Freya's POV
After that night, it seemed like a wonderful change was occurring between Kingsley and me.
Kingsley and I settled into a routine. If he was at home instead of traveling, I'd play the piano, sing lullabies, or perform other soothing songs, and we'd spend almost every night together, like teenagers falling in love all over again.
When that occurred, we would have breakfast together, and then he'd head off to work or a business trip while I continued with my day.
It didn't matter how late he came in or how hectic his day was; he always brought me some kind of gift.
It amazes me how considerate he can be. Books, jewelry, chocolates, and once even a teddy bear - all of these gifts adorned my bookshelf. However, usually, he would bring me a bouquet of flowers.
I was on the set, in the middle of a shoot, when I received an unexpected call from the hospital. I quickly picked up the phone.
"Freya, you need to come to the hospital immediately. Your mom is in a critical condition!"
My expression changed instantly. "I'll be right there."
After ending the call, I promptly informed the crew that I needed to leave and rushed to the hospital.
Livia's condition was deteriorating rapidly. The doctor had previously mentioned that her body was on the verge of shutting down, with all her organs at the brink of failure.
Her lungs had developed lesions, and she could no longer maintain independent breathing as she once could. She now relied on the ventilator for support. The doctor had revised his initial prognosis, suggesting that she might not make it through the year, and at this rate, it might be only a matter of a few months.
My heart sank, and I bit my lip in anxiety.
"By the way," the doctor suddenly remembered, "Miss, it's time to settle the medical bills for your mother's treatment."
I was taken aback. "Hasn't my father always been responsible for the medical expenses?"
"Your father mentioned earlier that he already had no bond with your mother and wouldn't be contributing to the medical bills anymore. Didn't you know?"
I was stunned. "What did you say?"
The doctor gauged my expression. "You still don't know, do you?"
A sense of foreboding washed over me. "Know what?"
"Your father had already ended the bond with your mother a long time ago."
My heart sank further, and I struggled to make sense of this revelation.
I quickly went to check my mother's neck, and as expected, the mark on her neck had disappeared.
When did it happen, and how were the assets divided?
My thoughts were in disarray, and I clenched my lips tightly. "Give me a moment. I need to make a call."
With that, I dialed Theo's number, but there was no answer on the other end.
I pursed my lips and retrieved a card, handing it to the staff. "First, use this card."
Then, I took out my phone and called Finley. "Finley, there's something I might need your help with. I just found out that Theo had ended the bond with my mom."
"Got it," Finley replied softly as he led me aside. "Leave it to me."
I was deeply concerned.
I nodded and continued, "Finley, Theo has stopped paying my mom's medical bills. So, if it is indeed true and he has found a new mate, I need to go to court on behalf of my mom and request a property redivision."
Finley frowned. "Don't worry, don't jump to conclusions just yet. I'll ask around first. Even if it comes to a redivision, we'll make sure to maximize the benefits."
I sighed in relief, my eyes red, and whispered, "Thank you."
Later in the evening, my mother developed a fever.
Livia couldn't tolerate strong medication at the moment, and the doctor advised us to lower her temperature through physical means.
The caregiver and I took turns throughout the night, and it wasn't until the early hours, around two or three in the morning, that her temperature began to decrease.
I leaned back in my chair, but there was little sleep to be had. I picked up her cell phone, hesitated for a while, and then dialed his number.
The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered. I hung up, pursed my lips, and dialed Kingsley's number again.
The response from the other end of the phone was a cold, automated female voice, "I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is currently engaged. Please try again later."
I hung up, tossed the phone aside, and leaned back in my chair, covering my eyes.
Kingsley, why was it that every time I needed you the most, you were never there for me?
I almost thought that everything would be different recently, but now...
Early the next morning, a nurse burst into the room. "Miss, please proceed downstairs to settle the bill."
I frowned, replying, "I just paid it yesterday."
"I didn't know what was happening when I received a call from downstairs, informing me that the account had run out of funds. There's still a physical therapy session this afternoon, so please hurry," the nurse said as she left.
I was puzzled but rushed downstairs to the payment office.
When I approached the staff and mentioned that I was Livia's daughter, they explained, "The money you inquired about last night was frozen due to a bank application issue. They stated there's a problem with that money, and, unfortunately, it can't be used at the moment."
"Frozen?" I furrowed my brow.
I switched to another card and said, "Try this one."
As soon as I swiped it, the machine beeped, and the staff informed me, "This card of yours is also frozen."
I blushed slightly and pursed my lips as I tried another one. "How about this one?"
The pattern continued until I had attempted all my cards, and my face finally fell.
All the accounts under my name had been frozen by the bank.
So, who could have done this? Who had the power?
I searched my thoughts, and my suspicion fell on Grace.
With a quick "excuse me," I grabbed the card from the table and stepped aside. Clenching my fingers, I dialed Grace's cell phone. It didn't take long for her to answer on the other end.
"Hello," Grace's cold voice came through the line.
I suppressed my emotions and whispered, "It's me."
Grace responded casually, "Is something wrong?"
I pursed my lips. "I was just at the hospital paying my bill when the billing office informed me that my bank card was frozen."
"Oh," Grace replied flatly, "I froze it."
My heart sank. "Why did you do that?"
Grace let out a faint laugh. "Don't think I don't know that Kingsley and you were already planning to reject each other. Besides, it's been a while since you took the medicine I offered. Facing a disloyal Luna that won't even produce an Alpha heir and knowing your separation from Kingsley was inevitable sooner or later, well, I had to protect against the possibility of you transferring your assets, didn't I? After all, our pack isn't in the business of charity."
My heart raced when I heard Grace mention that medicine again. I had stopped taking it ever since I found out it contained wolfsbane. I didn't even have time to wonder how Grace knew that.
When I heard her words, my blood ran cold, and my anger flared up instantly.
"You can freeze Kingsley's card, but who are you to freeze mine? The money on my card is hard-earned, and it has nothing to do with Kingsley!"
"Watch your tone!" Grace retorted irritably. "Your money? What money do you have? Can you point to a single thing you're wearing or using that isn't paid for by Kingsley?"
My lips quivered with anger. "Grace, do you realize you're freezing my mom's life-saving money?"
Grace let out a derisive snort. "What I froze was Kingsley's money. If something happens to your mom, it's her misfortune to have a daughter like you."
With that, she abruptly hung up the phone.
My face paled, and the next moment, the nurse's phone rang. "Freya, your mom is in critical condition; please come up immediately!"
In an instant, my face drained of color, my hand gripping the phone trembled slightly, and my voice quivered. I forced myself to regain composure and said, "I'll come up right away. Please call the doctor as well."
Grace's blood pressure was dropping rapidly, her heart rate was slowing, and her pupils were dilating – all ominous signs.
Soon, Grace was wheeled into the operating room. The lights in the operating room remained on for about ten minutes before finally going out.
I stood up abruptly, and then the operating room door opened, with medical staff coming out one by one. My heart was in my throat, torn between the urge to approach and the fear of what I might hear.
The doctor removed his mask and said with a somber expression, "Go in and see her one last time, and say your goodbyes."
My hand trembled, and it felt as though I was falling into an abyss.