Ch.3~Jodie

Jodie

I quietly close the door before they notice me. My hands are shaking, but my face feels numb. That’s what I get for eavesdropping. I shouldn’t have hoped. Whether I’m married or divorced, his heart belongs to Enid. I’ve always been the outsider, the thief. So I will no longer let him mess with my emotions.

I search my bag for my phone, quickly dropping a message for him.

*I’m at the hospital. Meet me in the lounge.*

I don’t look back. My heels echo softly against the floor as I walk away, trying not to think about what’s happening behind that door. The lounge is nearly empty. I sit down, open my purse, and pull out a cigarette. The lighter clicks. The flame dances for a moment before I realize what I am doing. I can’t be smoking anymore, not with a baby inside me.

My wolf stirs faintly inside before her voice comes in weakly. *You’re really bad at this mother thing already.*

I laugh softly, almost embarrassed. “Yeah, I know, Lila. I didn’t think it was possible anymore.”

She doesn’t answer. Lila’s been quiet for months. All the blood I’ve given Enid left her drained and fragile, like the strength that used to fill my bones just… leaked away. My wolf feels smaller now.

I whisper, “I’m sorry,” and mean it. Sorry for dragging her through this, sorry for choosing love that only hurt us both. This divorce will not only separate me from my mate, but Lila will lose her mate too, and that is going to be unbearable for her.

When the door opens, I look up and see Calden, his eyes landing on me. “You’re smoking again?” he growls, I look up to see his stormy gray eyes softening, why is he giving me that look? Like he cares.

“I wasn’t,” I say quickly, hiding the crushed cigarette under a tissue. “I forgot for a second.”

He sighs, shaking his head, his dark brown hair that's always naturally messy in a way that somehow suits him falls a bit to the front, covering part of his left brow, and somehow even that small motion makes my chest ache. I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help it. Seeing him here makes all the hurt scatter for a second.

For a moment, I look at the Calden who in every way took my breath away even at first sight, his right hand sliding lazily into his pocket, taking his usual position that commands his environment. The look in his eyes right now is the same look he gave me the day he saved me 10years ago. I never learn my lesson—still fluttering like a lovesick teenager. I don’t need Lila to judge me; I’m already condemning myself for the hopeless love.

I’ve loved him for ten years, been married to him for five, and now, are we really going to throw it all away?

Once again, I start to waver.

Lila’s voice echoes in my head, heavy with disappointment—not just at Calden, but at his wolf too. *He’s supposed to be ours. Yet he gives all his warmth, his soft gaze, his time… to another woman...So stop expecting anything from him.*

I swallow hard, fingers curling against my palm. Maybe Lila is right. My love has always been humble. I’ve kept waiting, hoping that one day he’d finally look at me the way he looks at her. But he never does.

Still… if Calden were to say just one word—if he looked at me, and asked me to stay—I would. I know I would.

But if he doesn’t… I won’t keep degrading my own dignity.

I pull the divorce papers from my bag and slide them halfway across the table. He reaches for them, but I pull them back before he can touch them. But then, if Calden really doesn't want this marriage to continue, why did he tell Enid he was married?

What if I directly tell him I am pregnant—will the outcome be different? But I bury the thoughts as fast as it comes.

“I…I heard what you said in there,” I blurt out, my voice shaking a bit. “What did you mean when you told Enid you’re married?”

His eyes flick up to mine, his left brow twitching, something he does when something surprises him. For a moment his face freezes, but it disappears quickly. “Because I am. Until the papers are signed.” My heart completely falls—the one last chance I gave him just shatters with those words.

It shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but it still stings. Every time I think I’ve built a wall thick enough to protect myself, he finds another way to break through it.

“You didn’t tell her about the divorce,” I say quietly, hoping I’m not just setting myself up for humiliation. “Why?”

He doesn’t answer right away, just looks down at his hands. “I don’t want to hurt her. Enid has a soft heart for you… she’ll blame herself for our divorce.”

Hah! I almost snort. Is he color-blind? Because how come he can’t see the dark bitch in front of him?

“You should at least let—” but he cuts me off with a glare.

“It’s my choice, and it has nothing to do with you.” Calden says, his eyes shifting to the document under my hand. “You asked for the divorce, Jodie,”

The words land heavier than I expect. I know I was the one who asked for it, but hearing him say it so easily still stings. My chest tightens, I can’t tell if it’s anger or just heartbreak sitting there. Maybe both. He sounds so irritated—like our years together, our bond, never meant anything at all.

I stare at him for a moment before sighing. Calden only treats me as his Luna and wife when duty demands it. I can tell he can’t stand being around me any longer than he has to.

There's no need to push this any further. I slide the papers toward him. “Here. Please, give them to Evelyn when the process is done.”

Calden’s gaze hardens, irritation flickering in his eyes as he lets out a short breath. “Do it yourself, Jodie. Evelyn’s my pack doctor, not your assistant.” His tone is clipped, “Stop making it harder." He clicks his tongue.

“And, If you’re sure about this, don’t forget to make sure to pack every single thing that belongs to you—”

“I know,” I cut in, my voice sharper than I meant. “I’ve already packed my things. I’ll leave today.”

That gets his attention, his head snaps back to me, his stormy gray eyes widening a bit. It’s as if he’s seeing the reality of the divorce for the first time.

His brows draw together, and his tone, unlike his usual calm, asks, “Where will you go?”

The face I love so much shows the expression I hate the most again — cold, irritated. But His sudden concern twists something deep inside me. Calden never bothers to ask where I go, what I do or how I feel, why now? For a second, I almost let myself believe he cares.

“It is not your business, Calden.” I say softly. I shouldn't get carried away.

Calden studies me, that unreadable expression back again. When he speaks, his voice is hoarse—if it were before, I would’ve rushed to get him water or his medicine. But now, every word he says just reminds me how little everything I ever did means to him.

“I just wanted to make sure you’re not pulling another childish stunt,” he says, each word sharp enough to cut. “I won’t always tolerate your little dramas.”

I can’t say a word. What did I expect? I know now. To him, everything I’ve done was just a desperate bid for attention. The tiny hope I’d been keeping alive finally dies in silence.

Calden’s gaze lingers on me. I force a bitter smile. "It's fine. We're done now."

I stand and take a deep breath, gathering my bag. The ache in my chest spreads, sharp and suffocating—but I can’t let it show.

It’s okay, Jodie. You’re free now. You finally escaped this twisted marriage.

The thought echoes so loudly in my mind that even Lila must have heard it. Thank the Moon Goddess for the baby. I’ll take this child as the only gift I ever got from a bond that brought me nothing but pain.

I’ll raise my child alone.

I can hear Lila growling softly in agreement with my thoughts. We will take care of our pup alone.

There's nothing more to hold onto between us. I search his face briefly for any expression or reaction that can say he really doesn't want us to end this way, but sadly—there’s nothing.

I turn before he can see the tears I’ve been holding back pour out.

The sound of my heels against the tile is the only thing filling the silence. My throat burns as I keep sobbing silently, but I keep walking until I’m out of his sight. Only when I reach the end of the corridor do I finally let myself breathe.

I stop, leaning against the wall. My hand beats my chest many times, as if the action would slow down the burst in my heart.

Goodbye, my love. I did love you for ten years. I had believed the Moon Goddess chose you for me and did everything to bring us together, but maybe she made a mistake.

I choke on my sob and can’t contain the rush of emotions in me, so I let it all out—it will be the last time, after all.

Calden, I’ve let you go. I wish you freedom, wish you joy in true love.