8

My breath caught. "Oh, I was discussing a TV show plot with a friend. The female lead is leaving."

Kieran relaxed. "Another one of your billionaire-falls-for-Cinderella storylines?"

I nodded.

Kieran ruffled my hair. "Aria, those shows are just fantasy for naive viewers."

"In reality, how could anyone actually run away? If you tried to escape, the Blackwood pack has the resources to track you down all over the world."

"So my Aria could never run away. No matter where you go, even to the ends of the earth, I'll always find you."

I laughed coldly inside. So this is your confidence?

If only you knew my escape route lay with the Winters Pack.

"You haven't been cruel to me, so why would I run?"

Kieran's expression shifted slightly, a strange emptiness flickering in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Aria, how could I bear to hurt you? You never know how much I love you."

His breath was warm against my ear as his voice grew husky. "Aria, you've been too tense lately. You need to relax."

I pushed him away. "Your old injury flared up recently, and now your hand is hurt. You need rest more than I do. With everything that's happened, how can I relax?"

"I know." He sighed. "It's all my fault. But I still want you to live more freely."

"Let's give each other some space. Sometimes I need freedom, and so do you."

Freedom? I stared at the barely concealed bite marks on his collar and said nothing.

The doorbell rang. Mrs. Jones announced that the styling team had arrived for Luna's important event preparation.

I looked at Kieran questioningly. He explained, "There's an important banquet coming up. The Winters Pack is publicly introducing their daughter, Evelyn Winters, for the first time."

"The Winters pack is currently the strongest—their military and financial power far exceed all others. They're unavoidable for any pack wanting to grow stronger. Better to be well-prepared."

I feigned surprise. "I see. Then I should prepare carefully." I let the stylists coordinate jewelry and accessories, design my makeup and hair.

I tried on outfit after outfit, seriously asking for his opinion.

"How about this one?"

"Beautiful." Kieran barely glanced up from his phone, his eyes clearly distracted when he looked at me.

I knew he was texting Scarlett. That eternally gentle, obedient healer who never said no to him.

"Pack business?" I asked considerately.

"Aria, there's a problem with a contract. I need to go handle it."

I gently straightened his collar. "Alright, go take care of it."

Kieran kissed my cheek. "I'll be back as soon as I'm done."

At the entrance, I called out to him. "Speaking of contracts, I have an important one that needs your signature. It's gone through the Wolf Council approval process and should be in your inbox. Remember to check it and sign it quickly."

Kieran agreed readily. I raised my voice slightly.

"It's very important. You must review it personally—don't let your assistant handle it."

Kieran nodded his agreement.

"Kieran, goodbye."

Kieran's breathing hitched. He sensed something was wrong but couldn't pinpoint what, looking at my gentle expression with confusion.

After hesitating for several seconds, he still chose to leave.

---

Around the corner from our villa, Kieran's face darkened as he pushed away Scarlett, who was trying to throw herself into his arms.

"Stop testing my limits! I told you—I don't come to you, you don't appear uninvited!"

Scarlett's eyes instantly reddened. "Kieran, I'm pregnant. Three months along. I just wanted to tell you this wonderful news in person..."

Kieran's grim expression brightened with joy as he pulled Scarlett into his embrace.

"I'm going to be a father?"

Scarlett nodded.

Kieran seemed to remember something, his expression growing serious. "I'll take responsibility for you and the child. But I'm telling you upfront—don't dance in front of Aria, and don't try to compete with her."

"I won't deprive you of anything you should have. After all, this is my first child."

Scarlett nodded obediently, taking the chance to whisper in his ear. "The baby's ultrasound photos are at my place. Want to see them? I also have my latest photoshoot—you'll definitely love it."

Kieran's Adam's apple bobbed. The next second, he was lifting Scarlett into the car.

The engine roared to life, and the car sped away...

---

I turned and went back inside, printing out all the messages Scarlett had sent me over the past few days. I placed them in a package along with the recording from the night I had my fever and the signed mate bond dissolution agreement. I left the package in the most visible spot in the living room.

Taking my new phone and the green healing stones I'd just acquired, I got into a car from Winters Pack.

The summer sun scattered like golden fragments, brilliant and beautiful.

Everything in sight was lush and alive.

But in this world, there was no longer an Aria Rivers.