Chapter 163
Ellie POV
She pulls back slightly, searching my face.
“Good or bad?”
“Good.”
Her fingers tighten around mine.
So I tell her.
The paperwork.
The reopening of the case.
The process that has already started.
The possibility that she could actually be released.
She listens quietly.
No interruptions.
No questions.
Just my mother holding onto every word like she’s afraid if she moves too quickly, the hope will disappear.
Slowly, her expression changes.
The cautious hope in her eyes becomes something brighter.
Something I haven’t seen in a long time.
“They’re reopening it?”
Her voice is barely above a whisper.
Like she’s scared saying it out loud will make it disappear.
“Yes.”
I squeeze her hand.
“It’s already in motion. But it might take time. These things don’t happen overnight, so you just…”
I swallow.
“Hold on a little longer.”
Tears fill her eyes.
She covers her mouth with one hand, shaking her head slowly.
Like her mind can’t catch up with what I’m saying.
“How did you manage that?”
There it is.
The question I’ve been avoiding since this morning.
I look down at our hands.
Still connected.
Still holding onto each other.
I could tell her.
I could tell her everything.
That I’m engaged.
That it’s a contract.
That I made a deal.
That I traded away my future to give her a chance at freedom.
But she would know.
My mother has always known me too well.
She would see right through every excuse.
She would tell me not to do it.
She would tell me she would rather spend years here than watch me tie myself to something I don’t want.
Even if…
Even if a small part of her has always believed Dominic was meant for me.
“L…”
I start.
The door opens behind me.
I don’t need to turn around.
I already know.
I can feel him now.
Somehow, recently, I always know when Dominic is near.
And honestly?
That might be the most annoying part.
Dominic steps into the visiting room like this is a formal meeting instead of a cold concrete box with flickering lights.
His shoulders are straight.
His chin is lifted.
His expression calm.
Controlled.
Like he was born for rooms where everyone else feels uncomfortable.
It irritates me how effortlessly he belongs anywhere.
He gives my mother a respectful nod.
Not overly formal.
Not distant.
Just enough to show respect.
“Miss,” he says smoothly. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
My stomach tightens.
“I thought it was only fair you heard the rest from me.”
He pauses.
“I never got the chance to ask for your permission.”
My heart drops.
Because I know exactly where this is going.
And he doesn’t even look at me.
He looks directly at her.
“We’re engaged.”
The words land between us.
Clear.
Steady.
Final.
“And I wanted you to have the same courtesy my parents received.”
My breath catches.
His hand settles against the back of my chair.
Not exactly possessive.
But close enough that I feel the warmth of him behind me.
A reminder.
A performance.
A promise.
My mother goes still.
Her eyes immediately find mine.
For half a second, I hesitate.
Just half.
Then I nod.
And to my complete surprise…
Her face softens.
Not with worry.
Not with disappointment.
With happiness.
It’s like someone turned a light back on behind her eyes.
“Oh…”
Her hand flies to her mouth.
“Oh, Ellie.”
Before I can react, she pulls me into another hug.
And this time, she’s crying openly.
“I knew you two would find your way back to each other.”
Back.
The word hits harder than it should.
Like a bruise I didn’t know was still there.
My mother has always believed in fated mates.
In destiny.
In second chances.
She believes the universe brings people together, separates them, and somehow finds a way to bring them back when they’re finally ready.
She believes love always finds its way home.
But something about the way she says it makes my chest ache.
Still, I smile.
A practiced smile.
One that almost feels real.
I listen as she talks about my father.
Her fated mate.
How proud he would be.
How happy he would be to see me standing beside Dominic.
How strong we’ll be together.
How relieved she is that I found my mate.
Dominic stands beside me.
Perfectly composed.
Completely convincing.
He lets her believe the story she wants to believe.
And if there’s any guilt in him, he hides it well.
All I see is quiet confidence.
Then he glances at me.
Just briefly.
And mouths:
“Woof.”
I almost choke.
I quickly cover it with a cough.
Dominic immediately turns back into the charming, respectful future Alpha.
Like, he didn’t just nearly make me laugh in front of my mother.
A part of me wants to kick him.
Another part of me wants to laugh.
And the worst part?
The absolute worst part…
Is how natural this feels.
Standing beside him.
Playing this role.
Letting everyone believe we belong together.
Because for a moment…
It doesn’t even feel like acting.
By the time we make it back to the car, Dominic is absolutely dead.