Chapter 1

I returned to the house Jason and I shared.

As I stared at the empty rooms, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me.

The long journey, combined with my pregnancy, had triggered a bout of hypoglycemia.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor.

When I opened my eyes again, my husband, Jason, was sitting beside me.

His face was covered in stubble, and his clothes were rumpled.

"Thank the Moon Goddess. You're finally awake, Chloe."

He pulled me into his arms, his expression full of relief.

I could even see the tears gathering in his eyes.

This powerful werewolf, feared by so many, had rushed to my side in the middle of the night the moment the doctor called him.

If I hadn't seen his other family with my own eyes, I would have been moved to tears.

He kissed my temple.

When I remained silent, he assumed I was still feeling unwell and immediately called the doctor over.

"Mrs. Langley is just preg—"

The doctor stopped halfway through his sentence. When his eyes met my pleading gaze, he swallowed the rest of his words.

In the end, he simply told Jason that I was exhausted and needed plenty of rest.

Jason took my hand. His palm was warm, but that warmth could no longer reach my heart.

I glanced at him and quietly pulled my hand away.

"I'm fine."

He took it again, pressing my palm against his cheek.

"Chloe, are you angry with me? I've come back early. How about I spend the entire winter with you this time?"

I suddenly wondered whether he was just as affectionate when he was with his other wife.

The image of the three of them, a happy family, flashed through my mind.

Then I caught the scent of Vivian's perfume on his clothes.

Perhaps it was the pregnancy, but a sudden wave of nausea rose in my stomach.

I frowned and instinctively pushed him away.

Jason looked worried.

"What's wrong?"

I couldn't answer. I hurried into the bathroom and leaned over the toilet, retching violently.

Jason followed me and crouched beside me.

Despite his severe cleanliness obsession, he gently wiped the mess from the corner of my mouth.

"Should I call the doctor again?"

Afraid he might discover my pregnancy, I immediately shook my head.

Just then, a bright little voice rang out.

"Daddy!"

Jason and I turned toward the sound at the same time.

The hospital room door was half-open, and a little girl came rushing inside, throwing herself into Jason's arms.

She was the daughter Jason had with his childhood friend.

My fingers curled into fists.

The panic in Jason's eyes disappeared almost instantly. He put on an angry expression and said sternly, "You've got the wrong person. I'm not your father."

How could he possibly deny it?

Her eyes were exactly like Jason's.

The little girl lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes.

"But you are Daddy! Daddy, please go see Mommy."

"Mommy fell downstairs today and hurt her leg. She's lying in a hospital room now."

"Is she badly hurt? Which room is she in?"

Jason anxiously took the girl's hand and hurried toward the door.

I watched their performance without saying a word.

Just as Jason reached the doorway, he turned around awkwardly and cleared his throat.

"Chloe, don't get the wrong idea. I'm just taking this little girl to see her mother. She's only a child. I feel sorry for her."

I nodded.

I handled my discharge paperwork alone.

As I left the hospital, I spotted Jason's childhood friend sitting on a bench down the hallway.

A moment later, Jason emerged from the pharmacy carrying the little girl.

The three of them embraced, looking like a picture-perfect family.

I saw the happiness on Jason's face.

I took out my phone and made a call.

"Hello, Principal? I'd like to accept the position at the French Conservatory of Music as a violin instructor. I can start next Monday."

There were only four days left until Monday.