Chapter 2

Neither Owen nor Leo showed the slightest reaction to what I had just said.

In fact, they looked like they were mocking me for being unreasonable.

"Seraphina, why are you making such a fuss? Is this amusing to you?" Owen asked coldly. "You were the one at fault. We even let you cool off outside for a night. What's so wrong with that?"

He spoke so lightly, as if he had forgotten that the toxic silver fog that crept in after dark was lethal to werewolves.

Calmly, I just shook my head bitterly. "It doesn't matter. Sign the papers."

Owen looked surprised. "Seraphina, do you even know what this is?"

"I know exactly what this is," I said firmly. "There's no need for our mate bond to continue."

Owen was used to me catering to his every whim. His expression darkened in anger at my words. "Fine! We'll dissolve our mate bond. Don't you dare regret it!"

Grabbing the papers, he slammed them down in front of me.

"You were never a good match for me anyway! You have no money and no power—I'll enjoy watching how miserable you'll be without me," he snarled.

"And don't even think about taking Leo. Leo is my son. I won't let him starve living with you!"

Leo clung tightly to Owen's leg and shouted, "Ms. Emma is kind and gentle. She's the only one good enough to be with Dad! She knows how to play the piano and taught me how to swim. You don't know how to do anything!"

Leo's face resembled mine in some ways, but every word that came out of his mouth felt like knives to my chest.

In the past, hearing these words would've made me cry all night.

But now, only one thought echoed in my mind—It was time to end my mother-son relationship with Leo, too.

"Don't worry, I won't fight you for custody," I told Owen. Then, turning to Leo, I said evenly, "From now on, you're no longer my pup. You can choose whoever you want to be your mom."

Without sparing them another glance, I went to the bedroom to pack up my things.

My life had revolved completely around Owen and Leo over the past few years, so I only had a few sets of clothes to my name. Before this, their happiness had been my happiness. I was willing to give up everything just to protect my family.

But to them, I was disposable, nothing but a burden.

I once thought that love would come if I sacrificed enough.

How foolish I was.

I took off my mate bond ring and placed it on the bedside table.

This ring had been with me for ten years. And for ten years, it had bound me.

Now, I was free.

When I left, Owen and Leo were video-calling someone.

A woman's voice came from the screen. "Leo, were you a good boy today? I'll bring you some presents tomorrow. I got you limited edition sneakers. Nobody else has them!"

Leo's reply was instant, his voice crisp and excited. "Ms. Emma, you're the best! I want to see you right now!"

Owen, my mate, was looking at Emma through the screen with such tenderness. Gone was the arrogant man from earlier. "Emma, you're spoiling him too much. He's already getting used to it."

Their laughter filled the room. I had no place in it.

But it didn't matter anymore. There was only so much hurt I could take before my love for them was exhausted.

This time, I didn't hesitate. I left the house quietly.