Chapter 84
Kael’s POV
I waited all evening for something to change.
But Roxanne didn’t act differently. She finished her food, drank the tea, and smiled like always; that fake and polished smile that never reached her eyes. I dropped her off and watched her disappear behind her front door. She was moving with the same confident stride she always had.
Nothing happened.
I drove home in silence. I gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. When I finally made it to my room, I slammed the door and paced like a caged animal. I pulled the second vial from my coat pocket and stared at it.
Was this all a scam?
Was I a fool for trusting Morana?
Valric stirred in my mind. We took a risk. Don’t panic yet.
“It didn’t work,” I muttered while pulling out my phone. I scrolled to Morana’s number and hit
call.
It rang twice before she answered.
“I expected you to call sooner,” her voice slithered through the line like smoke.
“Nothing happened,” I said. I did not bother to hide the frustration in my tone. “I gave her the potion, and she is still the same manipulative witch she was yesterday. Nothing has happened. She still feels fine.”
“Of course she is,” Morana replied calmly. “You gave her one dose. Did you think she would roll over in pain after a sip?”
I paced the length of my room. “You said it was powerful.”
“Yes, it is,” she said firmly. “But magic, especially the kind I use, doesn’t always act like a switch. It flows and builds gradually. You must finish the bottle.”
“You mean all of it?”
“Every last drop,” she confirmed. “What you gave her today was only the beginning. To achieve the result you want… to end what is growing inside her… she has to consume it all.”
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I sat down hard on the edge of my bed. My fingers dug into my knees. “How long will it take
to work?”
“That depends on how strong her body is,” Morana said, her voice lower now and more serious. “But one thing is certain, Kael. That child will not be born if she drinks the whole
bottle.”
I ran a hand down my face. “You swear this stuff works?”
do your “I swear it on the blood of my ancestors,” Morana said in a firm voice. “But only if you part. Consistency is key. You can’t rush this. Her body must absorb every last drop for the spell to complete. It’s subtle, so it won’t draw suspicion. But if you stop halfway, it won’t
work.”
Valric stirred in my mind. She speaks the truth, Kael. If we are too impatient… it might ruin everything.
I gritted my teeth. My hand curled into a fist. “Alright. I’ll keep going.”
“Good,” Morana said. “Call me if anything changes. And Kael… don’t let your emotions get in the way. You need to remain calm and in control. This is important for you to achieve your goal.”
The line went dead.
The next morning, I woke up with a plan. If I was going to keep feeding Roxanne the potion, I needed excuses to see her. I couldn’t just show up randomly.
Then I remembered what she said a few days ago: “I will need to start going to the gynecologist for check ups soon.”
It made my blood boil.
But it also gave me a reason.
I called her.
She picked up on the third ring. “Kael? Again? Should I be flattered?”
“We need to go to the clinic,” I said. “I want a full check–up. To make sure that the baby is fine.”
She went quiet. “Why now?”
“Because even if I can’t stand you,” I said coolly, “the child is mine. And I need to know that it’s healthy.”
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She scoffed. “Well, aren’t you suddenly father of the year.”
“In one hour. I’ll pick you up.”
She hung up without another word.
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We drove in silence most of the way. She wore a tight black dress with a red coat draped over her shoulders. I caught her smirking at me a few times, but I ignored her.
At the clinic, the doctor welcomed us with a polite smile. Roxanne acted sweet and pleasant, answering questions like she was the perfect Luna–to–be.
After the exam and ultrasound, the doctor turned to us with a smile. “Everything looks perfect. The baby is developing well. There is a strong heartbeat and no complications.”
Roxanne looked pleased. I tried not to let the disappointment show on my face.
“Would you like a print of the ultrasound?” the nurse asked.
“Yes, please,” Roxanne chirped. “We’ll add it to our baby album.”
I didn’t say a word.
As we walked out, she turned to me. “See? Our little miracle is just fine.”
I forced a smile. “Great. Let’s grab lunch.”
“Wow,” she blinked. “That almost sounded like a date.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
We stopped at a Chinese restaurant on the way back. It was quiet and dimly lit, with paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
We sat at a booth near the back. Roxanne glanced at the menu. “I’m craving soup.”
Perfect.
“Hot and sour or wonton?” I asked.
“Both. I’m eating for two, remember?”
I nodded and ordered for both of us.
When the server walked away, I carefully reached into my coat pocket. The second small vial
was ready. I had unscrewed the cap slightly before entering the restaurant.
Roxanne was distracted. She was scrolling through her phone.
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I waited until the soup arrived. Steam rose from the bowl in front of her.
She picked up her spoon, then set it down again. “Forgot my lip balm. Be right back.”
She stood and headed for the restroom.
Now.
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I grabbed the vial and uncapped it quickly. I poured a few drops into her soup. Just enough. Not too much. Then I stirred it gently with her spoon.
Just as I tucked the vial back into my pocket, I heard footsteps.
She returned.
And her eyes narrowed slightly.
“What were you doing just now?”
I blinked. “What?”
She slid into the booth. Her eyes were fixed on me. “You were leaning over my soup.”
My heart jumped.
“It was boiling,” I said quickly. “I was just checking if it was too hot. Didn’t want you burning your tongue.”
She stared at me for a long moment. Then, slowly, she smirked.
“How thoughtful of you.”
I picked up my chopsticks. “Eat before it gets cold.”
She took a bite, and I watched her closely.
No reaction.
Nothing at all.
Valric growled softly in my mind. Patience. Give it time.
Roxanne was humming now. “This soup is divine. You know, Kael, if you acted like this more often, I might actually start to think you care.”
I clenched my jaw. “I don’t.”
“Oh, I know. But pretending is half the fun.”
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She kept eating, smiling and talking. I kept watching.
And wondering.
Was Morana lying?
Was I wasting time?
But then Valric whispered again.
Patience, Kael. Good things take time.
And I knew I couldn’t stop now.
Not until the bottle was empty.
Not until I was successful.
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< Chapter 85
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Chapter 85
