Chapter 3

I couldn't be bothered to look at his rage-reddened face anymore. I turned to leave.

But before I could take a step, Liam reached out and clamped his hand tightly around my wrist.

"Chloe, what the hell is your problem? Why are you pushing me away?"

I violently shook off his grip, staring straight into his eyes without flinching.

"What else should I do?" I looked at him with ice in my veins. "We were done three years ago. Since we broke up, it's best we cut all ties. I don't want my mate getting the wrong idea."

My mind flashed to Kaelan’s handsome but ruthless face. That insanely possessive dragon.

If he smelled another male shifter's scent on me, he would instantly go feral.

I didn't need that kind of trouble.

I pulled out a wet wipe and cleaned the wrist he had just touched, right in front of his face.

But to Liam, my disgust was just a cheap "playing hard to get" act.

He glanced at Maya, then let out a self-righteous scoff, acting like he had me all figured out.

"Alright, stop playing the saint. You're just pissed I chose Maya over you back then, aren't you?"

He adjusted his collar, slipping right back into his arrogant savior routine.

"In three days, the North City Wolf Alpha is hosting a top-tier welcome banquet for the Dragon Chancellor. For the sake of the seven years we shared, I can take you. Show you what real high society looks like."

He looked me up and down, his eyes full of disdain.

"On one condition: you change out of those pathetic rags. Don't embarrass me."

I didn't hesitate for a single second. I shattered his delusion instantly. "No thanks."

Liam’s face darkened like a thundercloud.

"Ungrateful bitch!" He gritted his teeth, his wounded pride making his true colors bleed through. "Three years on your own and your temper got worse. But you're still cheap to the bone!"

With that, he turned and wrapped his arm around Maya.

"Since she doesn't know what's good for her, I'll take you to the banquet."

Maya was thrilled. She immediately chimed in, "Liam, I'll be so good. I promise I won't embarrass you."

I had zero interest in their pathetic drama. I turned and walked away, leaving them with one final shot.

"I hope you're still this confident in three days."

Stepping out of the hall, I took a deep breath, finally leaving those sickening faces behind.

But the memories from three years ago flashed through my mind, completely uninvited.

I had swallowed my pride for seven whole years for that relationship. I even proposed to him.

And my reward? Walking into the Mating Center and seeing him holding his freshly widowed sister-in-law, Maya.

"It's just a formality. Maya’s carrying my dead brother's pup, it needs a legal guardian. It's just a temporary mating for the bloodline registry."

That was his excuse.

At that moment, my heart completely died.

I opened the registry database and, without hesitation, accepted the mysterious application that showed a 100% compatibility match.

That night, I married Kaelan. The supreme, untouchable Dragon Chancellor who treated me like his absolute treasure.

Even though shifter lore said Dragon offspring were incredibly rare, I was finally carrying our first precious dragon pup.

If my mother hadn't gotten sick, I would never have crossed paths with Liam again.

…

Three days flew by.

Wearing light makeup and a low-key haute couture gown, I walked into the banquet hall alone.

Due to a delayed international conference, Kaelan was running a little late.

The moment Liam saw me, a flash of undeniable awe crossed his face.

But he quickly fixed his face, swaggering over with a smug look.

"Said you weren't coming, but you still blew all your savings renting that dress just to sneak in and see me?"

His sheer narcissism actually made me laugh.

"You're delusional. Move."

I ignored him and walked right past, looking for a quiet place to sit.

But before I could take two steps, Liam angrily grabbed my arm. "Chloe, I am talking to you! Where do you think you're going? Our seats are over here."

I shook him off and answered calmly, "Those are your seats. In the common section. Mine," I said, pointing, "is over there."

Following my gaze, Liam looked at the Chancellor’s main table—reserved only for the most elite VIPs. His face instantly turned ugly.

Just then, Maya, who had been glaring at me from a distance, charged over.

She shot me a venomous look, then pointed at the crystal key in my hand and screamed, "Chloe, how did you sneak in?! Are you here to ruin everything? You actually brought that fake key?!"

Her shrill voice instantly drew the attention of every elite in the room.