All Chapters of The Hybrid’s Forced Bond: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Margot POVEvery time, I’d listen carefully to my heartbeat.Every time, after the pain settled enough for me to think clearly,I’d examined my feelings and my choices.And every time, the answer was the same.I didn’t regret it.I believed that the hardest days were already behind us.I believed that the faith and strength Brandon had given me were worth far more than anything I’d lost.I stayed beside him for hours without daring to rest, watching every movement.Eventually, I leaned against the wall and started nodding off.His temperature had come down, but the fever hadn’t fully gone.He would wake crying, then drift off again.The doctor wanted me to observe him another two hours before deciding if he could go home or needed more treatment.Rhett POVWhen I walked into the noisy pediatric ward, I saw Margot’s thin, hunched figure.Her shoulders and the back of her head rested against the icy wall. She sat so still she looked almost like a statue.A pang went through me.I couldn

Rhett POVWhenever I’d deliberately released my scent in the past, it had usually been because of competition or sex. It had almost always carried an aggressive edge.Thinking back, I’d only ever used it to soothe two people: Margot during her heat and now Brandon.I patiently tried to sense Brandon’s own scent.A baby’s scent was naturally faint, and the smell of medication covering his body made it even harder to detect.His medical file listed his scent as juniper. I was curious about what that smelled like.Once Brandon recovered, I wanted to take my time getting to know it.I also was keen to learn everything I could about this child.I’d missed more than a year of his life, from the pregnancy to the present.I wanted to make up for every moment I’d lost.At first, Brandon whimpered unhappily.His instincts seemed to resist the sandalwood scent that

Margot POVRhett’s brows drew together.“I only wanted to delay things and give you more time to think. I didn’t want you to make an impulsive decision that could affect the rest of your life.”“I made my decision a year ago.”“Margot, look at Brandon. This is the first time he’s been sick, but it won’t be the last. When you’re at work, who’s going to take care of him? What kind of environment and educational resources will he have as he grows up? What school will he attend? What kind of career will he be able to pursue? Do you really want him to end up in another overcrowded public hospital because you have to work to support the two of you? Do you want her to miss out on a better education and the opportunities he deserves?”Rhett really was a skilled negotiator.At the negotiating table, he knew how to identify the other party’s needs, assess his leverage, and find the arrangement that offered the greatest potential benefit.Unfortunately, I wasn’t his business partner or her oppon

Margot POVAn uneasy feeling immediately settled over me.I was silent for a few seconds before answering.“I remember. What is this about?”“Would you be available to meet with me? These are a few matters I’d like to discuss with you in person.”“I’m not available.”“Margot, this concerns your child, Brandon Sinclair. It’s critical. I hope you’ll...”“What does Rhett want now?”I gritted my teeth.“Where are you at the moment? Would it be all right if I came to see you?”Despite my anger, Helena remained perfectly composed.“Please believe me. This meeting is significant to both you and your child. If you insist on refusing to see me, you’ll eventually have to meet with Alpha Rhett Vanderbilt, anyway. I believe it would be better for us to speak first.”My chest tightened with agitation. I couldn’t calm down.I did not know what I was about to face this time.Rhett’s actions were like an enormous net spreading over me, closing in from every direction.Where was I supposed to hide?Ha

Margot POVI got into the car. The Vanderbilt driver greeted me politely and pulled away.He didn’t ask where I wanted to go. I didn’t tell him. I just texted Ellen that something had come up and I’d be home later than planned.The farther we drove, the more familiar the roads felt.We were heading to the Vanderbilt estate.By the time the garden gates came into view, my hands had curled into fists.The car hadn’t fully stopped when I saw Henry and Melanie waiting outside.I opened the door myself. The three of us just stared at one another for a second. Something heavy sat in our eyes.“Miss Sinclair,” Henry whispered.Melanie’s brows pulled together. Her eyes looked a little red.I gave them a small nod and walked inside.Footsteps came down the stairs. Rhett.His leather slippers should’ve been quiet, but the steps sounded rushe