Choose Pain Over Love

The dark room was thick with the scent of herbs and dust. A white-haired witch placed an ancient-looking bone ring in front of me.

"You know the price of this thing, don't you? Once you wear it, the bond between mates will be severed gradually over five days. However, the process is painful. You'll feel as though your heart is being ripped out while still alive. The process is also irreversible," the witch warned.

Her clouded eyes were filled with obvious contempt as they swept over me.

"You naive fools always end up crying on your knees at my feet, begging me to take the ring off. You won't be any different. Are you sure you want to buy it?" the witch added.

I felt a phantom ache in my chest at her words. Still, I simply took a deep breath and handed over the locked case of cash I had prepared in advance. It held all of my savings.

"I'm sure," I answered.

The witch snorted derisively. Then, she tossed the bone ring to me with careless ease.

Just as I was about to step out the door, she called after me.

"You have 24 hours to change your mind. Don't say I didn't warn you!"

With the bone ring clutched tightly in my hand, I returned to the home I shared with my mate, Ethan Grant.

When I opened the door, the villa was unexpectedly lively. The living room was decorated with pink balloons and streamers, like something out of a dream.

Cake and exquisite dishes were laid out on a long table. Every detail spoke of care and thoughtfulness.

Against my will, my heart skipped a beat. Did… Did Ethan remember what today meant? It was our fifth anniversary of becoming mates.

Yet, in the very next second, my delusion was shattered entirely.

Right there, in the center of the living room, hung a banner that read "Happy Birthday, Angelina".

I froze in place, feeling as though someone had punched me hard in the gut.

Light footsteps came from upstairs. My son, Chester Grant, looked princely in his children's tuxedo. He came bounding down the stairs—only to bypass me entirely and throw himself into the arms of Ethan's first love, Angelina Lark.

"Happy birthday, Angie!" he said enthusiastically.

Angelina smiled tenderly at Chester and bent down to his forehead. Then, she looked up and saw me standing at the door. The glint of disdain that flashed across her eyes pierced straight through me.

"Luna, you're back. It's my birthday today! I forgot to let you know in advance. I hope you're not mad?" she said with a fake smile.

I took a deep breath and calmly replied, "But I remember your birthday isn't actually today."

Angelina's birthday was on a round-numbered date. Chester used to chatter about it all the time, so I couldn't possibly have gotten it wrong.

Angelina's smile froze for a split second and then grew even sweeter.

She replied, "Your memory is impressive, Luna. You even remembered my birthday. Alpha Ethan bought me a new villa today.

"Since we wanted to celebrate this occasion, I figured I may as well move my birthday celebration earlier to today too. Alpha Ethan's been planning this party since early this morning."

Angelina's every word felt like a knife to my heart.

Just then, Ethan walked out of the study. The first thing he saw was Angelina and Chester. The usual sternness between his brows melted instantly into tenderness. A smile even appeared on his lips. It had been a long time since I had seen it.

But the moment Ethan's gaze landed on me, that smile vanished. With a frown, he spat coldly, "What are you doing here?"

His one sentence left me feeling so humiliated that I wanted to disappear. All of Ethan's careful party preparations had nothing to do with me. He was even questioning why I was here.

Just then, Ethan took out a velvet box from his pocket and handed it to Angelina.

In a sincere tone, he said, "I prepared this birthday gift for you a long time ago. Happy birthday."

Ethan opened the box. Inside was a diamond necklace that sparkled brilliantly under the light.

"Wow! It's so pretty! It goes perfectly with the diamond hairpin I gave you!" Chester exclaimed with a spark in his eyes.

Then, he personally helped fasten the necklace around Angelina's neck.

Angelina was so moved that her eyes filled with tears. The entire scene looked like a joyful family of three.

Suddenly, Ethan turned to me and asked, "What about you? What present did you prepare for Angelina?"

My throat tightened. Cold sweat pooled in my palms. I had spent all of my savings on the bone ring in my pocket. So, of course, I couldn't possibly have prepared anything for Angelina.

After a brief silence, I could only shake my head.

"Nothing," I answered.

The air turned sharply still.

Ethan's brows knotted tightly. A flicker of disappointment and disgust flashed across his eyes.

"You didn't even prepare the most basic gesture? What exactly do you take yourself for? Do you still think you deserve to be called Luna?" he criticized.

Even Chester pouted and murmured, "How could you, Mommy? Angie's so good to me, and you didn't even give her a present…"

Angelina, pretending to be distressed, clutched her chest and shook her head. "Don't be like this, boys. It's not Luna Tori's fault. Maybe she just forgot."

However, she couldn't hide the triumphant glint in her eyes. Like fire, it burned at my pride.

I heard myself hoarsely say, "I'm sorry. I'll head back to my room so that I won't bother you all anymore."

I turned and went upstairs. The moment I shut the door behind me, tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them down.

I slowly took out the bone ring. Then, I shoved it hard onto my finger. A bone-deep pain instantly tore through my body.

I let out a muffled gasp and collapsed onto the cold floor. Cold sweat drenched my back in seconds. I felt as though my soul was being torn apart.

Yet, compared to the heartbreak from just moments ago, this pain felt much milder.

With my gaze locked on the bone ring, I whispered to myself, "Just five more days, Tori Dawson. Five more days, and you'll be free from this ridiculous farce."