Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception novel Chapter 139

With that, she turned and walked away, her posture effortlessly composed, not sparing him another glance.

Dalton clenched his fists, watching her retreating figure. His chest burned with irritation. Who does she think she is?

She was the one clinging to resentment, the one bitter over the past, the one desperate to ruin Linda’s happiness.

And yet, she acted as if he was the one being ridiculous.

His expression darkened. He would speak to Arnold about this.

——————

The villa’s grand entrance was bathed in golden light as Arnold and Alex stepped inside, weary from their day. Just as Arnold set down his keys, his phone vibrated sharply in his pocket. He fished it out, glanced at the caller ID, and his expression stiffened.

"Hello?" His voice was brisk.

"Mr. Arnold, your grandmother has had a fall. She's at St. Mary's Hospital now—fractured hip. She's receiving treatment, but you'll want to come."

A wave of concern shot through Arnold. "I'll be there right away."

Alex, noticing the change in his father’s demeanor, stepped forward. "What’s wrong?"

"Grandma had an accident," Arnold answered quickly, already moving toward the door.

Alex’s eyes widened. "I want to go too—"

"Not now." Arnold cut him off, though his tone lacked harshness. "You have school tomorrow. You can visit her after class."

"But—"

"No arguments, Alex." Arnold was already halfway out the door, his car keys in hand. "I'll let you know if anything serious happens."

Alex could only watch as the car sped off into the night.

At that moment, his phone buzzed.

He snatched it up, heart pounding, hoping it was his mother.

But when he opened it, disappointment settled like a stone in his chest—it was just another spam message.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

He had called Sarah several times that day. Earlier, he had caught a glimpse of a familiar silhouette on the street—her walk, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear. It had to be his mother. But she hadn’t picked up his calls.

*If it was really her, why wouldn't she tell me?*

The more he thought about it, the more the doubt gnawed at him. After all, why would she come back for the holidays and not bring him along?

---

Arnold drove with one hand gripping the steering wheel tightly. His jaw clenched as memories of his grandmother surfaced—the formidable matriarch who had always demanded obedience.

Upon arriving at the hospital, she was immediately greeted by a member of the medical staff who respectfully said, “Alpha Arnold, the patient is in room 309.”

Arnold exhaled sharply and headed down the hall. The antiseptic scent filled his lungs, and the quiet hum of machines echoed in the sterile space. When he entered, his grandmother was lying in bed, her frail frame a stark contrast to the strong woman he had grown up with.

Her eyes were closed, but he could tell she was awake. "Grandma," he said softly.

She didn’t respond.

Dressed in a sharp suit, standing stiffly near the elevator doors, her usual air of arrogance dampened.

Sarah barely acknowledged her, but Linda's eyes flicked toward her, dark with irritation.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Linda asked, voice cold as ice.

Sarah frowned. "Excuse me?"

Linda let out a bitter laugh. "You think this is funny, don’t you? Watching me get kicked off the project?"

Sarah blinked. *Kicked off?* She had no idea what Linda was talking about, but she wasn’t about to back down.

"I don’t know what you mean, but if you’re having a bad day, don’t take it out on me," she said evenly.

Linda’s lips pressed into a thin line.

The elevator arrived with a soft ding. As Linda stepped in, she gave Sarah one last glare. "Don’t get too comfortable, Sarah."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Right back at you."

The doors slid shut.

Letting out a slow breath, Sarah walked toward the exit. She wasn’t in the mood for Linda’s games.

But just as she stepped outside, she saw *him*.

Arnold.

He was leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets, his gaze steady on her.