Chapter4

Nadia's POV

The headlights came on.

The car I once thought would protect me, carrying my husband, drove off in the direction of another woman.

I stood by the highway, and watched it grow smaller and smaller.

The pain in my stomach grew more intense.

I slowly crouched down, shielding the child with both arms.

Tears fell silently.

I had always believed that I was the most important person to Zane.

I silently mocked myself in my heart—I was never the first choice.

Finally, a kind passerby took me to the hospital.

The doctors and nurses told me the situation was urgent, and required immediate surgery as well as a family member's signature.

I called Zane's phone over and over again, but the line was always busy. Until the very last moment, I finally stopped waiting for him.

I picked up the pen and signed my name on the surgical consent form.

Right at that moment, I completely gave up on the last shred of hope I had for Zane.

Lying on the operating table, I endured the pain in my body and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time.

As soon as the call connected, a familiar voice came through immediately.

“Nadia？”

Hearing my brother's voice, my eyes instantly stung with tears.

I took a deep breath and said softly, "Bro, I'm planning to get a divorce." There was a second of silence on the other end of the line.

Then, he immediately asked, "Okay, when are you coming back?" I closed my eyes, suppressing all emotions.

 "I still have a few personal matters to take care of. After I'm done, come pick me up in three days." My brother was silent for a moment. 

Finally, without pressing further, he simply said, "I'll send someone to pick you up in three days." After hanging up, I stared at the cold lights of the operating room.

This time, I didn't hesitate. Zane and I were completely over.

After the surgery, I was arranged to rest in the ward, my body still weak.

After the nurse finished the examination, she let out a sigh of relief. "You're lucky. If you had come any later, the baby might not have made it." My hand gently rested on my belly, and at those words, my heart felt like someone was squeezing it tightly. 

So it turned out that the baby and I had almost lost our future forever.

After the nurse left, I lay quietly in bed until my phone lit up with a message from Callan.

I didn't want to open it at first. But the next second, the content on the screen made me freeze.

It was a video of Zane and Callan  having sex, with Callan riding on top of Zane, swaying her upper body, while Zane let out satisfied moans beneath her. 

My fingers grew cold with every passing second..

Zane never asked about me since he abandoned me on the highway.

He never even considered that while I lay in the hospital, my life hanging in the balance, he was in bed fucking another woman.

I stared at that video for a long time. 

I didn't cry, nor did I feel anger—I just found it laughable.

I once gave up my family identity for this man, willing to sacrifice everything for him.

I told myself over and over again that his kindness to Callan was just because he was too good-hearted, that he had too strong a sense of responsibility, and that perhaps they were just friends.

But now, I finally understand—it’s not that he didn’t know my pain, but that my pain was never important enough to make him stop.

I slowly turned off my phone, placed my hand over my belly, and whispered softly, "Baby. From now on, Mommy will protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt us again."

On the day I was discharged from the hospital, as soon as I stepped outside, I saw a familiar black luxury car parked at the entrance.

The car door opened, and a tall man stepped out.

He wore a well-tailored black suit, his features exuding a mature and steady aura.

When he saw me, a flicker of concern passed through his eyes.

"Princess." At the sound of that title, I froze for a moment. 

Five years. It had been that long since anyone had called me that.

He was the person my brother trusted most, and also the man who once pursued me—Adrian Vale.

Five years ago, I rejected him for Zane.

Back then, my heart was full of love, and I even severed ties with my family to be with Zane. I thought that was the life I wanted, and I lost contact with him.

I got into the car, and as it slowly pulled away from the hospital, we didn't say much to each other along the way.

Until he murmured softly, "For the past five years, I've been waiting for you. I never married anyone, nor did I ever think of letting you go."

 "Back then, you chose Zane, and I respected your decision. But if one day you ever want to come back, I'll still be here waiting for you." 

When I heard those words, apart of me that had long gone cold suddenly stirred with a faint warmth.

Adrian gently held me, like an old friend I hadn't seen in years, his voice tender yet firm.

"That won't happen again. I won't let anyone bully you anymore, and I won't let you bear all this alone."

 "Princess," he called me softly. "Welcome back." 

Hearing that name, my nose tingled with a hint of emotion.

Five years ago, I rejected his feelings, yet he still chose to stand by me when I was at my most vulnerable.

I watched the images in the crystal device.

The people Adrian had arranged had already transmitted their whereabouts and footage back.

In the footage, Callan was nestled beside Zane, the two of them sitting in the cramped seats, looking as intimate as a real couple.

Soon, the communication records between them came through the crystal instrument again.

My gaze paused on a group chat name— Upon opening it, I saw the people who were present yesterday, along with Callan.

【Q: I knew we shouldn't have let Nadia join. Everyone knows Callan and Zane are the closest.】

【S: Nadia is way too petty. Callan and Zane have known each other for so many years, and she still gets jealous.】

【P: But seriously, if Callan had accepted Zane back then, they might have still been together by now.】 

Zane replied with a message.

【Z: There's no helping it. Callan thought friendship was more important than love at the time. I just have to slowly make Nadia understand the situation.】 

Callan sent a playful emoji.

【C: Actually, we can't really blame Nadia. She just cares about you too much.】

【C: There are just some things she may never understand.】

【C: When we were kids, Zane said he would protect me for life.】

【Z: I've never forgotten the promises I made to you.】

【C: But now you already have a mate.】

【Z: Don't overthink it. You'll always be special.】

 I stared at these words, my fingers tightening little by little.

Then, I saw the message about them preparing to head to the Pack House.

That place was where the lion clan usually held important ceremonies and celebrations.

It also happened to be where Zane was presently preparing a special ritual for Callan.

I closed my eyes and turned off the crystal device.

Adrian sat beside me, watching my silent expression, and spoke in a low voice.

"Let me handle it. I'll take care of this for you."

 I shook my head.

"No…This is my marriage, and also my choice. I want to end it myself." 

Adrian looked at me, paused for a moment, then gave a faint smile.

"This is the Nadia I know." "No matter how much you're hurt, you never hide behind others." 

I looked out the window and spoke calmly.

"What they owe me, I'll take back with my own hands."