copy?" he asked his aide.

"The Marlowe Pack's legal office, Your Majesty."

"I asked for the original."

The aide lowered his head. "The original hasn't been located yet."

Theron closed the folder.

"Find it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He glanced toward the window. From there, he could see part of the Marlowe estate.

"One more thing," he said. "Find out when Evelina Marlowe last shifted."

The aide looked up.

"Her wolf?"

Theron's expression didn't change.

"Yes. I want the actual date. Not what the family assumes."

The aide bowed and left.

Theron opened the prison report again.

Two years in prison. Repeated injuries. Missing medical records.

And now, an adoption document that raised more questions than it answered.

He picked up his phone.

"Don't let the Marlowes know what we're checking."