Chapter 57 

Lisa’s POV 

I stepped forward. My hand was trembling just slightly as I lifted it to knock on the door. 

Rylan was close beside me. He was silent and steady like a mountain. His presence was calming, but my heart still raced like a wild drum. The truthwood shard in my pocket pulsed warmly against my skin, as if it 

could sense how close I was to uncovering the truth. 

The door opened and there she was. 

My mother. 

Or… the woman I used to call my mother. 

She blinked at first. She was clearly shocked to see me. Her hand flew to her mouth, and for a moment 

she looked like she couldn’t breathe. Then her eyes filled with tears, and a smile broke across her face like 

sunshine breaking through clouds. 

“Oh, thank the Moon Goddess!” she whispered. “You’ve finally returned home.” 

I stared at her. 

I wanted to feel something. 

But all I felt was cold. 

“I haven’t returned,” I said flatly. “I just came to discuss something important with you and Dad.” 

Her smile faded just a little. Hurt flickered across her face, but she quickly masked it. “Of course. Of 

course, sweetheart. Come in. Come inside.” 

From somewhere inside the house, I heard a voice I hadn’t heard in what felt like a lifetime. 

“Who is it, Mom?” It was Roxanne. 

I stiffened. 

My mother turned her head and called out, “It’s Lisa. She has come back.” 

Before I could even react, she reached out and grabbed my hand. Her grip was firm and desperate. She pulled me inside with such urgency, I barely had time to protest. 

I didn’t come for hugs. I didn’t come for tears. I didn’t come for a family reunion. 

I came for answers. 

Rylan followed silently behind me. His presence was comforting but also a sharp reminder that this wasn’t just another visit….it was a confrontation. 

As I stepped into the living room, a wave of memories hit me hard. The same couch. The same rug. The 

 

same scent of vanilla and lilacs. 

It was like I had walked back into the past. 

But then I saw him. 

Kael. 

Sitting on the couch. 

My breath caught in my throat. I hadn’t expected him to be here. 

His head turned, and his silver eyes landed on mine. 

The color drained from his face. 

He stared at me as if I were a ghost. 

He shot up to his feet. “Lisa…” 

His voice cracked slightly as he stepped forward. 

“I need to talk to you,” he said, voice low and intense. 

I lifted my hand before he could come closer. 

Clam 

“I didn’t come here to talk to you,” I said sharply. “I came to discuss something important with my parents.” 

I meant every word. 

But still, I couldn’t stop the sting in my chest. I couldn’t stop the way my eyes flicked to his left hand, searching for a ring. I couldn’t stop the ache that throbbed somewhere deep inside me. 

Why do you care? Sierra whispered in my mind. He made his choice, remember? 

I clenched my jaw. I don’t care. I really don’t. 

But even I knew I was lying to myself. 

Kael’s eyes darkened. He looked like he wanted to argue. Like he wanted to explain. But before he could say anything else, Roxanne came forward and took his hand. 

Her eyes lit up with fake surprise. “What’s going on? Why are you talking to her?” 

She quickly wrapped herself around Kael like a snake. 

“I am your fiancée, Kael,” she said sweetly. “You shouldn’t be talking to her. You don’t owe her anything.” 

My chest tightened again. I looked away. 

“I’m the one carrying your baby, remember?” Roxanne added while giving me a pointed look. “You should be focusing on me. Let’s go upstairs and talk about the wedding plans.” 

She tugged at his arm. 

 

Kael didn’t move at first. His eyes stayed locked on mine. 

 

There was something in his gaze. I could see longing, pain and regret. But then Roxanne pulled harder, and 

he finally turned away. 

They disappeared up the stairs. 

I told myself it didn’t matter. It doesn’t matter, I said again. But I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I hate that this hurts, I whispered to Sierra. 

I know. But you’re stronger than this, Lisa. You don’t need him. Not anymore. 

I know. But why does he still look at me like that? Like I’m the one he wants? 

Because he does, Sierra whispered. 

I shook my head. It’s too late. 

I turned to my mother, who had been watching me with a strange expression on her face-part guilt, part 

worry. 

“Where’s Dad?” I asked. 

She hesitated, then looked away. “He’s out. He had… work to take care of.” 

Of course he did. It was so convenient. 

“I need to speak with both of you,” I said. “But I’ll start with you.” 

She nodded slowly and motioned toward the dining room. “Let’s sit.” 

“No. I’ll stand.” 

She blinked. “Alright…” 

Rylan stayed beside me. He was quiet but alert. 

I took a deep breath and went for it. “The reason I came here today is to ask you for more information about my biological parents.” 

She froze. 

Her hands twitched at her sides. “Lisa… what are you saying?” 

I stared at her. “I know that I am adopted.” 

Her face went pale. “No. That’s not true. I am your biological mother.” 

“Please,” I said. My voice broke slightly, but I kept going. “Stop lying. I know the truth. You’re not my mother.” 

She looked like I had slapped her. 

real 

“I don’t know where you got that idea,” she said quickly. “You’re confused….someone has been feeding you 

 

“I’ve had visions,” I whispered. “My real mother’s name was Althea. She came to me. She told me who I was. She showed me… things. Things you never told me.” 

“Lisa…” Her voice was trembling now. “You’re scaring me. Why would you say something like this?” 

“Because I deserve the truth!” I shouted. 

Tears pricked my eyes but I blinked them away. 

“I spent my whole life wondering why I was different. Why I didn’t belong. Why my wolf never came. Why everyone treated me like I was nothing. I thought it was my fault. But now I know the truth. I was never yours to begin with.” 

My mother took a shaky step forward. “Lisa, I….” 

“Don’t,” I said coldly. 

She froze. 

“I didn’t come here to hurt you,” I added. “I came here to understand who I am: Where I came from. Who 

my parents really were.” 

Silence fell like a heavy curtain. Rylan stepped slightly in front of me. He was protective as always. 

But I didn’t need him to speak for me. 

Not now. 

My mother opened her mouth, but no words came out. 

Then she turned away, covering her face with one hand. 

I waited. 

Waited for her to speak. 

Waited for the truth. 

But she said nothing. 

Just cried quietly into her hand. 

I looked down at my hand where the truthwood shard lay hidden in my pocket. It was warm now. Almost hot. 

She’s lying, Sierra whispered. She’s still hiding something. We’re close. Don’t back down. 

I won’t, I promised. Not until I know everything. 

Just then, footsteps echoed on the stairs. 

I didn’t have to turn to know who it was. 

 

Kael. 

I felt his presence before I saw him. His energy wrapped around me like invisible chains. 

When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw him halfway down the stairs, frozen again with that look in his 

eyes. 

That look that said he wasn’t over me. 

That maybe… he had never been. 

I looked away. 

He wasn’t mine anymore. 

Maybe he never really was. 

Whether he had one child or twenty with Roxanne… it didn’t concern me. 

I was here for the truth. 

And I was going to get it. 

Even if it shattered everything I thought I knew.