Chapter 4

I watched the scene unfold before me, feeling like my heart was being torn apart alive.

The two sons I'd nearly died giving birth to were pushing Kael toward another woman right in front of me.

Kael kissed Sage for a long time before pulling away, a thin strand of intimacy connecting their lips.

Sage's cheeks were flushed red as she lowered her head shyly.

"Sorry," Kael's voice was slightly hoarse. "I lost my balance just then."

Then he turned to River and Stone with a stern expression. "What the hell are you two doing?"

Though his tone was harsh, I knew him too well. He was more satisfied with that kiss than anyone.

Kael looked at me and explained, "That was an accident. The kids were just messing around. Don't take it personally."

I shook my head calmly. "I don't mind."

And I really didn't mind anymore.

Because I was done with all three of them—the father and both sons.

After we got off the Ferris wheel, everyone went to watch the parade. Under the brilliant night lights, amid laughter and cheers, the floats slowly approached.

But just then, the horses pulling one of the floats suddenly spooked, whinnying as they charged toward the crowd!

"Watch out!"

In the chaos, I saw Kael and the two children immediately throw themselves toward Sage, shielding her protectively.

While I stood there and got knocked down by the panicking crowd.

After nearly dying from blood loss giving birth to those two children, my wolf had fallen into a permanent coma. So now I was basically like an Omega—no fighting ability, not even any healing powers.

"Ahhh—!"

Excruciating pain hit me as horse hooves trampled over my ribs and wheels rolled across my legs.

I clearly heard the sound of my own bones breaking.

Everything went black, and I passed out completely.

...

When I woke up again, the hospital room was dead silent.

I struggled to sit up, cold sweat pouring down my face from the intense pain in my ribs and legs.

I reached for my phone on the bedside table to check the time.

The screen lit up, showing a social media notification on the lock screen—

Sage had posted a photo.

Kael and the two children were gathered around her hospital bed. One was holding a glass of water, another had medicine, and Kael was gently tucking her blanket.

The caption read: 【It feels so good to be loved.】

I pulled my lips into a bitter smile and put the phone down.

A doctor came in, flipping through test results. "Ms. Aria, you have three broken ribs and a hairline fracture in your left tibia. You'll need to stay for observation for a few days."

He looked around the empty room. "Where's your family? We need a family member to sign."

I said calmly, "I don't have any family."

For the next few days, the hospital room remained empty.

The nurses looked at me with pity, occasionally sneaking me an extra box of painkillers.

Kael didn't show up until my discharge day.

"Sage was traumatized and couldn't be left alone these past few days," he said flatly. "How are your injuries? Do you need to stay longer? I could bring the kids to take care of you."

I shook my head. "No need. I don't want to waste your time."

Kael frowned slightly.

In the past, whenever he was busy with work but managed to spare even an hour for me, I'd be happy for days. Now I was actively refusing?

But he didn't think much of it and had the driver take us to a high-end boutique in the city center.

The store was brilliantly lit as Kael held up various gowns against my body.

I thought he was trying to compensate me and said softly, "You don't need to. I don't really like any of these..."

"Don't like what?" Kael interrupted. "Sage's birthday is coming up, and I want to get her the perfect custom gown."

He studied my figure. "You and she are about the same size, so I brought you to try them on."

I laughed.

Laughed at my own wishful thinking, laughed at how Kael knew exactly where to stick the knife to hurt me most.

For the next three hours, I was like a mannequin as Kael had me try on gown after gown.

Finally, he settled on a mermaid-style dress covered in crystals.

"This one."

When we got home, Kael tossed me a paper bag. "Got this for you while I was at it."

I glanced inside. It was a freebie that came with the custom gown—a plain black dress with a tag that read "Free Gift with Purchase."

I took it and gave a flat "mm-hmm."

Back in my room, I threw it straight into the trash.