Chapter 2

I wiped the tear tracks from my face, my eyes empty as I stared out the window.

Perhaps the only relief I could seek comfort in was that Cassian and I were finally about to be free.

Just then, Cassian’s call came through.

"Seraphina!" he roared before I could even speak. "Did you run crying to my father again? You ruined my party with Sophia, you vixen! I’m warning you, do it again, and I’ll cut off your mother’s medical bills right this second!"

My mouth opened. For a moment, I wanted to tell him my mother and child were already gone, but the thought vanished as quickly as it came.

To beg a man like Cassian for even a shred of concern or mercy? What a joke.

My tone was flat. "Do whatever you want."

Maybe it was my uncharacteristic calm that caught him off guard. The line went silent for a beat.

Then, his mocking laugh came. "Oh, I get it. It’s because of the pup, isn’t it? You think popping out a brat is going to lock down your Luna seat? Dream on! I’m the Alpha. I decide who the Luna is. Whoever I name, that’s who the Luna is!"

My eyes squeezed shut. I didn’t doubt him for a second. I knew his cruelty all too well.

The first time I caught him cheating, I’d fought back.

And what happened? He had held his claws to my unconscious mother’s throat and forced me to apologize to his mistress.

From that day on, no matter what he did, I stayed silent. I put up with it.

Until now.

Tragically, now I had lost everything that mattered. There was nothing left to persist for.

Before he could spew more venom, I hung up on him.

Although Leon had promised to handle my mother’s funeral, she was my beloved mother. I had to walk her to the very end myself. I contacted the funeral home and scheduled her cremation.

After the staff left with the signed paperwork, I turned, and there was Cassian, standing in the doorway.

His brows furrowed as his eyes raked over me with disdain. Then, he sneered. "Well, well. Even in the hospital, you can’t forget about securing your Luna title? What, no more pitiful act?

"Looks like you’re plenty healthy. Well, get the hell discharged. Sophia’s moving into the house. You can play maid for her." He stepped closer, voice dripping with malice. "Seraphina, I’ll make sure you understand just how much it costs to deceive me."

I only stared back at him, my gaze empty and numb.

'Not every lie requires a price.' The thought flickered through my mind, but I didn’t say it aloud. Cassian would only call me a liar to my face.

Maybe finding me dull, his eyes dropped to my flat stomach. He grabbed the arm of the healer, Dr. Caleb Fenwick, and barked, "The child? Where’s the report? Bring it to me now!"

Dr. Caleb paled with fear. I quickly cut in, "The baby was born healthy. He’s with Leon."

Seven days. In seven days, I’d be free. There was no need to tell him the truth.

Cassian didn’t care whether the child lived or died anyway. He’d probably just blame me for not protecting it. I had no interest in explaining, even less in entangling myself with him.

He was about to press further when his phone rang. He answered, and whatever he heard, his expression twisted.

In an instant, he spun, and his hand cracked across my face.

"Seraphina, what the heck did you do to Sophia? If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you myself!"

The blow was vicious. I stumbled, crashing into the wall. The wound in my abdomen tore open, and agony exploded through me until my vision went black. I couldn’t breathe.

Dr. Caleb rushed to catch me and said, while trembling with fear, "Alpha! Seraphina just survived an attack! Her wound has torn open. She’ll bleed out! You’ll kill her!"

However, Cassian didn’t hear, or maybe he just didn’t care. He didn’t even glance my way. His eyes stayed locked on the phone screen as he bolted from the ward.

Dr. Caleb looked at me with pity and sorrow.

I forced a weak smile, but inside, I felt nothing at all.

The only comfort that remained was that Cassian’s cruelty could no longer touch me. Seven years of marriage had finally reached its end.

Cassian and I were over.