Chapter 8: The Truth She Took to the Grave

Ryker refused to leave my side.

He held my cold hand tightly, as though his warmth alone could bring me back.

"Wake up... please..." he whispered over and over.

"I was wrong... Harper... please wake up."

But the silence never broke.

Morwen watched him with pity before walking toward an old wooden cabinet.

"There was something Harper asked me to keep if she didn't survive," she said.

She placed a worn leather journal onto the stone table.

"She told me someone would eventually come looking for answers."

Ryker slowly opened the journal.

The very first page made his breathing stop.

"The healer told me my wolf spirit was fading."

"I only have seven days left to live."

"I wanted to tell Ryker... but every time I tried, he only talked about Ivy."

Ryker's hands trembled violently.

He hurriedly turned the pages.

"Mother says Ivy deserves everything because I stole her strength before birth."

"Father says protecting Ivy is my duty."

"Ryker says if I truly love him, I should sacrifice myself for her."

"Maybe... if I disappear, they'll finally be happy."

His vision blurred with tears.

Every page was filled with loneliness.

Not a single complaint.

Only quiet acceptance.

My mother covered her mouth as sobs escaped her.

"I... I never knew..."

"You never wanted to know," Morwen answered coldly.

"She tried to tell you countless times."

"You simply refused to listen."

My father collapsed against the wall.

The confidence he had carried for years disappeared completely.

"We've... destroyed our own daughter..."

Just then, another voice echoed through the cellar.

"No... you destroyed the wrong daughter."

Everyone turned.

An elderly healer from Blackmoon Pack hurried inside carrying several old medical records.

"I've been searching for Harper ever since I learned what happened."

He placed the documents before everyone.

"Twenty-three years ago, immediately after the twins were born, I examined both infants."

"Harper wasn't stronger because she stole Ivy's nutrients."

"She suffered from a rare congenital wolf-spirit disorder."

"Her body only appeared stronger because the illness remained dormant."

"Once it awakened... nothing could save her."

"I left these records with your family years ago."

"Did none of you ever read them?"

My parents stared blankly at the faded documents.

My mother suddenly remembered.

"Ivy..."

"The records disappeared the day we brought the girls home..."

Everyone slowly turned toward Ivy.

Her face instantly lost all color.

For the first time...

Fear appeared in her eyes.