Chapter 156
\nMarked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 156<\/p>\n
**The Heart I Buried for You by Serene Lockwood**<\/p>\n
**Deanna\u2019s POV:**<\/p>\n
As I made my way across the bustling hospital corridor, my heart raced with a mix of curiosity and dread. I approached one of the doctors, my voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile atmosphere around us.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me, could you help me? That woman I just saw\u2014is she a prisoner? What\u2019s she doing here in the hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n
The doctor nodded solemnly, his expression grave. \u201cYes, that\u2019s Dorothy. She\u2019s an inmate diagnosed with early-stage colon cancer. She comes in regularly for her checkups.\u201d<\/p>\n
His words struck me like a sudden chill, sending a shiver down my spine. \u201cI heard she\u2019s been behaving well in prison. They say she might be released soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The realization hit me hard, like a bucket of ice water poured over my head. The very woman who had stolen two decades of my life and had tried to end it was on the verge of freedom. My mind raced, grappling with the implications of her potential release. How could this be happening?<\/p>\n
When I returned to the waiting area, I noticed Maggie stealing glances at my empty hands, her brow furrowing in confusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cDeanna, didn\u2019t you go out to get dinner? Where\u2019s the food?\u201d she asked, her tone light yet probing.<\/p>\n
I was still in a daze, the weight of the doctor\u2019s words pressing heavily on my mind. It was only then that I remembered I had dropped the takeout during my hurried exit.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, I completely forgot,\u201d I mumbled, the embarrassment creeping into my cheeks. \u201cI\u2019ll just go grab something again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just as I turned to leave, Zelena gently grasped my wrist, her grip firm yet comforting.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. We can just order delivery instead. Deanna, you look really pale. Are you feeling okay? You and Maggie should head back and rest; you both need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maggie, ever the optimist, chirped that she had plans and quickly made her exit, leaving me feeling a bit more isolated.<\/p>\n
Zelena walked me to the door, her concern evident. Before she stepped out, I held her hand tightly, squeezing it as I spoke. \u201cJust take care of your dad for now. Maggie and I can manage things at Bluewave. Please don\u2019t worry about us.\u201d<\/p>\n
**Back at Crestwood Park.**<\/p>\n
The silence enveloped me as I entered the house, the darkness wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. The only illumination came from the moonlight filtering through the window\u2014soft, cold, and hauntingly beautiful.<\/p>\n
I chose not to turn on the lights, opting instead to kick off my heels and pad barefoot across the cool floor toward the wine rack.<\/p>\n
The rack dominated an entire wall of the living room, filled with rows upon rows of expensive whiskey and deep red wine, each bottle glinting like a treasure waiting to be uncovered.<\/p>\n
Settling down on the floor in front of the sofa, I unscrewed a bottle, watching as the liquid inside swayed like shattered moonlight, glistening in the dim light.<\/p>\n
With each sip, warmth spread through my body, a gentle heat that began to melt away the day\u2019s tension. My fingers danced over the two bracelets encircling my wrist\u2014one a moonstone, the other a delicate crystal bracelet gifted to me by Helena.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandma, I miss you,\u201d I whispered, my voice trembling with unspoken grief.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop\u2026 touching me,\u201d she mumbled, the sweet scent of alcohol wafting from her breath, warming my hand further.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho am I?\u201d I asked, curious to gauge just how intoxicated she truly was.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re\u2026 a jerk. A big, mean jerk who bullies me,\u201d she replied, her words slurred yet defiant.<\/p>\n
A smirk tugged at my lips. \u201cOh really?\u201d<\/p>\n
So, she was upset because I hadn\u2019t provided a clear timeline, and this was her way of coping?<\/p>\n
I fell silent for a moment, then softened my tone. \u201cDeanna, is it really that hard to be with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before I could elaborate, she covered her mouth, her expression shifting to one of distress.<\/p>\n
That was my cue; she was about to lose her lunch.<\/p>\n
I sprang to my feet, ready to assist her, but before I could react, she threw up on the floor\u2014and, to my horror, on my black suit pants.<\/p>\n
In that instant, my inner neat freak erupted into chaos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-2239","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}