Chapter 2

Back then, if Raine had said something like that, I would have already started a fight with him.

He knew exactly where to hit me. Sure enough, his next move was to pull my parents into it, using them as a shield.

“Your parents are getting older. They cannot keep taking care of Lisa.”

“You are her sister. You should be helping too.”

Before he could even finish, our son ran over and grabbed my arm, shaking it.

“Mom, let Aunt Lisa stay, please?

“If you do not want her in your room, she can stay in mine instead.

“Please? Just listen to Dad this once, okay?”

I had never seen him like this before.

Normally, he was like Raine’s mirror image. He was cold-faced and distant, barely giving me a response when I said hello.

Now that he was willing to give up his own space for Lisa’s sake.

I clenched my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my palm, leaving bloody crescents.

I took a deep breath and let go of his hand.

“Fine. If that is what you all want, I agree.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’m going to rest.”

Half-asleep later that night, I heard the door creak open.

Then, there was a loud bang. Something was placed on the nightstand.

I was too exhausted to open my eyes.

Somewhere in the fog, I heard Raine’s voice.

“Hannah? Are you awake?”

When I did not respond, he reached out and shoved me.

A sharp pain shot through me. I opened my eyes with a frown and rasped, “What is it?”

There was not a trace of concern on his face. It was just a scowl.

“Seriously? You are sleeping while the house is a mess?”

“I made some soup. I am taking it to Lisa with our son. Clean up the kitchen.”

I put on a bitter smile.

All these years of marriage, and I never knew he could cook.

It was always me running around, doing everything, while he found fault with every little thing.

Before I could dwell on it, Raine snapped again.

“Why are you still lying there? Get up and do your part.”

I knew his temper, especially when it came to Lisa. He was always unreasonable and obsessed.

I did not waste my breath. I just got up silently.

He seemed satisfied when he saw me moving and left with our son.

I watched them leave from behind then collapsed back onto the bed.

The next morning, the clatter of dishes woke me.

As I stepped out of the bedroom, Raine’s voice called from the front door.

“Something came up at work. After you drop our son off at school, remember to take breakfast to Lisa.”

He walked away without looking back.

I was about to set the breakfast down when a wave of dizziness hit me.

The world went black, and I collapsed onto the floor.

In the haze, I saw my son panic and rush toward me.

For a moment, I thought that perhaps they did care about me after all.

However, reality slapped me hard in the face.

When I came to, the cold floor was biting against my skin.

“Dad, good thing I caught the breakfast in time. Otherwise, Aunt Lisa would not have anything to eat.”

Raine patted his head with a smile.

“That’s my boy. Lisa’s going to be so happy when she knows about this.”

The two of them kept laughing and talking, not even noticing that I was still lying on the floor.

Something inside me tore open.

In my mind, my inner wolf let out a furious, trembling howl.

I got up, shaky and slow, making sure the sound was enough to catch their attention.