Chapter 271

Judy’s POV

I went to the hospital; I wasn’t sure what compelled me to come here, but Irene spoke to her father last night, and she told me that he had to go to the hospital because something happened with Rachel, and that’s what caused him to miss the graduation ceremony.

I barely managed to finish my speech once that breaking news story got sent to everyone’s phones. My voice had come out hollow, and I could hear the rapid beating of my heart; there was no doubt that everyone else could hear it too. I saw the sympathetic looks of Nan as she watched me struggle to speak.

I apologized and stepped away from the podium, ignoring the scattered claps as I took my seat. My hands were trembling violently, and I couldn’t even look up to meet the wary gazes of my parents, who I knew without a doubt were watching me from across the room. I saw my mother on her phone at one point as well, so I knew she had seen the news story and shared it with my father.

There were a couple more speeches from some of the college faculty, and then the Dean returned to the podium for her final speech before she announced the graduates by name. As she spoke each name, graduates stood and walked up to the stage, grabbed their degrees, and shook the Dean's hand before posing for a picture.

“Nan Bigsby,” the Dean announced.

Nan stood, plastered a smile on her face, and walked onto the stage. Chester was the loudest to cheer, and Nan blushed when he stood up and shouted for her. I wanted to be one of the loudest to cheer for my best friend, but I could barely even move.

I hardly registered what the Dean announced my name. The girl beside me had to nudge me when I made no effort to move.

“Judy Montague,” the Dean announced.

With wobbly legs, I stood and made my way towards the stage. The walk felt like an eternity; though there were clapping and cheering, my parents being amongst the loudest, and Nan and Chester also chanting, I barely heard any of it. To me, the entire place was silent, and the only sounds of my beating heart and breathing could be heard.

I stepped onto the stage, forcing a smile, though I knew it was tired and worn as I took the degree and shook the Dean’s hand.

“Congratulations,” she said just before we posed for a picture.

I couldn’t manage a simple “Thank you” in response. I only nodded and made my way down the stage. I returned to my seat as the other graduates were called. The rest of the ceremony went by as a blur.

“Come on,” Nan said, grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet. I hadn’t realized the ceremony was over until she came to grab me. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Chester was with her, and my parents were approaching, a worried look in their eyes. I nodded and stood to my feet. We walked outside, and the cool night air practically attacked my lungs, making it difficult to breathe. I felt myself growing dizzy, and what I wanted to do at that moment was lie down and maybe have a cry.

“I can’t believe you did this to her, Dad,” I heard someone saying from nearby. “You didn’t even bother calling. You just stood her up! You stood me up!”

I looked up to see Irene standing by her car, tears streaming down her face as she clutched her phone. My heart was thudding even harder against my chest.

“And for what? Because Rachel is in the hospital for a child that probably isn’t even yours?? I thought you were smarter than that…”

My heart shattered; that’s why he missed the graduation. Because he was still in the hospital with Rachel. The news article did show a video of Gavin rushing Rachel to the hospital yesterday, but I didn’t think he’d actually stay there all night with her and miss the graduation ceremony. Then again, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. It’s not like he’s been talking to me these last couple of weeks. I have no idea what’s been going on in his mind.

“You have so much to make up for,” Irene said before she hung up the phone.

She noticed me watching her as she shoved her phone into her purse. Tears were still filling her eyes, and I could see the hurt behind them.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered before she got into her car and drove off.

“Let’s get you home,” my mother had said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “We can celebrate tomorrow. You look exhausted.”

I nodded, barely registering her words.

Now, it’s the next morning, and I’m standing in the waiting room of the hospital. Gavin’s scent was faint, which meant it had been a few hours since he had been here. But I knew Rachel was still here. I needed to speak with her and find out the truth. I needed to know if the rumors were true and if Gavin truly was the father of her baby.

“I need to see Rachel Barron,” I found myself saying to the front desk nurse.

She typed something on her computer and then glanced up at me.

“She’s in room 303. You can use the elevator and go to the right.”

I nodded my thanks, no longer trusting my voice. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea for me to do this alone; I didn’t tell Nan that I was coming here, and I certainly didn’t tell Irene.

I stepped into the elevator and waited with bated breath for the doors to open back up. Once I was on the upper level, I stayed to the right, just as instructed, and found door 303. Through the small window, I saw that Rachel was awake. She was scrolling through her phone with a small smile on her face.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the room, shutting the door behind me. Rachel looked up, and her eyes widened when she saw me standing in the entrance.

“Judy?” She asked.

“Hi…” I said, my voice coming out breathless.

She placed her phone on the bedside table, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Gotta say, I’m surprised you’re here. If you’re looking for Gavin—”

“I’m actually here to speak to you,” I told her quickly.

“I see,” she said, raising her brows.

She glanced at the chair at her bedside.

“Please,” she said. “Have a seat.”

With a shaky breath, I stepped closer towards her bed and took a seat, my legs barely allowing me to walk as I did so.

Rachel plastered a smile, though I could tell it wasn’t genuine.

“What honor do I have for this little visit?”

“The news article…” I began, my voice coming out barely above a whisper. “Is it true?”

Her eyes lit up, and a small smirk appeared on her face; it was almost devilish.

“Are you asking me if my unborn baby belongs to Gavin?” She asked, amusement clear in her tone.

I swallowed, feeling the heat creep up the back of my neck.

“Yes,” I whispered.

She grinned as her aura darkened.

“Poor little Judy. It must be so difficult to watch the man you love having a baby with another woman,” Rachel taunted, my heart shattering in my chest. “Let me make one thing clear… Gavin has always been and will always be mine. Yes, we’ve had our share of difficulties, but that doesn’t make us love one another any less. He’s learned to trust me again, and he wants me in his life… clearly, or he wouldn’t have gotten me pregnant. So, whatever little fling the two of you had, it ends now.”

I stand to my feet much faster than I intended. My breathing was coming out in shallow breaths, and suddenly, there didn’t seem to be enough air in the room. My wolf was itching to be released so she could scratch this woman’s eyes out.

Rachel just laughed at my expression, and then she shook her head.

“You didn’t really think you’d ever have a chance with Gavin Landry, did you? You’re his daughter’s age. He only spent time with you because he felt bad for you. I hear you're nothing more than a little orphan. Not even your birth parents wanted you. How sad and pathetic is that? And you thought Gavin would want you? If I were you, I’d save myself the further embarrassment and run away. Go as far as you can and never look back because if anyone else finds out about your sad obsession with Gavin Landry… your entire reputation will be tanked. No one will trust a Gamma with an obsession like that.”

She was right; I needed to leave. I couldn’t stay here and watch Gavin… the man I love… have a baby with another woman. I don’t think I or my wolf could handle it. Too much had happened in Gavin’s territory. Ethan… his family… now Gavin and his family. I needed to get out of here.

Rachel’s grin grew wider when she saw my face. I couldn’t speak; I couldn’t even move. I needed to leave. I turned away from her before she could see the tears burning in my eyes.

“Congratulations,” I managed to whisper before I ran from the room.

By the time I was outside, I was clutching my phone to my ear like it was my lifeline. I didn’t trust my voice, so I prayed to the Moon Goddess that it didn’t break while I spoke.

I waited with bated breath as the phone rang, praying that the other person would answer.

“Hello?” Said a male voice on the other end.

I was quiet for a moment, my heart racing in my chest. I had no idea what I was going to say; I had no idea how to approach this.

“Miss Montague?” He asked, having my number in his phone so he could see it was me calling.

“Hey,” I managed to croak before clearing my throat and trying again. “I want to take you up on your Alpha's offer, Beta Ron. How soon can you get me out of here?”