Chapter 3

Evan immediately spotted the half-burned necklace in the fireplace.

"Isn't that the necklace I gave you...?"

"I don't like it anymore, so I burned it," I interrupted, my voice flat.

He smiled and crouched down beside me. "All right. If you don't like it, there's no reason to keep it. Besides, I've got a new surprise for you tomorrow."

Then, with a hint of apology in his voice, he added, "I've been so busy with border patrol lately that I've neglected you. That's my fault. I promise I'll make it up to you at the celebration the day after tomorrow."

Make it up to me? It didn't matter anymore.

Our mate bond was coming to an end anyway.

"Okay," I said. "I've prepared a surprise for you, too."

His eyes immediately lit up. "What is it? I can't wait!"

"Neither can I."

I couldn't wait to leave the pack for good, and I couldn't wait for the moment he laid eyes on our mate-bond severance agreement.

"I'm not feeling very well today, so I'm going to rest in the guest room."

Without waiting for his reaction, I turned and went to the guest room, locking the door behind me.

Early the next morning, he came knocking on my door.

He told me something urgent had come up within the pack and insisted that I accompany him.

Since our mate-bond severance agreement hadn't been officially approved yet, I was still his mate in name, so I had little choice but to go with him.

It wasn't until we arrived that I realized he'd brought me to a high-end jewelry boutique in the heart of the city's shopping district.

He stayed close to me the entire way, showering me with attention and trying to please me at every turn.

But all I felt was disgust.

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm and stopped me.

As soon as we entered, a sales associate hurried over to greet us.

She recognized Evan immediately and welcomed us with a bright smile, declaring that we were the best-matched couple in the entire pack.

She then escorted us to the exclusive VIP section on the top floor.

Displayed on a stand was the store's most expensive piece of jewelry: a magnificent diamond necklace.

The necklace shimmered brilliantly under the lights, its dazzling sparkle making it almost impossible to look away.

"The necklace is set with exactly nine hundred and ninety-nine diamonds, symbolizing a one-of-a-kind love that lasts a lifetime," the sales associate explained. "It's the only one of its kind in the entire city. Quite a few customers have asked about it, but Mr. Evan reserved it for you well in advance."

Evan immediately took out his black card and handed it over.

"All right, put it on my card and have it gift-wrapped, please."

The sales associate accepted the card with a practiced smile and looked at me with undisguised envy.

"Mr. Evan has put so much thought into this. You're a very lucky woman."

Evan's voice was full of affection. "A necklace is nothing. If Sophia wanted the moon, I'd find a way to bring it down from the sky for her."

Just then, the automatic door to the VIP section slid open with a soft chime.

Harriet walked in, accompanied by another sales associate.

The instant Evan saw her, his gaze drifted toward her before he could stop himself.

So it had always been this obvious.

I had simply been blinded by the affection he had pretended to give me.

Looking back, the signs had been there all along.

At every pack dinner, Evan's eyes would inevitably find their way to Harriet, lingering on her without him even realizing it.

There had also been that time when Harriet was home alone and he'd seemed far too concerned about her.

And whenever he prepared something for me, he always made a point of getting an extra one to send to Harriet.

Back then, I'd even admired him for being so thoughtful and caring toward his family.

Now I understood that I'd been nothing more than a convenient cover for him to openly shower Harriet with attention, the perfect excuse to conceal his true feelings.

While I was lost in thought, Harriet had already approached us.

The moment she saw the necklace on display, her eyes lit up.

"It's beautiful... Evan, could I try it on?"

Evan instinctively took half a step forward, moving to block her.

"I'm sorry. This one is for Sophia."