Chapter 2

Three days later, at the cemetery.

I stood before my brother's gravestone, my face completely drained of color.

For these three days, I'd been like the walking dead—handling death certificates, taking Finn to be cremated, and burying him with my own hands.

Kael and our two sons never showed up once.

I opened Sage's social media. Her latest post was a photo of Kael hand-feeding her soup, with the caption: 【Someone insists on taking care of me personally. I just can't handle him~】

Below were comments from River and Stone:

【Aunt Sage, get better soon! We want to go to the amusement park with you!】

【Aunt Sage is so much gentler than Mommy. We love you the most!】

I closed my phone, my expression turning completely cold.

I left the cemetery and did only two things.

First, I went to a law firm and drafted mate bond severance agreement.

Because Kael was an Alpha, I couldn't bear the pain of rejecting the mate bond with him outright.

So, I had no choice but to submit the severance agreement to the Alpha Council. Once they approved it, the magic within the seal would automatically sever our mate bond.

Second, I went to the Alpha Council's enforcement office and told the duty officer:

"I want to report Sage for intentional murder."

I'd just returned to the mansion to pack my things after filing the report when the front door was kicked open violently.

Kael stood in the doorway with a dark expression, River and Stone behind him. Both children's eyes were filled with rage, as if I'd committed some unforgivable crime.

"You're the one who reported Sage for murder?" Kael's voice was ice-cold. "Who did she kill? Are you ever going to stop this nonsense?"

Before I could answer, River rushed forward and shoved me. "Bad Mommy! Won't you be happy until you destroy Aunt Sage?"

Stone also lunged at me, his small fists pounding my legs. "You're so mean! Aunt Sage is so nice. Why are you trying to frame her?"

I stumbled backward from their pushes, my back slamming into the wardrobe. The pain made me gasp.

I looked at them with red eyes, my voice shaking. "She switched out the dummy for my brother. Finn was burned alive because of her... Was I wrong to report her to the authorities?"

All three of them froze.

Kael laughed coldly. "What are you talking about? Sage would never do something like that!"

I laughed too, tears streaming down my face. "Then call my brother right now. See if he picks up."

Kael frowned and pulled out his phone to dial Finn's number.

"Ring... ring..."

After a long wait, the call automatically ended.

No answer.

Kael's expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to speak, the door was gently pushed open.

Sage walked in, her face pale as she leaned weakly against the doorframe. "I heard... Finn went on a graduation trip. The signal might be bad, so he didn't answer."

River and Stone immediately ran over, supporting her on both sides. "Aunt Sage! Why did you leave the hospital? Didn't the doctor say you needed to rest?"

Sage smiled helplessly. "When I heard that Aria reported me for murder, how could I not come explain?"

She looked at me with gentle, helpless eyes. "Aria, I know what you're worried about. Even though Kael and I loved each other before, we missed our chance. Now that you're mated to him, I'll only bless you silently. I would never destroy your family. You really don't need to frame me like this... Murder is such a serious accusation."

River immediately looked up at her adoringly. "Look at Aunt Sage's class! Now look at Mommy! The difference is obvious!"

Stone also pouted. "Brother's right. Mommy only lies and hurts people!"

My whole body trembled as my nails dug deep into my palms. "When the Council investigators get to the truth, you'll know who's right and who's wrong."

"Investigation?" Kael laughed coldly. "You framed Sage. That's the truth! What's there to investigate?"

He looked down at me, his tone allowing no argument. "I've already withdrawn the case and made some calls. In the entire Northern Territory, no one will dare take your case."

I stared at him in disbelief. Just as I was about to speak, my phone rang.

It was the enforcement office.

"Ms. Aria, we've dropped that case... Alpha Kael spoke up, and there's nothing we can do. You should... accept our condolences. In the entire Northern Territory, no one will dare take this case."

The call ended. I stood there, my whole body turning cold.

Pain, despair, anger... all these emotions pressed down on my heart. It felt like someone had ripped out a piece of my heart, the pain making my vision go black.

But then, I laughed.

Looking at my dearest husband and sons, I laughed until tears streamed down my face.

For some reason, Kael's heart suddenly tightened.

He softened his tone. "Alright, this ends here. I went too far this time and scared you. I apologize."

He paused. "Whatever compensation you want, I can give it to you."

My tears were still falling, but my gaze grew colder bit by bit.

I raised my hand to wipe away the tears and turned toward the drawer. My movements were slow, as if each step was a goodbye to my former self.

When I pulled out the mate bond severance agreement, my fingers trembled slightly—not from anger or sadness, but from an almost liberating calm.

"Sign this." I flipped to the last page, covering the beginning as I handed it to him. My voice was barely audible.