Damon couldn’t focus on his work; his thoughts were consumed by Clara. They hadn’t spent much time together lately, and the separation was agonizing. He missed her terribly, craving her presence constantly. He hadn’t realized how deeply addicted to her he’d become.

A smile touched his lips as he remembered their upcoming vacation. Finally, he’d have her all to himself.

“Let me guess, you’re thinking about Clara?” Luca asked, entering the office and breaking Damon’s reverie.

“Who else?” Damon retorted, turning to him. Luca sighed.

“Sorry, Mr. Grumpy Pants. The council has approved you as Alpha King. Your father’s busy with your mother, but I’ll get his signature.”

Damon sighed. “I’ll see him later. I need to see my mother.” He massaged his temples. His mother had relapsed, and her condition seemed worse than before. Clara had been devoting much of her time to caring for her.

His phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, his mood instantly brightened.

“Hello, my love. Are you okay?” he asked. He heard her hum.

“Yes, I’m going to the mall with Delilah. I wanted to let you know,” she said. He smiled.

“Okay, baby. Have fun. Should I pick you up later?” He heard Delilah scoff in the background.

Clara giggled. “No need. Delilah and I will go home together. She doesn’t want to be a third wheel.” His smile widened.

“Okay, baby. I’ll be home early. Come back early, okay?” She hummed and hung up.

He sighed, missing her intensely.

“If someone had told me you’d be this head over heels, I’d have laughed,” Luca said, smiling softly.

Damon reflected on their first meeting. He wondered what would have happened if they hadn’t met at that party. What if Liam hadn’t left Clara for his fated mate? The thought enraged him. He’d never believed in fate before, but with Clara, he knew they were destined to be together.

He finally focused on work, pushing thoughts of Clara aside. He was nearly finished for the day when Luca rushed in, frantic.

“Damon, there’s trouble.”

“What is it?”

Luca sighed. “Your mother’s been rushed to the hospital. Your father says her heart stopped.” Damon stared, his world freezing.

His parents and he had grown closer in recent weeks, but he was especially close to his mother. She had planned a mother-son date for later that week.

He immediately gathered his things and left for the hospital with Luca. They were led to his father. Damon frowned at his father's appearance; his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked much older.

“What’s going on? How’s Mother?” Damon asked, glancing at Dimitri and then at the weeping Aurora.

“She collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. I couldn’t feel her pulse. The doctor said her heart stopped, but they’re doing everything they can,” Dimitri explained.

Aurora cried, “This is all Clara’s fault! I told you she didn’t know how to make the right medicines, but you wouldn’t listen! If you’d let me treat her…”

“Shut up! Don’t blame my wife!” Damon snapped, glaring at Aurora.

His father spoke, “Where’s Clara?” A chill ran down Damon’s spine—something that had never happened before.

“She’s out with Delilah,” Damon replied. His father’s words sent a shiver down his spine. “If your mother dies, I’ll kill her with my bare hands,” he said menacingly, a murderous glint in his eyes.

“You don’t believe Aurora’s nonsense. She’s…”

“Your mother told me Clara said she was going to die, even before her illness worsened. I didn’t think much of it until now. Clara has been slowly poisoning my wife,” his father said, visibly struggling to control his anger.

“I don’t know what you’re saying, but Clara would never kill Mother. You’re overthinking this…” His father threw a small container at him. Damon recognized it; he’d seen Clara with it many times when she visited his mother.

“Clara forgot this at the house. I was going to return it, but I didn’t have time. An apothecary examined the contents—it’s poison. Clara poisoned my wife,” his father said. Damon’s eyes widened, his heart pounding. It couldn’t be… could it? Clara couldn’t have poisoned his mother, could she?