When I opened my eyes after being reborn, the first thing I did was tackle my adoptive mother, who was conducting an experiment, and rip a piece of flesh from her. Before anyone in the laboratory could react, I had also bitten my “sister.” I then splashed a cup of dog urine onto her. Everyone thought I was suffering from rabies. The hospital sent me to a rehabilitation center. Inside, I was filled with joy. In my past life, my experiment was about to succeed when my sister blew up the laboratory and stole my research results. The deceased’s family presented surveillance footage that accused me of being the murderer, and countless media outlets gathered at the hospital demanding an explanation. I was confused, but my adoptive mother claimed I had intentionally sabotaged my sister’s experiment. My adoptive mother and sister shifted all the blame onto me. In the end, I was tortured to death by an enraged family member. “Ah! What are you doing, you bastard?” Mandy screamed as I pounced on her and bit down. I clung to her, refusing to let go. When people pulled me away, my mouth was full of blood, and my face was twisted. I spat out the piece of flesh, disgusted, and looked at Mandy. Mandy turned to run but tripped over some equipment. I viciously tore at her face. Then, I splashed a cup of rancid dog urine onto her face. “Ah! Alice, are you insane? How dare you bite me! How dare you throw urine on me!” “Quick! Catch her! She’s gone crazy!” Manda, clutching her bloodied face, screamed hysterically. A few security guards rushed in and held me down. I shook violently, struggling desperately, letting out incoherent screeches, saliva flying everywhere. “Rabies! She must have rabies!” someone shouted, and the crowd erupted into chaos. Mandy stood outside the crowd, emanating a foul stench, with dog hair sticking to her hair. Her face alternated between green and pale. She stared at me, as if she wanted to devour me whole. “Dr. Chris! Check her properly! She’s faking it! How could she possibly have rabies?” Mandy screamed, her voice sharp and venomous. She stood there, filthy with urine and dog hair, yet still trying to maintain her laughable “elegance.” I could feel the fearful gazes of the people around me. They were looking at me like I was a monster. Good. This is exactly the effect I wanted. Mandy yelled at the doctors who had arrived. “Why are you just standing there? Why haven’t you taken this bitch away yet?” “She bit my mother!” “And threw urine on me!” “I’m suing her! I’ll make her rot in jail!” “This bitch, I want her to become a cripple!” The doctors exchanged glances. One of the older doctors pushed up his glasses, trying to explain: “Mandy, Alice’s condition is quite special, and we need to observe her further…” “Observe what?!” Mandy interrupted him. “She’s intentionally hurting people!” “Can’t you see that? Or are you trying to cover for her?!” In the end, the hospital doctors concluded that I had rabies. They sent me to the rehabilitation center. Only I knew that I had to hide in the center to preserve myself. In my past life, my experiment was on the verge of success. When I returned from being out, the laboratory had turned into a sea of fire. Amid the flames, Mandy’s figure twisted and went mad. She smiled smugly, holding the core data of my research results. “Alice, you will never win against me!” I struggled to get up, trying to stop her, but my body was unsteady. Outside the hospital, the sound of the crowd and cries blended together as I was labeled a murderer.

“Murderer! Give my daughter back her life!” “It’s her! The surveillance footage clearly shows it! She blew up the lab to take all the research results for herself!” “Crazy! A person like her deserves to be torn apart!” Reporters shoved microphones into my face. “Dr. Alice please explain, why did you destroy the laboratory?” “You’re staying silent, does that mean you’re admitting it?” “Alice, I know you didn’t mean it, you just… didn’t want Manni’s experiment to succeed, right?” Manda stood behind the crowd, “lovingly” watching me. I looked at her in disbelief. “Mom… I didn’t…” I tried to explain, but my voice was drowned out by the angry roars of the crowd. “This wicked woman! She killed my son! I want her to pay with her life!” “Kill her! Kill this murderer!” The family members lost control, pushing past the security guards and lunging at me. “Stop! Stop!” I screamed in desperation, but no one listened. In the chaos, someone tore at my clothes, spewing vulgar words. “Bitch! Slut! Let me show you what it feels like to be humiliated!” … “Alice, do you see what I’ve brought you?” Mandy walked into my hospital room. Her voice was sweet to the point of being sickening. I stared at her, blank-eyed, like a true madwoman. Mandy’s smile widened as she leaned in closer and lowered her voice, her malice clear. “How’s life at the rehabilitation center? Comfortable?” “It’s far better than the research institute, no more boring experiments.” She pulled a bottle of water from her bag, twisted the cap, and handed it to me. “Here, drink some water, soothe your throat.” I “obediently” took the cup, and just as I was about to drink, Mandy suddenly gasped, as if remembering something, and snatched the cup away. “Look at my memory! The water’s too cold. You’re weak now, you can’t drink cold stuff.” She tilted her head and spat a few yellow-green phlegms into the cup, then handed it back to me. “It’s better now, warm. Drink up.” I stared at her blankly. I took the cup, and in Mandy’s smug gaze, slowly poured the water onto the ground. “Mandy, I’m not thirsty,” my voice was hoarse, with a touch of “innocence.” Mandy’s face instantly darkened. She grabbed my hair. “Alice, don’t think you can escape by pretending to be crazy!” Mandy opened my mouth and spit her phlegm into it and onto my face. “Bitch, weren’t you so arrogant? Come, drink some ‘beverage’.” Mandy pulled out a packet of dog urine from her bag and poured it into my mouth. Then, she pressed her foot hard on my face. The stench! Disgusting! Nauseating! I looked even more “silly.” Struggling, but being held down by the nurse. I drank down 200cc of dog urine. “Good, that’s better. You’re just a slut for everyone, that’s what you deserve.” “Once I get my hands on the research results, I’ll show you what pleasure really is!” “The stray dogs in the city are waiting for you, my ‘sister.’” The recording pen hidden in my sleeve faithfully recorded every word Mandy said. After Mandy was done humiliating me in the room, she left. I then heard two voices in the corridor. “… That bitch, how is the plan going?” It was Mandy’s voice. “Don’t worry, Mandy, everything is as you instructed,” a strange voice replied. “Hmph, that’s good. Remember, add some ‘shit’ to her food every day. Let her taste my ‘favor’!” “Yes, Mandy.” “Oh, and don’t forget to add dog urine to her water. Let her experience what I went through!” Mandy’s voice was sharp and malicious. As expected, this “sister” would never let me live in peace! This world thinks I’m crazy, and I won’t even bother pretending anymore!

I touched the wound on my face and the sticky substance, feeling the disgusting stickiness in my throat. I couldn’t stop the anger rising within me. The fiery pain on my face intensified my hatred. Wait! You two won’t get away with this! … At night, when the nurse went to rest, I groped around the bedside table and found the “care package” phone that Mandy had sent earlier. This phone is probably more than just a “care package,” isn’t it? I opened the phone and, sure enough, found a tiny bug on the mainboard. I threw the bug out of the window, smashing it to pieces. On the third day after I entered the nursing facility, an explosion occurred in the hospital’s lab. Not a single researcher from the lab managed to escape. This became a huge news event, with the media scrambling to report. The cause of the explosion remained unclear, but there were rumors pointing to me, saying I deliberately wanted to destroy my sister’s research results. They even claimed I cruelly murdered over ten researchers. As expected! Even though I’m hiding here, they won’t leave me alone! I continued to play the role of a “rabid dog” being treated at the facility. I mechanically repeated my “rehabilitation training,” kicking my legs, bending over. The nurse’s gaze was like that of looking at livestock, numb and disdainful. The nurse added “extra ingredients” to my food every day. She forced me to eat it, then showed a twisted smile. My body grew weaker and weaker. I couldn’t resist the influence of my sister and adoptive mother’s power, so I had to endure their insults for now! “Alice” Mandy took me out of the nursing home to celebrate my birthday. I knew they were about to smear me. “Alice, look, this is the birthday party that your sister specially prepared for you. Do you like it?” Mandy hooked her arm around mine, seeming affectionate, but her private hand was tightly pinching my flesh. I could even feel blood trickling out of her hand. “I like it…” I lowered my head, my body slightly trembling, perfectly playing the role of someone mentally unstable. “Alice has always been obedient and understanding since she was a child, but it’s such a pity… her mental state…” Manda appeared beside Mandy at just the right moment. She “sympathetically” stroked my hair, her eyes flashing with calculation. “Mom, don’t say that. Alice will get better,” Mandy “comforted” Manda gently, but when she turned to look at me, her eyes became sharp. “Alice, do you remember when we used to play together when we were kids?” In front of the guests, this “sister” is quite the actress. I “dazedly” shook my head, my eyes empty. “Ah, really pitiful…” Manda sighed and “casually” brought it up. “Actually, when Alice was little, she was… a bit different from other children. She liked to lock herself in her room, talking to herself.” “Sometimes she would… sometimes she would do some strange things…” The guests whispered among themselves, their looks shifting from sympathy to doubt, even tinged with fear. I knew their “performance” had worked. In the eyes of everyone, I had become a complete “lunatic.” “To celebrate Alice’s birthday, I’ve prepared a very special gift!” Mandy’s voice drew everyone’s attention. On the projection screen in the banquet hall, a surveillance video appeared. The footage was blurry, and only a vague figure could be seen lingering near the lab. “Look, this person is Alice!” Mandy pointed at the screen, her tone confident. “That night, she snuck into the lab and caused the explosion!” “No… it wasn’t me…” I feigned a “weak” protest. My voice was drowned out by the murmurs of the crowd. “Oh my God, how terrifying! I can’t believe she would do something like this!” “I knew it, she always seemed strange… turns out she’s really a lunatic!” “People like her should be locked away so they don’t hurt anyone else!” I looked around, and the people’s eyes were filled with disdain. This is human nature—clearly, nothing is confirmed, yet they can openly despise someone.

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My five-year-old pup staggered into the house, her small body quivering as she fell to her knees in front of me. Her arms wrapped around my leg, desperate, as she whispered with trembling lips, “I never want to go back. Please, don’t make me go.” I knelt to her level, gently cupping her tear-streaked face. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? What happened at daycare?” Her golden eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she didn’t speak, shaking her head in fear. Instincts flaring, I carefully lifted the hem of her shirt—and my heart clenched at what I saw. Her soft skin was marred with deep gouges from claws, bruises blooming around the wounds. My wolf snarled within me, a growl rising in my throat. I snapped a quick photo, sending it through the pack’s communication link with a fury that could not be contained: [Who did this?!] The response came within seconds. [I told my son to do it!] The name that followed was Lucy. I growled louder, two more images appearing in quick succession. The first showed Lucy standing proudly next to my mate, Alpha Ethan, during their mating ceremony. The second was an old photo of me, my pup, and Alpha Ethan, taken years ago. [You disgraceful Omega! You had the audacity to steal my mate and bear a bastard child? It’s a miracle I didn’t let my son finish the job!] The pack chat exploded. Insults poured in from wolves who had once been allies or even friends, calling my pup and me names, mocking our very existence. Even the Beta teacher from the daycare joined in, tagging Lucy with a message: [Liam performed well today. He’s definitely getting a gold star tomorrow.] Lucy responded with a smug emoji. [If you’re upset, come find me. My son and I are still here at the daycare.] My claws twitched, and without a word, I scooped up my pup and marched toward the daycare, every step filled with the need for retribution. As I walked, I quickly typed a message to my pack’s enforcers: [Get the challenge papers ready. According to the Westwood Pact, Ethan gets nothing.] [Also, my daughter was attacked. I want the culprits punished severely.] [How dare that weakling Ethan betray me, claiming another as his Luna?] When I arrived at the daycare, Lucy was standing outside, clearly relishing the attention, surrounded by several high-ranking she-wolves who practically bowed at her feet. Their eyes were full of admiration and awe. “Lucy, you’re so humble!” one of them gushed. “If we hadn’t known better, we wouldn’t have guessed your mate is the Alpha of Westwood Pack.” “Exactly!” another added. “No wonder you exude such power—being the true Luna has its perks, doesn’t it?” “We’re all here to support you,” another chimed in. “We won’t let some lowborn Omega take your rightful place.” “And look at Liam,” said another. “He’s already showing dominance, even at such a young age! He’s the true heir to Westwood Pack.” The Beta teacher, her posture stiff, even bowed slightly. “Luna Lucy, let me know what Liam likes to eat. We’ll make sure the daycare caters to his tastes from now on.” Lucy soaked in the praise, her chin high, savoring every word of their adoration. Ever since Ethan joined our pack, my father stepped down and made him the Alpha. For years, Ethan had lived off my pack’s wealth, contributing nothing of value. I had allowed him to oversee a minor part of Westwood Pack’s trade business just to keep him occupied. Now, Lucy used that very position to elevate herself, basking in the limelight. As I approached, the whispers from the crowd turned into sneers, their eyes filled with disdain. They looked at me like I was nothing but a rogue contaminating their sacred grounds. The Beta teacher stepped forward with icy resolve. “Selene, I have orders from the Alpha. Your daughter is expelled. Effective immediately.” My wolf seethed within me. “She was attacked. And instead of seeking justice, you expel her?” The Beta’s lips curled into a sneer. “This is an elite daycare, reserved for pups born of noble lineage. An Omega’s child has no place here.” I stepped forward, my voice dangerously low. “Perhaps you should investigate who the real homewrecker is before you speak so freely.” Before I could say another word, Lucy stormed toward me. A sharp slap cracked against my face, echoing in the still air. My wolf howled in fury, but I restrained her, for now. Lucy’s smirk was laced with venom as she spoke. “How dare a rogue like you show your face here?” She bared her teeth, her eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction. “Did you honestly think birthing a bastard would make you the Luna of Westwood Pack?”

The sharp slap left me dazed, a sudden shock coursing through me. The pack members gathered around, their laughter cutting through the air as they pointed and jeered. “You don’t look like much, so why are you stooping to be with a rogue? And having a pup, too?” “Some wolves act so innocent, but the second they see a strong Alpha, they’re desperate to submit and be claimed!” “Rogues are a disgrace to the pack, and their pups are even worse!” The insults piled up, drawing more onlookers who began to point and laugh. A few even pulled out their phones to take videos, adding fuel to the fire. Some spat in my direction, their contempt thick in the air. Fury bubbled within me as I ripped off my custom-made Luna cloak and tossed it aside, the fabric crumpling into the trash. Turning to face Lucy, I spoke with cold precision. “You had your son bully my daughter, and now you slap me in front of everyone. Who do you think you are to act like this with no consequence?” Lucy’s response was dripping with arrogance. “It’s only fitting for a Luna to slap an Omega. And besides, I’m the Luna of the Westwood Pack. Hitting you and your filthy pup is nothing. I could take your life without a second thought, and it wouldn’t even matter!” The pack members jumped in, sneering and mocking me. “If you hadn’t been a rogue, Lucy wouldn’t have slapped you. You brought this upon yourself.” “You’re just a filthy omega. Instead of hiding your shame, you’re out here provoking us. A slap is the least you deserve.” “Yeah, so you think you can act all innocent just because you caught the attention of an Alpha? Stop pretending to be the victim. We’re not fools, blinded by scent bonding.” Even the bystanders joined in, their words biting deeper with every passing second. The more they mocked, the more emboldened Lucy became. She glanced at my car behind me, her eyes flashing with rage. “You filthy woman, spending my Alpha’s money like it’s nothing! How dare you drive a Rolls-Royce? A lowly rogue like you doesn’t deserve this!” “I hate rogue mates. Every single one of them should be driven out, or better yet, put down like the traitors they are!” With a cruel grin, Lucy pulled out a key and began slashing it across my car, leaving deep scratches in its surface. “Rogues must die!” she spat. I stared at the scratched metal, my voice cold and unwavering. “You’ll regret those words soon enough.” Lucy’s face twisted with fury. “You filthy woman, acting like you’re above everyone else just because you’re living off my Alpha’s money. Today, I’ll make sure you pay for every penny you’ve taken!” She picked up a brick from the ground and smashed it against my car’s window with a resounding crack. She didn’t stop there. She destroyed everything—windows, headlights, the hood—until nothing was left untouched. The other pack members, energized by her violent outburst, grabbed whatever they could find and joined in. They smashed the car with wild enthusiasm, tearing it apart piece by piece. Once the windows were shattered, they climbed inside, slashing at the seats and ripping apart the interior. The luxury vehicle that had once gleamed with pristine elegance was now nothing more than a wreck. Suddenly, one of the women opened the trunk, gasping in shock. “Look! There’s a bunch of expensive stuff in here!” she exclaimed. Lucy approached, pulling out a painting, her sneer widening. “A rogue mate trying to act all classy? How pathetic.” She ripped the painting in half and tossed the torn pieces onto the ground, stomping on them. “Someone like you doesn’t deserve such things. You only belong with trash!” One bystander, clearly an art enthusiast, inspected the torn remnants and gasped. “This looks like an authentic James! I’ve heard these go for 300 million at auction!” Lucy scoffed, her voice dripping with arrogance. “So what if it’s worth 300 million? It’s all my Alpha’s money! My Alpha’s wealth is mine to do with as I please. If I want to destroy my own things, who dares question me?” Her words struck me with a cold, biting anger. Let’s not even mention Ethan—he was just an Omega without a pack when I first met him. Even when I let him manage Westwood Pack’s business affairs, his incompetence had nearly cost us half the pack’s worth. If he weren’t my fated mate, I would have cast him aside long ago. Yet Lucy and these wolves treated him like some grand Alpha. They looked at him with admiration, as though he were the greatest of leaders. With Lucy leading the charge, the others eagerly joined in, tearing through my belongings. They destroyed everything in my trunk, including precious collectibles I had just bought at auction that morning. In mere moments, they turned them into worthless debris. I stayed calm, pulling out my phone. “Why aren’t you here yet? I need you in front of me in five minutes!” Before I even got a response, a pack member snatched the phone from my hand and slammed it to the ground, shattering it. “Trying to call for help? Where do you get the nerve?” “Who do you think you are, pretending to be important?” “She’s probably calling one of her lone wolf friends to put on a show for us! Hahaha!” The pack erupted into laughter, mocking me without restraint. I stared at my shattered phone on the ground, my voice low and cold. “I hope you’ll still be laughing in a few minutes.” I turned to the teacher, my gaze hardening. “You knew my daughter was being bullied at school, didn’t you?” The teacher sneered at me with disdain. “So what if I did?” she spat. “A bastard pup of a rogue mate isn’t worth anything. Liam was just putting her in her place. What’s the problem?”

The moment Lucy spoke, a wave of applause and cheers erupted from the gathered parents. “That’s why you’re Luna! You deal with everything so decisively and fairly!” “Exactly, this is a prestigious Pack. Not just anyone can belong here.” “Why would an Omega’s daughter need schooling? You should be teaching her how to seduce Alphas, like you did. Maybe she’ll even outdo you and find a more powerful mate!” Lucy’s audacity grew even bolder. “See that? This is what happens when you’re an Omega rogue. You and your daughter will always be at the bottom of the Pack, despised by everyone!” The crowd’s jeers and insults rained down on me. The more they spat their venom, the broader Lucy’s smile grew. The teacher, a timid Beta, saw an opportunity to flatter her. “Mrs. Turner, the Alpha mentioned that if you’re pleased with how things have been handled, he hopes you could do us a favor.” “You know we’re planning to expand the Pack’s territory, and all the land around here is owned by Westwood Pack. What do you think…” Lucy, arms crossed, gave a condescending smile. “Don’t worry. I’m very satisfied with how this was resolved today. When the time comes, I’ll make a call, and my husband, the Alpha, will ensure you get all the land you need.” The teacher’s grin widened. “Thank you in advance, Mrs. Turner.” “Lucy, my husband’s worked with Westwood Group before. Could you keep us in mind for future Pack business?” “My company’s looking to shift industries. I’d love to partner with Westwood Group someday.” “Lucy, here’s a no-limit shopping card from my mall. I hope we can stay close.” In an instant, parents were scrambling to win her favor, each one trying harder than the last to impress her. Some even slipped their Pack tokens into her bag. Lucy basked in the adoration, her arrogance radiating from every inch of her. She raised her chin high as she strutted past me, then sneered, “See that? This is the power of wealth and Pack influence. “You, a rogue Omega, will spend your life serving stronger men, hoping for the smallest scraps. “But me? I’ll live the kind of glory you’ll never even imagine. “I’m giving you one day. Take your bastard daughter and leave this territory. If I see you near my mate again, I’ll bury that little pup of yours alive!” My daughter clung to me, trembling. “Mom, I’m scared. My foot… it hurts so much…” Her voice quivered with fear and pain. I quickly removed her boot and gasped in horror—one of her toes was gone. The wound was grotesque, blood pooled inside her shoe. It felt as though a dagger had pierced my heart, and I couldn’t stop the tears that flooded my eyes. How had my fragile, pain-sensitive daughter endured this without a word? Fury exploded within me as I glared at Lucy. “Did your son, the Alpha pup, do this to her?” Lucy glanced at me nonchalantly. “Why are you making such a fuss? Be grateful I didn’t have my son, the Alpha heir, take that brat’s life.” Before she could finish her sentence, I slapped her across the face. The force of my anger powered the strike, sending her stumbling back. As I prepared to strike again, a Beta Pack member grabbed my hair, and other parents joined in, kicking and punching. “You filthy Omega! How dare you lay a hand on Mrs. Turner? Are you begging for death?” “Yeah, your pup isn’t dead yet. Why rush to join her in the grave?” “Your kid’s lucky Liam, the Alpha pup, gave her a lesson. With a mother like you, she deserves whatever happens to her, even death!” The teacher, full of righteous indignation, kicked me too. “Stop hitting my mom!” my daughter screamed, trying to defend me. But a pudgy pup kicked her down to the ground. The teacher patted him on the head, grinning. “Liam, you always know how to deal with troublemakers. Such a good pup. I’ll make sure to praise you in front of the whole Pack tomorrow and give you a reward!” Liam grinned smugly. “Hmph, it’s what I’m supposed to do. I’ll beat that brat every time I see her.” Lying on the ground, seething with rage, I grit my teeth. “You’ll regret this!” The crowd erupted in laughter, as if I’d just told the most ridiculous joke. “Did I hear that right? A lowly rogue Omega daring to make threats?” “Hilarious! This wench actually thinks she’s important. Mrs. Turner is the Alpha’s Luna. Crushing you is as easy as squashing an ant!” “This worthless Omega can do nothing but throw tantrums. Hahaha!” “What a disgrace. If I were her, I’d have already ended my life.” The parents held me down, continuing to mock and humiliate me. The onlookers were just as cruel, spitting at me and taunting. Lucy, relishing in the attention, shoved her sharp heel into my face. “Hahaha! Regret? I’ve never regretted a single thing. I’d love to see how someone like you could make me regret anything!” At that moment, a line of luxury cars screeched to a halt at the school gates. Strong, silent Alpha men in suits quickly poured out of the vehicles…

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Alpha Damon stood before me,his towering presence as commanding as ever.His jaw clenched in barely suppressed anger. “Slave?”he barked,his voice echoing through the dilapidated walls of the rogue den. I flinched,but only a little.“Yes,that’s what I am now.A rogue slave.Isn’t that what everyone’s been calling me?” His amber eyes flared,his wolf not far from the surface.“Nina,you’re our sister!Who told you to call yourself a slave?” “You sent me to the Rogue Den to atone for Audrey’s sins,didn’t you?Did you really think a sinner would be treated well?” Damon’s fists curled at his sides,and for a moment,I thought he might punch me. “You were just about to agree to come home with us—you even got into the car!”he snapped,his frustration finally breaking through.“Why did you suddenly change your mind?” My lips curved into a bitter smile.“Perhaps this is where I truly belong.You were the ones who sent me here,remember?”” Beta Egbert,my former fiancé,stepped forward.“Nina,don’t say such things in anger.We’ve investigated what happened five years ago.You didn’t harm Audrey on purpose that day.” I scoffed.“Wow,five years to figure that out?Must’ve been a really tough case for you.” Egbert winced but pressed on.“We wronged you,Nina.And we regret it deeply.That’s why we came all the way from the Blue Moon Pack to take you home from this…this rogue den.” “This place is too desolate,”Alpha Damon cut in,his tone softer now,almost pleading.“Too broken.It’s no place for someone like you—a young lady who was raised in comfort and love for over a decade.” Comfort and love?I nearly laughed out loud.The only love I’d felt in that house was from my wolf,and even she had grown quiet after years of being suppressed by silver chains and wolfsbane. Egbert’s gaze flicked to my hands,and I caught the flash of pity in his eyes as he saw the rough,misshapen fingers I’d earned from years of hard labor.He spoke gently,as if trying to soothe a pup.“Nina,you don’t belong here.Come back with us,and we’ll make things right.” My vision blurred for a moment,but I forced the tears back. Five years.Five years of endless torment,of dreaming about the day my family would come for me.And when they finally did,when I climbed into that car with my heart pounding in hope… I heard the whispers. “She’s just a backup for Audrey.Don’t know why Alpha Damon is wasting time on her.” “She should be grateful we’re even bringing her back.After all,rogues don’t get second chances.” The joy that had bloomed in my chest froze into something cold and brittle.Shock gave way to disappointment,and disappointment twisted into something darker. My heart ached,but not from longing.No,this was the sting of betrayal. The family I had waited so long to see again wasn’t truly remorseful.They didn’t want me back because they loved me or missed me.They wanted me because Audrey had screwed up—again.

I jumped out of the Bugatti’s back seat,the cold air biting through the thin fabric of my dress. My voice,no longer trembling with emotion,had settled into a dead calm.“Alpha Damon,Beta Egbert,you must have had a hard time traveling all this way.”My gaze dropped to the filthy hem of my dress,stained with the dirt of this rogue den. “Five years is a long time.I’ve gotten used to it.” “This place suits me just fine.I don’t miss home anymore.” Damon’s lips pressed into a thin line,his wolf’s energy crackling faintly in the air. “And besides,”I continued,glancing at the sleek,spotless car beside us,“I’m covered in dirt and filth.Wouldn’t want to stain your precious Bugatti.” Alpha Damon’s chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath,trying to leash his growing anger. “Nina Barrett,”he growled,his voice low and threatening,“what exactly are you trying to say?” “I think I’m saying it pretty clearly,”I replied,crossing my arms. Damon’s composure finally snapped.“Are you still blaming us?We came all this way to bring you home,and you’re still throwing a tantrum?How much longer are you going to act like this?” His wolf flared just beneath his skin,his tone harsh and unrelenting.“Yes,we made mistakes five years ago,but were you completely innocent?Audrey spent years wandering outside before finally returning to Blue Moon Pack.If you hadn’t constantly bullied her,gone against her in secret—” “Would we have ever suspected you?” A loud bang echoed as Damon slammed his fist against the car door.His voice turned icy,each word cutting like a blade. “If you don’t want to come back,then don’t!”he snapped.“I no longer thought of you as my sister.” My heart should have cracked at his words,but all I felt was a distant numbness. “I’ll tell Mom and Dad you died in the rogue den,”Damon added coldly.Without waiting for my response,he got into the car and slammed the door. The Bugatti roared to life,leaving me standing in the cold. The winter wind wasn’t nearly as frigid as Damon’s words. Even after five years of false accusations,exile,and suffering,they still couldn’t see past Audrey’s inveracious mask.It didn’t matter anymore.Five years had hardened me.My heart was little more than a calloused wound,so numb that even a blade wouldn’t cut deep enough to hurt. Beta Egbert lingered,sighing softly like a man forced to deal with an unruly child.He reached into a bag they had brought from Blue Moon Pack and pulled out an ornate gift box. “Your parents still care about you,Nina.Blood ties don’t break so easily,”he said,holding the box out to me like some peace offering. I stared at it,unimpressed. Egbert’s voice softened.“Nina,don’t be stubborn.These pastries—Luna Felicia made them for you herself.And inside this bag is a dress they picked out just for you.” A small laugh escaped me,sharp and bitter.My mate—Beta Egbert Dolton—was Blue Moon Pack’s most talented warrior,the future Beta,and,once upon a time,my fated mate. The memory of my first shift at eighteen surfaced unbidden.The strong scent of mint and pine had filled my senses,and my wolf had howled with joy in my mind.Mate. Egbert had always been the golden boy of Blue Moon Pack,a prince among wolves.And for a short,fleeting moment,I had thanked the Moon Goddess for blessing me with him as my partner. But everything changed when Audrey appeared. The day she collapsed,coughing up blood,Egbert had cradled her in his arms,glaring at me like I’d personally poisoned her.The bond we shared—the one I thought was unbreakable—frayed and snapped in that single moment. I swallowed hard,forcing the memory away as my gaze fell on the box of pastries.Inside were dainty little macarons,each molded into the shape of a kitten. Cute.Except I hated macarons.They were too sweet,too perfect.Audrey’s favorite,not mine. Then there was the dress—a soft pink monstrosity made of the finest silk.Audrey’s favorite color.Mine love was midnight blue,the color of the sky just before it gave way to the stars. Noticing my lack of gratitude,Egbert’s expression turned cold,tinged with impatience. “Nina,don’t be greedy,”he said,his tone sharper now.“Alpha Kenelm and the others have done their best to make it up to you.Audrey was their real daughter!” I stared at him,incredulous.“Greedy?I never asked you for anything.”?” His jaw tightened,but he said nothing. “You have two days to think about it,”Egbert continued,his tone dismissive.“After that,Damon and I are leaving.It’s your last chance,Nina.” Chance.That was rich coming from him. As Egbert turned and walked away,I stood there in the cold,the box of unwanted pastries still in my hands. They all thought I was ungrateful.That I was insatiable.

When I returned to my drafty little shack,it felt even emptier than usual—probably because all my belongings were gone. The rogue overseeing my work leaned against the doorframe with a grin wide enough to show off his crooked fangs.“Miss Nina,no more mucking stalls for you.Fancy servants from Blue Moon Pack came by and cleared out your things.They’ve sent it all to the Allison Hotel.” “You should go stay there.” I glanced around the tiny shack one last time,taking in the broken window patched with cloth,the battered cot,and the faint stench of damp hay.This place had been my home for five long years. I whispered under my breath,“Good riddance.” As I walked through the cold,snow-covered streets of Rogue Den,memories of my life here replayed in my mind.For five years,I had woken up before dawn,shackled with silver chains like the lowest slave,braving the knife-sharp winter wind to cut grass and feed the Rogue King’s livestock.After an entire day of herding,I had to go to the mines to dig for ore. Rogue Den was nothing like Blue Moon Pack’s perpetual spring.For most of the year,it was battered by icy winds and covered in snow. These hands of mine—once soft,perfect for painting delicate strokes—were now a map of scars,callouses,and broken nails.Even my wolf,stayed quiet in the back of my mind,too weary from years of suppression to comfort me. Alpha Damon wasn’t wrong. The pampered princess of Blue Moon Pack had long since died. Not in the cold of Rogue Den,but the day Audrey was brought back. From that moment on,she took everything that had once belonged to me—my parents,my brother,the love and affection that had once been mine.Whatever she wanted,I had to give up. Because I wasn’t really their daughter. I was just the greedy maid’s child.My mother had switched us at birth,leaving Audrey to suffer in poverty for over a decade. When I finally reached the Allison Hotel,its warmth hit me like a slap in the face.The scent of lavender and vanilla incense made me wrinkle my nose.Everything about this place screamed luxury—a world I’d been forcibly ripped out of and left to dream about from the depths of Rogue Den. That’s when I saw her. Audrey. She stood at the top of the grand staircase,a vision of delicate beauty in a soft cream robe,her silky brown hair tumbling over her shoulders like some kind of goddess. My chest tightened.Not with envy—I’d been too broken for that—but with the stark reminder of how easily she’d taken everything from me. She wobbled slightly,clearly about to step down barefoot.Before I could even process what was happening,Damon shot forward,scooping her into his arms like she weighed nothing. “Are you out of your mind?”he growled,his tone soft but firm.“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?Rogue Den isn’t Blue Moon Pack—it’s freezing here.What if you catch a cold?You’re always so frail.” Beta Egbert—my ex-fiancé—appeared out of nowhere,holding plush slippers.He knelt down,gently cradling her ankle as he slipped them on. Audrey giggled,her voice light as air.“I didn’t think anyone would notice.You’re both too much.” I stood at the bottom of the staircase,watching this nauseating display unfold. My lips curled into a bitter smile. Neither Damon nor Egbert had mentioned she’d be here.Of course,they’d hidden her away,worried that the harsh winds of Rogue Den might harm her precious skin.Or worse,worried I might trouble her. My wolf stirred in the back of my mind,her growl low and dangerous.You’re better than this,Nina.Don’t let them see you crumble. I clenched my fists.“Crumble?Please.I’m practically a rock at this point.” My heart had long since gone numb,but at this moment,it was like a fishhook had pierced into my flesh,dragging out a sharp,tearing pain. My entire body trembled. The one person who owed me an apology the most—I hadn’t even had the chance to see her. Five years ago,Audrey had been found and brought back to Blue Moon Pack. That was when everyone realized the mistake. Seeing her malnourished and frail from years in the slums,my family couldn’t wait to make up for lost time,showering her with everything they had. Audrey didn’t like me. She deliberately tore her own clothes,then looked at me with hesitant,tear-filled eyes. She didn’t have to say anything. Everyone already knew what to believe. My brother forced me to yield to Audrey,claiming she was timid and pitiful. My parents silently bought her designer clothes and let her choose as she pleased. My fiancé,Beta Egbert,personally taught her combat techniques and grew closer to her. Audrey and I shared the same birthday. On that day,she suddenly said she wanted almond tea,brewed by me. But after a single sip,her face turned deathly pale,and she vomited blood. Damon,in his fury,struck me across the face. His words were the cruelest curses I had ever heard. “A bitched girl born of a bitch—just as vile!” “You switched the almonds for peach kernels,knowing she’s allergic!Did you want her dead so you could keep playing princess?” “I’m telling you now—Audrey is my real sister.If anything happens to her,you’ll pay for it with your life!” Because of that slap,I lost hearing in my left ear forever. My fiancéhad held Audrey in his arms,flustered and panicked. He didn’t say a word. But his accusing eyes cut me deeper than any blade,slicing me into a thousand pieces.

I still remember the day Audrey decided to become the poster child for ridiculous bravery.She stood before the Rogue King,her chin tilted in that defiant way that could only mean one thing—she was about to make a colossal mistake.And boy,did she deliver. She called him a”barbaric mongrel,”publicly scorning him in front of his own rogues.I swear,even the wolves watching from the shadows flinched at her audacity. The Rogue King’s golden eyes glowed with fury.”If Audrey isn’t sent to Rogue Den to answer for her insolence,Blue Moon Pack will face my wrath.My wolves will raze your lands until nothing remains but ashes and regrets.” That was the first time I saw Audrey lose her composure.Her face went pale,and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.”I don’t afraid going,”she whispered,her voice trembling in just the right way to tug at heartstrings.”But…I can’t bear to leave my brother,my father,and my mother.” Cue the dramatic silence as everyone looked at me like I was the answer to all their problems. Alpha Damon,who had been standing as still as a statue,finally spoke,his tone cold and detached.”Nina,you’ll go in Audrey’s place.” For a moment,I couldn’t breathe. “Rogue Den is harsh and far away,”Damon continued,as though justifying the decision.”Audrey’s body is too fragile to endure it.Blue Moon Pack raised you for over a decade—isn’t it time you repaid the pack?” Repay the pack?For what?Being a glorified punching bag and unpaid servant? My father and mother said nothing,their silence heavier than any words they could have spoken.My mother eventually sighed,placing a hand on my shoulder.”Nina…we can’t bear to send you away,but Audrey is our real daughter.” And there it was.The dagger twisted in my chest. Beta Egbert,my former fiancé,chimed in.”Nina,you’ve done too much wrong.You’ve hurt Audrey time and time again.It’s only right that you go to Rogue Den and make amends.” I wanted to cry,but my throat was too tight.Audrey cast me a triumphant look from behind her delicate mask of tears.She didn’t have to say a word—her victory was written all over her face. And so,I was shipped off to Rogue Den,a desolate wasteland where even the wolves looked more feral than civilized. The rogue overseers wasted no time reminding me of my new reality.”You think they sent you here to teach you a lesson?Nah,sweetheart.This isn’t punishment—it’s exile.They never wanted you to begin with.” He wasn’t wrong. For five years,I labored under the harshest conditions imaginable.My hands,once soft,became rough and calloused,every scar a testament to the endless work.Feeding livestock,shoveling waste,mining for ore—each task more grueling than the last. The winters in Rogue Den were unforgiving,the cold biting through even the thickest layers.My wolf,was my only companion in the long,silent nights. But now,after five years,they had the audacity to send word that it was all a mistake.That the almond tea incident had been an error.That I was innocent. They wanted me to come home. Home. The word felt foreign,like a language I no longer understood.What home did I have left?

Audrey descended the staircase,her mink-trimmed shawl bouncing with each step.Her feet were tucked into plush slippers,and the scent of something outrageously expensive perfume wafted toward me before she even reached the bottom step. When her gaze landed on me,her doe-like eyes widened in startled fear,the corners of her mouth trembling. “Big sister…”she said softly. I said nothing,my eyes trailing over her perfectly polished appearance—manicured nails,flawless skin,and the kind of Jewelry that screamed privilege. Meanwhile,my own cracked,frostbitten fingers curled into fists at my sides.The bitter cold of Rogue Den hadn’t just bitten at my skin;it had left marks that no amount of Skin care products could cover. Audrey’s eyes glistened,her nose reddening.A single crystalline tear rolled down her cheek. “Sister,”she whispered,her voice shaking just enough to sound vulnerable,“are you still angry with me?You haven’t forgiven me?” I raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. “It was my fault,”she continued,her hands clutching each other like a penitent saint.“The Rogue King…he was supposed to punish me.You suffered for five years because of me.”She paused.“We’re here to take you home.” Home?I let out a sharp laugh under my breath. Audrey approached me with a cup of tea.“If you drink this,”she said,her voice soft,“it means you’ve forgiven me.Okay?” Her hands trembled as she extended the cup toward me. Then,The tea spilled. The hot liquid splashed over my frostbitten hands,seeping into the cracks in my skin.The sting was immediate and sharp,an agony that triggered an instinctive reaction. Before I could think,I shoved Audrey back. She didn’t hit the floor. Beta Egbert—my former fiancé—was suddenly there,his arms wrapped around her like a protective cocoon.His glare burned into me as if I were some feral animal who had lost all reason. Then came my brother.His boot collided with my side before I could even brace myself,sending me sprawling to the floor.My head struck the ground with a dull thud,and warm blood trickled down my temple. “She didn’t mean to spill the tea!”Audrey cried,her voice trembling as she clung to Egbert’s arm.“She’s hurt…Please,don’t blame her!” But her words,of course,were drowned out by Alpha Damon’s thunderous voice. “Nina,after five years,you’ve learned nothing!You still dare to bully Audrey?” I bit down hard on my lip,willing myself to stay silent.What was the point of speaking?No matter what I said,I would always be the villain in their eyes. Damon’s face twisted into a mask of rage,and Beta Egbert tightened his hold on Audrey as if I might leap at her again. Slowly,I sat up,ignoring the ache in my ribs and the sticky warmth of blood on my forehead.I wiped the blood away with the back of my hand and bowed deeply toward Audrey. “I was careless,”I said,my voice calm and measured.“I apologize for pushing Miss Audrey.” Egbert’s brows furrowed,a flicker of guilt passing over his face.Audrey,looked horrified,on the verge of tears. “Sister!”she cried,her voice high and wavering.“How could you bow to me?You’re not my servant—there’s no need for this!” Alpha Damon with a cold,dismissive tone.“If she wants to act like a servant,so be it.Let her stay here and suffer.We’re leaving.” I stayed frozen in my bow as their footsteps receded,my wolf growling softly in the back of my mind.Good riddance,she snarled.They don’t deserve to call themselves your family. She was right,of course. For a moment,when I’d first seen them,I’d felt a flicker of hope—a stupid,naive hope that maybe they’d changed.That maybe they’d come to take me home because they finally cared. Good thing I overheard the servants talking. Good thing I had already given up on going back with them. Returning to Blue Moon Pack would mean returning to a place where I had no place. Returning to be mocked,humiliated. For just a moment,when I first saw them in Rogue Den,I had been happy. For just a moment,I had wanted to tell them. That I was getting married. That I wasn’t a slave anymore. That soon,the future Rogue King of Rogue Den would give me a home.

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When my so-called plagiarism scandal broke,the entire industry turned against me. The whole world believed I had stolen from Eugenia,but in truth,she was the thief. And for her,they decided to destroy me. I was dragged into an abandoned warehouse,my body hitting the cold concrete floor. A dozen crazed fans jeered around me. “You’re a fraud!” “You don’t deserve to sing ever again!” The first blow shattered my kneecap. I screamed,my voice breaking. Then came my hands—one by one,my fingers snapped. A sharp blade slashed across my throat. My vision blurred as warm blood poured down my chest. No…my voice… Then—darkness. I woke to the sterile scent of disinfectant and the steady beeping of machines.My throat burned,my limbs felt like dead weight. A familiar voice broke through the haze.“Janette…you’re awake.” Luca. I turned my head slowly. He sat beside me,eyes red-rimmed,fingers gently holding mine. His touch was warm,cautious,as if afraid I would break again. “Luca…”My voice—no,the faint breath leaving my throat—was barely audible. His body tensed.“Don’t try to talk.You’ve been through too much.” I blinked,attempting to lift my hand,but it barely twitched.Then I felt it—a weight in my abdomen. No…my baby… My breathing quickened,panic setting in. Luca immediately placed his palm gently over my stomach.“It’s okay,Janette.The baby is fine.You’re eight months now.” I exhaled shakily,fingers clutching his sleeve.“They…they did this to me.” Luca’s jaw clenched.“I know.I tried to stop them,but—” I narrowed my eyes at him.“But you couldn’t,could you?” Luca lowered his head,pain flickering in his eyes.“Janette,I tried…but I have no power to change their decisions.” I let out a weak,bitter laugh.“No power?When they decided to sacrifice me and my child,you just stood by and watched?” Luca flinched as if stabbed.“No!I fought for you!I begged them,but they wouldn’t listen…” “So you gave up?”I stared at him,my gaze cold.“Luca,you’ve always been like this…weak,spineless.You knew they would hurt me,and you did nothing.” Luca’s breath hitched,his fingers trembling as they tightened around mine.“Janette,I really—” The door burst open. “Janette.” Eugenia. She walked in,dressed in soft pastels,her expression full of fake concern.“I’m so glad you’re awake.You gave us such a scare.” I tried to sit up,but my body refused.I could only glare at her.“You…stole everything.” She sighed.“You’re still on that?Janette,I don’t want to argue.You need to focus on recovering.” I forced my fingers into a fist.“Get out.” Eugenia didn’t move.Instead,she glanced at my stomach,then at Luca.“You should listen to what Mother and Father have decided.It’s for the best.” Luca stiffened.“Eugenia,don’t—” “Your umbilical cord blood,Janette.I need it.” Everything inside me froze. “You’re insane.”Luca snapped.“She barely survived!And you think—” “She’s my sister,”Eugenia cut him off smoothly.“If she really cares,she’ll do this for me.” I looked at her,then at the doorway where my mother and father now stood,silent but expectant. Luca clenched his jaw,his voice shaking.“Janette owes you nothing!” Father stepped forward,his gaze cold.“She has no choice.” Luca turned to me,desperation in his eyes.“Janette,you can’t let them do this to you…” I let out a soft,hollow laugh,my gaze icy.“Luca,if you really want to help me,stop them.” Luca’s lips trembled,pain flooding his expression. He opened his mouth,but no words came out. Then,finally,he lowered his head. “I…I can’t…” I closed my eyes,my heart sinking into a frozen abyss. Then— A deep,commanding voice filled the room.“Touch her,and I will end you all.” The air shifted.Dominance,raw power,and something primal rolled into the space. Dominic Blackwood. The Alpha. The man who ruled the industry’s underbelly with an iron grip. He stood in the doorway,golden eyes burning with fury. Eugenia’s smug expression finally faltered.“W-What are you doing here?” Dominic stepped forward,his eyes locking onto me.“Taking what’s mine.” Mine? He reached out,tracing a gloved finger along my broken hand.“You’re my Mate,Janette.They don’t deserve you.” My heart pounded. Luca stepped between us.“She’s not some prize to claim,Blackwood.” Dominic’s gaze flicked to him.“Then why are you still too weak to protect her?” Luca stiffened,fists clenching.“I did everything I could—” “And yet,here she lies,broken.” Silence. My throat ached,my chest tightened. Dominic turned back to me,his expression softening.“Janette,come with me.” My mother gasped.“You can’t take her!She belongs here!” He smirked.“She belonged to you.But you threw her away.” Luca looked at me,desperation in his gaze.“Janette,please…” I stared at them all—the family that had betrayed me,the man who had always been by my side,and the Alpha who now stood between me and my past. Then I did something none of them expected. I reached out—and took Dominic’s hand.

When I was taken to an unfamiliar room,exhaustion and pain consumed me. I still couldn’t believe that Luca had left me like that. But the reality was,he was gone.He had abandoned me and our child. The air in the room was clean,carrying a faint scent of herbs. I lifted my head and saw a woman in a white coat mixing some medicine. She turned around,her brown eyes soft yet observant. “I am Irene,the Pack Doctor.”She spoke gently,walking toward me with a vial in her hand.“You need to rest.Your body is too weak.” I opened my mouth,but my throat was too dry to form words. She handed me a glass of water,and I forced myself to take a sip. “My baby…”I murmured,my hand slowly moving to my stomach. Irene’s eyes flickered with sympathy.“The baby is still stable,but you must stay calm.Otherwise,it could lead to premature labor.” My heart clenched.Stay calm?In this situation,how could I possibly stay calm? Just then,the door suddenly swung open,and Luca appeared in the doorway. His face was pale,his expression a mix of guilt and helplessness. “Janette…” My fingers trembled,gripping the bedsheet tightly.“You still dare to come here?” He took a step forward,his voice hoarse.“I had no choice.” “No choice?”I repeated,almost mockingly.“So your choice was to abandon me?To abandon our child?” Pain deepened in his eyes as he suddenly dropped to his knees beside my bed,his voice shaking.“They won’t let me stay,Janette.If I do,they will destroy me,destroy you,and even harm our child.” Before I could respond,a familiar voice came from outside the room. “You’d better understand your place.” My father stepped in,followed closely by my mother,while Eugenia stood at the door,arms crossed,a smug smile on her lips. “Luca,do you really think you can protect Janette?Don’t be naive.”My mother’s tone was cold. Luca clenched his jaw,his voice barely above a whisper.“At least I wouldn’t try to destroy her like you all have.” Eugenia laughed lightly,“Don’t act so noble.You have no power to stay.You can’t even protect yourself.” My father’s gaze darkened,filled with warning.“If you know what’s best for you,you’ll leave immediately.Otherwise,we will erase you from existence.” Luca’s face turned ghostly white,his hands trembling. “I…I can’t leave…”he muttered,his voice full of anguish. My mother let out a sigh,her lips curving into a cruel smile.“If you don’t leave now,you will regret ever being born.” The air grew thick with suffocating tension. Luca’s entire body shook.He turned to look at me,his eyes pleading and full of sorrow.“Janette,I…I really have no choice…” My heart turned to ice. I looked at him,the man who had once been my warmth,now completely consumed by fear. I closed my eyes,fighting back tears,my voice weak but firm.“Get out,Luca.” His eyes widened.“You really want me to go?” I inhaled deeply,slowly opening my eyes to meet his.“No,Luca.You want to go.” He was silent for a long time before,finally,his figure disappeared through the door. Eugenia shrugged,smiling in satisfaction.“That’s how it should be.” I felt all the strength drain from my body,my gaze empty as I stared at the doorway. “He’s gone…”I whispered,my tears falling silently. Dominic stepped beside me,his hand resting lightly on my shoulder,his voice deep and steady.“A man like that isn’t worth your grief.” I let out a dry,bitter laugh.“But he’s the father of my child.” Dominic’s gaze was unreadable,his hand slowly moving to my stomach as if to feel the life growing inside me. “I will protect your child,Janette.”His voice was low,but there was no hesitation.“No one will ever harm you again.” My heart trembled slightly as I looked up at this strong,unwavering man. For the first time,I realized that Luca was my past. And maybe the man standing before me…was my future. “Why are you helping me?”I asked softly. Dominic’s eyes darkened slightly,his lips curling into a dangerous yet determined smile.“Because they hurt you.And I hold grudges.” He leaned down,his voice a whisper against my ear.“I will help you get revenge,Janette.I will make them pay.” I closed my eyes,tears slipping down my cheeks. But this time,they weren’t tears of despair. They were the beginning of something else. “Alright.”My voice was hoarse,but resolute,as I reached out and took Dominic’s hand. Revenge had just begun.

The room was heavy with silence,broken only by the faint sounds of Irene adjusting medical tools. Dominic leaned against the wall,arms crossed,watching me. “What’s your plan?”His voice was low,unreadable. I stared at the bedsheet,my throat raw.”They won’t let my child live.” Dominic scoffed.”Then let them try.” Irene set down a vial,pushing her glasses up.”You two need to make a decision soon.Your body can’t handle prolonged stress.” Before I could answer,loud voices erupted from outside. “Where is she?I want to see her!” Eugenia. The door burst open as she stumbled inside,my mother right behind her. “Janette,how dare you hide from us?”Eugenia’s voice was sharp,her eyes flickering to Dominic,momentarily stunned.”You’re actually with him?” Dominic smirked lazily.”Better than being with you.” Mother stepped forward,reaching for my hand.”Come home,Janette.You know we’re doing this for your own good.” I stepped back,dodging her touch,my voice cold.”For my good?Or for yours?” Mother’s expression hardened,but Eugenia cut in first.”I need your help!Are you really so heartless you’d let your own sister die?” “Your life?”I let out a bitter laugh.”Have you ever cared about mine?” Eugenia’s face twisted.”Stop playing the victim!Your baby can save her—why are you being so selfish?” Dominic straightened,his gaze razor-sharp.”Listen.This isn’t your place to throw a tantrum.If you push her any further,you’ll regret it.” Mother’s lips curled in disdain.”And how long do you think you can protect her?” “As long as I need to.”Dominic’s tone was almost amused,but his eyes were ice. Eugenia scoffed.”Luca already left.You really think you can hold out forever?” Hearing Luca’s name,my fingers curled into a fist. Mother noticed,pressing her advantage.”He abandoned you,Janette.Why ruin your life over a child who won’t even have a father?” I exhaled slowly before speaking.”Because you are not my family.” Eugenia’s eyes widened.”What did you just say?” I looked straight at her,voice steady.”Family doesn’t force you to sacrifice your own child for another.” Mother’s jaw tightened.”We’re just asking you to make the right decision.” Dominic stepped closer,his voice calm but menacing.”She already did.” Eugenia’s expression flickered,then softened into feigned concern.”You’re still angry at Luca,aren’t you?He didn’t have a choice—” “Enough.”My voice was like steel.”Don’t say his name.” Eugenia blinked,then smirked.”Do you really think this man will save you?Dominic is using you.Once you’re useless,he’ll throw you away just like everyone else.” Dominic chuckled,tilting his head.”Not everyone is as disposable as you,Eugenia.” Eugenia let out a frustrated huff and turned to Mother.”Mom,let’s go.” Mother shot me one last,cold look.”You will regret this.” As they turned to leave,Dominic let out a low chuckle,full of amusement.”I’d love to see who regrets it first—you,or the ones who’ll soon be begging at her feet.” Eugenia froze mid-step,whirling back.”What do you mean by that?” Dominic strolled over to my side,his golden eyes glinting with something dangerous.”Do you want them on their knees,Janette?” I hesitated,meeting his gaze. Eugenia scoffed.”Dream on.She doesn’t have the guts.” Dominic tilted his head.”That so?Then let’s wait and see.” He turned to me,voice dropping into something almost seductive.”Janette,do you want revenge?” A shiver ran through me,my vision blurring with unshed tears. Eugenia let out a breathy laugh.”You’re not actually buying this,are you?” I let my lips curve slightly,my answer quiet but firm.”Yes.” Eugenia’s smirk vanished.Mother’s face paled. Dominic’s fingers laced with mine,his touch deliberate,confident.”Good.The game begins now.” Mother’s hand trembled.Eugenia’s breathing hitched. The door slammed shut behind them with a final,resounding bang. I closed my eyes,my pulse pounding. This time,I wasn’t the helpless victim. This time,I was the one holding the knife. And this was only the beginning.

The entrance of the hospital was in complete chaos. Reporters and crazed fans swarmed outside,their phones and cameras raised high as they pushed forward,desperate to get inside. Security struggled to maintain order,but the crowd’s madness had already spiraled out of control. “Janette,did you really steal Eugenia’s work?” “Rumor has it you don’t even know who the father of your baby is.Care to explain?” “You killed your sister—how does it feel to have blood on your hands?” The questions were relentless,cutting through me like a thousand blades. My hands instinctively cradled my stomach as I tried to navigate through the mass of bodies. I kept my head down,moving carefully toward the hospital doors.Then,without warning— A hand shoved me.Hard. “Get out of the industry,you fraud!” I stumbled backward,my foot slipping off the edge of the stairs. My heart seized as gravity yanked me downward. “Ah—!” I heard my own scream,the gasps of the crowd,and someone yelling for a doctor. But the only thing I truly felt was the unbearable pain that tore through my abdomen. My baby. Warmth spread down my legs.Blood.So much blood. The world around me blurred as my vision darkened. My arms curled around my belly in one last desperate attempt to protect what was left. Then everything faded into blackness. When I woke,the sharp scent of disinfectant filled my nose. Sunlight streamed through the hospital window,but it did nothing to warm the hollowness inside me. My hand drifted to my stomach. Flat. I froze. No. No,no,no. “My baby…where’s my baby?”My voice came out cracked,barely more than a whisper. “Janette…” A familiar voice.My mother. My head snapped up. She and my father stood at my bedside, their faces carefully composed,but their eyes…their eyes held nothing but indifference masked as pity. “What did you do?”My voice wavered as my fingers clenched the hospital sheets. My mother sighed,reaching for my hand.”Janette,the doctors did everything they could,but the baby didn’t survive.You were reckless.You shouldn’t have run like that.” “No!That’s not true!”I jerked away from her touch,my eyes darting between them.”You planned this,didn’t you?” For a split second,her face stiffened before she quickly smoothed her expression. My father spoke next,his voice eerily calm.”Janette,Eugenia’s condition was critical.We had no choice.You lost the baby,but at least your cord blood was able to save Eugenia.” A deafening silence filled the room. Then my world shattered. “You…”My ears rang,my chest heaving.”You used my pregnancy—my child—just to harvest cord blood for Eugenia?” “Calm down.”My mother’s voice turned sharp.”Eugenia is your sister.She was dying.We couldn’t just let her waste away.” A bitter laugh escaped me,filled with nothing but raw,unfiltered agony.”And my baby?He was disposable?” “He was never supposed to exist in the first place.”My father’s words were emotionless,as if he were discussing a business transaction.”Luca abandoned you.That child would have been a burden.” Cold. So cold. “You…you’re monsters.” My mother sighed,rubbing her temples.”Janette,you have to let this go.You’re being overly dramatic.Eugenia still needs time to recover.You shouldn’t be causing unnecessary stress.” “Stress?”My body trembled violently.”You murdered my child,and now you want me to just accept it?” “He was nothing but an inconvenience.”My mother’s voice was ice.”Eugenia is the true future of this family.” My head spun.My breath came in ragged gasps. Then the door burst open. The room’s temperature seemed to drop instantly. Dominic stood at the threshold,golden eyes burning with unrestrained fury. “You.Are.Dead.” His voice was lethal. My mother paled,instinctively stepping back.”Alpha,this is a hospital.You need to control yourself.” Dominic let out a cold,humorless laugh.”Control myself?You killed Janette’s child,and you expect me to stay calm?” “It was an accident,”my father stammered,but fear had crept into his voice. “An accident?”Dominic moved faster than I could track.One moment,he was by the door. The next,he had my father by the throat,lifting him clean off the ground. “Gah—”My father’s face turned purple as he clawed at Dominic’s wrist. “Dominic,stop!”My mother screamed. Dominic ignored her.With a flick of his wrist,he sent her flying into the wall.She collapsed onto the floor,coughing up blood. “Aah—!”She clutched at her legs,her eyes widening in horror as realization set in.”I…I can’t move my legs!” My father gasped for air,his own legs twitching uncontrollably beneath him.Then—nothing. Dominic released his grip,letting my father crumple to the ground beside her. “You will spend the rest of your pathetic lives in those wheelchairs.”His voice was void of mercy.”Consider it a fraction of the pain you’ve caused.” Silence.Cold,suffocating silence. Then— A frantic knock at the door.A nurse rushed inside,her face stricken with panic.”It’s Eugenia—she’s gone!” My heart lurched.”What?” “She was in her hospital room,but she vanished.Security footage is wiped.We…we don’t know where she is.” Dominic’s expression darkened.His smile turned razor-sharp.”Seems like she’s smarter than I thought.” My hands clenched into fists,nails digging into my palms. Eugenia had escaped. She knew the truth.She was responsible for my child’s death. And now,she was out there somewhere,running from her sins. Dominic moved closer,tilting my chin up to meet his gaze. His touch was surprisingly gentle,but his words dripped with bloodlust. “Do you want to hunt her down yourself?” I exhaled shakily,my grief hardening into something else. Vengeance. Tears slipped down my cheeks,but my voice was unwavering.”I want her to pay.”

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The director called,“Cut!”for the third time,but Darius,my celebrity husband,remained locked in a passionate kiss with Seraphina. The crew stood frozen,tension thick in the air. I stepped forward,keeping my voice steady.”Darius,we’re done for today.Wrap it up.” Seraphina pulled away,tears glistening in her eyes.“I’m just so deep into this role,”she sobbed,clutching Darius’s arm. I forced a smile.Darius’s eyes flickered with irritation as he turned to me.“Lyanna,you have no right to interfere.You see filth in everything.Can’t you just trust me?” The sting of his words barely registered. I had already seen the paparazzi photos—him and Seraphina entering a five-star hotel together that night. The marriage I had spent five years protecting was over. I just hadn’t signed the papers yet. After a quick call to my lawyer,I returned to the lounge. Darius walked in shortly after. His face softened when he saw me—for a second. Then his gaze turned cold. “Lyanna,this lounge is for lead actors.Why are you here?” I grabbed the thermos from the makeup table,my voice flat.“Just getting my stuff.” He hadn’t touched the meal I made him.Not a single bite. “Don’t bother making food for me anymore,”he muttered.“It’s unpalatable.” In the past,I would have argued,reminded him how he used to love my cooking.But this time,I just nodded.“Hmm.”Then I walked out the door. Darius called after me,irritation laced in his voice.“There’s a crew dinner tonight.The director wants me to discuss the script with Seraphina.” I didn’t miss the guilt in his tone.“Okay,”I said,closing the door behind me. Later that night,he came home around 1 AM.I wasn’t waiting for him like before. He pushed open the bedroom door,frowning.“Lyanna,I have trouble sleeping.Why didn’t you brew my calming tea?” I pulled the blanket over my head.“Ran out of tea leaves last night.Order takeout.” The door slammed shut behind him as he stormed into the study. In the past,I would have stayed up,apologizing.But this time,I let him be. The next morning,Darius allowed me to ride in the van with him to the set. It was unusual.I should have known something was coming. As we pulled up,Seraphina approached. She was dressed in a backless,low-cut dress,her every movement calculated. “Darius,do you have any bug spray?I always attract mosquitoes,”she purred. Then she saw me.Her expression shifted.“Oh,Lyanna,you’re here too?I’d better take the other car.” Before she could move,Darius spoke,his tone sharp.“Lyanna,can’t you be sensible?Stop causing trouble.Go sit in the assistant’s car.” I didn’t argue.I simply stepped out.My movements were slow,controlled. As I walked away,I felt his gaze on me.A few minutes later,my phone buzzed. A message from Darius: Today,Seraphina will have a scene where she shows her legs.Don’t misunderstand. I stared at the screen for a moment before typing back: Understood. The day dragged on.By the time filming wrapped at 11 PM,I was exhausted.Then—disaster. The scaffolding collapsed.I watched as Darius shoved Seraphina out of harm’s way.They fell,tangled together—lips colliding. The crew cheered,mistaking it for part of the scene. I stood frozen,my wolf stirring within me,urging me to claim what was mine. But I held back. I didn’t have to fight. Because Darius had already made his choice.

I had been away on business for years,focusing on the needs of my pack and family. But when I heard that Darius,my son,got married,I dropped everything and rushed back home. That night,Darius posted a series of photos on Facebook from our reunion dinner. The caption read,”You’ve been by my side all the way.Thank you,the most important woman in my life.”It seemed harmless enough,but Lyanna,Darius’s mate,mistook me for someone entirely different. The next morning,I stepped into the beauty salon,needing a moment of peace after my long flight. I barely had time to sit before the doors burst open. Lyanna strode in,flanked by her packmates,her wolf barely restrained beneath her skin. Her voice sliced through the air like a blade.“You shameless woman!” The other customers went silent.The staff froze.I slowly turned,meeting her burning gaze. “You dare seduce my mate?”she spat,stepping forward. Her fingers curled into fists,nails elongating slightly. Her packmates stood behind her,their presence a silent but clear threat. I blinked,confusion flickering through me.“Excuse me?” Lyanna’s eyes darkened.“Don’t play innocent.You think I don’t know?Sneaking into his life,taking pictures,making him post about you?” Realization hit me.Darius’s Facebook post. I exhaled sharply.“I think there’s been a misunderstanding—” “There’s no misunderstanding,”she cut in.“I’ll make sure you never seduce another man again.” Her packmates moved at her command. One lunged forward,claws extended. Instinct kicked in,and I dodged,but another caught my arm,nails raking across my skin. A sharp pain burned through me. The salon erupted into chaos.Customers screamed. Staff backed away,too afraid to intervene. I gritted my teeth. My wolf stirred,but I was exhausted from travel,weakened. Lyanna’s laughter rang out as she stepped closer,her heel pressing against my shoulder,shoving me down. “You think Darius could ever fall for you?”she sneered. My blood boiled.I wanted to fight,to push back—but I was outnumbered.The odds weren’t in my favor. And this was their territory. Lyanna had made sure of that. Then a presence filled the room.A familiar power.Strong.Commanding. Darius. The air shifted instantly as he stepped inside. His gaze swept over the scene,his Alpha aura tightening around the space.Pack members stiffened,recognizing the shift in dominance. Lyanna turned,a smug smile on her lips.“See?”she taunted.“This is the woman you’re choosing over me.” Darius’s expression was unreadable. His wolf flickered behind his eyes,sensing the tension. Then he spoke,voice even,but firm.“The engagement banquet may end now.” A beat of silence. Lyanna’s confidence wavered.“What?” “You heard me.”His tone was final. Lyanna’s face twisted with fury.“You’re breaking off our engagement?Over this—this woman?!” Darius’s gaze flickered to me. For the first time in years,his expression softened—if only briefly. Then his walls came back up.“You’ve gone too far.” Lyanna’s hands clenched at her sides.“Darius,I did this for us!She’s trying to take you away—” “I said enough.” His voice echoed through the salon,silencing her. Lyanna trembled with rage,but she knew better than to challenge his authority here. Not in front of everyone. She turned on her heel and stormed out,her packmates following. The tension in the room didn’t ease until they were gone. Darius looked at me.“Are you alright?” I hesitated.Then nodded.“I’ll survive.” His jaw tightened.“I’ll handle this.” I didn’t respond.Because deep down,I knew—this wasn’t over.Not even close. That night,I sat in my temporary home,staring at the untouched dinner before me. The day replayed in my mind,Lyanna’s words,Darius’s reaction. A knock on the door broke the silence. I opened it to find Darius standing there,his expression unreadable. “Can we talk?” I stepped aside,letting him in. He took a deep breath.“Lyanna misunderstood who you were.” I crossed my arms.“No kidding.” “She’s…possessive,”he admitted.“The bond between us—it’s always been complicated.” I studied him.“Then why stay with her?” His jaw tightened.“Because it was expected.Because it was convenient.Because I thought it was the right thing to do.” “And now?” His eyes met mine.“Now,I’m not so sure.” A beat of silence stretched between us. I exhaled,shaking my head.“Darius,I didn’t come here to break you two apart.” “I know.”He stepped closer.“But that doesn’t change things.” I could hear his wolf in his voice.A deep,lingering growl,something primal,something unresolved. I swallowed hard.“Darius—” He reached out,gently brushing his fingers against the wound on my arm.“She hurt you.” “I’ve had worse.” “That’s not the point.”His gaze darkened.“She crossed a line.” Silence. I looked away.“What happens now?” Darius was quiet for a long moment.Then he said,“I don’t know.” And for the first time,I saw the hesitation in his eyes. The weight of years. The burden of choices that could no longer be ignored. The engagement was over. But the war had only just begun.

The slap hit hard,sharper than I expected,and the sting of it spread across my face like fire. The pain from the impact was intense,but what hurt more was the humiliation—the laughter of the guests around me,the cruel whispers filling the air. “Look at this,the mistress getting slapped by the legitimate mate,”one voice sneered,its tone full of contempt. “She seems so well-mannered.Who would think she’d sink so low?”another voice mocked,though I could hear the smug satisfaction beneath it. I gritted my teeth,my wolf howling inside me,ready to tear through the room and silence them all. But I held back. I had to hold back. The last thing I wanted was to give them the satisfaction of seeing me lose control. “Lyanna,you misunderstood,”I managed to say,my voice shaking with the effort to keep calm.”I’m not—” But I didn’t get a chance to finish. Lyanna,her wolf clearly in control now,grabbed a handful of my hair and jerked me down to the ground,her claws digging into my scalp. Her packmates surged forward,joining her in their aggression. I could feel their strength,their loyalty to her fueling their violence,each blow like a dagger aimed not just at my body,but at my spirit. The pain blurred my vision. I could barely breathe,the strikes coming from every direction,my body trembling as it fought to withstand the onslaught. “You slut!”Lyanna spat,her voice venomous,laced with the harsh growl of her wolf.”How dare you seduce my mate?If you’re not his mistress,then why do you know my name,huh?Tell me that!” The words cut through me like ice.Her mate? I didn’t know how to answer. The bond between Darius and Lyanna was…complex,confusing. But in this moment,it didn’t matter. “I told you,I’m not his mistress!”I cried out,my voice raw.”Ask Darius yourself.He knows the truth.” But she didn’t care. Lyanna wasn’t listening. She pulled me by my hair again,forcing me to the ground as her packmates punched and kicked me. “You really think you have a chance?”Lyanna sneered,her eyes wild with fury.”A lowly woman like you?Don’t think for a second that Darius will ever choose you over me.I’ll make sure of it.When I marry into a rich family,I’ll make you regret ever crossing me.I’ll sell you to a brothel,let you serve hundreds of men—let everyone have their turn with you!” Her words were cruel,meant to break me,and for a moment,I felt my spirit falter. But my wolf refused to let her win. I clenched my fists,forcing myself to focus. I wasn’t just some weak woman she could trample on. I tried again.”Lyanna—Lyanna,please…I’m telling you the truth.I’m not his mistress.Darius—” “Shut up!”she yelled,her voice rising with each word,the fury of her inner wolf palpable.”You filthy slut.You’ll never admit what you really are,will you?You’re nothing to Darius.You’re just some woman who thinks she can play in a world she doesn’t belong in.” I didn’t know what to say. Was it really over? Had Darius already chosen her?T he doubt gnawed at me,but I refused to let it show. I couldn’t. “Later,”Lyanna said with a sneer,”I’ll take you to the engagement banquet.We’ll see who Darius chooses.You,or me.You’ll never belong in his world.” The words hit me harder than the blows. She was right. I would never belong in his world. Lyanna’s pack had claimed their place,and my presence,my bond with Darius,meant nothing to them. But the worst part was hearing the vicious laughter around me. The crowd had gathered,eager to witness the spectacle. “Take her clothes off,”Lyanna’s friend shouted.”Let’s see if she has any shame left.” I was overwhelmed. They tore at my clothes,pulling at the fabric until my dress was ripped apart,exposing my skin. Blood mixed with the tears on my face as I struggled to cover myself,my dignity slipping further from my grasp. The pain was unbearable,but it wasn’t the physical pain that broke me—it was the way they gawked at me. They were enjoying this.The guests,the packmates,all of them. My suffering was entertainment for them. I cried out in desperation,clutching what remained of my dress around me.But I was too weak to fight them off. Too small.There were too many of them. The pain blurred my senses. I could feel my wolf pushing against the restraints,desperate to break free. I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t let them win. But just as I was losing myself to the darkness,I saw something. My mind was clouded,my vision spinning,but I saw her—Lyanna. She was pulling out her phone,capturing every moment. “Your reputation is ruined,”she said,her words filled with malice,her wolf’s growl low and threatening.”No one will ever believe you now.” But just as the last shred of my dignity was being ripped away,I gathered my strength.”Lyanna,”I cried,”I am Darius’s mother!” The room went silent for a moment. I could see the shock in Lyanna’s eyes as she looked down at me,the confusion and uncertainty flickering behind her cold gaze. “His…what?”she whispered,a flicker of doubt flashing across her face. For the first time since this nightmare began,I saw a crack in her armor. My wolf growled softly,and I could feel Darius’s presence,faint but there,his bond with me pulsing in the back of my mind. But Lyanna wasn’t going to let go so easily. “Don’t lie,”she spat,but there was hesitation now in her voice. I could see it now. She was afraid.She had believed she had everything under control,but I wasn’t just a mere woman. I was the Alpha’s mate.Darius’s mother. “I swear,”I said,my voice shaky but firm.”I am Darius’s mother.And I will not let you tear our family apart.” Lyanna’s expression darkened. “We’ll see about that,”she said,her tone low and threatening. But I didn’t care anymore. This wasn’t just about us anymore—it was about Darius. And whatever happened next,I was going to fight. I would not let her break me.

Darius stormed into the hall,his aura suffocating. The entire pack went silent. Lyanna froze,her hand still tangled in my torn dress. “What the hell is going on?”Darius’s voice was low,but the growl in it sent shivers through the crowd. Lyanna straightened,chin high.”She’s a liar.A fraud!She claims to be your mother.” Darius’s gaze snapped to me.”Is that true?” I wiped the blood from my lips.”Yes.I am your mother.” Gasps rippled through the room.Lyanna’s expression twisted in disbelief. Darius took a step toward me.”Prove it.” I pulled out a pendant from under my ripped dress. A silver wolf,identical to the one hanging around his neck. His fingers curled into fists. “Where did you get that?”His voice was dangerously soft. “Your father gave it to me.When we were mates.Before…before everything was taken from us.” Silence.Then,Lyanna laughed,sharp and cruel.”She’s lying!Anyone could have that pendant.” Darius ignored her. He took the pendant from my palm,his fingers brushing against mine. The touch sent a jolt through my wolf,the bond between mother and son undeniable.His brows furrowed. “Why now?”His voice was rough,guarded.”Why come back now?” I swallowed hard.”Because I had no choice.Because I thought you deserved the truth.” Lyanna stepped forward,grabbing his arm.”Darius,don’t let her manipulate you.She’s here to destroy us.She wants to take you away from me!” His eyes flicked to her,cold and unyielding.”Take me away?From what,Lyanna?This?”He gestured to the torn remains of my dress,the bruises on my skin.”You humiliated her.Attacked her.If she is my mother,you’ve just assaulted an Alpha’s mate.” Lyanna paled.”I-I didn’t know—” “You didn’t care,”he snapped.”All you saw was a threat to your position.” She tightened her grip on him.”I did this for us!For the pack!She’s a stranger,Darius.She abandoned you!” I flinched.”I never abandoned him.He was taken from me.” Darius’s breath hitched.”Taken?” I nodded.”Your father lied to you.He told you I was dead,didn’t he?That I left?” His silence confirmed it. “I searched for you.For years.But by the time I found out where you were,you were already Alpha,and Lyanna…she was by your side.” Darius clenched his jaw.His entire body was trembling.Then,he turned to Lyanna.”Leave.” She stiffened.”What?” “I said,leave.” “Darius—” “Go.Before I make you regret everything you’ve done.” Lyanna’s lips parted,as if she wanted to argue,but the look in his eyes silenced her. She spun on her heel and stormed out,her packmates hesitating before scrambling to follow. The room was silent.I stood there,my breath unsteady. Darius turned back to me,his gaze unreadable.”Come with me.” He led me out of the banquet hall,away from the eyes of the pack.We walked in silence until we reached his private quarters. He closed the door behind us and exhaled.”Tell me everything.” So I did.About his father. About the lies. About the years I spent searching for him. He listened,jaw tight,fists clenched. When I finished,he looked at me for a long moment.”You should have told me sooner.” “Would you have believed me?” He hesitated.Then,finally,he sighed.”I don’t know.” I placed a hand on his arm.”I know I can’t change the past.But I want to be here now.If you’ll let me.” He didn’t answer right away.Then,his hand covered mine.”We’ll see.” It wasn’t forgiveness.But it was a start.

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Halfway through my wedding,just as I was about to pledge eternal love to my childhood sweetheart,Alpha Derick,the doors swung open,and his beta—Rebecca Guzman—waltzed in. Pregnant. The hall went silent,every guest holding their breath as if the scene would disappear if no one acknowledged it. Derick,my fated mate—the boy I’d loved for as long as I could remember—barely reacted.Instead,he stepped forward and steadied her,his hands gentle,his expression soft.It felt like I was watching someone else’s wedding—her wedding. Then,without the faintest trace of shame,he said,“I know I can’t officially marry Beta Rebecca,but I promised her a wedding.Our pup deserves a complete family.” As if that wasn’t enough,he added,“From today on,she will also be my Luna.You must love the pup in her belly as if it were your own.” A chill raced down my spine. The hall erupted into whispers,the weight of their judgment pressing down on me.My parents looked ready to shift and tear Derick apart,while his parents hurriedly tried to push me back toward the altar,desperate to salvage the ceremony. “Clarissa,be reasonable,”Derick’s mother hissed under her breath.“For the good of both Packs.Finish the ceremony.” The good of both Packs?Was she serious? I turned to Alpha Derick,my so-called soulmate,and then to Rebecca,who was now cradling her stomach as if she held the crown jewels.The smug triumph radiating off her made my wolf,Mira,growl. We should shred her face,Mira snarled.Right now. I was tempted.Oh,I was tempted.But it wasn’t worth it. Instead,I forced a breath,plastered on a smile,and ripped the corsage from my chest.I hurled it straight at Rebecca. “Congratulations on your pregnancy,Rebecca.Truly,”I said,my voice syrupy with mock sweetness.Then I turned to Derick.“A wedding for three?How tasteless.I’ll step back.Let her be the bride today.” The hall froze,every pair of eyes locked on me. I clapped—slow and deliberate. “Well?What are you all waiting for?Someone play the wedding march again!Let’s not let the decorations go to waste.” Derick’s face darkened.“Clarissa,today is our big day,and you have to make a scene?” I laughed,sharp and bitter.“A scene?You paraded your pregnant mistress into my wedding and declared her Luna,and I’m the one making a scene?” Before anyone could stop me,I grabbed the microphone from the stunned MC.“Everyone,thank you so much for coming!There’s been a small change of plans.Don’t worry—the wedding’s still happening.Just with a different bride.” The silence was suffocating.Derick’s parents looked like they wanted to vanish into thin air. “And since the happy couple is getting married because of a pregnancy,”I added,smiling brightly at Rebecca,“let’s send them our warmest congratulations.” No one dared to move. With that,I turned on my heel and marched to my parents. “Dad,Mom,let’s go home,”I said,my voice steady despite the chaos swirling in my chest. Their hands wrapped around mine,warm and grounding.My father,his expression unreadable,stood tall and addressed the crowd.“We appreciate your attendance.The gift money has been returned.There will be another party tonight.Drinks are on me.” My heart clenched as I watched him bow to the guests.My father,a proud Alpha who had never bowed to anyone,swallowed his pride for me today. I had given everything to Derick.At eighteen,on the night of my first shift,the moment I scented lemon and pine,I knew he was my mate. From that night on,we were inseparable.The golden couple.The perfect pair. Well,almost perfect.My parents had always warned me about him.“Clarissa,an Alpha should cherish his mate,”they’d say.“Watch how he treats you.” But I hadn’t listened.I had fought for him,argued for him,believed in him. When they told me he wasn’t the right man,I called them unfair.When they said he wasn’t worthy,I ignored them. I thought they were blinded by bias. But they had seen the truth long before I did. Alpha Derick had never cherished me.Never cared about our bond. For fifteen years,I endured his distance,his indifference,his coldness.I watched him flirt with other women,always making excuses for his behavior. I convinced myself that if I just held on a little longer,he’d finally see my worth. But instead,he humiliated me in front of my family,my friends—everyone I knew. Right at the altar. With her by his side. Pregnant. And smug. Reality didn’t just slap me in the face;it punched me in the gut. And finally,I saw the truth: Alpha Derick was never worthy of my love.

Alpha Derick never had me in his heart. I had sacrificed everything for him—placed him above all else,even argued with my parents to defend him.Yet,in the end,he wouldn’t even give me the courtesy of a proper wedding. Standing there,I watched as he held Rebecca by the waist,his other hand resting tenderly on her pregnant belly.The way he looked at her—so soft,so full of love—made it hard to breathe. This man didn’t care about my love.He had thrown it away,trampled on it. I was exhausted.I couldn’t love him anymore. As my parents and the guests began to leave,my mother-in-law suddenly grabbed my mother’s arm. “Luna Valerie,what are you doing?”she demanded,her voice shrill.“Today is a monumental day for our children.You don’t want outsiders laughing at us,do you?” My father-in-law chimed in,his tone equally insistent.“Yes,Derick made a mistake,but you can scold or punish him later.This is a matter for the younger generation to resolve.We,as elders,should simply observe.” My mother let out a cold sneer.“Observe?You expect us to stand here and endure further humiliation?Haven’t you disgraced our family enough for one day?” My father remained silent,his sharp gaze fixed on me,waiting for my decision. Then Derick approached,Rebecca clinging to his arm like an extension of himself.His expression was cold,his voice sharp. “Are you done making a scene?”he snapped impatiently.“Do you want to embarrass both of our families further in front of the entire pack?” A bitter laugh escaped my lips.Me?Making a scene? Beta Rebecca blinked up at me,her eyes shimmering with fake tears.“Alpha Clarissa,”she said,her voice trembling with insincere guilt,“I’m so sorry.When I heard you and Alpha Derick were getting married,I only came to give my blessings.But…” Her hand drifted protectively over her belly,her fingers stroking it in a deliberate show. “I didn’t expect to get pregnant,”she continued,her voice quivering just enough to sound pitiful.“I know I’ve done wrong,and I’m willing to accept any punishment.But the pup…the pup is innocent.I can’t let my child grow up without a father.” She turned to me with pleading eyes,her expression the very picture of helplessness.“Alpha Clarissa,you’re kind.I know you wouldn’t want that,would you?” Before I could respond,my mother stepped forward,her voice sharp and unyielding. “What a shameless woman!”she spat.“You had an affair with my daughter’s fiancé,got pregnant,and now you dare stand here acting pitiful?I’ve never seen anyone more disgraceful.” My mother-in-law immediately grabbed her arm,her tone hushed but urgent.“Luna Valerie,please,calm yourself.We’re in-laws now.Rebecca makes a valid point.The pup is innocent.” She turned to me,her voice softening into an infuriatingly coaxing tone.“Clarissa,don’t you agree?” My mother yanked her arm free,her eyes blazing. “In-laws?”she snapped.“My daughter has nothing to do with your son anymore.” She turned to me,her voice steady and firm.“Clarissa,let’s go.You don’t need to marry him.Let them wallow in their own mess.” My mother-in-law’s expression darkened. “What are you saying?”she hissed.“We can’t act rashly.Friends and relatives are watching.This must be handled delicately.” Then she turned back to me,her face feigning concern.“Clarissa,you’ve always been so reasonable.Please,talk to your mother.Don’t let everyone laugh at us.” Alpha Derick spoke next,his tone devoid of any warmth or regret. “Clarissa,if you truly love me,you should accept everything about me.Rebecca is carrying my pup.You should love the pup as much as you love me.” His words struck like a slap.He actually expected me to accept another woman’s child as my own? My father-in-law sighed,stepping forward like some self-appointed arbiter of reason. “Clarissa,”he began,his voice heavy with false authority,“Adele and I have watched you grow up.We know what kind of person you are.What’s done is done.There’s no use crying over spilled milk.” I met his gaze,my voice cold and controlled.“And how do you propose to fix this?” Without hesitation,he said,“First,you’ll finish the wedding and secure your place as Derick’s Luna.The baby in Rebecca’s belly is his blood,so of course,it must be born. “But don’t worry…”He offered me a smile,as if his next words would solve all my problems.“You’ll be the one to raise the pup.You’ll be its real mother—and the only Luna of the Red Moon Pack. “As for Beta Rebecca,we’ll compensate her generously and send her away.” My nails bit into my palms as I fought to keep my composure. They actually thought I would marry Derick,raise his mistress’s child,and act like it was some kind of honor? Never in my life had I felt so thoroughly insulted.

My mother-in-law didn’t hesitate for even a second. “Yes,yes,this is an excellent solution,”she said,nodding eagerly,her tone dripping with relief. Beta Rebecca,ever the actress,adopted the most pitiful expression she could muster.“I have no objections.Alpha Clarissa,I’m truly sorry for everything.Once the pup is born,you can raise it.I’ll leave the Red Moon Pack and never show my face to you,Alpha Derick,or the child again.” Hearing this,I couldn’t help but laugh—sharp and humorless. Of course,she had no objections!Why would she? She got a hefty payout,a free pass on parenting,and zero accountability,all tied up with a neat little bow.Who wouldn’t leap at such a deal? Alpha Derick,growing increasingly impatient,scowled.“Clarissa,my parents have said everything that needs to be said.Why are you being so difficult?” And then,with breathtaking audacity,he locked eyes with me and said,“If you weren’t my fated mate and you didn’t love me so much,I wouldn’t have even bothered marrying you.” His words hit like a slap,but I didn’t flinch.Instead,I held his gaze,my voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “Then as you wish,”I said coldly.Drawing a deep breath,I added,“We won’t get married.” The room fell into stunned silence. Alpha Derick’s eyes widened in shock,his face a mix of disbelief and outrage. Then— “Well said,Clarissa!”My mother clapped her hands,a proud smile spreading across her face.“I fully support you!” Meanwhile,Derick’s parents turned pale,their confidence visibly shaken. “Clarissa,marriage is a serious matter,”my mother-in-law stammered,desperation creeping into her voice.“You can’t just walk away like this!” “You need to think this through carefully,”my father-in-law chimed in,his gaze darting to his son,now clearly frustrated.“Derick,step aside.” Alpha Derick clenched his jaw but turned to help Beta Rebecca,who was still clutching her stomach like the tragic heroine of a poorly written drama. But his parents weren’t ready to give up.They turned back to me,their faces contorted into strained smiles. “Clarissa,dear,you’ve always treated us with the utmost respect,like your own parents,”my mother-in-law began,her voice a syrupy plea.“We only want what’s best for you.Please reconsider.” I fixed them with a steady stare. For years,I had genuinely admired them,treating them like family.But now?Now it was clear their concern had nothing to do with me. This wasn’t about love or family;it was about securing the marriage—securing their grandchild. When my resolve didn’t waver,my mother-in-law turned her attention to my own mother. “Alpha Esmond,Luna Valerie,surely you understand,”she implored.“Please,talk some sense into your daughter.If she cancels the wedding now,it will ruin her reputation!” My father-in-law nodded vigorously.“Yes,in-law,think about Clarissa’s future.Her reputation must be protected at all costs.” Their thinly veiled manipulation made my stomach turn.Narrowing my eyes,I crossed my arms. “So,you’re using my reputation as leverage now?” For the briefest moment,they faltered.But the hesitation vanished as quickly as it had appeared. “Clarissa,that’s unfair,”my mother-in-law said,her voice now a polished mask of concern.“We’re thinking of you,too.” “Yes,our intentions are good,”my father-in-law added smoothly,though the insincerity in his tone was impossible to miss. I scoffed,my voice cutting like ice.“Good intentions?Your son cheated on me before the wedding,and you’re just as shameless as he is.” That was it for my mother.Losing all patience,she grabbed my hand.“Clarissa,let’s go.We’ve had enough of this nonsense.” I squeezed her hand gently,shaking my head.“Not yet,Mom.” Turning back to my in-laws,I let my gaze linger on each of them before speaking,my voice steady but laced with contempt. “You knew about Alpha Derick and Beta Rebecca all along,didn’t you?You hid it from me,rushed this wedding,and tried to lock me into a marriage just so Rebecca’s pup could have a place in your family without complications.” I laughed bitterly,the sound sharp and cutting. “No wonder you pushed us to sign the papers before the ceremony.You really thought this through,didn’t you?” Their masks slipped for a moment,but they quickly recovered. “Clarissa,this is for your own good,”my father-in-law said,his tone carefully measured.“You love Derick.Marrying him allows you to stay with the man you love and bring our grandson into the family.It’s the perfect solution.” “Perfect solution?”My mother’s hands clenched into fists,her face red with fury.“What an absolute joke!” Her face burned with fury.“How dare you deceive my daughter like this?Is there no limit to your shamelessness?” And then—finally—my mother-in-law dropped her mask.Her expression hardened into a sneer. “It’s too late for your protests now,”she said,her tone cold and cutting.“Clarissa and Derick are already legally married.If you don’t want your daughter to carry the shame of being a divorced woman,she should accept reality and stay married.It’s in everyone’s best interest.” My father-in-law chimed in,his smirk oozing condescension.“Clarissa,think carefully.You wouldn’t want to carry the label of a second-marriage woman,would you?” Rebecca,who had been enjoying the spectacle with silent amusement,suddenly joined the fray,her saccharine smile enough to make my skin crawl. “Clarissa,”she said,her voice dripping with false sweetness,“it’s just one more pup.Raising it won’t be that hard.” She sighed dramatically,as though she were the victim here,and added,“This was such a small issue,but you’ve blown it completely out of proportion.Now both packs are at odds because of you.Was it really worth it?” That was the last straw for my mother. “You—”she growled,lunging toward Beta Rebecca with a hand raised,ready to slap that smug smile right off her face. I moved quickly,catching her wrist just in time and stopping her. “Mom,”I said softly,but firmly. Instead,I turned to my in-laws,a slow,deliberate smirk creeping across my lips. “Sorry to disappoint you,”I said,my voice steady and brimming with confidence. Alpha Derick’s parents froze,their stiffened postures betraying their unease. “What do you mean?”my father-in-law asked,his voice sharp and suspicious. I folded my arms,meeting their gazes head-on,and let the moment linger. “Alpha Derick and I never got the marriage certificate.”

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The instant I was reborn,I had a single goal:to gather my pack and prepare a massive feast.I ground two hundred and fifty kilograms of meat and called every wolf in the territory to join me in making meatballs. This wasn’t just for fun.No,it was a form of vengeance.In my previous life,my stepmother,Odessa Wren,had betrayed me in the most cruel way.She had an affair with a secret wolf shifter and became pregnant with his pup.But instead of facing the consequences,she schemed.She caused a ruckus at the market,making a scene over some discounted eggs.During the chaos,she was shoved and fell,losing the pup she had so carelessly conceived. Back home,she played the victim,sobbing as she told my father,“If it weren’t for Tempest dragging me to that market for eggs,I wouldn’t have fallen and lost our precious pup…” I tried to defend myself,but before I could speak,my fiancé,Beta Peregrine Wolfe,stepped in with a cold fury.He shouted,“Tempest Ellington,I’m deeply ashamed of you! “You’ve always been selfish,taking what isn’t yours,sneaking off to hunt at night,stealing from the pack’s food stores,and more.But this time,you’ve gone too far.You’ve caused Auntie’s loss for some cheap eggs.I can’t marry a woman like you.I’m calling off our bonding!” My father,enraged by this accusation,lashed out.He slapped me repeatedly,then bound me and sold me to an old Omega in the village.I was locked in a wolf den,where I was left to die,tortured until my blood spilled and my life ended. It was only after my death that I discovered the full extent of their treachery.My mate,who I thought was meant to bond with me,had been chasing after my stepmother all along.Our supposed”bonding”had been nothing more than a ruse for them to be together. When I opened my eyes again,I was back to the day of that fateful market trip,where my stepmother would fake her miscarriage over those eggs. Holding my fur cloak tightly,I couldn’t contain my grief as the memories flooded back.Then,my phone rang.It was Odessa.I answered,instinctively.Her voice was casual,as though nothing had happened.“Tempest,it’s almost New Year’s.I’m going hunting and won’t be home to cook.You take care of the pack and make dinner for your father and grandparents.Understand?” Her tone was as if it was an order I had no choice but to obey.Before I could protest,she added,“Don’t tell your father where I am.If he finds out,he’ll chase me down again,and I won’t have a moment’s peace.” “Alright,it’s settled then.You’re my good little pup.When I come back,I’ll bring you something nice!”Odessa hung up abruptly,rejecting my call before I could respond. I tried calling her back several times,but the line was busy every time.Then it hit me.She’d blocked me.A chill ran down my spine as realization dawned on me.I had been reborn,sent back to the day my stepmother would stage the loss of her pup to cover up her affair. In my past life,she had rushed to marry my father,believing he was an Alpha,hoping to become Luna and claim his wealth.But on the wedding day,she discovered the truth:my father was a Beta,and all the wealth he had was actually intended for me,not her. Though disappointed,she had no choice but to marry him anyway. That New Year’s Eve,she had called me with the same excuse as always,saying she needed to get some fresh air and wanted me to take care of the pack.I agreed,assuming it was a routine request,and didn’t return home until the evening to join the New Year’s dinner. But when I entered the house,the atmosphere was suffocatingly silent.In the living room,my stepmother was sobbing uncontrollably while my father glared at me with hatred in his eyes.Tears streaked her face as she accused me,“Tempest,this is all your fault!If you hadn’t dragged me to that market for eggs,I wouldn’t have been crushed by the crowd and lost the pup…” I was stunned,desperate to explain myself.“Mom,that’s not true!I was working all day,even stayed late!I never went to the market with you!” Before I could show proof with my work records,Peregrine stormed over,ripped my phone from my hands,and crushed it under his boot.His voice dripped with disappointment.“Tempest,I’m done with you.” “You’ve always been selfish,from sneaking off at night to hunt to stealing food from the pack’s stores.But this time,you’ve gone too far.You caused Auntie’s loss over a few eggs!I can’t marry someone like you.I’m ending our bonding!” That was all it took for my father to turn on me.He finished his cigarette,his eyes burning with fury.“You wretched girl!You’ve cursed our pack by killing my son!”he screamed,sealing my fate. In that moment,I realized how blind I had been to their deceit.But this time,I would not be the victim.This time,I would make them pay.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair,his claws scraping painfully into my scalp,and slapped me over and over,each strike like a warning.The vicious blows kept coming until he shackled me in silver chains—cold,unyielding metal that burned my skin.He sold me then,like an object,to an older,solitary Omega in the village. It wasn’t until I was captured and tortured by a rival pack that the truth finally emerged.My stepmother,Odessa,and my supposed mate,Beta Peregrine Wolfe,had been having an affair all along.The pup she had lost wasn’t even my father’s—no,it was Peregrine’s.Their affair had been reckless,and their failure to use protection left them exposed. Fearful of their secret being revealed,they devised a plan—a plan to frame me for their betrayal.It was almost impressive how far they went in their deceit…if only it hadn’t come at the cost of my life.But I wouldn’t allow those traitors to get away with it this time. A malicious smirk twisted on my lips as I made my decision:I wasn’t going to let them dictate my actions any longer.Instead of stepping out to confront them,I orchestrated my own plan.Two hundred and fifty kilograms of fresh venison was delivered right to our doorstep—more than enough to keep them talking. As for work,I sent my superior,a high-ranking wolf in the pack,a terse message requesting to work from home during the moon cycle.He was a crucial part of the pack and highly valued me.Without hesitation,my request was granted. Everything in motion,I got out of bed leisurely,washed up,and prepared for what was to come.When my family and I sat down to eat breakfast,the doorbell rang. The butcher stood there,unloading the two hundred and fifty kilograms of venison,barely acknowledging us as he left in a hurry.My father,grandfather,and grandmother stood stunned,their eyes wide at the mountain of meat. They immediately turned to me,bombarding me with questions.With a shrug,I deflected the blame onto my boss.”The pack had trouble settling some dues by moonrise,and my boss pushed for payment.So,they decided to settle with goods instead.” “Being in the meat trade,my boss just turned this year’s bonus into venison for the employees to take home.We’re making meatballs for the pack.” Grandma blinked in disbelief.”That’s got to be at least two hundred and fifty kilograms!It’ll take ages to turn this into meatballs!” Grandpa sighed,his patience thinning.”Well,looks like my plans to meet old packmates for a game of chess are dashed.Guess I’m stuck here today.” After sending the butcher off,I turned to my father.”We can’t waste this meat.Grandma and Grandpa already said so,so you’d better wash up and start working with us.” Grumbling under his breath about the pack’s incompetence,my father reluctantly rolled up his sleeves.Within moments of chopping vegetables and herbs,beads of sweat formed on his brow. While the rest of the village celebrated the New Moon’s Eve with fireworks and laughter,our family worked tirelessly,turning the venison into meatballs.As the strongest wolf in the household,my father did the heavy lifting,chopping,mixing,and sweating through the morning. By noon,the hunger set in,and that’s when my father noticed Odessa was still absent.”It’s past twelve-thirty,and she’s still not home.What’s taking her so long out there?” Feigning innocence,I shrugged.”I don’t know.I called her several times this morning,but she blocked me.Maybe she’s mad at me?Why don’t you try calling her,Dad?” Frowning,he pulled out his phone and dialed Odessa’s number. “Ring…Ring…Ring…” He tried three times in a row,but she still didn’t answer.His frustration grew,his anger palpable as he turned toward me.”Did you two argue?Why won’t she answer?” “Tempest,you’re twenty-five!You’re too old for this!Stop acting like a pup and upsetting your mother!” I pouted and pretended to be hurt,then pulled out my phone,playing a recording of a howl. “You’re blaming me again,Dad?This time,it’s clearly your fault she won’t come home.”I played the recording for everyone to hear—Odessa’s voice clearly rejecting my father’s attempts to find her. When my father heard her words,his face turned a dark shade.Without a word,he lit a cigarette and smoked in silence,his expression grim. Grandpa and Grandma tried to console him,but I seized the moment to place an order for four sets of takeout from the pack’s kitchen. “Dad,Grandpa,Grandma…since Mom’s not coming home and we’re stuck making meatballs,let’s just order takeout for now.”

Grandpa and Grandma lavished praise on me,calling me a good Omega.But my father remained silent,his mood dark,heavy with unspoken tension.The air thickened with an oppressive silence,stretching on until the nightfall. After what felt like an eternity,we finally finished preparing two hundred and fifty kilograms of meatballs.My hands were sore,fingers stiff from the repetitive work,and every movement sent pangs of discomfort through my body. My father slipped out to grab a pack of cigarettes,leaving me alone on the couch.Grandpa and Grandma moved into the kitchen,beginning the slow process of cooking the meatballs.I scrolled through my phone idly,glancing out at the night sky with a faint,almost bitter smile. Today had been a rare one,a day spent within the confines of the house.I hadn’t left for a single moment,determined to avoid any more accusations.No one would pin the blame for my stepmother’s miscarriage on me again—not if I could help it. But as I took a sip of water,the front door slammed open,and in staggered my supposed mate,Beta Peregrine.His steps were unsteady,one arm wrapped around my stepmother,Odessa,who was visibly pregnant now—carrying the pup of another wolf. The moment her eyes locked with mine,they burned with fury.Her wolf’s rage boiled over,and she shrieked,“Tempest!You heartless wretch!I’ve done nothing but show you kindness,and you’ve made me lose my pup!” Before I could respond,Beta Peregrine’s voice rang out,filled with bitter disappointment.“She’s right,Tempest.I never thought you could be this cruel.I’m ashamed of you.I can’t be mated to someone like you…The bonding is off!” I blinked in confusion,feigning innocence.“What are you talking about?Mom,you’re really pregnant?Since when?Why didn’t I know about this?” Odessa’s tears spilled over as her anger reached a fever pitch.“Don’t act like you don’t know!I told you last night that I was carrying a pup!Then this morning,you tricked me into going to the market for discounted eggs,knowing it would be crowded.You made sure I was pushed around until I miscarried!” She sobbed bitterly.“I nearly died in the hospital,and here you are acting like you have no idea what happened!” “How could you do this to me,Tempest?We’re supposed to support each other,as women!But you…you have no heart!”she screamed,her voice rising higher with every word. Our Pack still lived in the old courtyard house,despite the modern apartment we owned in the city.Tradition,they called it,and Grandpa was insistent on keeping the old ways alive. Tonight,being the night before the Full Moon,the Pack had gathered outside,some building snowmen,others lighting fireworks.Their curiosity got the better of them when they heard Odessa’s screams,and they began to gather outside our door,eager for drama. Odessa,always the drama queen,stood in the doorway,making sure to shout her accusations loud enough for everyone to hear. The Pack members,hearing her words,turned their eyes to me—those eyes filled with suspicion and wolfish judgment. “I always thought Tempest was such a sweet Omega.Who knew she had such a dark side?” “Looks can be deceiving.We’ve seen her grow up,but we never knew what she was capable of.” One older Omega shook her head in disbelief.“I’m warning my family.No one is safe around her.I don’t know what she might do to my pack one day.” Others chimed in,their voices growing louder in agreement.“Keep her away from our pups.She’s dangerous.” Tears welled up in my eyes,but not the helpless kind I once knew.No,these tears were different—this time,they were born of something else entirely.Excitement. Odessa,assuming my tears were those of guilt,became even more theatrical,painting me as the villain in front of the Pack. Meanwhile,my supposed mate,Beta Peregrine,didn’t even give me the chance to explain.With a rough grip,he yanked my arm,forcing me to kneel in front of Odessa. “You’ve not only disrespected your stepmother,but you’ve also caused her to lose her pup!”he shouted,his voice cold.“You will apologize to her.You will make things right.” “As an Omega,your duty is to obey your father,and once mated,to obey your mate.It is my responsibility to teach you a lesson,”he added,his grip tightening. With a cruel jerk,he grabbed my hair,forcing my head to bow.Again and again,he made me lower my head,pushing me down with force until my forehead hit the floor with sickening thuds. Blood trickled down my face,but Peregrine didn’t even glance at it.No,he pressed on,relentless. “An apology isn’t enough to make up for the loss of a pup,”he declared coldly.“There must be compensation.” “Tempest,”he said,“hand over your year-end bonus for your stepmother’s nutritional supplements.And sign over your apartment to her,so she has a proper place to recover.”

“Only then will you prove you’re truly remorseful for your actions toward your stepmother!” As Beta Peregrine spouted his pompous,self-righteous words,I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.The absurdity of the situation hit me like a slap,but at the same time,everything fell into place with frightening clarity. It was clear now:Beta Peregrine and Odessa had conspired against me.They didn’t just want me gone;they were after my year-end bonus,my property—everything I’d worked for! The pieces of the puzzle finally clicked together.It explained why Beta Peregrine,who had barely paid me any attention before,had suddenly become obsessed with me,relentlessly pursuing me right after Odessa,my stepmother,had bonded with my father as his Mate.In just a few days. At first,I had wondered what had changed.Why had our humble Ellington Pack suddenly become the most desirable matchmaking market in the region?Now,I understood. Realization hit like a bolt of lightning.I wasn’t going to let them get away with it.Without a second thought,I leaned forward and spat directly in Beta Peregrine’s face. “Pfft!She just lost her pup,and now you think you can take my money and my property?What kind of audacity do you have?” Both Beta Peregrine and Odessa stood frozen for a moment,but soon their shock turned to fury,their eyes burning with anger. Odessa broke into exaggerated sobs.“Peregrine,stop talking.Tempest has never seen me as her mother.She’ll never listen!” “Forget it,”she wailed dramatically,clutching her chest.“I’m hated wherever I go.Outsiders despise me,and now even my own family wants to destroy me.If I had known this was coming,I’d have preferred to never have been born!” Seeing her make a spectacle of running toward a tree to bang her head,Beta Peregrine quickly stepped forward,pulling her back gently and whispering soothing words,“Auntie,don’t cry.I’ve already called Uncle Thomas—your mate,the lead warrior.He’ll fix everything.” “Everything Uncle Thomas says is law.Tempest will have no choice but to obey him,”Beta Peregrine added,his voice full of mock sympathy. The neighbors,who had gathered outside,nodded in agreement.They abandoned their chores,set out stools,and waited for my father to arrive. “Thomas needs to teach that girl a lesson.She’s gotten too bold,even daring to defy her elders.” “Didn’t you hear?She called Odessa’s pup a bastard!”one of them muttered. “That’s downright disgraceful!Having such a wicked daughter is punishment enough!” Odessa’s eyes flickered with satisfaction as she overheard their condemnation.She threw me a smug,triumphant look,sure that she had me cornered. But I wasn’t phased.Meeting her gaze,I only curled my lips into a cold,mocking smile,not bothering to engage. She was about to be very disappointed. She never expected that the person most desperate for my father’s return wasn’t her—it was me. It didn’t take long.My father had only stepped out to grab cigarettes,but he quickly returned,his cigarette hanging loosely from his lips.Seeing the large crowd gathered in front of our house,he paused,confusion flashing across his face.But before he could ask a single question,Odessa was already rushing toward him,pressing herself against him like some delicate,fragile woman caught in a storm. Tears welled in her eyes,her face crumpling with sorrow.“Thomas,you have to stand up for me!Tempest killed our pup!The Pack doctor said…it was a boy.He would’ve been a strong little pup!” My father’s expression immediately darkened,his body rigid with anger.He turned to me,his voice booming with authority,“Tempest,get over here!What’s going on?” Before I could speak,Beta Peregrine stepped between us,blocking my path as he fanned the flames of fury.“Uncle Thomas,it’s all Tempest’s fault!You need to seek justice for Aunt Odessa!” “That’s right,Thomas!”Odessa cried,clinging to my father’s arm.“You need to punish Tempest,to avenge our pup!” She wailed dramatically,“This morning,Tempest insisted on dragging me to the supermarket for discount eggs.I told her I was pregnant,that I wasn’t feeling well,but she insisted.When we got there,it was packed.She wouldn’t go in herself,so she shoved me into the crowd.” “There were so many people…someone knocked me down,and then the crowd kept pushing me…and I lost our pup.” Odessa’s sobs grew louder,her voice a broken wail.“Wu wu!Thomas,our precious pup!He never even had the chance to be born,and Tempest took his life!” She continued crying,completely unaware that my father’s face was growing darker by the second,his expression a storm of anger,confusion,and disbelief.His face looked like a canvas of red,black,and green—an angry storm on full display. But Odessa was oblivious,too wrapped up in her theatrical demands for sympathy and compensation for her“loss.” “Thomas,you’ve spoiled Tempest too much!That’s why she disrespects her elders and even harms her own brother!You should beat her…punish her severely!” “And while you’re at it,take her year-end bonus and her house!What does a girl need so much money for,anyway?If she’s obedient,she should have saved at least a few tens of thousands!”Odessa ranted,her voice growing louder,more frantic with each word. But as her rant continued,she slowly realized something was wrong.The entire courtyard had fallen silent.Even the neighbors who had been watching this drama like it was a soap opera were now staring at her,their eyes wide with tension. Odessa stopped,her breath catching in her throat.She turned slowly toward my father,only to meet his furious,murderous gaze. Her words faltered.“Thomas,why aren’t you saying anything?” My father clenched his teeth,his jaw tight as he glared at her.“So,let me get this straight.Early this morning,Tempest dragged you out for discount eggs,and that’s when you lost the pup?”

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I went downstairs to take out the trash. That’s when I saw it. A Cadillac Escalade, rocking hard. In the passenger seat, my husband’s management trainee was making out with some guy. Full-on. I almost admired the audacity. Then I saw the man’s hand resting on the window frame. A wedding band. Engraved. C&M. My name is Claire. My husband is Miles Morrow. A cold wave of nausea rolled through my stomach. So that’s how it is. A man can say he loves you while undressing in someone else’s car. I took an Uber to the county clerk’s office. “Ms. Morrow, are you sure you want to change your name? You’ll need to update your degrees, your IDs, your passport. Everything.” I nodded. “I’m sure.” The clerk tried again. “Legal name changes are quite involved for adults. And your current name is lovely. Perhaps you’d like to think it over?” “No.” I signed the consent form. “Please proceed.” “Alright. The requested name is… Vera Rose. Correct?” “Yes.” Vera. A new beginning. Rose. Wild and resilient. This was the identity I was giving myself. Not Mrs. Morrow. Not anyone’s wife. Just me. I asked the clerk, “Can I update my passport now?” “Yes. Take this certified court order downstairs to the passport window. They’ll handle it.” I changed my passport as fast as humanly possible. Outside the clerk’s office, the Chicago skyline stood directly across the street. The giant screen on the building was playing an interview with Miles Morrow, CEO of Blackstone Group. The host had picked up on his little habit. She smiled and asked, “Mr. Morrow, I notice you keep touching your ring. It looks like a simple platinum band. Is there something special about it?” Miles smiled, soft and warm. He held up his hand. “It’s my wedding ring.” “Oh! I apologize. I assumed someone of your stature would have a Harry Winston diamond. Several carats, at least.” Miles said, “I made this ring myself. Shaped it, polished it. I engraved our initials inside the band.” “Wow. I can see two sets of letters. M and…” “C. My wife’s name is Claire.” “Wow. Your wife must be the luckiest woman alive. She must have saved the universe in a past life to marry a man like you.” Miles just said, “Actually, I’m the one who saved the universe to marry her.” The people around me were full of envy. The only person who felt nothing? Me. I glanced at the screen. Once. Then I looked away. Miles and I had been genuinely in love once. Fifteen years. High school to the altar. In our classmates’ eyes, we were the couple voted “most likely to last forever” in the yearbook. Until two months ago. I got a Snapchat from a stranger. A woman. She looked barely twenty. She was wearing a seductive slip and stockings. Her neck and chest were covered in marks. Purple and red. She’d clearly just come from a very active session. She threw up a peace sign at the camera. On her finger, she wore a platinum ring. A size too big. A man’s ring. Engraved with letters: M&C. Later, I met the girl in Miles’s office. Her name was Brooklyn. Fresh out of Wharton. Twenty-one years old. The company’s shiny new management trainee. My mind went blank with a roar of static. Management trainee. What a loaded title. This wasn’t just an affair. It was an abuse of power. A sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to detonate. And he was completely oblivious. I wanted to walk in and ask him: Is sleeping with the boss part of the employee benefits package now? But I didn’t. That Snapchat told me everything I needed to know. I walked away from the crowd and their sighs of envy. I went straight to a pawn shop. When I pulled the ring off my left hand, it felt like peeling off a layer of skin. “Ma’am, would you like to sell it or have it melted down?” “This ring. Melt it.” “There’s an engraving on it. It probably means something. Are you absolutely sure?” “Yes. Please do it quickly.” Half an hour later, I came home with a neatly wrapped jewelry box. Miles didn’t get back until after ten. He was holding a bouquet. “Sorry, Claire. Work has been crazy. I brought you your favorite. Lily of the valley. Do you like them?” He leaned in close. I caught the scent of a woman’s perfume on him. YSL Black Opium. I turned my head slightly. My eyes landed on a small bite mark on his Adam’s apple. And on the collar of his Brooks Brothers shirt. A lipstick stain. Bright red. Unmistakable. I stared at that red smear. I didn’t say a word. So this was what “working late” looked like. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” I pushed him away. “Just tired.” “Let me carry you to bed.” He bent down, ready to scoop me up. I pushed him away again. “You’re tired too. Take a shower. Get some rest.” Miles reached for my hand. Then he stopped. His expression shifted. “Claire. Where’s your ring?”

“I took it off.” “I made that ring with my own hands. It’s proof of our love. Why would you take it off?” I gave him a flat excuse. “Keto diet. Water retention. It doesn’t fit right now.” Miles’s face relaxed. His smile returned. “I’ll take it to Tiffany’s to get resized.” “We’ll see.” “What’s that on the table?” He pointed at the jewelry box. His expression lit up. “Claire, is that a gift for me?” I nodded. “Yes.” Inside was a small platinum lump. I had melted our wedding rings. I put the remains inside that box. Miles was delighted. “What’s the occasion? You never surprise me with gifts.” I felt nothing but a tired, cold disappointment. “Today is our wedding anniversary.” Miles’s face crumpled. He scrambled to appease me. “Claire, I’m so sorry. The quarterly earnings have been brutal. How about we go out tonight? I can book a table at Alinea right now.” “No need. I already ate.” “Then let’s go see the skyline. Walk by Lake Michigan?” “I’m tired. I want to sleep.” Miles wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, his voice coaxing. “Come on, Claire. We haven’t gone for a walk in so long. I feel like you’ve been distant lately. I’m starting to worry my Claire is losing interest.” I removed his hands from my body. Fifteen years. A dull, distant ache. Then—nothing. He wanted cheap thrills. I wanted my dignity. I was leaving. All of me. My heart, my body, my fifteen years, my reluctance to let go. I was taking it all back. Now. On the way out, Miles drove. He chattered about his day, trying to fill the silence. I sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window. I wasn’t listening. Because when I was buckling my seatbelt, my fingers brushed against something wedged in the gap of the seat. A woman’s lace thong. Very clearly used. I shoved it back where I found it. I pulled out my phone. I took a picture. Calmly. Evidence collected. Not because I planned to stay and endure this. Because I had already decided to leave. Confronting him now would just be a waste of time. He would lie. He would deflect. He would make excuses. I was done listening to lies. This was it. We reached the lakefront. Miles got out first and opened my door. “We’re here, Claire.” I hadn’t wanted to come. But this lake was where we used to go when we first got together. It started here. It could end here. We were walking when I heard a girl whisper to her friend nearby. “Oh my god, it’s that CEO… the one with the ring.” “So hot. And so, so sweet.” Miles heard it too. The corner of his mouth twitched upward. Then his phone rang. He gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Claire. Give me a minute. It’s the board. I’ll be right back.” “Go ahead.” “Wait for me right here. Don’t wander off.” More hushed murmurs from the crowd around us. I kept my face blank. I stood by the water and stared out at the dark, shimmering lake. When Miles saw the caller ID, the grin he tried to suppress was unmistakable. I knew that smile. It wasn’t the polite smile of a business call. It was the thrill of seeing his prey. But I couldn’t be bothered to expose him anymore. It was cold by the water. I went back to the car to wait. The car’s display screen was still active. Miles’s Apple CarPlay hadn’t disconnected. His messages were still synced. New texts were popping up, one after another. The contact name was “Kitty B.” Miles: Miss me? Kitty B: The nights feel so empty without you. Miles: I didn’t satisfy you enough at the office today, Kitty? Kitty B: Not enough, Daddy. I want more. Miles: Fine. Tomorrow. Work. My office. I’ll make it up to you. Kitty B: Hehehe. I’ll wear the fishnets to work tomorrow. The conversation spiraled from there. Unreadable. Filthy. Full of explicit language. I stared at the screen. I felt a cold, clear wave of nausea. Not heartbreak. That had shattered the moment I saw the ring. This was disgust. Pure, physical revulsion. I was trembling. My nails bit deep into my palms. Miles was quick. About fifteen minutes. He climbed back into the car, clutching his chest. He let out a deep breath. “I turned around after the call and you were gone. Scared me to death. Thank god you’re okay.” I couldn’t look at his sanctimonious face anymore. I stared down at my own hands. “It was cold. I came back to the car.” “Yeah, of course. Wherever you’re comfortable.” I looked up at him. After reading those messages, that sentence hit differently. Wherever you’re comfortable. The thong wedged in the passenger seat gap… Did that mean they had done it here? In this seat? A wave of nausea hit me so hard I threw the door open and vomited.

Miles panicked. He rushed to my side. “Claire! What’s wrong?” I heaved until there was nothing left. I couldn’t pull myself together. I didn’t understand. How could a man who loved me so much cheat on me? Then I realized. He probably never thought there would be consequences. He thought he could have both. The dutiful wife at home. The hot mistress on the side. He thought I would never find out. Or worse. He thought even if I did, I would swallow it. The lake wind cleared my head. Miles asked, “Are you okay, Claire? If you feel sick, I’ll take you to Northwestern Memorial right now.” “No. Probably just something bad I ate. The salmon from Whole Foods might’ve been off.” “Then come meet me at the office tomorrow. We’ll have lunch.” I almost laughed in his face. Come to the office and watch you and Brooklyn going at it in your private suite? A plan formed in my head. I wanted to see it. I wanted to watch the performance with my own eyes. “Sure. I’ll come with you tomorrow morning. Keep you company at work. Then we’ll have lunch. Then we’ll come home together in the evening.” Miles clearly hadn’t expected me to say yes. His expression flickered. “But I might be pretty busy. I might not be able to stay with you the whole time.” “You do your work. I’ll wait for you in your office.” “…Alright.” Back home, Miles offered to run me a bath. He went into the master bathroom and closed the door behind him. Unusually. I went back downstairs and got into the car. The moment I started the engine, the latest messages popped up on the screen. Miles: Change of plans. Office is off tomorrow. Kitty B: Aww. Disappointing. Miles: Don’t be disappointed, Kitty. Daddy will take you to the rooftop. More exciting. Kitty B: Hehehe. Daddy’s the best. I turned off the screen. There was no emotion left in my eyes. Enjoy your rooftop, darling. It’s your last one. I was back in the bedroom when Miles came out of the bathroom. “Claire, your bath is ready. Go take a nice soak.” “No. I just want to rest.” “Alright. If you’re tired, sleep. Oh, that gift you left on the table. Can I open it now?” I said, “Wait one week.” “Why a week? I want to see what my Claire got for me.” “Because…” Because in one week, I would be gone. Forever. “Because it won’t mean anything until a week from now.” Miles kissed me gently on the forehead. “Alright. Whatever you say.” The next morning, his phone started buzzing at six. He silenced it and rolled over, holding me. “Ignore it. Sleep a little longer.” The phone kept buzzing. Insistent. Miles frowned in irritation. “It’s not even office hours yet. Damn useless middle management. I’m going to fire them all.” He silenced it again. The third time it rang, he got up, fuming. “Go back to sleep, Claire. I’m going to find out what’s so goddamn urgent.” I made a quiet sound of acknowledgment. I turned over. My back to him. He took the phone and left the bedroom. Soon enough, I saw his figure at the front door downstairs. A DoorDash driver in a purple shirt was handing him a package. Miles took it. When he came back inside, his hands were empty. I asked, “Was it serious? The company thing?” He said, “It’s fine. Nothing for you to worry about. Rest. I’ll make you breakfast.” Whether it was guilt or genuine concern about my stomach, Miles went all out for breakfast. Orange juice. Bacon. French toast. Maple syrup. And my favorite Greek yogurt with granola. “You can’t be careless about food anymore. I’ll hire a housekeeper. Someone to cook for you every day.” “No.” “Be a good girl and let me handle it, Claire. Otherwise I’ll be worried sick at work.” “Miles, can I ask you something?” “Go ahead.” I set down my fork and asked him calmly. “The seven-year itch. Do you think it’s real?” Miles immediately put on a look of righteous disgust. “That’s just an excuse weak men use to justify their infidelity. I’m not like that. I’ll only ever love my Claire.” “Only me? Forever?” “Yes.” “What if you fell in love with someone else?” “Then the moment I betray her, may God strike me dead with lightning. May I burn in hell.” I looked at him. I said nothing. “They’re true words. Why would I be afraid?” I picked up my fork again and spread jam on my toast. Miles said, “Claire. Trust me.” I just said, “Eat your breakfast.” “You still don’t believe me? Do I have to cut my heart out and show you?” “The people at the office are waiting. Don’t be late.” Miles finally relaxed. He sat down across from me. “Let them wait. A bunch of useless idiots. I’ll fire them soon enough.” “Fire her. Would you be willing to do that?” I said “her.” Not “them.” I don’t know if Miles caught it or not. He just said, “Apart from you, there’s no one I can’t bear to lose.”

After breakfast, we left for the office together. But I couldn’t stand the passenger seat. I insisted on sitting in the back. “I’ve been feeling claustrophobic. The back is better. I can roll down the window.” Miles didn’t push it. “Alright. I’ll drive as smoothly as I can.” We pulled up to the office. Miles jogged around to open my door. Getting out of the car, I was swarmed by employees in the morning rush. Again. A couple of VPs even jogged over, fawning. “Mrs. Morrow is here! Mr. Morrow is always talking about how you love the Starbucks Pink Drink. I’ll go grab you one right now.” Another one chimed in. “I’ll handle snacks. Mrs. Morrow likes macarons.” Miles laughed and scolded them. “Don’t you dare overfeed her. Claire’s dealing with some water retention. Her ring doesn’t even fit right now.” “You’re wrong about that, Mr. Morrow. The lady looks very slim. If the ring doesn’t fit, it’s the ring’s fault. It must have shrunk!” “Oh, stop. Flattery is one thing, but that’s ridiculous. Platinum doesn’t shrink.” “You’re the one who doesn’t get it. Mr. Morrow loves his wife so much. If the wife is happy, Mr. Morrow is happy. And then we all have an easy day.” Miles laughed, playing along. “Fine, fine. You’ve all found my weak spot.” The crowd laughed with him. I was practically carried by the wave of sycophants into Miles’s office. Fruit. Snacks. Pink Drink. The works. Miles even pulled up a Netflix show on his Apple desktop for me. “Claire, I have to go work. Stay here and relax. If you need anything, just ask Jason outside.” I asked him deliberately, “What about your management trainee? Brooklyn? I didn’t see her today.” Miles said, “I don’t know. I’ll have HR call and check.” Before he left, he stroked my hair and whispered, “Wait for me. We’ll have lunch together.” Miles left. The executives left. I noticed he’d left his phone on the desk. I hurried out to return it. But I stopped when I heard the executives talking. “…The rooftop? Mr. Morrow and Brooklyn are getting really wild.” “What can you do? Who knew the boss’s wife was going to show up today? They had to switch locations.” “So do we still need to get condoms for Mr. Morrow today?” “No. I saw him heading up earlier. He had several boxes stuffed in his pockets. Trojan.” “Heh heh heh. Mr. Morrow’s impressive. Buying condoms right under his wife’s nose?” “DoorDash. So convenient these days. You can get anything delivered.” My footsteps stopped. So those insistent phone calls this morning were from the delivery guy. He ordered a condom delivery first thing in the morning. He was really looking forward to that rooftop date. So well prepared. “…Wonder if a few boxes will be enough. Last time, Mr. Morrow and Brooklyn went at it in the car for a whole day and night. The next day, Brooklyn was walking funny.” “If it’s not enough, we’ll just send more. As his subordinates, we gotta serve the boss well, right?” “Didn’t you just say we had to serve the boss’s wife?” “Please. What does she know? A Pink Drink and some snacks and she’s handled. A man in Mr. Morrow’s position… who doesn’t have a few women on the side? You just keep the wife in the dark.” “Yeah. She looks pretty naive. Shouldn’t be hard.” I stood there. I heard every word. I calmly pulled out my phone. I hit record. This was good material. Just then, Miles appeared. He swept a cold, slow look across the group. His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “Not a word in front of Claire. Understood?” The executives nodded furiously. “Got it, Mr. Morrow. We know what’s up.” One of them asked, “Mr. Morrow, why’d you bring your wife in today? You and Brooklyn have to hide on the rooftop now. We all have to watch what we say.” Miles shot him a hard look. “Claire is the boss’s wife. She goes where she wants. Are you questioning it?” “No, no, no…” Miles issued another warning. “Take care of Claire. Her stomach was upset yesterday. No cold food. And if anyone breathes a word about me and Brooklyn, you’re out on the street. Clear?” The executives beamed their fake smiles and nodded. I didn’t hear the rest. I was already back in Miles’s office. I placed his phone among the pile of snacks. A few minutes later, Miles came in. He was back to his gentle-gentleman act. “My little greedy cat. What are you eating that’s got you so happy?” “Little greedy cat.” The phrase sent a wave of revulsion through me. That was what he called Brooklyn. I pushed down the nausea and asked, “Weren’t you at a meeting? Why are you back?” “Left my phone here. Have you seen it?” I shook my head. “No.” Miles rummaged through the snack pile and fished it out. “Buried in the snacks. Alright, you keep eating. I’m off.” Ring ring— My phone went off this time. I picked it up. “Hello. Am I speaking to Ms. Vera Rose?” “Yes. This is she.” “Ms. Rose, this is a confirmation for your flight to Norway booked for one week from today. Your ticket has been issued. You just need to bring your passport to the airport.” “Just the passport? Any other documentation needed?” “No. Your passport is sufficient.” “Thank you.” I hung up. Miles looked confused. “Passport? Claire, what do you need your passport for?”

I said, “A friend of mine. She lost her passport. She was asking how to get a replacement.” Miles came over and wrapped me in a hug. “You scared me to death. I thought you were planning a trip to Europe. Without me.” His scent hit me. My stomach lurched. Heavy musk. And a woman’s vanilla perfume. I turned my head and threw up again. Miles patted my back, his voice full of concern. “What did they feed you? I specifically told them your stomach was off. I told them to look after you… Just wait. I’m going to fire them all right now!” I pushed him away. I put every ounce of strength into it. “Fire whoever you want! Just stop using me as your excuse!” My sudden outburst caught him off guard. “Claire. Are you mad at me? Because I’ve been buried in work and haven’t kept you company?” He said, “Alright. Tomorrow I’ll cancel everything. I’ll spend the whole day with you. Okay?” I took a deep breath. Let it out slowly. “I hope you mean that.” That night, a thunderstorm rolled in out of nowhere. From the moment I got home, I kept throwing up. Miles tried to get close to me. I shoved him back hard. “Don’t come near me. Your smell makes me sicker.” Miles sniffed his sleeve. “Maybe it’s my Tom Ford cologne. You don’t like it. I’ll switch to a different one.” “Miles. You know damn well it’s not the cologne.” “Alright, alright. Don’t be upset. I won’t wear any cologne at all from now on. Okay?” I splashed cold water on my face and looked up at the mirror. And at the man outside the bathroom, holding a glass of warm water, waiting anxiously. I just didn’t understand. How could he stand there, reeking of another woman, and still play the devoted husband so flawlessly? Did he actually believe his own lies? Or had he just never considered me a person with a working brain? Probably the latter. He underestimated me. His mistake. And that mistake was about to cost him everything. The next morning, Miles took me to Northwestern Memorial. After a series of tests, the doctor gave his assessment. “It appears to be anxiety-induced IBS.” Miles asked, “What do you mean, anxiety-induced IBS?” “The patient has recently experienced a significant emotional shock. The impact has been severe enough to cause gastrointestinal dysfunction. That’s what’s triggering the vomiting.” Miles turned to me. “Claire, has something been bothering you lately? Tell me. Maybe I can fix it.” I turned my face away, avoiding his proximity. “You can’t fix it.” “Try me. There’s very little in this world I can’t handle.” Yeah. He was the only one who could fix this. For a split second, I wanted to ask him. If Brooklyn and I were both drowning in Lake Michigan, who would he save first? Then I dropped it. Stupid question. I shouldn’t put my fate in anyone else’s hands. I can swim. I can save myself. I don’t need Miles. I don’t need anyone. In Norway, I had applied to RISD under the name Vera Rose. I had given up my dream of painting to marry Miles. From now on, I was going to live for myself. “Claire, how about I take you to see a Broadway show this afternoon? Hamilton is playing. It’ll cheer you up.” “This afternoon? Don’t you have work?” “We agreed. I’m yours all day today. I keep my promises. I never go back on my word.” A second later, his phone rang. He moved to silence it. Then he glanced at the caller ID. He paused. I watched his expression shift in real time. Annoyance. Then conflict. I smiled. “Take it. Work comes first.” Miles said, “I’ll be quick. Five minutes.” “Mm.” He moved to take the call outside. I stopped him. “Take it here. I can’t follow your business talk anyway. No need to worry about leaks.” Miles froze. Awkward. Two seconds of hesitation. He picked up. His brow furrowed with anger. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me today? What is it?” I couldn’t make out the words on the other end. But I caught the sound of a woman crying. Miles spoke carefully, aware of my presence. “Alright. I understand. Hold on.” He hung up. He turned to me, his voice full of apology. “Claire, the CFO is bringing a critical M&A document for my signature. He’s downstairs at the hospital. I’ll sign and come right back. Half an hour. Tops.” I nodded. Miles practically ran out of the exam room. The doctor smiled. “Mrs. Morrow, your husband adores you. Dropping everything for you like this.” “Is that so.” I forced a smile. “Excuse me, doctor. Restroom.” “Of course.” I stepped out. I saw Miles, too impatient for the elevator, sprinting down the stairs. He did go downstairs. One floor down. Obstetrics and Gynecology. Buzz— My phone vibrated. Brooklyn: Claire, I’m so sorry. I don’t think he’ll be able to spend the day with you after all. One call from me, and he comes running.

Brooklyn’s messages kept pouring in. Brooklyn: Oh, and look at this. [Image] My ultrasound. I’m pregnant. I zoomed in on the photo and read the top line. Embryo 8 weeks. Threatened miscarriage. Brooklyn: We went at it on the rooftop yesterday. So many times. Tried every position. Guess it was a little too rough. The baby’s showing signs of distress. Oops. His fault, really. He said sex with you at home was boring. He wanted something exciting with me. Brooklyn: The doctor says whether I keep it or terminate, the baby’s father needs to sign the consent form. So I had to call him down. I mean, between your stomach flu and his child… the child is a little more important. Don’t you think? I took a cab. Alone. I went to a family law firm. “I need to retain your firm to draft a divorce agreement.” I wanted nothing. The lawyer was efficient. Half an hour. I had the complete agreement in my hands. The lawyer told me, “My recommended strategy is this. We file under irreconcilable differences. In Illinois, if you move out and establish independent residence for six months, the court will have a very hard time dismissing your petition. These six months are the legal countdown to your freedom.” I was walking out with the divorce papers when my phone rang. Miles. “Claire! Where are you? I’ve searched the whole hospital.” I said, “I waited so long you didn’t come back. So I went home.” “Good. As long as you got home safe. I’m sorry, Claire. Something came up with work. I might need to go out of town for a few days. New York. Take good care of yourself at home. Next week. I swear I’ll clear everything next week. Just for you.” I let out a heavy sigh. A lie told a thousand times isn’t believable anymore. But I didn’t need to believe anything anymore. I just needed to leave. “Yeah. Go.” “My Claire is so understanding. Be good. Tomorrow I’ll be back with your lily of the valley.” “Understanding?” I asked. “Miles, is that what you like? Women who pout and cling and won’t let go? Am I too understanding? Am I boring?” Miles paused. “Of course not. I love you. Whatever you are, I love.” “Miles. Will you ever fall in love with someone else?” “Of course not.” “Then let me tell you something.” I gripped my phone. My voice was calm. Cold. “If you betray me, I will disappear. Completely. You will never find me.” Miles let out a soft laugh. “Alright. Try it. I can lock down O’Hare and Union Station. As long as your name is still Claire, you can’t leave me.” But my passport didn’t say Claire anymore. It said Vera Rose. I repeated myself. “I’m serious. I will leave so clean you won’t find a single trace.” Miles was still laughing. Like he was teasing a cat. “Fine. Run. I’ll give you three days. Then I’ll come find you. I told you. As long as your name is Claire, I can find you wherever you go. You can’t shake me off.” Can’t shake him off? I smiled. Watch me.

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Elena Moreno never imagined that on her birthday, her son would hand her a peanut butter cup lethal enough to send her into anaphylactic shock. As consciousness faded, she heard Asher Whitmore’s furious reprimand. “Knox Whitmore, did you not know your mother is deathly allergic to peanuts?” Knox’s young voice cut through with terrible clarity. “I know. But I want Olivia to be my mom.” “Dad, you want that too, don’t you?” “Even if I…” A violent wave of suffocation crashed over her. She couldn’t make out the rest of Asher’s answer. In the final second before losing consciousness, only one thought remained. If she woke up, she was done being Asher Whitmore’s wife. Done being Knox’s mother. *** Five hours of emergency treatment pulled her back from the edge. When Elena regained consciousness, every breath burned. Her face was swollen beyond recognition. She forced her eyes open, searching instinctively for two figures. The room was empty. Her phone sat on the bedside table. She strained to reach it, but it was too far. Just as she tried to push herself up, the nurse changing her IV pushed the door open and rushed to stop her. “You just got out of the ICU. Don’t move. I’ll get it for you.” The nurse handed her the phone and replaced the IV bag. “Did you not know you have a severe peanut allergy? You have to remember this. Absolutely no peanuts. You’re lucky they got you here in time. Otherwise, no one could have saved you.” Elena didn’t know how to answer. Was she supposed to say her son deliberately chose a peanut butter cup for her, knowing full well it could kill her? Her gaze fell on her body, tangled in wires and tubes. She forced the words out. “Where are they?” She couldn’t bring herself to call Asher and Knox her husband and son. Not anymore. The nurse thought for a moment. “You mean your husband and son? They brought you to the ER, signed the paperwork, and rushed off. Said something came up. You should call them.” Then she muttered under her breath, “My god. Signed and left? If it were my husband, he’d have worn a hole in the waiting room floor.” The words hit Elena like a blade to the chest. Only one person could make that father and son leave so fast. She unlocked her phone. Her chat with Asher was still a wall of green bubbles. She opened Instagram. Olivia’s story sat at the top. *Some people come running faster than my private driver. 💋* The photo showed only Asher’s forearm, sleeves rolled up, a screwdriver in hand. Knox’s small fingers reached into the frame, passing over a vintage dresser part from RH. No faces. No names. The two familiar figures burned into Elena’s vision. Her eyes stung. The suffocating feeling swept over her again. She refreshed the photo. Zoomed in on Knox’s hand blocking the lens. Backed out. Locked the screen. Unlocked it. Looked again. The hospital blanket was wrapped tight around her, but she was still cold. Cold enough that her fingertips shook. They had abandoned her—a woman who had just stared death in the face—to assemble Olivia’s goddamn RH dresser. And her anaphylactic shock? Knox had caused it with his own hands. No guilt. No worry. Nothing. Elena let out a hollow laugh. Of course. Knox probably wished she had never woken up. And Asher—whether he knew the truth or not—deep down, he probably wanted Olivia as his wife just as badly. Why would two people who didn’t want her bother to stay at her bedside? She set the phone down and stared at the harsh fluorescent lights. The memories came flooding back. She and Asher had grown up in the same Hamptons neighborhood. He was the golden boy—brilliant, skipped two grades, walked into Yale like it was nothing. Everyone knew he’d come back to Greenwich and take over the Whitmore family asset management empire. Elena was quiet. At backyard barbecues and pool parties, she was the girl sitting on the sidelines. As she got older, she faded even more into the background. And yet, she fell for him. She figured her feelings would die the day he married someone else. She never expected him to show up at her door right after graduating from Yale, asking if she would marry him. The shock nearly knocked her over. She couldn’t hold back the feelings that had been growing for years. She said yes without hesitation. Just like that, she became Elena Whitmore. Until that night. He’d been drinking. And he told her the truth. At Yale, there was a girl he loved. He’d proposed under the Eiffel Tower, beneath the Northern Lights in Iceland. But the one that scarred him most was graduation day—the hundredth time he got down on one knee, with all his fraternity brothers watching. And the hundredth time she said no. She wasn’t ready to settle down. In a rage, he drove straight back to Greenwich and knocked on the door three blocks from his own. She didn’t care at first. She believed love could grow over time. A year into the marriage, she gave birth to Knox. She and Asher grew closer. To the outside world, they were the picture of a happy family. Then, a month ago, Olivia Summers came back. It was like he’d forgotten the hundred rejections at Yale. He couldn’t stay away from her. The concern. The tenderness. The nights that stretched later and later. Knox started tagging along. She had believed six years of marriage and five years of motherhood meant something. That somewhere in their hearts, she mattered. Today, that fantasy finally shattered. Six years. She had never managed to warm Asher’s heart. And the child she had carried inside her own body—he had no more room for her than his father did. Bang! The door slammed open. Elena looked up. A tall figure and a small one stood at the entrance. Asher nudged Knox forward, his expression stern. “Go. Apologize to your mother.” Knox twisted his fingers together. He shuffled toward her bed, step by reluctant step. His voice was barely a whisper. “Mom, I’m sorry.” Elena turned her head away. She didn’t miss the unwillingness in his eyes. Asher’s voice was heavy. “Knox didn’t know. He wasn’t aware of your peanut allergy. I’ve already disciplined him. He won’t give you anything with peanuts again.” “A merger deal at the office hit a snag. I saw you were still unconscious, so I went back to handle it.” It was the height of summer. The air outside was thick with heat. Elena had never felt colder. She had been awake for hours. Asher hadn’t sent a single message. And the only two sentences he’d spoken since walking in were both lies. He frowned at her silence. “It’s your birthday. Don’t stay angry at a child.” “My son and I prepared a gift. See if you like it. You can wear it once you’re discharged.” He pulled out a classic Tiffany blue box. Inside lay a diamond necklace—something they’d clearly grabbed on the way over from Greenwich Avenue. Elena glanced at it and looked away. “I have a gift for you both too.” Asher looked puzzled. “It’s your birthday. Why are you giving us gifts?” Knox stared at her with the same confusion. A faint, liberated smile crossed her lips. “It’s only fair to return the favor, isn’t it? Don’t worry. You’ll see it in a few days. I’m sure you’ll love it.” A signed divorce agreement. Exactly what you both wanted.

Asher’s expression remained indifferent. “Just focus on resting. Don’t trouble yourself with gifts for us.” He glanced at his phone. Beside him, Knox pouted, clearly uninterested. Elena took in their reactions. A bitter smile tugged at her mouth. Not interested now? She had a feeling the divorce papers would excite them more than anything. She suddenly felt curious. What exactly was she to them? A placeholder for their real feelings? A housekeeper? Strangers sharing the same roof? The words slipped out before she could stop them. The last syllable hung in the air. A sickly sweet female voice floated from Asher’s phone. “Ash, how fast you answer decides how long you get to see me today!” Elena froze. As the CEO managing billions in assets, Asher’s ringtone had always been the default. It took her a second to understand. Her nails dug into her palms. He must have recorded Olivia’s voice back when they were together. Set it as her custom ringtone. All those years ago. So the cold, detached Asher Whitmore had once been capable of that kind of foolishness. And after six years, he still hadn’t deleted it. Had he spent every one of those years waiting for it to ring? Asher didn’t hesitate. He answered immediately. A faint sobbing sound came through the line. He was on his feet in an instant, grabbing his suit jacket from the chair. “I’m on my way.” His voice was uncharacteristically gentle. He was already at the door when he remembered. He turned back. “A friend ran into some trouble. I need to handle it. Get some rest.” His desperation to reach Olivia must have been blinding. He didn’t even realize how pathetic the lie sounded. What kind of friend gets a ringtone like that? Knox had already latched onto his father the moment he stood up. “I’m coming too!” He didn’t even glance at Elena. That was when it hit her. They hadn’t heard a word she said. Even coming from Olivia’s apartment to the hospital, Olivia was all they cared about. The phone-checking. The waiting. All for her call. Elena lowered her eyes. “Mm.” They hadn’t answered her question. But she already had her answer. The moment they left, she dialed her divorce attorney. “Draft the papers as soon as possible and send them to me.” The lawyer’s tone was all business. “How would you like to handle custody and visitation for Knox?” “Nothing.” Elena’s voice was quiet. “I don’t want anything related to the Whitmore family. Not a single thing.” The only thing she wanted now was a divorce.

Elena spent an entire week in the hospital before the allergic reaction fully cleared. Every day of that week, she watched Olivia’s Instagram updates. The “trouble” Asher mentioned? Olivia’s new rental had lost power and water. The two of them helped her find a new luxury apartment. They toured every high-end furniture store in Greenwich. Together, piece by piece, they turned an empty room into a warm, modern minimalist home. The day she was discharged, Asher and Knox finally appeared after being absent all week. She had already finished the paperwork herself. Asher’s cold face showed a rare flicker of guilt. “Sorry I haven’t been around. My friend just moved back to the East Coast. She doesn’t know anyone here. I’m the only person she can call.” Apologies from Asher were rare. Before, Elena would have been quick to say it didn’t matter. This time, she just opened the door of the black Escalade. “I know. Let’s go home.” Asher looked at her. Was she angry? He dismissed the thought. Six years of marriage, and Elena had always been gentle and understanding. She never threw tantrums. He was probably overthinking. Elena kept her eyes shut the entire ride. But she could feel a hot stare on her. She opened her eyes. Knox was looking right at her. He spoke carefully. “Mom, is your allergy all better now?” “Yes.” The car pulled up to the colonial mansion. Elena got out. Two steps away, she heard a low mutter behind her. “So does that mean Livvy still can’t be my mom…” Elena stopped walking. She didn’t cry. She just fully accepted the failure of five years of parenting in that single moment. She felt like an idiot who’d invested everything for five years and gotten nothing back. This was the child she’d carried for ten months and raised for five years. He nearly killed her. And instead of fear or guilt, he was disappointed he hadn’t succeeded in clearing the obstacle for his Livvy. What a joke. She swallowed the ache in her chest and headed straight to the master bedroom. Knox, your wish is about to come true. That night, Elena lay in the California king bed. The spot beside her was ice-cold. Asher often worked late in his home office. They barely spoke before sleep. She was used to it. Just as she was drifting off, a pair of hands pulled her into a warm embrace. Hot breath fanned across her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. She forced her eyes open. And spotted a single blonde, curled strand of hair on the collar of Asher’s custom shirt. She had worn dark brown, straight hair her entire life. A sudden wave of nausea surged up her throat. She bolted upright and ran to the bathroom. She dry-heaved over the sink. Nothing came out. She gripped the counter, staring at her pale face in the mirror. Asher was wide awake now. He frowned. “What’s wrong with you?” Elena almost laughed. He had another woman in his heart. Who was this concerned act for? “Nothing. Go back to sleep.” Asher didn’t understand. “What are you talking about?” She let out a soft laugh. She couldn’t face his hypocrisy. She turned her back to him and lay down. He lost all interest. The door clicked shut behind him. Elena kept her eyes closed. The next morning, her lawyer sent the divorce agreement. *Ms. Moreno, the documents have been drafted per your instructions.* *Thank you.* Just as she sent the reply, Knox came downstairs. “Mom, my birthday party has to be really big this year. I’m inviting someone super important.” Knox’s sixth birthday. Almost here. She lowered her eyes. A long pause. “Okay.” This would be the last birthday she spent with him. Knox got his answer and left for private school. Once he was gone, Elena opened the airline app and bought a one-way ticket. The departure time: three days from now. The night of Knox’s birthday.

For three days, Elena threw herself into planning Knox’s party. She also bought gifts for every birthday from age six to eighteen. He was still her flesh and blood. Even if they never saw each other again, she had a duty to provide for him until he was grown. Knox’s birthday arrived. The guests were many. Elena stood beside Asher, holding Knox’s hand, surrounded by the crowd. Every year, Knox had been bursting with excitement on his birthday. Today, he was subdued. He kicked at the grass. His head kept turning toward the estate entrance. Asher kept checking his Patek Philippe. Elena thought something about the party wasn’t right. Then a voice called from the gate. “Knox! Happy birthday!” Knox’s head snapped up. His eyes lit up. He shoved past Elena and ran. “Livvy!” Elena stumbled backward. She nearly fell. It took several steps to catch her balance. Knox didn’t notice. He threw himself into Olivia’s arms like a golden retriever puppy, his earlier gloom completely gone. “You finally came. I’ve been waiting forever.” Olivia pinched his cheek. “Traffic was awful. I’m sorry for making the birthday boy wait.” Asher walked toward Olivia, a rare smile softening his cold features. Elena stood in the crowd, her ankle throbbing. She watched her husband and son abandon her to circle Olivia. Her heart didn’t ache. Only a cold, ruthless hatred spread from her chest to her limbs. She should have known. Only Olivia could make them act like this. She was the “important person” Knox meant. The lively chatter around her died. Guests exchanged glances. Then the whispers started. “Who is that?” “You don’t know? The legendary ‘Paris ex.’ Looks like Asher’s planning a repeat of history.” “Elena’s a saint. If that were me, that matching hoodie would already be in shreds on his windshield.” “Shh. She’s looking over. It’s the kid’s birthday. Don’t make this awkward for her.” Elena pulled her gaze back. Her heart felt bitter. But there was no pain. After tonight, she would no longer be Mrs. Whitmore. Knox was already dragging Olivia around, showing off the party. “Livvy, these are my favorite Marvel heroes.” “These are all my pictures since I was born.” “This is my finger painting.” *** Asher walked beside them, his eyes carrying a faint, amused warmth. They circled the entire lawn before approaching Elena. “Livvy, this is…” Knox paused. “This is my mom.” Olivia’s expression stayed smooth. She ruffled Knox’s hair. “Elena, Knox is absolutely adorable. I’m so envious.” Elena smiled. “You’ll have one of your own someday.” After tonight, she would. Knox. Asher. Both of them. Knox had no interest in lingering near her. He pulled Olivia away. Asher moved to follow, but his gaze landed on Elena standing alone. She looked out of place in the festive atmosphere. His voice softened. “Elena, don’t overthink things. You’ve been working on this party all week. You look terrible. Go upstairs and rest. Olivia and I have Knox covered.” Elena lowered her eyes, hiding the mockery. He wanted to be with Olivia so openly that he’d send his wife—the child’s own mother—away from her son’s birthday party. She said nothing. She went upstairs. She was done wasting energy on things that didn’t matter. The butler called her down for the candle ceremony. Knox stood before the giant fondant cake in the center of the lawn, ready to make his wish. Olivia and Asher flanked him. Elena stopped at the sight. The picture of a perfect family. Anyone else joining would look like an intruder. Olivia spotted her. She smiled apologetically. “Elena, come stand over here.” She started to move away from Knox’s side. Knox’s small hands gripped Olivia’s dress. He wouldn’t let her go. “Mom, I want Livvy to stand next to me.” Asher glanced at Elena. “It’s Knox’s birthday. Let’s do what he wants. Don’t take it personally.” Elena stood still. She nodded calmly. She didn’t even want these two people anymore. Why would she care about some meaningless spot? Knox’s happiness was obvious. He closed his eyes and clasped his hands together. “I wish to grow up happy.” He paused. Then, in French, he added, “I also wish for Livvy to be my mom.”

The childish voice rang out clearly. Everyone heard it. Several guests spoke French. The expressions in the crowd shifted. Asher froze for a beat. Then his face smoothed over. “He’s been watching the French dub of The Little Prince. He picks up lines and misuses them.” Knox’s mouth turned down. He looked ready to argue. “But—” Elena stepped forward and cut him off. “This is your gift. It can make your wish come true.” She handed him the kraft paper envelope. Inside was the signed divorce agreement. She imagined this was the gift Knox wanted most. She paused. “There’s a key inside…” She had meant to tell him the gifts for ages six to eighteen were all in a bank safe deposit box. Every year, he just needed to open one in order. But Knox nodded dismissively before she could finish. “Thanks, Mom. Got it.” He didn’t believe her. A gift that could grant wishes? Just the kind of nonsense adults told kids. He tossed the envelope onto the gift pile. His eyes were full of expectation as he looked at Olivia. “Livvy, what did you get me?” Olivia pinched his cheek and pulled a gift from her Chanel bag. Three custom hoodies. In the center was a blown-up photo of the three of them at Six Flags Magic Mountain. “Remember that trip to Six Flags? I made us matching hoodies. Do you like them, Knox?” “Wow!” Knox gasped. He grabbed the hoodies and examined them. It looked like he wanted to put one on right that second. “I love them! I’m wearing this tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that!” The Whitmore family photographer arrived for the birthday portrait. Knox’s eyes brightened. He tugged at Asher’s sleeve. “Dad, let’s all put these on for the picture. You, me, and Livvy.” Asher, who only wore custom suits in public, didn’t refuse. The three of them changed. They looked exactly like a family. When it was time for the photo, Asher frowned at Elena. “Why aren’t you coming?” Elena looked at the three of them squeezed together in their matching hoodies. No room for anyone else. She forced a small smile. “I’m a little tired. You go ahead.” Asher thought nothing of it. He signaled the photographer. Olivia and Asher stood on either side of Knox. The photographer directed them to move closer. Inch by inch, their shoulders touched. They both flinched. Looked at each other. Asher’s normally cold eyes softened. A blush rose on Olivia’s cheeks. Knox stood in front of them, holding their hands, beaming. The guests whispered. “So the hundred-proposal legend is true. Someone’s getting a second act.” “I’d love to see how long the ‘Paris first love’ sticks around this time before she runs again.” “Poor Elena. Honestly, she should’ve planned her exit years ago. Those two never really ended things.” Elena heard it all. She suddenly remembered Asher’s proposal six years ago. No flowers. No ring. Not even a knee on the ground. Just seven short words at her apartment door. “Do you want to marry me?” Seven words. She had leaped into this marriage like a moth into a flame. Even after learning about Olivia, she held on, believing being his legal wife meant something. Believing he would eventually love her. It took six years to understand. A heart already claimed by someone else could never be warmed. No matter how hard she tried, the moment that person reappeared, she lost. Completely. She watched Asher’s gaze keep drifting to Olivia. A soft laugh escaped her. Soon. This marriage that never should have happened would be over.

Elena didn’t want to watch their happy scene any longer. She walked alone to the rose arbor in the back garden. Buzz. Her phone vibrated. She swiped up. A text message. *Dear Passenger, your flight departs in 8 hours. Please proceed to JFK International Airport for boarding.* The first genuine smile of the day spread across her face. She pocketed the phone and headed upstairs to pack. She’d only taken a few steps when she ran into Olivia. She stood blocking Elena’s path, smiling. “Elena, hiding out here? You’re the hostess. No slacking off.” Elena knew Olivia wasn’t as innocent as she pretended. The day she got back, Olivia had found a way to add her on Instagram. Then came the constant stories showing off her time with Asher and Knox. “Say what you came to say.” Olivia studied her for a long moment. Then she laughed. The mask fell away. “Fine. Direct it is.” “I just came back for what’s mine. What did you think you were these past six years? A convenient warm body and a babysitter. He proposed to me a hundred times. You got seven words. You really don’t see the difference?” Elena had already decided to leave this marriage. That didn’t mean she’d tolerate a third party’s taunts. Her voice went cold. “My marriage to Asher is none of your business.” Olivia examined her French manicure. “So what? I rejected him a hundred times and he still can’t forget me. You’ve seen it yourself. Asher loves me. Even your son wants me as his mother.” “I just said, ‘Get your mommy to eat peanut butter and I can be your mommy.’ And he actually did it.” She looked Elena up and down, contempt plain on her face. “Shame you’re so hard to kill. Would’ve been nice if you’d disappeared sooner.” Elena stared at Olivia in disbelief. Her nails bit into her palms. Rage burned in her chest. Olivia put Knox up to it. The peanut butter cup was her doing. “Olivia, how could you—” “You took my place!” Olivia’s cold voice cut her off. “Without you, I’d be Mrs. Whitmore right now.” She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Asher and Knox were heading toward the garden. Olivia’s venomous face instantly transformed into wounded innocence. “Elena, I know you’ve never liked me. But Asher and I are just old friends. Was it so wrong to come to Knox’s birthday?” Her eyes reddened. Her voice wobbled. Elena frowned. What was this sudden change? In the next instant, Olivia tore a rip in the hoodie. Before Elena could react, Olivia grabbed her wrist and yanked. “Ah—don’t!” Splash. Elena was dragged into the pool. She had nearly drowned in a backyard pool as a child. Water terrified her. It closed over her head, and she thrashed on instinct, fighting to stay above the surface. Splash! Asher had sprinted over and dove in without hesitation. Elena reached for him. “Help—” She watched him swim straight past her. Toward Olivia on the other side. He didn’t even look at her. From the pool deck, a panicked voice shouted, “Dad! Livvy’s over there! Get her out!” In that moment, Elena heard it. Her heart, already full of cracks, shattered into dust. In a life-or-death moment, the two of them still only cared about Olivia. Her strength was gone. She closed her eyes. The darkness swallowed her.

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Three years after I died, my husband came asking for my kidney again. He showed up at my old apartment with the donation papers. The unit had new tenants. Desperate, he tracked down the landlord. “Ivy? She’s dead. Died months ago. Something about a kidney transplant, couldn’t afford the anti-rejection meds. Infection took her,” the landlord told him. My husband didn’t believe it. He decided the landlord and I were running a con. His brows snapped together. “Cut the bullshit. It’s one kidney. Who the fuck dies from donating a kidney?” He squared his shoulders and turned to leave. His expensive Derby shoes hammered the floorboards, grinding his fury into the wood. The landlord watched him go and sighed. “The girl’s ashes are still at the funeral home. Her father hasn’t claimed them.” *** I drifted in the air. I watched Ashford Lynch shove through the apartment building door, jaw tight, each step meant to crush the floor beneath him. Three years. He still looked infuriatingly good. The cruelty around his mouth had only sharpened. “Ivy Shaw. I went to her unit. The new people said she moved.” Ashford was still fuming about the two new tenants who’d slammed the door in his face. He grabbed the landlord on his way out. The questions came like an indictment, like he was pouring every grievance he’d ever had onto this one old man. “Where is Ivy Shaw living now? Don’t tell me you don’t know.” The landlord was pushing seventy. The brute force of Ashford’s demand rattled him. He frowned. “Ivy Shaw? She…” “Spit it out,” Ashford said, his voice a blade. “I have urgent business with her.” “Your business doesn’t matter,” the landlord said, his voice flat. “Ivy’s dead. Something about a kidney transplant, couldn’t afford the anti-rejection meds afterward. A full-body infection took her.” “Wha… what? Dead?” Ashford’s face went rigid. The words didn’t land. But only for a moment. He rebuilt his sneer in seconds. “You two cooked this up together,” he said, pulling out his phone and stabbing at a voice message. “Let me play you something.” Whitney Vance’s voice spilled out. Soft. Calculated. Caring. “Ash, I spoke with the lead surgeon. The procedure went beautifully. Ivy moved to a regular room the next day. I know she’s always had issues with me… but I really hoped this time, for the sake of how far back we go, she wouldn’t disappear on you again. I’m just… scared. Terrified something might still go wrong.” Ashford finished listening. He shoved the screen in the landlord’s face. “You hear that? The doctors at Johns Hopkins said she was fine. You think this fairy tale is funny?” “Why would I lie?” The landlord’s face went pale. “Ivy is definitely…” “Shut up,” Ashford cut him off. “Ivy Shaw is a selfish, crazy bitch. Not only does she let people die, she hires actors to sell the lie. Whitney needs her kidney. What right does she have to hide?” “Young man, what is wrong with you?” the landlord said, his patience snapping. “The woman is dead. Stop making a scene.” Ashford wasn’t listening. His mind was a locked room with Whitney inside it. “Tell her this. If I don’t see her at NewYork-Presbyterian tomorrow, she’ll never see another dime of child support for that little brat.” He turned and walked. His Maison Margiela boots cracked against the floor like he wanted to split the boards with his rage. The landlord watched his back disappear. He shook his head. His voice dropped to a murmur. “The girl’s ashes are still at the funeral home. Her father hasn’t claimed them.” *** I floated in the hallway. The words hit me like the cold of the morgue, seeping through my transparent body. I saw the little blanket I’d knitted for Luna, sitting alone on a nameless shelf, covered in dust. Luna. My daughter. She died without her mother ever looking back at her. Ashford was outside now. He pulled out his phone and dialed Whitney. His voice went soft in an instant. “Whit, don’t worry. I’ll make Ivy donate that kidney. If she tries to hide, I’ll make sure she never sees that little thing again.” On the other end, Whitney coughed weakly. Her voice dripped with false concern. “Ash, don’t be too hard on her… she is still your wife. On paper, at least.” Ashford laughed. “Wife? She wishes. If your family hadn’t moved to the West Coast, do you think I ever would’ve married a venomous woman like her?” I floated behind him, listening. My soul shuddered. So that’s what I was to him. I didn’t even deserve the word wife.

“Mommy…” A small voice pulled me from the ache. I looked down. Luna was floating beside me. Her tiny hand tugged at the edge of my shirt. She tilted her face up. Her big eyes were full of confusion. “Why does Daddy call me ‘that little thing’? Does he not like me?” My chest seized. I shook my head. “No. Of course Daddy likes you.” “Then why has Daddy never come to the preschool picnic?” Luna’s lip quivered. Her voice shrank. “All the other kids have their daddies there…” My throat closed. I couldn’t speak. The memories rushed in. Ashford and I did love each other once. Real love. We met in college, at an entrepreneurship competition. Like something scripted. Instant. Irreversible. The dating. The wedding. It all felt inevitable. I still remember the first pregnancy test. My hands were shaking around that plastic stick. I threw myself into his arms. Shy. Electric. “Ash, we’re going to be parents.” He held me so tight. He whispered in my ear about his deepest childhood scar. Being abandoned by his father. He swore he would be the best father in the world. He would never abandon anyone. I believed him. I thought I had found the love of my life. I was four months pregnant when Whitney came back from the London School of Economics. Back to New York. He got the call and dropped his glass of Jack Daniel’s on the floor. He was that excited. I’d heard the name before, here and there. I told myself it was the past. He’d chosen me. He’d married me. He would know where the line was. He would protect our family. I was wrong. After that call, he went cold. He started finding excuses to leave. Then he just started leaving. Early mornings. Late nights. Then no nights at all. The worst moment came when he booked me an appointment to terminate the pregnancy. He wanted me to get rid of the baby. That killed whatever was left. The man I loved was dead. But the child inside me was innocent. I could lose my husband. I would not lose my child. That baby was mine. Nobody would take her from me. “I’m having this baby. You can leave. But you will never make me sign those papers.” He backed down. Not out of love. I threatened to tell his father. Ashford’s greatest terror in life was becoming the man who raised him. After that, he always smelled like someone else’s perfume. Seven months in, a car hit me. Luna came early. She lay in the NICU, so tiny, so fragile, like a little kitten. He never came. Whitney had him trapped. He didn’t visit once. She told him the baby didn’t make it. She lied. He believed her. He even looked relieved. I will never forget the words he said. “That’s probably for the best. Whitney doesn’t like kids. We can start over.” That was the moment. The final freeze. I took Luna home in secret. I decided he would never know the truth. I was terrified that his idea of love would lead him to hurt my child. But fate is cruel. Luna was eighteen months old when Ashford ran into us at Bloomingdale’s. He froze in place. His face went white. He charged at me with no facts, just fury. “Ivy Shaw, whose kid is that? You’ve been seeing someone else?” I begged him to understand she was our daughter. He refused to listen. Whitney was there, fanning the flames. “Ash, her eyes look nothing like yours. How could she possibly be yours?” From that day on, he called Luna “that little thing.” I showed him the birth certificate. He said it was proof I’d cheated. “Mommy?” Luna’s voice pulled me back. She tilted her head. “Why are you crying?” I realized my soul was shaking. Ghosts can still feel heartache. Good to know. I crouched to hold her. My arms closed around nothing. “Luna, Daddy doesn’t dislike you. He just… forgot.” “Then let’s go tell him.” Luna’s eyes went bright. “We’ll tell him I’m his daughter. He’ll remember.” I looked at her face, so full of hope. My chest burned with words I couldn’t say. Ashford’s phone rang. Whitney’s weak voice spilled from the speaker. “Ash, my creatinine is over 600. The doctor says I need the surgery by tomorrow.” Ashford gripped the phone. His eyes went hard. “Don’t worry. I’ll turn this whole city upside down. I will find Ivy Shaw.” I floated there, watching them. Father and daughter. One full of hope. One full of hate. A force grabbed me. Invisible. Magnetic. It pulled me after Ashford’s car. My soul was still tethered to this cruel man. No escape yet.

I followed Ashford to the hospital. My transparent body passed through the walls. I hovered by the door. Whitney lay in the bed. Her face was paper-white. She saw him walk in. Her hand lifted, fragile. “Ash…” Tears fell from his eyes instantly. He threw himself to the bedside and gripped her hand. “Whit, don’t be scared. I will save you.” I floated near the ceiling, watching. The heat from the ICU vents passed right through me. I felt nothing. Last time he demanded my kidney, it was the same scene. Whitney in the bed, playing fragile. Him drowning in pity. I was in the next room, my body screaming from the surgery. He didn’t even glance at my door. Love and its absence. Impossible to hide. “Ash, about the kidney…” Whitney’s voice was soft. Her eyes were full of expectation. His face twitched. His gaze slid away. “I… I haven’t found her yet.” She understood immediately. She gave a bitter little smile and arranged her face into something generous. “Maybe we should stop. She hates me for taking you away. I understand why she wouldn’t want to save me. This life with you has been enough. I just hope we find each other sooner in the next one.” Ashford shattered at her words. He gripped the sheets. “I won’t let you die. I’ll tear apart all of Manhattan. I will find her. And if I can’t, I’ll find someone else.” He wiped his face. He walked out without looking back. I followed him out of the hospital. He drove straight to the children’s hospital. The one where Luna spent her life. He stormed into the inpatient wing. He shoved his phone at the front desk nurse. An old photo of Luna. He forced his voice calm. “My daughter. Luna Lynch. What room is she in?” The nurse checked the computer. Her face changed. “Sir… Luna Lynch… she passed away three years ago.” “Don’t waste my time. Take me to her.” He slammed the desk. The nurse jumped back. “Sir, the child did pass away three years ago. Her medical records state…” “Bullshit.” That word was a trigger. Ashford exploded. He swept a rack of patient files off the counter. They crashed to the floor. “You’re all in on it with Ivy Shaw. She’s alive. Last time she…” His voice died. He couldn’t pinpoint when “last time” was. Security rushed in. They grabbed him. Dragged him toward the door. Ashford struggled, wild, screaming. “Liars. All of you. Give me my daughter. I need her to make Ivy Shaw give up her kidney.” They threw him out the front doors. He landed on the steps, a mess. I floated behind him. His carefully styled hair was a wreck. His custom suit was covered in grime. The irony was suffocating. He had no idea his wife was dead. He didn’t even care that his own child was gone. There was only one person in his world. Whitney. He cursed under his breath. Then an idea hit him. He grabbed his phone. “O’Brien. I’m suing NewYork-Presbyterian. They’re colluding with Ivy Shaw.” The voice on the other end tried to soothe him. Ashford just got louder. “I’m not crazy. My daughter is alive. Ivy paid off the hospital.” I floated in front of him. His eyes were bloodshot. The tragedy of it was almost funny. He still didn’t know that the “little thing” he kept cursing was his own flesh and blood. He hung up. He wobbled to his feet. His mouth kept moving. “It’s fine. I have other options. Whitney needs the kidney. Ivy will show herself.” A smile cracked his face. Wrong. Unhinged. “Yes. She cares so much about that kid. I’ll just use the kid as leverage.” I watched his unraveling. And I understood. In his eyes, me and Luna would never matter. Not compared to Whitney. Not ever.

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