2

I slowly wiped away the tears from my eyes and looked up at the gray window.

Perhaps the only consolation was that both Garrett and I had finally gained our freedom.

While I was lost in thought, Garrett's call came through.

"Aria, you went running to Grandpa to tattle on me again, didn't you? You completely ruined the rare alone time Scarlett and I had together."

"I'm warning you—if you dare pull this shit again, I'll cut off your mother's treatment payments!"

In the past, I would have humbly explained and apologized to Garrett.

I would have done everything possible to earn his forgiveness.

But now, I just said indifferently, "Do whatever you want."

Garrett seemed surprised by my cold attitude.

But soon, he let out another cold laugh.

"I heard the baby was born. Having a child really gives you confidence, doesn't it?"

"But don't forget—I'm the next Alpha of Shadowmoon Pack. As long as you're still here, I have plenty of ways to torment you."

I closed my eyes.

I had experienced Garrett's methods before.

The first time I caught him cheating, I naively went to the Alpha for justice.

What I got was Garrett's insane retaliation.

Using my mother as leverage, he punished me by making me walk hundreds of miles in the freezing night to buy his favorite breakfast from a specific café. Since I was pregnant and couldn't shift into wolf form, and he forbade me from using any other transportation, I could only struggle through a ten-hour walk.

While I shivered in the bitter cold, he and his lover spent the night in passionate embrace at a luxury hotel.

When I finally brought back that cold breakfast, my feet were bloody and raw, my hair crusted with ice. Meanwhile, Garrett was eating a lavish breakfast with his lover on the top floor of a five-star hotel.

After that, no matter how outrageous Garrett's behavior became, I pretended not to see.

I silently endured all of Garrett's humiliation and harassment.

I desperately tried to maintain my position as the pack's future Luna.

But now, my mother was gone.

The child couldn't be saved.

This marriage that existed in name only should finally come to an end.

I coldly hung up the phone.

I got up and contacted a friend at the funeral home to schedule the cremation.

When I returned to the hospital room, I saw Garrett standing at the door.

He frowned at me, then let out a cold laugh.

"Not going to keep acting pitiful anymore?"

"Running around right after giving birth—your body seems fine. Looks like you don't need rest after all."

"I'm planning to move Scarlett into the villa. She's a young, delicate Omega who doesn't know how to do housework. Get your discharge papers and come back to serve as our maid."

Garrett moved closer to me.

His face wore a malicious smile.

"Your expressions of pain are the best aphrodisiac I have in bed."

He stared at me intently, expecting to see me hurt and heartbroken.

But I just wore an expression of numb calm.

Finding it boring, Garrett turned to block a nearby healer.

"Where's the child? Boy or girl? Bring it here."

The young healer looked completely panicked.

I said helplessly, "Grandfather took the child away."

Garrett was about to say something more when his phone rang.

The moment he answered the call, his face changed dramatically.

Then he slapped me hard across the face.

"Aria, what did you do to Scarlett? If anything happens to her, I swear I won't let you off!"

Already weak, I lost my footing and crashed into the handrail behind me.

The healer rushed forward to steady me.

"Alpha heir, your mate just barely escaped danger. This could kill her!"

Garrett acted as if he hadn't heard.

Filled with concern for Scarlett, he rushed away.

The healer looked at me with pity in his eyes.

But my pale face showed no expression at all.

It was as if all the love, hate, and passion had been completely worn away during seven years of grinding torment.