Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 271: The Ring He Never Took Off

Grant’s dull eyes lifted when he saw me.

Just a little.

Like a candle struggling to stay lit in the wind.

I couldn’t tell what was behind that look. Regret? Remorse? Or maybe relief like even if Riley was gone, at least the body was still here, still breathing, still sitting across from him.

He patted my hand once and said nothing.

We walked into the restaurant and took our seats. The air inside was warm, but Grant still looked cold, like he had been living in a long winter.

After a while, he finally spoke.

"Your mom is doing well since the divorce," he said quietly. "I went with her for her prenatal checkup. The baby is healthy."

I nodded. Mom had already called me the moment she landed. She hadn’t abandoned me. I knew she was okay.

Grant had never shared details like that before. He used to keep everything locked behind pride. But now... he was different.

Maybe he was trying.

So I didn’t attack him when he was already bleeding inside.

"That’s good," I said. "Mom told me you gave her more than half your fortune. But honestly... what she wanted wasn’t money. She wanted companionship."

Grant stared into his cup like the tea could answer for him.

"That’s what she and the child deserve," he said. "I won’t remarry. Those properties mean nothing to me."

At his level, money was just numbers. Even if he gave Mom half, he could still make more in a day than most people could imagine in a lifetime.

Still... hearing him say it made my chest ease a little.

Maybe if he had turned around earlier, Mom wouldn’t have left. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

I poured him more hot tea. He took a few sips to clear his throat, holding the cup with steady hands.

Then I noticed it.

He still wore the ring on his left hand.

The same one he bought with Mom.

Divorced or not, he never took it off.

Grant’s voice came low, rough. "There were years I thought your mom didn’t love me. I thought she only cared for her first love. I was angry. I tried to control her. Monica kept stirring things up, and I let the misunderstandings grow."

His eyes stayed on the table, like looking at me was too hard.

"I poured everything into work," he continued. "I convinced myself that even if she didn’t love me, she would never leave. And I told myself I’d never let her be with Nicholas."

He gave a bitter smile. "Now I realize... I fell in love with her a long time ago. I just didn’t know what it was. I pushed her away, and now it’s too late to fix it."

"As far as I know," I said softly, "Mom never got together with Nicholas after the divorce."

Grant nodded once.

Then he tipped his head back and drained the tea like it was something stronger. It looked like he needed the burn.

When he lowered the cup, I saw it tears gathered at the corners of his eyes.

"It was my petty mind that misjudged her," he said. His hand trembled slightly. "I was stupid. I didn’t cherish her. I drove her away."

"Dad..." My voice came out small.

He wiped his face quickly, like he hated being seen like this. "It’s fine. Nicholas is taking care of her. That makes me feel at peace."

That was the most grown thing he had ever said.

For the first time, he seemed to understand that loving someone wasn’t about owning them. It was about letting them breathe even if you didn’t get to be the one standing beside them.

Mom was living alone now, enjoying it fully. After handling all the legal mess, she moved to a small town where nobody bothered her. She focused on her pregnancy, away from noise and gossip.

She sent me pictures.

Open land. Clear skies. Mountains in the distance. Fields that looked endless. Animals roaming like they belonged to the earth.

She looked... light.

Young.

With a baby on the way, she looked even younger, like she had been given her life back.

Nicholas lived next door and spent time with her most days. Mom said she bought a farm and kept animals. She could sit for hours just watching a hen with her chicks.

Seeing her like that made me happy.

After being tied down her whole life, she was finally free.

Grant watched me quietly for a moment, then said, "Riley, I came back not only to deal with Monica, but also to hand you the branch company."

I blinked. "Me?"

He nodded. "I looked into your background. You were capable at Hale Group. If it’s you, I can trust it. And since the Hales are also in Snowville, you’ll lead the expansion into new markets."

I remembered how energetic he used to be when he first came to Snowville. He was hungry then. Sharp. Always chasing the next win.

Now, after the divorce, he looked like he’d lost interest in building anything.

It made sense.

No matter how much he earned, it meant nothing without family to come home to.

In a strange way, he reminded me of someone separated from their pack still alive, still strong, but walking alone through snow with no warmth waiting at the end.

"What are your plans for the future?" I asked.

Grant gave a helpless smile. "I want to atone."

"How?"

"When Riley was alive," he said slowly, "I couldn’t be a good father or a good mate. I want to spend the rest of my life making up for what I ruined. Even if your mom never forgives me, I want to protect her. I want the baby to be born healthy."

That was why he’d made arrangements. That was why he was giving me control of the branch. He was preparing to step away from everything that once mattered to him.

It shocked me, because Grant had always lived for power and success.

But now, he was willing to leave all that behind and go to that quiet town, not as a husband... just as someone watching from the edges, making sure Mom stayed safe.

I pictured him standing somewhere near Nicholas, both of them orbiting Mom like silent guardians.

And one thought settled in my chest, heavy but calm.

As long as the three of you live well, that’s what matters.

At the end of the meal, Grant and I talked more than we had in years. It felt strange, but also... right.

I had the thought that if the real Riley could see this, she would finally feel a little peace.

Before we left, I remembered something important.

"Dad," I said, "can you do me a favor?"

"Of course."

I told him about the charity concert.

The moment he heard it, his face darkened with anger.

"That idiot still hasn’t learned," he snapped. "Using my name to scam people. I came back to clean this mess. Since she’s stubborn, I won’t hold back anymore."

He leaned forward, voice cold. "Lincy isn’t just stupid. She’s malicious. She hurt Riley behind your back. She’s part of why Riley fell into depression. I won’t let her walk away from that."

Then he looked at me, eyes hard. "You don’t have to worry about me. I only feel hatred for that imposter."

We agreed on that much.

And for the first time that night, I felt a clean sense of relief.

Lewis and I went home, knowing Grant would handle Monica and her daughter.

After meeting Grant, it felt like a weight had lifted off my heart.

Later, Mom posted on social media a photo of a starry sky. The kind that made you feel small in a good way.

Grant liked it instantly.

Nicholas liked it too.

I couldn’t help smiling.

"What’s so funny?" Lewis asked, pulling me onto his lap like he belonged there.

I showed him my phone. "Mom finally saw the light," I said softly. "I wonder when I’ll get that chance. To let go of everything and live a carefree life with you. Look at how beautiful the stars are."

Lewis’s eyes held mine, warm and steady, like the safest place on earth.

"Elena," he said, "that day will come soon."

He pulled me closer, and his gaze shone like quiet fire.

"I’ll make sure this life of yours is peaceful," he promised. "Smooth. Free from harm."