Chapter 8 Swallowed Pride
1092 Words
As I stood there waiting for the Omega she-wolf to return, a wave of humiliation washed over me. I was the one the late Alpha had nominated to lead this pack. I had learned and trained extensively to become a great leader, yet here I was, feeling like a nobody, begging the Alpha for help—someone who should have been grateful to me for his position. Meanwhile, a mistress who had taken my place was living a luxurious life with the father of my child, while I stood there with nothing, seeking financial assistance from him.
I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, reminding myself that it was worth the humiliation if it meant Cecilia would stay with me. However, when I finally saw the Omega she-wolf return, a new kind of anger welled up inside me.
"Beta Serena, the Alpha asked you to leave and to see him in his office tomorrow if this matter is so important," she said. I stared at her, unable to believe my ears. I couldn't let that stand. Liam was my child's father, and he couldn’t turn his back on us like this.
I pushed the weak Omega out of my way.
"Beta Serena, please," she pleaded, but I didn't care about her; I needed to see Liam now.
I walked into the living room, and Liam, Chloe, and Tiffany stared at me in stunned silence. Only Chloe's expression shifted when she noticed my frustration, which grew stronger upon seeing the mocking smile on her face.
"What the hell are you doing? I asked Sarah to tell you to see me tomorrow," Liam said as he stood up, but I wasn't about to be driven away so easily.
"Liam, this matter can't wait," I started, trying to remain calm. "It’s about Cecilia," I added, which seemed to soften him a bit. He closed his eyes.
"What about her?" he asked.
"She has been hospitalised, and her condition is critical. I need you to do me a favour," I continued. Liam sighed and then turned to the others.
"Chloe, please take Tiffany out of the room," he instructed.
Chloe rolled her eyes but took Tiffany's hand. "I hope this doesn't take long. Don’t forget you promised Tiffany a happy evening after she needed to stay to go to the hospital today, too," she reminded Liam, who nodded.
"It won't be long," he said, bending down to kiss Tiffany's forehead. "It will be just a few minutes, darling, okay?" he asked, and Tiffany nodded with a sad smile.
I crossed my arms over my chest, hating to witness this scene, but I felt a little relieved when Chloe and Tiffany disappeared.
"Serena, I am very tired, so I would appreciate it if you could keep this brief," he said, which made me chuckle bitterly.
"Tired?" I shook my head, causing him to look at me with sudden confusion.
"Don’t worry, Liam. I won’t disturb your family idyll for long. I came to talk to you about your other daughter," I said, and he chuckled.
"Serena, nothing serious happened today. She was selfish, as always, and careless. She has a few cuts on her palm, so don’t try to make me believe her condition is critical," he said, staring at me with his hands in his pockets.
"So, you don’t believe me?" I asked while shaking my head. "Since when did you start to hate your own daughter?" His expression changed instantly.
"What do you mean, Serena? Don’t be ridiculous. Who said I hate Cecilia?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"You don’t hate her? Then where have you been today? Did you ask anything about her condition? Where have you been these past few years?" I challenged. "I understand you abandoned me for your first love, but you did the same to Cecilia. Where is the caring, loving father you used to be?" My words seemed to soften his expression.
"Serena, don’t talk nonsense. I never stopped loving Cecilia, but Tiffany didn't even know me in her first years, and I think, therefore, she deserves more attention."
I listened to him in disbelief, shaking my head.
"Tomorrow, if she is still in the hospital, I will visit her," he added.
"Liam, she won’t be getting out of the hospital anytime soon. Even if you visit her, she won’t be aware of your presence because she is sedated. This isn’t just about the cuts on her palms; it’s the emotional damage you’ve caused her. You know she suffers from a rare condition, and your behaviour triggered an episode," I sighed. "But that isn’t the only reason I came here. As I said, I want you to do me a favour," I added, which finally made him focus intently on me.
"Serena, I told you. I don't hate my daughter, and I will visit her tomorrow in the hospital. I will talk to the doctors to ensure they pay special attention to her and do everything possible to help her recover," he said. But his words only angered me more.
"Liam, even if she recovers now, that doesn't mean she will stay with us for long. Cecilia is dying, and that's why I'm here. The doctor spoke to me today about an experimental treatment that involves a drug that is hard to find. It isn't a cure for Cecilia; it would just give her a 50% chance of survival. But it's still a chance,” I explained, noticing the confusion on his face.
“Don’t believe her, Liam,” I heard Chloe’s annoying voice from behind me as she entered the room and walked up beside him.
"Lies, lies, lies. Cecilia's disease isn't curable. The doctors told you that back then, didn't they?" she asked, stroking Liam's arm.
His expression changed immediately, as if Chloe’s presence had cast a spell on him.
"Liam, I am not lying. You can call the hospital and ask any doctor there to confirm what I said. Cecilia is dying, and if we do not help her, she will pass away. Even if she survives now, she will have only three months to live. I told you I wouldn't bother you anymore, but please, help me save her." I hated that I was begging him.
He sighed. "What do you want me to do?" he asked finally.
"She will need a bone marrow transplant and the experimental drug, but the full treatment is very expensive, and I can't afford it," I said, meeting his gaze.
"How much?" he asked.
"Seven million dollars," I replied.
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