Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 182

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Chapter 180*

“How expensive?”

I hesitated, not wanting to burden her with the astronomical figures

Drake had mentioned. My eyes darted to the window, avoiding her

gaze. “Let’s just focus on getting you better with what we have for

now.”

Mom’s eyes narrowed. “Elsa. How much?”

“Fifty thousand per cycle,” I admitted finally, my voice cracking. “And

you’d need at least six cycles, possibly more.”

Her face fell, and she looked away. “That’s impossible.”

“No, it’s not,” I insisted, leaning forward and gripping the bed rail

knuckles turned white. “I’ll find a way. I always do.”

until

my

“Maybe it’s time to accept that some battles can’t be won,” she

whispered, her fingers tracing the silver lines on her wrist. “You and I

both know what happens with advanced silver poisoning. I’ve made

peace with it.”

“Well, I fucking haven’t,” I snapped, more forcefully than I intended,

slamming my fist against the armrest. “And I won’t. So stop talking

like that.”

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Chapter 182.

I forced a smile, but it felt more like a grimace. “Just getting my

summer body ready.”

“Don’t joke about this,” Mom scolded. “You’re killing yourself, running

between work and here every day.”

“I’m doing what needs to be done,” I insisted, my voice rising with

frustration as I ran both hands through my tangled hair.

“Why don’t you rent an apartment closer to the medical center?” she

suggested. “It would save you an hour each way.”

I shook my head, laughing bitterly. “Every dollar counts right now.

The neutralizing agent-”

“Won’t do any good if you collapse from exhaustion,” she interrupted.

“I need you healthy, Elsa.”

Before I could respond, Oliver entered, dressed in his university

sweatshirt and carrying a small duffel bag.

“All set?” I asked, grateful for the change in subject, straightening in

my chair.

He nodded. “Just need to finish the graduation paperwork and clear

out my dorm.”

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Chapter 182.

I stood, stretching my stiff muscles with a groan. “I’ll drive you to the

station.”

Mom reached for Oliver’s hand. “Be careful, sweetheart. Focus on your

studies.”

“I will, Aunt Lillian.” He bent to kiss her cheek. “I’ll be back next

weekend.”

The drive to the station was quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts.

When we arrived, I helped Oliver with his bag, walking him to the

platform, my limbs heavy with fatigue.

“Elsa,” he said suddenly, his voice hesitant. “Can I… can I hug you?”

The request caught me off guard. Oliver had always been reserved,

especially since his parents died. I nodded, opening my arms,

ignoring the lump forming in my throat.

He stepped forward, embracing me tightly, his face buried against my

shoulder. I could feel him trembling slightly.

“Oliver, when you graduate, you’ll come back and stay with us,” I

promised, my throat tight with emotion, my voice cracking. “We’re

family. We stick together.”

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Chapter 182.

He pulled back, his eyes bright with unshed tears. “When I get a job,

I’ll help take care of Aunt Lillian too. I’ll become someone who can

protect both of you.”

Something in his earnest declaration broke my heart. He was so

young to carry such a burden. I bit the inside of my cheek hard

enough to taste blood.

“I know you will,” I said softly, ruffling his hair like I did when he was

a kid. “Now go. Don’t miss your train.”

I stood on the platform long after his train had departed, my arms

wrapped around myself against the evening chill. My shoulders shook

with the effort of holding back tears, but I refused to break down

here, in public.

Pull yourself together, Elsa. You’ve survived worse. You’ll survive this

too.

“Fuck,” I whispered, wiping angrily at a tear that had escaped.

“Goddammit.”

Taking a deep breath, I straightened my spine and walked back to my

car, my heels clicking aggressively against the pavement. One day at a

time. That was all I could do. One fucking day at a time.

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Chapter 181.

“Ms. Hale.” Aiden rose from behind his desk, extending his hand.

“Please, have a seat.”

I shook his hand firmly, noting his strong grip. “Thank you for seeing

me on such short notice, Mr. Wilson.”

He gestured to a chair across from his desk. “Would you like some

tea? Coffee?”

“Tea would be lovely, thank you.” Or a shot of whiskey. That would be

even better.

As he poured from an elegant silver teapot, I took the opportunity to

observe him, fidgeting with the hem of my blouse.

“So,” he said, sliding a cup toward me, “I’m curious why someone of

your caliber is suddenly available in our little employment pool of

Double Moon City.”

I took a sip of the tea to buy myself time, the cup rattling slightly

against the saucer when I set it down. “I’m sure you’ve heard I’m no

longer with Stone Enterprises.”

“Everyone’s heard.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “What interests

me is why a woman who spent ten years as Drake Stone’s right hand

would suddenly be on the market.”