Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Rejected Mate's Curse : Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

Ryker’s words echoed in my mind, relentless and heavy. I couldn’t shake them off, not even as I stormed towards my mother’s office. Without knocking, I pushed the door open, the sharp click of it echoing in the quiet hall. My mother raised a brow, but said nothing. She closed the document in front of her, a silent acknowledgment of my unannounced intrusion.I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me, and took a seat across from her. Her gaze remained steady, piercing, studying me through those thick lashes of hers. Her eyes were too familiar, too sharp—they reminded me too much of my own. Sometimes it felt like I was staring at an older version of myself, a future I wasn’t sure I wanted to see."Is there a reason you're barging into my office, Camilla?" she asked, her voice laced with humor. "Or did you miss me so much you thought you'd perform an impromptu Audrey scene? Though, I must say, it won’t quite have the same effect, considering no one’s around and everyone already knows

Shock rippled across his face, freezing him in place. His lips parted, but no words came, only a breathless pause as he tried to comprehend what I’d just said. Slowly, the shock faded, replaced by an expression that seemed heavier than understanding—it was something closer to resignation. He exhaled deeply, sinking into the chair across from me.Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his gaze flicker toward me, lingering with unspoken thoughts. My heart clenched, but I forced myself to stare at the floor, unwilling to meet his eyes. I needed clarity—space to hear him out without the pull of his emotions clouding my own judgment.“I don’t even know where to begin,” he started, his voice low and strained. “I don’t know how this... this mess even started. I don’t know what you think you saw or heard. But, Camilla, one thing I’m certain of is that I would never—could never—do anything to hurt you. You mean everything to me. Camilla, I lo—”“Don’t,” I interrupted sharply, my voice tremblin

The scream tore from my throat, raw and piercing, but I didn’t even recognize it as my own until Ryker’s strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest. His steady presence should have grounded me, but the chaos inside my mind was deafening. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t think. A single thought ricocheted through my head, relentless and suffocating: I need to find Audrey.The room spun as guards burst in, their hurried movements adding to the frenzy. They looked to me for instructions, but my mouth refused to form words. It was Ryker who took charge, his voice a steady anchor amidst the storm. He barked orders to search the castle, pointing to the open window as their first lead. Yet, I barely registered his words. My mind kept looping one question: How could this happen? How could someone take my daughter while we were right here?My hands trembled as I dragged them through my hair, pacing in jagged, restless steps. Normally, my first suspicion would have been Tyson after the

The faint flicker of movement caught my attention as I turned sharply, my heart sinking at the sight of Tyson standing in the doorway, his dark eyes gleaming with malice. A smirk twisted his lips, chilling me to the core. Instinctively, I stepped between him and my daughter, my body acting as her shield. His gaze slid over me, unbothered, and a cruel laugh escaped his throat.“Protecting her, are you?” Tyson’s voice was smooth, mocking. “How noble. But let’s not forget—I’ve had plenty of time with her already. Perhaps I’ve seen more than you’d ever wish for me to see.”My fists clenched at his insinuation, rage bubbling under my skin. “If you’ve harmed her—”“Relax,” he interrupted, raising a hand lazily. “She’s untouched. For now.” His smirk deepened. “She’s beautiful, though. A shame she isn’t ours. If she were mine, she might’ve been spared all this unpleasantness.”“Say one more word about my child,” Ryker growled, his voice venomous, “and I’ll make sure you regret ever breathing.

The crowd erupted into applause as I ascended the throne. The weight of their gazes was palpable, but as I sat, a sense of calm washed over me. My eyes sought out Audrey, who clapped harder than anyone else, her joy lighting up the room.Then my gaze shifted to Ryker. He stood tall beside his family, his expression unreadable at first, but when our eyes met, a small, knowing smile tugged at his lips. The memories of that fire, the chaos and fear, and the relief of finding him alive flooded back. That night, amidst the ashes, we had made a promise—to be a family again, to leave the pain behind and move forward together.As I tipped my head in acknowledgment, Ryker returned the gesture, his pride evident. It wasn’t the most traditional love story, but it was ours, forged in fire and tempered by our determination to protect what mattered most.SEVEN MONTHS LATER“Where the hell is he?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the tension in the room as Christine hovered close, her fussing gra