Chapter 3

Noira

I remained silent, leaning my back against the uneven wall, its rough surface causing pain in my back.

But the tightness in my chest was far worse, as though a knife had truly been plunged into it. I sat quietly, staring at the wall in front of me. The damp air made me draw in a heavy breath before slowly exhaling.

I had been imprisoned in this underground cell for two days, accused of something I had never done.

Hurting Eve.

And my explanations had been utterly useless.

I often heard the guards hurling harsh accusations at me, condemning me for cruelly hurting the Alpha's first love. They claimed that jealousy had driven me insane.

I scoffed, almost laughing like a madwoman.

Closing my eyes, I reminded myself that only a few more days remained before everything would finally be forgotten.

Another day passed, and I immediately recognized the sound of his footsteps. He had finally come to see me, his sharp, cold gaze fixed on me.

“You should be relieved now, because Eve has managed to pull through the critical period.” Kael spoke without the slightest concern for me, making it clear that he didn't care. “The poison you gave her could have killed her.”

I looked at him indifferently. “I didn't give her any poison.”

“You're still so stubborn and arrogant. After what you did to her, you should be the one apologizing.”

“Noira, your jealousy is insane. If Eve hadn't begged me to forgive you, I would have had you flogged.”

My fingertips stiffened instantly, and for a moment, I forgot how to move as his shocking words sank in.

That woman was incredibly good with words. If she really had been poisoned, it hadn't been because of me. I wouldn't put it past her to have swallowed the poison herself.

“You should be ashamed of your behavior. Now get on your knees before her and beg for forgiveness.”

I realized that he genuinely believed he was being reasonable, that this was the best solution he could offer me.

His words struck something deep inside me. I lowered my head and began to laugh, doing something Kael had never expected.

When our eyes met again, Kael looked as though he had been shaken.

“Why should I do that?” My voice was low, but unmistakably filled with anger.

“I'm going to give her one of my kidneys, so she should be the one kneeling before me.”

This time, he didn't remain where he stood. His hardened expression was enough to frighten the guards, but not me.

He stepped inside the iron bars and grabbed my face roughly.

Seeing the fury consuming him, I didn't show even the slightest trace of remorse.

“You've truly gone mad.”

Even so, I didn't react aggressively toward him. I simply met his gaze without saying a word.

The one who lost control next was Kael.

He grabbed my hand roughly and dragged me out of the cell.

“Come with me. You're going to apologize to her.”

The moment he pulled me along, I repeatedly stumbled into objects around us. But he didn't stop, ignoring the painful whimpers escaping my lips.

It was genuinely difficult to keep up. At times, I even choked on my breath. After being imprisoned there for three days without food, my body had grown terribly weak. His brutal pulling left me on the verge of fainting again and again.

Kael roughly threw me into the car. As it began to move, my head felt as though everything inside it were being violently stirred.

“Absolutely shameless.”

“Do you really think you're in a position to demand that from Eve?” His voice was sharp as he glared at me with fierce hostility.

“Eve isn't like you. She saved me when you weren't there.”

Once again, I was forced to endure his hurtful words.

“Eve is an extraordinary woman. It's a shame she has to suffer through something like this.”

He showered the woman he adored with endless praise, willing to give her anything she wanted. While listening to his incessant rambling, I found myself recalling what had happened back then.

Four years ago, when he was severely injured and his kidney was damaged, I had given him one of my kidneys.

I had cared for him until he recovered, but afterward, all he could think about was Eve. He said she was the one who had saved him.

All the efforts I had made seemed to have vanished into thin air.

I offered a faint smile, burying that useless sorrow deep inside me.

Eventually, we arrived in front of Eve. She was sitting on her hospital bed, looking confused.

“...What's going on?” she asked, her eyes shifting toward Kael in bewilderment.

“She needs to apologize to you, Eve.” Kael spoke while holding Eve's hand.

Standing there, I had no desire to witness another one of their sweet moments together.

“Kael, she doesn't need to apologize to me.” She acted as though she genuinely didn't need an apology.

I rolled my eyes at her behavior. Just as I was about to tell her that if she didn't need an apology, then I should be released from this place, I heard her speak again.

“I'm sorry, Noira... I truly never intended to take your position as Luna.”

She put on a troubled expression, glancing at Kael and earning his overwhelming sympathy.

“My body is just so weak... I only want to recover, and Kael has been so attentive to me that he's neglected you because he cares about me. Even though I've told him to just leave me alone...”

I genuinely couldn't believe she was saying those things. But Kael believing her was even harder to comprehend. He couldn't even recognize that the woman was lying to him.

I let out a sigh before responding to her words.

“It's fine. I know Kael is better suited to be with you.”

Kael and Eve seemed completely taken aback by my words, their eyes widening in surprise. Eve, in particular, slowly narrowed her eyes as she looked at me.

Kael released Eve's hand and took a step toward me.

“Noira, we've already discussed this—”

Suddenly, Eve's coughing turned violent, drawing everyone's attention. Blood then spilled from her mouth.

“Eve!”

Kael had completely forgotten that I was even there. He busied himself tending to Eve, who looked as though she were on the verge of death.

Once her coughing subsided, Kael turned his piercing gaze toward me. His voice rose with overwhelming fury.

“Apologize to Eve right now! This is all your fault! You've made her condition even worse!”

Before I could even defend myself, the two guards standing nearby immediately restrained me, forcing me down onto my knees as they slammed them hard against the floor.

I couldn't fight back, no matter how much strength I tried to summon. In my weakened state, I saw the woman looking down at me with contempt. She wore a triumphant smirk, carefully hiding it from Kael, who still believed she was a fragile woman.

“Apologize now, Noira. If you don't, you'll never be released from that prison.”

My plan to leave would fail if she had her way. I was trapped, forced to choose under immense pressure. With a pained groan, I finally spoke.

“I'm sorry, Eve...”

Kael motioned with his hand, and the two guards restraining me roughly released their hold.

My breathing was still labored when Kael approached me and threw his handkerchief onto my lap.

“You should have done that earlier, without being forced.”

He turned away, ignoring me completely.

Meanwhile, I quickly got to my feet and left the room, silently swearing that I would never love him again.

I regretted ever falling for a man like him...