---- Chapter 23 No.23 Nyx POV: The shift from "Mama" back to "Lady Elena" was a deliberate cruelty, and | knew it. | felt her hope shatter behind me, but | didn't turn back. That part of my life was over. | later learned from Finn that she had signed all the assets over to my name anyway, legally and irrevocably. They were mine, whether | wanted them or not. 1 Kaelen remained unconscious for three days. | heard from the palace whispers that he called my name constantly in his sleep, begging for a forgiveness he would never receive. | locked myself in my quarters. | didn't eat. | didn't sleep. | trained. | pushed my body to its absolute limit, hoping the physical exhaustion would numb the turmoil in my soul. Every time | closed my eyes, | saw him driving that dagger into his chest. The image was seared into my mind. On the third day, a message arrived from Mary at the Northern Sanctuary. '| heard there was some trouble, little wolf. Remember who you are. Remember how far you've come. Your northern family is waiting for you.' Her words were a comforting balm on my raw nerves. She was more of a mother to me than Elena had ever been: A knock on the door broke my reverie. It was the pack elders, ---- accompanied by Kaelen's Beta, Marcus. The eldest wolf, a grim-faced man named Lorcan, placed another stack of documents on my table. "These are from your family," he said gruffly. "Your assets. They are now yours." Marcus stepped forward, adding a second, even larger, stack of scrolls. "And these," he said, his voice heavy, "are from Alpha Kaelen. They are the deeds to all of his personal territories, his private treasury, everything he owns that is not pack property." | stared at the mountain of paperwork, bewildered. "Why?" "Because he is a fool," a weak voice said from the doorway. Kaelen was standing there, leaning heavily on the doorframe, his face pale and drawn. He was dressed in simple clothes, the front of his tunic stained with blood from where his wound had reopened. He looked at me, his eyes filled with a pain that went far beyond the physical. "They are yours now, Elara. So that you have the power. So that you have the resources. So that if you ever decide you want to destroy me, you have the means to do it. So that we are finally equals." 2 In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.