Chapter 5
When Trost opened her eyes again, she lay on a hospital bed, her entire body wracked with splitting pain. She’d lost count of how many times she’d been hospitalized.]
The phone rang–it was the guard she’d bribed at the prison: “Miss Harper, your mother’s been given ‘special treatment‘ inside. Did you offend someone important?“]
Frost’s breath caught, stammering: “What do you mean…?“[]
“Someone contacted the higher–ups, told them to ‘take care‘ of your mother. She’s getting no food now, targeted by cellmates, forced into ten hours of yard time under the blazing sun daily!“]
The words hit like lightning, making her dizzy, the voice on the phone growing distant.[]
The hospital room door burst open. Callan walked in.[]
Frost slowly looked up at him, suddenly understanding everything: “You did this.
Only Callan had this kind of power, especially since he believed she’d threatened Rayna.]
Callan showed no confusion or surprise.
She stared at him as if seeing a stranger, voice trembling: “My mother did your family a favor. You can’t treat her like this. She’s been in poor health for years–she can’t withstand this.“[]
Callan approached, gripping her face roughly, eyes ice–cold: “She did help our family, but she owes Rayna nothing. If you’re dissatisfied, come at me–I deserve whatever you dish out. But why hurt an innocent person?“]
By the end, Frost’s face felt ready to shatter under his grip.[]
She looked at him defiantly through tears: “I didn’t take any photos or threaten Rayna Mills. Check the hotel surveillance if you don’t believe me….“]]
“If not you, then who? Rayna’s gentle, never conflicts with anyone. Only you.” He stared coldly.
No matter how she protested, he’d decided she was guilty.]
Frost smiled bitterly, tears sliding down her face and onto his hand.[
Feeling the warmth, something deep inside him seemed scalded]
“Fine. I was wrong. Let them leave my mother alone, and I’ll stay far away from Rayna Mills forever.“[]
She bowed her head in surrender, no longer wanting to struggle uselessly. She just wanted her mother safe–she still needed to take her away.
Seeing her submit, Callan loosened his grip, stroking gently as his voice softened: “I don’t want to hurt your mother either, but Rayna’s innocent. She won’t appear in our lives anymore. You don’t have to interact with her, but don’t hurt her either.“]]
Frost felt a gentle kiss on her forehead, nodding numbly like an obedient doll.[]
Two Men One Choice, My Happy Ending
Chapter V
But despite her compliance, she couldn’t save her mother.]
The call from prison came the next day. She had no memory of the journey there–suddenly she was in the morgue.[]
On an open gurney lay her mother, silent and pale. Frost collapsed to the floor, hands trembling, unable to touch.[]
Her voice choked with tears dripping onto that cold face, unable to bring back even a trace of warmth: “Mom… you said you’d leave with me… wake up… we were about to go… why… why…“[]
The guard explained sadly: “Heat stroke. Too late when we found her.“[]
That day Frost had her mother cremated. The funeral had only one attendee.[]
Before the service, she called Callan nineteen times–all unanswered. Hanging up, she saw Rayna Mills‘ latest social media video.
A concert venue, and beside her, looking down tenderly, was the man Frost couldn’t reach.]
The video was full of noise and flashing lights, reminding her of when she’d invited him to her band’s livehouse shows. He’d said: “You know I don’t like crowded, noisy places.“[]
Yet now he accompanied Rayna to a packed concert. Frost laughed bitterly and stopped calling.[]
At the funeral home, she bought a necklace and personally placed her mother’s ashes inside: “Mom, I’m taking you away…“]
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Two Men One Chrice My Happy Ending:
