Chapter 26. Rejection and Chapter 26 : Rejection and Confrontation Chapter 26 : Rejection and Confrontation ( Sophia's POV ) In the dimly lit hospital ward , I watched Marcus settle into the uncomfortable chair beside Oliver's bed . The moonlight streaming through the window cast shadows across his sharp features . This was my chance . My boldest move yet . " There's no spare bed for caregivers tonight , " I said softly , moving closer to him . " We'll have to share the space . " My heart pounded as I reached for his coat . My fingers trembled slightly as I began unbuttoning it . I had desired him for so long . Six years of regret burned in my chest like acid . Why had I chosen another man ? Why had I gotten pregnant with someone else's child? If I could go back , I would never have left Marcus's side . My fingers worked on the second button , then the third . Marcus remained still , his breathing steady . Suddenly , his hand caught mine . His grip was firm but not painful . " We shouldn't do this , " he said quietly . His golden eyes met mine in the darkness . There was no desire there , only careful distance . He rebuttoned his coat with methodical precision . Each button felt like a rejection stabbing through my heart . " Oliver is asleep now , " he said , standing up . " I should go . " I remained frozen as he walked toward the door . My face burned with humiliation . " Marcus , wait- " But he was already gone . The door closed with a soft click that echoed like thunder in my ears . I stood there in the empty room , my hands still extended where his coat had been . The pale moonlight made everything look cold and lifeless . My hatred for Elena deepened like poison spreading through my veins . This was all her fault . ( Elena's POV ) The next morning , I arrived at the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute early . My phone buzzed with notifications from a group chat I didn't recognize . I frowned , scrolling through messages about a 9 AM department meeting . The timestamp showed the group was created yesterday evening . I wasn't in this group . When I reached the conference room at 9:15 , Senior William Cross was already speaking . All the department staff sat around the table , taking notes . Chapter 26 : Rejection and . " Healer Elena ," Senior William said sharply as I entered . " You're late ." Every head turned toward me . I felt their curious starès like pinpricks on my skin . " I apologize , " I said calmly . " I wasn't notified of this meeting . " Sophia looked up from her tablet with perfectly crafted surprise . " But I announced it in the group chat yesterday . " Her voice carried just the right amount of confusion . " Didn't you see the message ? " Senior William's expression darkened . " Do you think your special status exempts you from hospital rules ? " His tone was sharp with disapproval . " This kind of attitude is unacceptable ." I remained composed despite the public humiliation . " Which group chat are you referring to ? " Sophia held up her phone , showing the group member list . " The new department coordination group . " I studied the screen carefully . Every staff member's name was listed except mine . " I see , " I said quietly . " I wasn't added to this group ." The room fell silent . Several colleagues shifted uncomfortably in their seats . " Are you suggesting this was deliberate workplace exclusion ? " I asked , my voice steady . Sophia's face paled slightly . She hadn't expected me to challenge her so directly . " Of course not , " she said quickly . " It must have been an oversight . " Her fingers fumbled with her phone . " I'll add you to the group right now . " " That won't be necessary , " I replied . " The damage is already done . " Senior William cleared his throat awkwardly . The logic of my argument was undeniable . Sophia's eyes grew darker with each passing second . Her carefully planned humiliation had backfired . " I sincerely apologize ," she said through gritted teeth . " I'll be more careful in the future . " But I could see the resentment burning behind her false smile . After the meeting , I returned to my office to organize reports for my upcoming transfer . My phone rang with my mother's number . " Elena , can we meet this afternoon ? " Patricia's voice sounded strained . " There's something important we need to discuss . " I agreed to meet her at a restaurant near the institute . The familiar weight of family obligations settled on my shoulders . At the restaurant , Patricia sat across from me with nervous energy . She ordered my favorite dis ' no appetite . " I need you to delay the mate bond severance , " she said without preamble . Her hands twisted the napkin in her lap . " Just until David passes his civil service examination . " I looked at her tired face . " You made similar promises before . " " This time is different , " she insisted . " We're family . We shouldn't be so calculating with each other , but I had < Chapter 26 : Rejection and The word ' family ' tasted bitter in my mouth . " What makes me different from David ? " Patricia's face flushed . " You're different from him ! " " How ? " I pressed . " Why didn't you just kill me at birth if you only care about your son ? " " Elena ! " she shouted , her voice cracking . But she couldn't explain how I was different . She never could . Hlaughed , feeling my eyes redden with unshed tears . The sound was hollow and broken . Without touching the untouched food , I stood to leave . Patricia reached for my arm desperately . " I'm only giving you two months , " I said quietly . " If David doesn't pass the exam after two months , everything about the Blackthorne family will have nothing to do with me . " My voice grew colder with each word . " By then , whether you look for Marcus or anyone else , don't come looking for me . " I paused at her confused expression . " Because you won't be able to find me ." I left with a bitter smile , leaving Patricia stunned and confused by my final words . Comments Watch videos get points ( 0/10 ) > Vote 104 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!