Lydia's POV
Her father's room smelled of antiseptic and failure.
Marcus Thorne lay in the bed, pale but alive, monitors beeping steadily. Her mother sat in the corner chair, red-eyed. Her aunt Margot stood by the window, arms crossed.
Lydia had come alone. Kieran offered to drive her, but she'd refused. This conversation needed to happen without him there.
"Lydia." Her father's voice was weak. "You came."
"Of course I came. You had a heart attack."
"Stress-induced," Margot said sharply. "Caused by watching his daughter throw away her family for a disgraced Alpha."
"Margot, please." Her mother's voice was barely a whisper.
Lydia moved to her father's bedside. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I raised a daughter who doesn't understand loyalty." Marcus met her eyes. "
