Chapter 176
“Sophia,” her voice came through, shaky and tearful, “please help me. I’m at Northwood General Hospital. I-”
Her words were cut off ‘anxiety.
by a loud bang, and the call abruptly ended. My stomach clenched with
Lirian sat up immediately, his expression serious. “Is something wrong?”
I nodded, my voice unsteady. “It’s Josiah. She’s in trouble at the hospital.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” he asked, his tone calm but concerned.
I shook my head. “You’re busy, and I don’t know how long this will take. I’ll be fine.”
He didn’t look convinced. “Then I’ll have Eric drive you.”
The drive to the hospital felt like an eternity. Josiah’s situation weighed heavily on my mind. She had married a man who wasn’t her mate–a man named Victor–a decision that had always unsettled
ine.
Josiah’s infatuation with him had been intense, almost blinding. It reminded me too much of mistakes I had made in my previous life, and I had warned her to be cautious. But like most warnings, mine had gone unheeded.
Victor was charming, but his temper was well–known. Recently, Josiah had been caring for his mother, who was hospitalized for a chronic illness.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had gone horribly wrong.
When I finally arrived at the hospital, the scene that greeted me made my blood run cold. Victor was in the waiting area, gripping Josiah by the arms and shaking her violently.
Josiah’s trembling fingers pressed against the handprint blooming on her cheek. Her voice quivered, a mixture of disbelief and anger. “You hit me?”
Victor sneered, his lips curling into a smirk devoid of remorse. “How can you talk to my mom like that?” His tone was sharp, carrying the sting of arrogance and disdain.
Josiah’s voice cracked, tears pooling in her eyes.
Can’t you see she was the one who gave me a hard time first? I’ve endured enough! I must have been blind to marry a man like you. You’re sick, your whole family is sick!” Her words burst out, fueled by months of pent–up frustration.
Josiah!” Victor’s voice rose, his eyes narrowing. “If it wasn’t for my mom, do you think I would’ve chosen you? Don’t kid yourself. With my status, I could have married someone far better. Who do you think you are?
You’re nothing but a burden, and your family’s money means nothing to me now. Especially with your father offending the Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack–your family is doomed. You’ll just drag me down with you.”
I froze near the doorway, my breath catching in my throat. Lirian had briefly mentioned tensions
between Iron Claw and Josiah’s father over a failed business deal.
But hearing Victor use it to belittle and justify his abuse toward her? It sent a wave of fury through
- me.
Josiah’s hands clenched at her sides as her voice rose in defiance. “My father’s business with Iron
Claw has nothing to do with you! Is that why you think you can hit me? You’re despicable, Victor!”
Victor stepped forward with a half–hearted shrug, his tone dripping with mockery. “Look at your attitude. You’ve been begging for this for months.”
I couldn’t hold back anymore. Pushing the door open with a sharp swing, I called out, “Josiah.” My voice was firm, cutting through the toxic air between them. All eyes turned to me as I stepped in.
Josiah’s tear–filled gaze met mine, her eyes silently begging for support. Victor, on the other hand, crossed his arms, smirking as though daring me to intervene. His brazenness fueled my anger
further.
“Mrs. Victor, you’re not to blame here.” A weak voice broke the tension–it was Victor’s mother, lying on the hospital bed. She tried to sit up, her frail frame trembling. “It’s my fault for causing the misunderstandings between you two.”
Josiah snapped, her voice trembling with rage. “Misunderstandings? From the day I started taking care of you, you’ve treated me like dirt! Every insult, every snide comment–I’ve endured it all. And now you stand there pretending to be innocent? Enough is enough!”
Aler voice cracked, and tears spilled down her cheeks. Months of silent suffering erupted like a volcano. She turned back to Victor.
Every single day after work, I came here to look after her while you sat at home doing nothing! And
had the audacity to say I wasn’t taking care of her properly? Do you even hear yourself?”
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed, A Soul Reborn
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