Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother

Lilith’s POV

The next morning, I needed to get Clara’s hair for Brett.

For a proper lineage test, the hair needs to be pulled out with the roots intact. At least five strands, though I wanted to send dozens to ensure there would be enough if any issues arose during testing. Brett could then send samples to multiple labs if necessary.

Pulling out that many hair strands with roots wasn’t going to be easy. As I brushed my daughter’s hair, I had to tell another white lie.

"Sweetheart," I said, "did you know that some mothers make little keepsakes using a few strands of their child’s hair,so they can always feel close, no matter what?"

"I need to pull out a few strands of your hair, roots and all. It might hurt a little. Can you be brave for me?"

Clara twisted her neck to look back at me, her expression doubtful. She clearly saw through my story, her little mouth turning down in disapproval.

"Mommy, you’re taking my hair to give to "that man" for a lineage test, aren’t you?" she said accusingly.

Last time I’d pulled dozens of strands from her scalp for the same reason.

I couldn’t respond. What could I possibly say?

My little wolf pup looked heartbroken.

"Mommy, that man doesn’t even want me. Why do you keep going back to him?" she asked.

"You promised we’d never be apart. You said you wouldn’t send me to live with him. So why are you taking my hair again?"

’That man’ was what Clara called Brett.Even knowing he was her father, she refused to call him ’Daddy.’

"Clara, he’s not as bad as you think," I tried explaining. "He actually used to care for you very much. There was just a misunderstanding between us that led to—"

"I don’t care! I just don’t like him!"

I could see the dislike for Brett had already taken root in her heart.

Her eyes suddenly welled with tears, her eyelashes immediately becoming damp. Her little mouth quivered with emotion.

"Mommy, I don’t want to be away from you. Please stop trying to find that man, okay?"

"I have you, Mommy. You’re the best mommy in the world. I only need you."

She was right. She only had me.

After giving birth to her in prison, she’d been completely dependent on me. And now, after coughing up blood again this morning, I knew I didn’t have much time left.

Should I just tell her the truth? Explain that I had terminal illness and wouldn’t be with her much longer? That she needed to go live with her father, who would grow to love her dearly?

The pain of separation by death was something she’d have to face eventually. Maybe knowing sooner would help her prepare emotionally.

Fighting through the complicated pain in my heart,I parted my lips to speak something.

How could I tell my precious Clara about the illness slowly killing me? How could I explain that we would soon be separated by death itself, and she would have to live with her father? The thought was unbearably cruel.

Instead,I chose to delay the inevitable truth, stroking my daughter’s head gently. "Mommy promised that as long as I’m alive, we’ll always be together. I never break my promises. And about that keepsake I mentioned, we don’t need to use your hair if you don’t want to. I can make it another way."

Worry still shadowed Clara’s eyes. "Mommy, you really won’t send me to that man, will you?"

My heart clenched. I was lying to her, but what choice did I have? "I would never. How could I? You’re my life, sweetheart. I could never bear to be apart from you."

"You’re my life too, Mommy. I can’t bear to lose you either," she replied.

I stroked her hair again, fabricating another necessary lie. "Alright, let’s get going. Remember how every new school requires a medical check-up report? We haven’t done yours yet, so we need to visit the hospital first."

This deception was necessary. Once we got her "check-up" and I obtained a blood sample, I could convince Brett to redo the lineage test. This time Clara didn’t question me.

After dropping her at kindergarten, I prepared to meet Brett. That’s when Dr. Thorn called unexpectedly.

"Dr. Thorn? How did you get my number?" I asked, surprised.

"I found it in your medical records," he explained.

It was unusual for doctors to contact patients directly.

"Ms. Hartwell, the hospital has received a batch of specialized medication for clinical trials. You’ve been selected as one of our test subjects. Would you be interested?"

Could it be? Had Aurora BioSciences finally completed their breakthrough?

Back when I was still working there, the research team had already made significant progress and truly believed that a viable treatment was within reach.

"Yes, absolutely!" I responded.

"There are some specifics we need to discuss in person," he continued. "Since these medications are being provided free of charge, we need to document extensive data and require your full cooperation. Could we meet at noon today?"

I had already arranged to meet Brett today.Torn between my promise to him and the unexpected offer from the hospital, I hesitated.But in the end, the chance to stay alive,to have more time with my daughter,mattered more.

I said yes.

Before leaving, I sent Brett a text.Just in case, I tried calling him too.

"That’s fine," Brett responded coolly. "I can come to you instead. Just send me the location."

This time, I knew he would be more careful with the lineage test. He wouldn’t allow any mistakes again.

At noon, I met the Dr. Thorn. My impression of him had always been of a cold, terse doctor who answered questions with minimal words. Surprisingly, today he seemed unusually approachable.

Something felt off.

We began discussing the clinical trial normally, but suddenly, Dr. Thorn changed the subject completely:

"Ms. Hartwell, as we agreed, I deliberately appeared at the restaurant where Mr. Alpha Brett dines."

"He took the bait perfectly, rushing over to ask if you really have terminal illness."

"I said everything according to our plan."

" Alpha Brett fellow is quite gullible. Next time, you should make more effort,lose some weight to look more like a patient. Keep some plasma in your bag so you can fake coughing up blood if necessary."

"The more convincing, the better."

"Once he softens up, we can get him to share their specialized medication before clinical trials even begin."

"When we get their research secrets, the Greystone Heights Pack will reward you handsomely."

By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late. I didn’t even have a chance to speak.

Because at that moment, Brett strode over. He had been standing behind me, hearing every word.

In his fury, Brett clenched his jaw and fists. Purple-blue veins bulged on his forehead, neck, and the back of his hands. His eyes were ice-cold with hatred, as if he wanted to tear me apart.

"Lilith, you’re truly despicable," he spat. "You make me sick with your endless manipulations."

"Your sob story worked perfectly,I even contacted renowned international specialists for you."

"Is this how you repay my trust?"

Trust? When had he ever truly trusted me?

I stood up, facing Brett’s intensified hatred, knowing anything I said now would be too late. He wouldn’t believe me.

"Lilith, you’re quite the actress."

Speaking of acting, the Dr. Thorn beside me was the real performer. His face displayed perfectly feigned panic at having his "plan" exposed.

He quickly reassured me."Ms. Hartwell, we didn’t anticipate this situation, but don’t worry. You’ll receive your compensation in full. Let’s connect later. I should go now."

As Dr. Thorn left, I didn’t bother pursuing him for answers or accountability. I didn’t even care about Brett’s murderous glare.

All I cared about was securing Clara’s future. With these fresh misunderstandings, Brett would hate me even more. Redoing the lineage test was now out of the question.

Through my chaotic thoughts, I desperately searched for a solution.

"Alpha Brett, I found it suspicious when Dr. Thorn suddenly contacted me," I tried explaining. "He obviously—"

"Enough, Lilith!" Brett roared, utterly disappointed.

"I don’t care anymore if you betrayed our mate bond," he continued. "But the Shadowpine Pack raised you. Silas treated you like his precious daughter for over twenty years."

"Even after you conspired with Finn to do all those terrible things, Silas still found excuses for you."

"You’re beyond redemption, consumed by selfish desires."

"People like you deserve terminal illness. It’s karma!"

I had no response. At this point, any word from me would only disgust him further.

Through my scattered thoughts, I pieced together the events.from seeking out Brett, to the first lineage test, to meeting Dr. Thorn.

It felt like someone had been watching us, privy to every conversation between Brett and me.

"Alpha Brett, someone must know everything we’ve discussed," I realized aloud. "You only called me yesterday about redoing Clara’s lineage test. You only learned half an hour ago where I’d be meeting you. And Dr. Thorn... this must all have been arranged. Including the previous lineage test—"

"Still blaming others?" Brett snapped furiously. "Are you going to accuse Vanessa again? She would never do something like this."

"Alpha Brett,"I insisted, "your phone might be bugged."