8

I ignored everyone and retreated to the attic—this small space that belonged solely to me—to treat my wounds alone.

After finishing everything, I lay on my bed, staring blankly at the night sky stained with ink-black darkness.

I wanted time to pass quickly.

I wanted to escape this cold-blooded family immediately.

---

Over the next three days, the Blackwood family threw themselves into passionate preparations for Sera's discharge party, simultaneously celebrating her official appointment as the pack's healer.

Father truly adored her. He even announced plans to formally adopt her, saying she was a hundred times better than his own daughter.

But throughout my entire life, my family had never participated in any of my milestones—my education, my work, my first shift. Ever since Mother died, I'd endured all these major life events completely alone.

On the day of Sera's celebration party, Father wore an expensive custom-tailored suit for the first time in years.

He treated this day with incredible importance.

But none of them remembered that Sera's opportunity had been bought with my research achievements.

No one came to invite me.

It was as if everyone had forgotten I existed in this house at all.

---

Just before they left, Sera knocked on the attic door.

Her face no longer held its usual sweet, timid expression.

"Aria Blackwood, get on your knees and beg me."

"I might let Daddy forgive you."

Seeing my complete lack of reaction, Sera's mouth could no longer suppress her true smile.

"You know, you're better than me at everything except one thing—you never learned how to bow down and flatter the people around you."

"So you can only watch helplessly as your mate, your family, even your research achievements all get stolen away by me."

"I'm really curious—why haven't you killed yourself yet? Is there any point in living like a dog? Hehehe—"

Sera said much more after that.

She wasn't afraid of me repeating her words to anyone.

Those who are favored can act without fear.

No matter what I said now, no one would believe me anyway.

She only left when Ethan came to call for her, joining the Blackwood family for the party.

After Sera departed, I reached under my bed and pulled out a still-running recording device.

I gently pressed the [STOP RECORDING] button.

Today was also the day I would leave this city.

Before departing, I wanted the Blackwood family to see with their own eyes exactly what kind of poisonous flower they had cultivated.

---

Half an hour later, the car for my secret research assignment arrived.

Seeing that I only carried Mother's portrait with me, the driver looked puzzled.

"We need to leave now. Don't you want to pack any other luggage?"

"No need."

I hugged the portrait tightly and shook my head.

Besides what I held in my arms, I didn't want to take anything else.

After arriving at the airport, I sat in the waiting area, enjoying the warm sunlight streaming down on me.

This was the beginning of my rebirth.

Just then, Damien called.

Yesterday, he had returned to that auction house and reviewed the security footage.

Only then did he discover that Sera had lost her footing on her own—it had nothing to do with me.

"After the party, let's meet. I was too harsh with my words back then. I want to apologize to you."

"Oh, and I'm sorry I missed your birthday last time. I was busy and forgot. I'll make it up to you this time. I already bought you a present."

Even though he was apologizing, Damien's voice held no trace of genuine remorse.

He seemed completely confident that I would accept his apology.

He still thought I would behave like before—no matter how much he angered me, as long as he coaxed me a little, I would always return to his side without exception.

But this time, everything was different.

The eerie silence made his heart start to panic.

The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.

Damien's voice changed dramatically:

"Wait, what's that sound? Where exactly are you right now?"

I hung up the phone, threw it away and permanently blocked the mind link between Damien and my family.

The person I was now would no longer be moved by false affection.

Whether it was my father, my brother, or my former childhood sweetheart—I didn't want to see any of them anymore.

With this thought, I stepped forward and never looked back.