6

I continued to treat Derek well, pretending I knew nothing, even when I occasionally caught the scent of jasmine on his clothes.

Sometimes I'd see Sarah's social media updates, photos or videos that always seemed to have a glimpse of Derek somewhere in the frame.

Subtle yet obvious.

I would linger on each post for a long time before clicking the heart button.

But I never said anything.

Just like before, maintaining a peaceful surface.

Yet there was an undercurrent, a feeling like a storm brewing.

The only differences now were that I had resigned from my position at the pack hospital, we had Echo at home, and I'd picked up my old habit of keeping a journal.

I wrote daily, recording my mundane routines and my physical condition.

I began spending entire nights unable to sleep, with a constant dull ache in my abdomen.

I still prepared meals for Derek every day, but when it came time for me to eat, I would stare at the food for long periods, having lost all appetite.

When I visited my mother's grave again, I chatted with her for only about fifteen minutes as usual, followed by long periods of silent companionship.

Without me as a burden, my mother would have had a better life after leaving.

She didn't love my father, and she didn't love me either, but she still fulfilled her responsibility as a mother and raised me to be healthy.

It seemed like karma when my father's health began to deteriorate, and he went bankrupt due to financial crisis.

Derek came home early that evening, arriving just as I finished preparing dinner.

The dishes steamed on the table.

We hadn't eaten together like this in a long time.

Since Sarah's return, he had become increasingly busy.

Derek had good manners—never speaking during meals.

I used to think there was something beautiful about two people sitting together in silence.

Derek ate methodically while I took a couple of bites before losing my appetite, the pain in my abdomen beginning to flare again.

Just then, Echo came downstairs and darted under the dining table.

I put down my utensils. Derek glanced at me, and I explained, "I'm going to get some food for Echo."

Echo's room was on the second floor—I'd cleared out the former storage room to make a space for her.

Her food bowl was empty. I added some cat food, and Echo wagged her tail and dug in.

I watched from the side, feeling a little better.

Suddenly, the pain in my abdomen intensified, and a metallic sweetness rose in my throat.

I covered my mouth with my hand. When I pulled it away, the bright red blood on it stung my eyes.

Echo abruptly stopped eating and turned to leap at my feet, meowing loudly.

I grabbed a tissue to wipe away the blood, crumpled it, and tossed it into the trash can.

Crouching down, I gave her head a good scratch and whispered, "I'm fine."

She meowed twice more, abandoning her food to paw at me.

I picked her up, and she quieted down, nuzzling against me.

Someone knocked on the doorframe. Derek stood there watching us and said softly, "Come finish dinner, Willow."

I had no appetite but forced myself to finish. Derek went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

When he returned, he found me on the couch playing with Echo and sat down beside me.

"Willow, I've been busy lately, but when things settle down, I'll take you to that island resort. Would you like that?"

I rubbed Echo's ears and replied, "Yes."

Going to an island resort with Derek had always been on my wish list.

We were too distant in the beginning.

After our mating ceremony, we didn't have a honeymoon—just continued our normal lives, going to work and coming home.

When our relationship improved, I always thought about going to an island with Derek, like a delayed honeymoon.

I never told Derek about this little wish, though I had mentioned the trip a few times.

But the workaholic's schedule was always too full, forcing us to postpone again and again.

Now he was the one bringing it up.

I caught him watching me from the corner of my eye, his sharp eyes softening slightly.

I pretended not to notice.

"There's an auction next week," he said casually. "Would you like to come with me?"

I froze momentarily before quickly regaining my composure. "I think I'll pass."

Derek didn't press the issue, just nodded.

My gaze remained fixed on Echo, ignoring Derek completely.

Sarah had just returned to the pack and had a limited social circle. She wouldn't miss an opportunity like this.

If she asked Derek, he wouldn't refuse her.

Echo grunted softly on my lap, and I stroked her head.

What Derek probably didn't anticipate was that I would show up at the auction he was taking Sarah to behind my back.