Chapter 3

After hanging up, I immediately walked into the bedroom, pulled out my suitcase, and started frantically throwing clothes into it.

I moved like a machine, ripping clothes off hangers, emptying drawers, and stuffing everything inside.

"Harper?"

I froze. Wyatt's voice came from the doorway. "What's wrong? What are you doing?"

I turned around slowly. When he saw my face, his expression instantly shifted.

My eyes were red and swollen from crying, tear tracks still wet on my cheeks.

"What's wrong?" He took a step closer, a flash of panic in his eyes. "Are you okay? What happened?"

The concern in his voice made my stomach turn. He was such a good actor. He sounded so convincing.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. I absolutely could not alert him now.

"I'm sorting through Grandma's old things." I lowered my eyes, letting a tear slip down my cheek. "The anniversary of her death is coming up, and I suddenly really missed her..."

The guard in Wyatt's eyes vanished, replaced by a subtle flash of relief.

He walked over and pulled me into a fake, comforting embrace.

"Don't be sad. You still have me." He patted my back gently.

Being held by the hands that murdered my four pups made my stomach churn violently. I could only endure the nausea and keep my body stiff.

Just then, the click-clack of heels sounded from the doorway.

"Wyatt?" Stella's sweet voice called out.

Wyatt shoved me away like he'd been electrocuted and rushed to Stella's side.

"Are you okay?" he asked with genuine concern, totally different from the fake care he had just shown me. "Why did you come all the way up here? Be careful with your body."

Stella leaned against the doorframe, giving me a provocative look before smiling. "Did you tell my sister the good news?"

Wyatt stroked her hair gently. "Not yet."

He turned to me. "Stella is pregnant. I'm going to announce the good news to the entire pack at the Full Moon Gala next week."

"Let's just have a simple family dinner tonight. Call your parents."

"Is that so. Have fun celebrating," I said expressionlessly. "Grandma's death anniversary is coming up. I'm not in the mood."

Stella's eyes immediately reddened, and she bit her lower lip, looking deeply wronged. "Sister, do you not want me to be pregnant? I know you're sad about your miscarriages, but you can't take it out on my pup..."

"I said, I'm just not in the mood!" I snapped coldly.

"Harper!" Wyatt scolded, his face darkening. "Don't use the anniversary as an excuse. Stella is carrying a new life. This is a time for celebration."

I clenched my fists, saying nothing.

"You will attend the Full Moon Gala. And," Wyatt commanded me with the authority of an Alpha, "you're an advanced herbalist. Tonight, you'll personally cook a nourishing soup for Stella. You are her older sister, after all."

"Behave yourself around Stella."

The threat in his eyes was completely unconcealed.

I stared at him. This was the man I had loved for eight years. The man who murdered our children.

"Fine," I said softly. "I'll do it."

At the family dinner that night, the long table was filled with a lavish feast.

Wyatt, Stella, and my parents—the four of them laughed and chatted, a picture-perfect family.

My mother only frowned at the beginning of the dinner to criticize my clothes and makeup:

"Harper, you really should learn from Stella. Wear dresses that show off your figure instead of always looking so drab. You're embarrassing us and Wyatt."

I didn't reply, and after that, no one paid any attention to me.

"Mom, Dad, I'm pregnant," Stella stood up and announced proudly.

My parents exchanged a look. There was no shock on their faces, only pure joy.

"That's wonderful! Our family is finally welcoming a new life!" My mother grabbed Stella's hands excitedly.

I watched this scene coldly and asked flatly, "Is that so? Who is the father?"

The room instantly went dead silent.

Stella's eyes darted around, and she lied, "It's... it was a pack warrior who died in battle. This is his only bloodline."

I stared intently at my parents' faces.

They avoided my gaze, awkwardly looking down at their water glasses. Not a single person asked for the name of this "fallen warrior."

It suddenly hit me.

They knew! They already knew about Wyatt and Stella's dirty affair, and they had been enabling it, covering for them all along!

It turned out that in this family, I was the only one who was an absolute joke!

Any last trace of attachment I had to my family was completely pulverized in that moment.

"Sister, is the soup ready?" Stella asked sweetly, breaking the awkward tension.

I expressionlessly pushed the expensive herbal soup in front of her.

Stella picked up the bowl and smugly took a large gulp.

But a few moments later, she suddenly let out a bloodcurdling scream!

"Ah! My stomach! It hurts so much!" Stella clutched her stomach, her face turning pale as she slipped out of her chair. "Sister... what did you put in the soup?"

"Stella!" Wyatt practically flipped his chair over, rushing to gather her in his arms.

"Harper! You vicious bitch!" My mother charged at me and slapped me hard across the face. "If anything happens to Stella or the pup, I will never forgive you!"

My cheek burned. I looked at the spilled soup on the floor and defended myself weakly, "I didn't put anything in it. It was a normal supplement."

No one was listening.

Wyatt scooped Stella up in his arms and bolted toward the door like an enraged beast.

As he crossed the threshold, he turned back, glaring at me with a look of pure malice.

"I'll make you pay for hurting Stella."