Chapter 436
Chapter 436:
“JFK Airport,” I ordered the driver, my voice shaking with a newfound, desperate resolve. I needed to rent a car. I was going back to Yale.
Carmella Golden POV
The drive up I-95 in my rental Porsche was a blur of numb terror. By dusk, I was walking through the wrought-iron gates of Yale University. The sprawling gothic architecture of Sterling Memorial Library loomed in the eerie orange glow of the streetlamps, casting long, monstrous shadows over the dead autumn leaves. The night air was freezing, biting through my thin coat — but it was nothing compared to the chill in my veins.
I slipped into Alumni Hall, blending into the sea of formal wear at the School of Management networking dinner. Waiters weaved through the wealthy alumni, carrying trays of champagne. I scanned the room, my heart hammering against my ribs, until my eyes locked onto a familiar face.
“Veronica?” I breathed.
Veronica Shaw, my college roommate and best friend, froze. The champagne flute slipped from her fingers, shattering against the marble floor. She stared at me as if I had crawled out of a grave.
“Carmella?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Oh my god. We thought you were dead p>
“What?” I stepped closer, ignoring the stares of the people around us. “What are you talking about p>
“Ferris,” she stammered, tears welling in her eyes. “Your cousin Ferris Hawthorne told everyone you were in a horrific accident in Europe. He said you were in a permanent coma and that your family wanted no visitors. We… we mourned you p>
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The floor seemed to tilt beneath my feet. My adoptive family hadn’t just hidden my past — they had systematically erased my existence.
I grabbed Veronica’s arm, dragging her away from the prying eyes and into an empty, quiet corridor near the coat check.
“Ronnie, listen to me,” I demanded, my voice tight with desperation. “I lost my memory. I need you to tell me who I was dating senior year. Who was he p>
Veronica shrank back, wrapping her arms around herself. “He wasn’t a student, Carmella. He was older. Powerful. He had this suffocating obsession with you. He used to rent out entire cafes just so you could study without anyone looking at you. He had this terrifying Alpha aura that made my skin crawl.” She swallowed hard. “Right before graduation, you told me you were pregnant. You said you were going to elope with him p>
Pregnant. A pup.
My hands shook violently as I pulled out my phone. I opened a news article and shoved the screen in front of her face. “Is this him p>
Veronica gasped, her face draining of all color. “Yes. That’s him. Carmella, after you were attacked with that silver weapon, he locked down the entire New Haven Hospital. He had his Warriors guarding the doors. No one was allowed in. And then… you just vanished p>
The final puzzle piece snapped into place, slicing my soul to ribbons.
Grant Blackwell.