Chapter 3

After the examination, Dr. Caleb rebandaged my wound and reminded me to rest.

A few days later, I finally learned why Cassian had flown into such a rage that day.

After the baby’s death, Leon, who was furious with grief, cut off all business ties with Sophia’s father. Her father had erupted in anger, lashing out at her.

Convinced I had orchestrated revenge behind the scenes, Sophia embellished the story and ran crying to Cassian. That was why he lashed out at me in the hospital.

On top of that, Cassian quickly revoked my executive position at Blackthorn Holdings, installing Sophia in my place.

To cheer her up, he bought the sapphire necklace I had long coveted and gifted it to her. Sophia flaunted it smugly on social media.

When fans commented, she even replied, "The one who isn’t loved is the real mistress."

Then, she added, "Seraphina? She was nothing but a bargaining chip, trading herself for money to be with Cassian. I’m nothing like her."

Her fans rallied around her, hurling abuse and insults at me.

Reading those comments, all I felt was bitter irony. All these years later, Cassian’s tricks to please his lovers hadn’t changed one bit.

When we first started, he’d been exactly the same with me.

When he learned I had spent my whole life scraping to pay for my mother’s medical bills and never bought jewelry for myself, he showered me with it. He swore he’d make up for the girlhood I’d never had.

I still remembered that night. He had held my hand beneath the moon tree, eyes soft with devotion. "Seraphina, I lost my mother when I was young. But from now on, I’ll treat your mother like my own. We’ll build a happy family together."

In that moment, I nearly melted beneath his gaze, foolish enough to believe I had found my destined love.

Not long after that, it all shattered.

Once, to celebrate a mistress’s birthday, he abandoned me on Lunar Ridge. I had just been injured in a fight, so my body was weak. He left me behind, forcing me to crawl alone down a thorn-covered path.

By the time I reached the bottom, my legs were streaked with blood.

I should have known then that Cassian was selfish and promiscuous. The only one he ever loved was himself. All his talk of lies and betrayal was nothing but a flimsy excuse for his affairs.

With that clarity, I calmly typed a comment beneath Sophia’s flaunting post: [Wishing you both happiness. May it last forever.]

It wasn’t long before Sophia deleted the post in a fury.

Moments later, Cassian’s call came through. Without question, it was to confront me.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I mirrored the way he’d always treated me: I blocked his number without hesitation.

Only then did it hit me that today was my mother’s cremation.

I told the hospital and insisted on early discharge. The worried Dr. Caleb insisted on accompanying me to the funeral home.

When the staff handed me the tiny urn, the overwhelming grief I expected never came. Instead, there was an odd, almost alien calm. It felt like the heavy shackles that had bound me for seven long years…

At that moment…

Click.

Shattered completely.

I whispered my thanks to Dr. Caleb, then returned alone to the so-called "home" to pack my things.

Just a few more days, and I would be gone from this hell forever.

However, as I stepped into the living room, the first sight that greeted me was Cassian and Sophia, half-naked, tangled on the couch.

At the sound of the door, Cassian scrambled to zip his pants, but the fresh marks along his neck left no doubt about what they had been doing.

There was an absence of sadness and rage.

I looked right past them, my expression blank, and walked straight into the bedroom to pack my belongings.

When I wheeled my suitcase back out, Sophia was gone. Only Cassian remained, slumped under the dim light, drinking in silence.

At the sound of my steps, he looked up. Shadows masked half his face, making his expression unreadable.

"Seraphina," his voice rasped, "where were you today?"

"None of your business," I said coldly.

The glass shattered against the floor as he hurled it down. He staggered to his feet, storming toward me, reeking of alcohol.

"Stop pretending to be so high and mighty!" he snarled, seizing my wrist with a crushing grip. "Don’t think I don’t know. You’ve been sneaking around with some other mutt, haven’t you? What, are you that desperate? Do you blame me for neglecting you? Fine! I’ll satisfy you right now!"

Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, he ripped open my collar and dragged me toward the bedroom.

"Cassian! Are you insane?" Panic gripped my chest. I struggled against him with everything I had. "I just had surgery! Let me go!"

Reason had fled him. He didn’t hear a word.

He bent down and sank his teeth into my shoulder. His sharp canines pierced my skin, and blood welled instantly.

Pain and nausea surged through me. With every ounce of strength I had, I shoved him away and slapped him hard across the face.

"You dare hit me?" Cassian’s eyes burned with fury. He roared, his claws slashing.

Rip!

Warm liquid ran down from my temple, blurring my vision.

Cassian froze, staring at the blood on his hands. Instinctively, he reached toward me. "You… why didn’t you dodge…"

A wave of dizziness crushed me. I staggered back, mouth opening to speak, but all strength drained out of me.

I collapsed.