Page 28 of Ellie 3

She gave me a moment, probably thinking my senses needed to reset after a lie. “I did not go to kill her that night.” She nodded when I couldn’t hide my shock. “I wassentthat night to kill her. There is adifference. Yes, I absolutely probably botched explaining it as achild, a terrified child given a fucking dagger to go—I botched it.

“She…” Theresa let out a shaky breath and turned away, wiping under her eyes. “That night ruined my life and any chance I had at a relationship with my own mother. She only believed her precious Ellie, her beloved, perfect girl and…” Shesniffed quietly and then met my gaze, her eyes hard. “Your brother sought me out.

“He wants me to be his so we can have some petty, old-world family drama of which Clark has the better Reed girl and all of the bullshit I would never, noteverwant. Ever. I have not stepped into Ellie’s world, and I doubt she cares enough about me to worry about stepping into mine, but if she found it, I doubt she would linger.”

I figured that was fairly accurate and gave a slight nod. “Myung?”

“Yes, and he was rather aggressive about it, like I wasblessedhe would consider me and expected me to be obedient while trying to destroy Ellie. So the fool barked up thewrongfucking tree with me because I will never be subservient to a man, especially one so much stupider than me.”

I snorted, glad to hear it and not just because of what that meant for Ellie and me.

“If it was simple, I would have blown it off and sent word through… I’m not sure what party would have been trusted,” she admitted with a sigh. “Or maybe I would have just asked you catch me when you were in London. I’m here dropping everything my first chance to sneak away because he started to throw a fit when I didn’t jump at the chance.”

“And you want to save my family embarrassment,” I surmised.

“I have clients who are in your pack—my firm does. I don’t know that we care that much, but I like my reputation, Dr. Clark,” she said firmly. “I don’t want any liaisons with power struggles and petty bull like…” She trailed off when she clearly sensed Ellie.

My lover burst through the door seconds later, clearly having dropped everything to come and raced from the parking garage.Her fangs came out when she saw Theresa. “If you dare to try and hurt him, there—”

“Stop,” I interjected, saying it firmly. I stood when she did, but the hurt look she gave me cut through my heart. “Ellie, she—please, hear her out and I think you—”

“Don’t defend her to me,” she bit out, stepping away from me, actually recoiling as if I’d taken a swing at her.

It didn’t help when Theresa snorted.

I shot her an unamused look, but she sighed and stood as well. She opened her mouth but then closed it before gesturing towards Ellie. “This was what I wanted to avoid. I did what I should and warned you. You have my card if you have questions, but I ask you not make a mess of my life.”

“Wait, please, you were telling the truth and Ellie needs to know,” I argued, moving to block her from the door… Something neither of them liked.

Theresa licked her teeth and shot Ellie a furious look before meeting my gaze. “I’m sorry, but I’m having a hard time controlling myself and as I said, I like my reputation.”

“Because I busted in here worried for him?” Ellie asked, clearly judging her.

Theresa turned her gaze on Ellie, full of hate. “No, learning that you’re the head of Amanda’s Hope and that’s why my employment there was blocked again and again. All I’ve ever wanted was to be part of that cause and do what no one would do foreitherof our mothers. And you’re so petty to—”

“Wait, she iswaytoo confused to know what you’re talking about,” I told Theresa as I pointed at Ellie. “It’s pouring off of her.”

“He’s right,” Ellie sighed. “I don’t handle the hiring and—I had no idea you applied. Why would I block you from volunteering or—”

“I’m an attorney,” Theresa informed her. “I’m one of the most sought-after attorneys in Europe. I’m a senior partner at a global firm based out of London, and on the side I take vampire cases to help women pro bono.” She narrowed her eyes at Ellie. “Because Amanda’s Hope kept blacklisting me from their program or any other I could help.”

Ellie opened her mouth but then closed it, cussing under her breath. “I didn’t know. I didn’t do it.”

I sighed, figuring it out. “Alexis. She would do background checks and probably all the red flags went up when she filed a resume. She’s smart enough to do her homework.”

“Yes, and I’m absolutely sure at some point she asked me if I had siblings and I probably answered without thinking of why she might ask,” Ellie said before letting out a huge sigh. Then she studied Theresa. “I will speak with her and take off the block—whatever she’s done. I’m not involved in the day-to-day—the legal side.”

“Ellie handles the hospital side,” I told her. “Facilitating the care and even getting patients out of other hospitals to ASH. Working with insurances even if under their husband’s everything.”

“Fine, thank you for explaining,” Theresa accepted after a few moments. Then she focused on Ellie. “Hear me on this because your Alpha wolf confirmed it’s true.” She waited until Ellie nodded. “I did not go there that night to kill you. I wassent thereto kill you. There is a difference, and I have no idea what story you were told, but it’s wrong.”

Ellie opened her mouth but then slowly closed it, sighing loudly.

Right, she said her magic or reading auras didn’t work on family members.

“She’s not lying, and I checked that her lies would register with me. She offered.” I held up my hands in surrender when sheshot me a shit look. “Ellie, you needed to know this. Especially with everything that’s happened—what she just told me now.”

“Maybe,” Ellie sighed, scrubbing her hand over her neck. “But why bring this all up now? To see Aurora?”

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