Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Aria’s POV

“The jury needs to confirm she’s the real Aria Collins, not some imposter,” the doctor said flatly.

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Isla’s expression tightened. “Of course she’s the real Aria Collins. We all know her face. I don’t see the point of this damn DNA test.”

“This is standard procedure before any execution,” the doctor replied impatiently. “Are you going to let me do my job or do I have to bring this up with the jury’s Alphas again?”

“Don’t threaten me,” Isla snapped.

But after a moment of hesitation, she finally stepped aside.

The doctor carried his medical kit into the cell and started running a few basic checks on me.

I leaned weakly against the wall, watching him coldly.

Seriously, what was the point of this? Did they just want to make sure I was perfectly healthy–so I could feel every second of the punishment tomorrow?

“Miss Collins?”

I opened my eyes, frowning at him.

His voice dropped so low that only the two of us could hear it, his lips barely moving.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered while pretending to focus on the blood draw. “Someone will come for you tomorrow. Be ready.”

My heart skipped a beat.

Someone was coming to save me?

Names flashed through my mind–Lady Quentina? Zane? Or…

I thought of him, and a sharp pain twisted in my chest.

The doctor finished drawing my blood and began packing up. I leaned forward slightly, ready to ask who he meant–but Isla’s sharp voice cut through the silence.

“Are you done yet?”

“All done.” The doctor straightened and gave me one last meaningful glance before walking out.

“So who’s going to see her DNA report?” Isla asked casually.

“Just the elder council,” the doctor said, looking puzzled. “Why? Is there a problem?”

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Chapter 158

“Nothing.” Isla said quickly, though her face betrayed a flicker of panic.

“What’s wrong with my DNA?” I asked, frowning.

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“Your DNA reeks of poverty,” Isla hissed, her voice trembling with something that sounded like unease. “Tomorrow, I’ll be in the stands watching when they cut off your hands and feet. I’ll consider it your wedding gift to me and Grayson.”

She sneered, then turned and left with the doctor.

I gripped the bars tightly, staring after them, confusion spinning in my head.

Isla had already won–so why did she panic when she heard about the DNA test?

What was she afraid of? Was there something hidden in my blood… something I didn’t know?

The only thing my DNA could reveal was who my biological mother really was.

But whoever she was, she wouldn’t come and save me from tomorrow’s punishment. And I’d probably die before I ever met her again.

The thought made me smile bitterly as I slowly sank to the floor.

Even though the doctor said someone would rescue me tomorrow, I don’t dare give that too much hope.

Hope just leads to disappointment, and I’ve learned that the hard way.

From now on, I won’t rely on anyone but myself.

***

Third Person POV

The doctor walked out of the dungeon, carrying his medical kit.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind him, and someone slammed into his shoulder.

The kit hit the floor, bursting open. Tubes and vials rolled everywhere.

Startled, he bent down to pick them up. But Isla stepped in front of him, grinding her heel down on the small tube that held Aria’s blood.

The glass shattered instantly.

“What the hell are you doing, Lady Isla?!” the doctor snapped, furious.

“Oh, whoops. My bad,” Isla said with a mocking laugh, not even pretending to sound sorry.

The doctor glared at her. “Then I’ll just go back and take another sample.”

He turned to leave, but Isla blocked his way.

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Chapter 158

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“Now listen. Here’s what you are going to do,” she said, leaning close to his car, her voice low and dangerous. “You’re not going back. Instead, you will go to the jury right now and tell them that Aria Collins’s identity has been confirmed. That she’s ready for execution. Got it?”

The doctor’s jaw clenched. “Why are you so scared of me testing her blood?”

“To many questions,” Isla said coldly, jabbing a finger into his chest. “I’m your Lady. And disobeying me will only make your life very, very difficult.”

“I’m not from Spike Hill Pack,” the doctor said through gritted teeth. “I only answer to the jury.”

“My father has deep connections in the jury,” Isla said smugly. “And my husband–you do know I’ll be remarrying Alpha Grayson soon, right? He’s on the jury too. So you see, my orders are their orders.”

The doctor hesitated, looking from Isla to the shattered blood sample on the ground.

Finally, after a long pause, he sighed and took a step back.

“…Well then. As you wish, Lady Isla.”

“Smart man,” she said with a satisfied smile. “Now get moving. The council’s waiting for you.”

The doctor left quickly under her sharp gaze.

Once outside, he turned left into a narrow alley. A car was waiting for him there.

He climbed in and bowed his head respectfully to the woman sitting in the back seat.

“Lady Quentina.”

Quentina was rubbing her temples. Her beautiful face looked pale and tired.

“You delivered the message to Aria?” she asked. “She knows someone will come for her tomorrow?”

“Yes. But Lady Isla was there taking her anger on Miss Collins. She wouldn’t even let me finish the DNA test, so I had to leave before she grew suspicious.”

“That wicked woman,” Torvi snapped. “My lady, maybe we should teach her a fucking lesson.”

Before Quentina could respond, Selena immediately cut in. “We shouldn’t make more enemies over that girl. Alpha Thalira already knows you’ve been siding against Alpha Grayson, and she’s not happy about it.”

Torvi shot her a cold glare. “Lady Quentina has full authority out here.”

“Only as long as it doesn’t go against Alpha Thalira’s orders,” Selena retorted sharply. “In fact, Alpha Thalira wants us on the next flight back to Frostpine tonight. She thinks we’ve been away too long.”

“Tonight? But Lady Quentina still has to rescue Aria tomorrow-”

Selena raised her voice to drown her out. “Honestly, are we really going to waste our resources on that girl again? She’s got nothing to do with us. Not even our member. I know Alpha Thalira would never approve that

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Chapter 158

mission.”

Torvi clenched her fists, furious, but Quentina kept her eyes on the window.

After a long silence, she sighed.

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“… Selena’s right,” Quentina said quietly. “Using Frostpine’s men to save someone outside our pack is foolish. I let my emotions get in the way.”

“But my lady-”

“That’s enough, Torvi,” Quentina interrupted softly but firmly. “Selena, call Mother. Tell her I’ll be on the flight tonight and hope to have brunch with her tomorrow. I really miss her.”

Selena flashed a triumphant smile. “No problem, my lady. I’ll go call Alpha right now.”

She stepped out of the car with her phone.

Torvi glared at her back, then turned to Quentina once the door closed. “She’s obviously here to spy on you.”

“Of course she is,” Quentina replied flatly. “But there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Torvi’s eyes glinted icily. “I could get rid of her. Quietly. Just give me an order, my lady. No one would ever find out-”

“No,” Quentina said instantly. “Mother’s finally easing up on me. I can’t risk her trust again. Selena stays.”

Torvi looked frustrated, but she didn’t argue further.

“I have three sisters,” Quentina said after a pause, her eyes narrowing with quiet determination. “Each of us has a claim to Frostpine’s Alpha title. I can’t let them win. I must become the next Alpha. Only then will I have total control over my life. Only then can I… find my daughter.”

Her voice softened at the last words, and a shadow crossed her face.

“Your daughter’s still out there waiting for you,” Torvi said gently.

Quentina let out a bitter chuckle. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Who knows? I left her when she was five. I don’t even know what she looks like now–or if she’s even alive. Mother swore she’d raise her for me, but we both know my mom…Cold, ruthless, disgusted that I gave birth before marriage. For all I know, my little girl might be long dead.”

“We can’t be sure,” Torvi said quietly. “As long as there’s a chance, there’s hope.”

“…Yes,” Quentina whispered. “There’s still hope. And that’s why I have to become Mother’s favorite daughter. The next female Alpha. For my child. For my last hope.”

Torvi nodded solemnly. “But if we leave tonight, no one will be there to save Aria.”

“That poor girl…” Quentina murmured. Her face went even paler. After a long silence, she exhaled. “I’m sorry but I have to put my daughter first.”

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“Maybe Alpha Grayson still has feelings for her,” Torvi said softly. “Maybe he won’t let her die.”

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“Maybe,” Quentina sighed, closing her eyes. “Torvi, doctor. Can you leave me for a moment? I need to some time alone.”

“Of course, my lady.”

They stepped out of the car together. Then Torvi turned to the doctor, “Hey, so if Aria’s father was a gambler and her so–called mother was working for Isla. Do we know who her real mother is?”

The doctor shook his head. “Lady Quentina had us look before, but we found nothing. Damn it, if Isla hadn’t destroyed that blood sample, I might be able to search the database with her DNA.”

Torvi sighed, disappointed.

Just as she was about to send him off, suddenly, something caught her eye-

There’s a single strand of hair clinging to his shoulder.

“Wait!” she said urgently, plucking it carefully. “That’s Aria’s hair, right? It probably fell on you earlier. Can you run a DNA test with this?”

The doctor’s eyes lit up. “Of course. This is perfect.”

“Then do it,” Torvi ordered with a nod.

That way, at least they’d know who that girl’s parents were, Torvi thought grimly.

Even if Aria died tomorrow, they could still make sure her body was returned to her family. Where she truly belonged.