Chapter 3

Kael didn't come home until early the next morning.

On the way to the florist, he seemed distracted. He stole several glances at me, but I pretended not to notice.

"I heard Beloria's been getting some terrible snowstorms lately," he said.

When I kept my eyes closed, he cleared his throat and raised his voice.

"Beach ceremonies have become really popular recently. Apparently, watching the sun rise and set over the ocean symbolizes a lifetime of happiness together."

I still didn't open my eyes. Instead, I merely hummed in acknowledgment.

Irritation finally crept into Kael's voice.

"Akalia, are you even listening to me? I canceled everything else to go flower shopping with you. Can't you at least try to be happy?"

I opened my eyes and turned toward him.

"I'm catching up on sleep. The thunder kept me awake last night," I said.

Kael immediately fell silent, and the car grew quiet again.

Cool air streamed through the partially open window, making me feel more alert. I straightened in my seat and turned to face him.

"Kael, is there anything you need to tell me about the mating ceremony?"

This was the first time I'd asked him, and it would be the last.

Kael froze for a moment before averting his gaze.

"No. Didn't we agree that you would handle everything? You're my Luna and the center of attention at the ceremony. You can arrange everything however you want. I trust you."

I studied him in silence before smiling faintly. "Okay."

Then, I closed my eyes again and fought back the tears threatening to spill over.

Kael knew how much I loved him.

He was certain that even if I didn't discover the change of venue until the day of our mating ceremony, I would still spare him the embarrassment and clean up the mess for him.

But even the deepest love would eventually run out if someone kept taking it for granted.

Kael glanced surreptitiously at me, whose eyes were closed.

A flicker of unease rose inside him, but he quickly tried to reassure himself.

Did I already know? But I hadn't confronted him about it, so I must've forgiven him.

Once the mating ceremony was over, he resolved to tell me that he'd planned our honeymoon on the frozen plains of Beloria, thinking I'd be thrilled.

As soon as we entered the florist, one of the employees recognized me.

"Ms. Cahill! You said you wanted a bouquet that would suit the frozen plains, so I made a sample for you."

She turned to retrieve it. While I waited by the entrance, I spotted Lilith picking out flowers nearby.

She held a bouquet of tulips in her arms and smiled sweetly at Kael. "Kael, did you come to buy me flowers again? You don't have to today because I'm buying them myself."

I frowned instinctively.

Of all the people I could have run into here, it had to be Lilith.

She acted as though she had just noticed me standing beside Kael.

"Oh, Akalia, you're here too. Sorry, I didn't notice you earlier. Are you picking out flowers for the mating ceremony? This place is wonderful. Kael buys me flowers from here all the time!"

My fingers curled slightly.

During the first few years of our relationship, Kael had often brought me flowers to make me happy. Whenever one bouquet began to wilt, he would replace it with a fresh one.

Lilith picked up an orange dahlia.

"Akalia, I think this color would be perfect for a beach ceremony. What do you think?"

I stepped back, avoiding the flower she held out to me. "No, thanks. The florist has already designed a bouquet for me."

Lilith's eyes immediately reddened. She turned to Kael with a wounded expression. "Is Akalia upset because I'm here? Then… Maybe I should leave."

Kael grabbed Lilith by the wrist and looked at me disapprovingly.

"Akalia, Lilith is officiating our mating ceremony. You should be nicer to her," he chided.

I froze for a moment, stunned.

When had they decided that? Why hadn't anyone told me?

Hadn't he just said I was responsible for every part of the ceremony?

Then again, he hadn't thought twice about changing the venue without consulting me. Why would he bother telling me that he'd replaced the officiant, too?

"This is how I am. If you don't like it, I can't help you."

Lilith's eyes were already brimming with tears. "Kael, I should go. I don't want to come between you two…"

But Kael refused to release her and instead looked at me with disappointment.

"Akalia, I always thought you were reasonable, but the closer we get to the ceremony, the more you give me an attitude over every little thing. No wonder your wound is getting worse. You've made yourself sick by getting jealous and worked up over nothing."

At that moment, the employee returned with the sample bouquet. She stopped beside us, looking visibly uncomfortable.

I gazed at the pristine bouquet, which glowed like moonlight, and flashed a bitter smile.

So, Kael believed my wound had worsened because I had made myself sick with jealousy. In his eyes, I was petty and overly dramatic.

I remembered getting pneumonia the year before. My fever had reached 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and I had called him seven times.

When he finally answered, he told me that Lilith had twisted her ankle and needed him to take care of her. Then, he quickly ended the call.

The year before that, we had finally managed to clear our schedules and plan a trip together.

But on the morning we were supposed to leave, Lilith had a hypoglycaemic episode, and Kael immediately abandoned me.

Whenever I complained, he always said the same thing.

"Akalia, try to be more understanding. Lilith is still young, and she genuinely needs me."

A dull ache pulsed through the wound in my chest.

Strangely, when pain reached its deepest point, I experienced a moment of clarity.

I should've given up on him and left a long time ago.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late.