Chapter 9

As Alyssa watch Ezekiel leave with his lover in his arms, she felt deep pain that she had never felt before. Watching him act like she didn't exist made deep cuts in her heart, damaging her the more. How could he be so cruel to her? Even though he hated her, couldn't he feel the mate bond drawing them together? Did he hate her that much that it was able to triumph over their unbreakable mate bond? Alyssa sighed and blinked away tears from her eyes. She needed to pull herself back to reality. Their mate bond is nothing compared to what he felt for Cindy. She needed to realize and accept that she was nothing to him; that way, it wouldn't hurt this much. She wiped her tears and turned towards Lily. All that matters is how to get her out of this mess she put her in. She pulled a stool and positioned it closed to Lily's bed before she sat on it. "I'm so sorry Lily, it's all my fault."She silently signed with her hands, filled with guilt in her heart. She stayed that way, watching Lily sleep peacefully, her mind still on the event that had happened between her, Cindy and Ezekiel earlier. She tried so hard to distract herself but it wasn't working. That night, Ezekiel didn't come to see her once. She thought she would be fine and even get used to the fact that he preferred Cindy's company to hers but it still hurt her deeply. She gently caressed her stomach, reaffirming her decision to divorce him. No matter how angry and stubborn he gets, she was going to leave this loveless marriage and raise their child on her own. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep with her hands still wrapped tightly around Lily's. 《》《》《》《》《》《》 ~The next day~ Alyssa woke up immediately she heard the door to the ward creak open. She stared around tiredly and noticed that she was still in the hospital. "You're awake." A voice startled her and she turned only to see Ezekiel staring at her with his usual emotionless gaze. She stared at him in both surprise and joy. He finally came to see her. Even though he events of last night still hurt her deeply, she was really glad to see his face. "Come on.. there's something you need to do." He said to her before leaving, not bothering to ask about her night. Alyssa didn't care about his approach but was confused as to what he needed her to do. She decided to follow him to see for herself before his mood changes. He took fast strides while Alyssa tried to catch up with him. Alyssa's face suddenly went pale when she realized that he was heading to an operating room. She stood frozen in place, staring in terror at his retreating figure. The memories of the last miscarriage, in the operating room, instantly engulfed her—blinding surgical lights, the cold operating table, the heart-wrenching pain, and the hopelessness of waking up from anesthesia only to find she had lost the baby. These memories almost suffocated her. "Why is he going to the operating room? Does he know I'm pregnant? Is he going to...?" Fear spread wildly in her heart. She couldn’t bear the pain of losing another child in the operating room. The last accident had already tortured her, and this time, she vowed to protect this new baby at all costs. When Ezekiel realised that she wasn't following him, he stopped and turned to face her. "What are you doing?" He asked, making her jump in fear. "H..huh??" She blinked,trying to control her rising panic. "Aren't you coming?" He asked again,impatience creeping into his voice. "W.. what are we doing here??"She asked as she pinched her fingernails nervously, her hands shaking as she signed. "You'll see." Ezekiel answered with a small smile, irking her the more. "Is he so glad to murder our second child??" She asked herself, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes. "Come on, you're wasting time." Ezekiel urged but she didn't budge. "I don't want to do it." She told him in sign language. "What?" "I don't want to have the surgery." She added. "Why not? This is the best decision for you." He said as he walked towards her and attempted to touch her but she moved away, her body tensing like a frightened animal. "I know what's best for me and I'm telling you, I don't want to have the surgery." She told him, standing her ground despite her trembling hands. Ezekiel sighed as he rubbed his head in frustration. "Don't make this harder than it already is Alyssa. Do as I say or I'll have to use force." He warned. "No!! Nothing will make me have this surgery." She said in sign language as she wrapped her hands protectively around her belly, memories of her previous loss making her desperate to protect this child. Ezekiel stared at her in surprise, wondering why she was so hell bent on not having the surgery when that was all she had ever dreamt of; to be able to finally talk. He was tired of her being a nuisance so he quickly grabbed her before she could run and pulled her with him despite her cries and pleas of not wanting the surgery. "In a few hours time, you'll realize that it was all for you own good." He muttered as he pulled her with him towards the room but that didn't stop her from resisting. When it was too much, he stopped and held her in place. His eyes were cold as ice as he glared angrily at her. Seeing that he was getting angry, she stopped thrashing around immediately for fear of what he was going to do to her. "You had better behave yourself and not disappoint me because this surgery is going to take place whether you like it or not." He warned coldly. Alyssa's heart sank to her stomach, the fight draining from her body. She knew his resolve was unshakable no matter how hard she tried. She nodded slowly, bitter tears stinging her eyes as she blamed herself for not being able to protect this baby too. Just when despair threatened to overwhelm her, Simon appeared. He was Ezekiel's Beta and he claimed he needed Alyssa's help in signing Lily's medical documents as she was Lily's guardian at the moment. Alyssa quickly followed him without without asking any questions as it helped her to escape Ezekiel's heartless sight. As she followed him, she realized they were going the wrong path. She was about to ask where he was going when he finally stopped walking. He gave a small bow to someone before leaving. After he left, Alyssa could finally see who it was. She was shocked to find Cindy waiting for her. Her legs were crossed as she stared at Alyssa with pure disgust and hatred. Knowing this wouldn't end well, Alyssa was about to take her leave when Cindy uttered something that made her stop on her spot. "After your surgery, Ezekiel and I are planning to finally get married." She announced with a smug smile dancing on her lips. The words hit her like a physical blow, each syllable driving daggers into her already bleeding heart. So this was why Ezekiel insisted on the surgery - he was finally choosing his lover officially. That moment shattered any remaining illusions she had about their relationship. Reality crashed down on her with crushing force - it was truly over between them. Ezekiel had never harbored any feelings for her, despite all her desperate hoping. The realization left her feeling hollow inside, too numb even for tears. She made her way back to the operating room in a daze.Ezekiel noticed her changed demeanor and seemed about to ask what had happened, but held himself back, his momentary concern masked quickly by indifference. Only when inside the operating room Alyssa realized that it wasn't an abortion but to restore her voice. On a normal day, she would have been very happy; with the thought that Ezekiel did it to help her. Today was different as the news Cindy broke to her made her realize that Ezekiel was only doing it because of his father's wishes. So, it didn't matter to her anymore. Her heart had already been broken beyond repair by the man she loved the most. After the surgery, her voice was restored but she felt no joy. Ezekiel was brimming with smiles ss he entered the ward they had transferred her into. This was a rare sight and that made Alyssa wonder if he was that happy to finally send her off. "You just had surgery so you have to rest and avoid speaking too much." He said in a soft voice which was unlike him but Alyssa was too heartbroken to notice. "Also, the café you're working at has been closed so you don't have to leave the house anymore." He instructed her but Alyssa didn't reply him. After being in a comfortable silence for a while, she decided to make her decision known even though it would hurt her forever. Her voice was hoarse and deep but her words were firm and clear. "I Alyssa Gray reject you Ezekiel Crawford." She spoke her first sentence ever. Ezekiel felt a sharp pain in his heart the moment he heard that. His wolf wasn't left out either. He could hear him howling in pain from within. "W..why??" His voice broke as he asked. "I don't want to be trapped in this loveless marriage anymore. Please let me go."