Julian's POV
The world around me slowed to a crawl as I watched my father's face contort with rage. His index finger jabbed toward Aurelia's chest, his voice booming through the hospital corridor.
"You have no right to be here!" Adrian snarled, spittle flying from his mouth. "This is family only, and you are not family!"
Aurelia stood her ground, shoulders squared despite the obvious exhaustion weighing on her small frame. The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across her face, highlighting the dark circles under her once-vibrant emerald eyes.
"The Matriarch is my family," she replied, her voice steady but hollow. "She has always been my family, even when others weren't."
Two pack enforcers hovered behind my father, awaiting his command. My blood ran cold when I saw one of them reach for Aurelia's arm.
"Remove her from the premises," Adrian ordered. "By force if necessary."
