CHAPTER SEVEN

“Are you sure?” Aiden asked me again, his brows drawn tight.

I nodded firmly, though my heart was trembling. I was sure—so sure that I wanted to leave. I had been a fool all these years. Why hadn’t I seen through their facades? Why had I allowed myself to be used, trampled, and discarded like I was nothing? A wave of regret swept through me, hot and suffocating. Three years of my life—three years—and not once did he truly see me as someone worthy to stand beside him.

Thunder rumbled outside, heavy and low, the sky warning of an oncoming storm. But that was the least of my problems right now. Rain couldn’t drown me more than I already felt drowned. I just wanted to leave, to be away from all of this before I shattered completely.

“I have to go,” I told Aiden finally, pushing back my chair and reaching for my bag.

“It’s going to rain,” he pressed, rising with me. “Let me walk you at least.”

“It’s fine.” My voice was softer now, but firm. “I… I can manage.”

His frown deepened. “But—”

“I came with a car, Aiden.” I forced a small, grateful smile as I shook my head. “And… I can’t be seen leaving with you. Not like this. I’m still Luna. Whatever Damian has done, the pack still watches me. If anyone saw us together, the rumors would spread like wildfire...”

He exhaled slowly, reluctant but respectful, and finally nodded.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my throat tight. “For being here tonight. For listening. I’ll call you.”

Clutching my bag, I turned toward the door, each step heavier than the last.

A single tear finally streaming down my eye. I was a fool, I have been a fool for so long that I no longer knew who I was or what I represented anymore. With each step I took, I felt the pang of betrayal so heavily that I wanted to erase my memory at that moment.

When I stopped in front of the car, I looked over it and suddenly it didn’t feel like it belonged to me anymore. It was Damian’s car which didn’t belong to me. I was just the side piece and my sister…

Without looking back, I walked past the car as the first drop of rain touched me. I just kept walking and walking, my tears mixing with the rain. I wanted it to drown away my pain and my sorrows but no matter how much I tried, I couldn't. The pain kept increasing just like the rain.

My mind suddenly went to my baby and panic set in. I have been walking in the rain for a while. What if something happened to my baby? What would I do? I frantically began to look for somewhere to take shelter. Even though I didn’t care about myself right now, I wanted nothing wrong to happen to my baby. It was the only thing I had left and I was going to protect it with my life.

I finally spotted a small shelter down the road, but before I could take a step, an umbrella opened above my head. I froze, looking up.

My eyes widened in surprise when I saw who was holding it—Marcus Hale. Damian’s Beta.

What was he doing here? A flood of questions rushed through my mind, but all I could do was stare at him.

“You… what are you doing here?” my voice trembled as I asked.

Without a word, he took my hand gently and guided me under the shade until we were safe from the rain. He slipped off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. After a moment, he pulled out his phone and handed it to me. "I think you should see this."

On the screen played a video—Damian, his brothers, his friends… all of them drinking, laughing, as if nothing in the world mattered.

Jackson leaned forward, smirking, his voice loud over the music. “Damian, tell us—do you still have feelings for Kourtney?”

I felt my chest tighten, my heart begging for him to say no.

Damian swirled his glass, eyes half-lidded, his voice slow, “I’ll always protect her.”

My throat closed up. Always protect her.

Antonio burst into laughter, clapping Damian on the back. “Hah! Just admit it—you regret marrying Selena, don’t you? Look at you, sitting here like a caged wolf. Bet you wish you had chosen Kourtney instead!”

The others roared with laughter, raising their glasses in mock toasts.

Damian didn’t deny it. He just drank, staring into his glass, silent.

Each second of the video was a knife twisting deeper, stripping me of the last shred of dignity I had left. My stomach lurched, my chest hollow, tears stinging my eyes.

“Selena…” Marcus finally spoke, his voice low, almost pained. “This might sound harsh, but I don’t think Damian deserves you. Not in any way.

I swallowed hard, my eyes stinging. A bitter laugh almost escaped me, but I held it in. “Maybe,” I whispered, my tone flat, “but you never stopped them either.”

Marcus sucked in a breath as he continued staring at me, he had a lot to say, I could see it in his eyes but he’s usual Marcus Hale would not say anything.

“It’s getting pretty late, let me take you home”

“I am not going anywhere with you” I told him, “I can find my way”

“I am not letting the Luna of the pack go home alone. It is my duty to protect you and I will do that. Please Sel, let me take you home”

I wanted to refuse, but I couldn’t stop thinking about my baby, so I reluctantly agreed. Soon, I was in the passenger seat of his Maybach, while he turned on the temperature in the car.

By the time I got home, Damian was still not back. And honestly, I didn’t care. Not anymore.

I had once thought saving him from death meant something. I had poured everything into healing him, sitting by his side when the rest of the pack had already given up. I thought that kind of devotion would bind us together, that he would look at me and see more than just obligation. I even convinced myself that marriage was proof of that bond—that he chose me.

But now, looking back, I realized how naive I had been. I hadn’t married a man who loved me; I had married a man who settled for me because it was convenient.

I didn’t bother with a shower or bed. I just sank onto the couch, hugging my knees, trying to gather myself. My phone buzzed, and I looked down to see a message from Aiden.

“Will you be able to come to the population office at the agreed time to process the deregistration?”

I hesitated for a moment, then typed, “Yes, sure,” and sent it. Relief and determination mingled in my chest—I had a plan now, a way forward.

But then a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. I gritted my teeth, clutching my stomach, my heart racing. My baby… was everything I had left, and panic immediately set in. What if something was wrong? I pressed my hand harder against my belly, breathing shallowly, trying to calm myself, but the pain only worsened.

My vision started to blur. The room seemed to tilt, the edges of the screen darkening. My phone slipped from my trembling hands. I tried to call out, to steady myself, but my body refused to obey. The last thing I felt before everything went black was a wave of dizziness washing over me.