Chapter 3

The next day, when no one was around, Jason took the initiative to hand me a gift box. "It's Jerry's birthday present. I forgot to give it to him yesterday," he said.

I took the box and opened it for a quick look. I froze when I saw what it was.

Inside was a small snake. And the thing my son feared the most was snakes.

When he was four, Jason had taken him to the northern forest for the first time, intending to teach him how to hunt.

However, along the way, Jason ran into a few visiting council nobles. Fearing they'd discover the pup's existence, he actually made a four-year-old hide alone in a thicket of thorns.

By the time he came back to retrieve Jerry, my son was curled up on the ground, lips purple, with two deep fang marks on his arm from a massive venomous snake.

That night, I used herbs I had refined for seven days and nights to drag Jerry back from the hands of death.

He was unconscious for three days. And when he finally woke, the first words out of his mouth were, "Mom… The snake… bit me…"

Even now, he still woke screaming from nightmares, crying for me to hold him.

And now, the man who let him get poisoned was standing there, smiling casually as he said, "Really? I don't remember that. Kids nowadays keep snakes as pets. He should toughen up a bit."

I stared at him, stunned, unable to believe these words were coming from a so-called father.

Still, Jason remained indifferent and continued, "Oh, right. Bailey said she really likes the room you just moved into. It's close to me, and it's in her favorite pink tones. Head back early today and pack up your things. Let Bailey move in."

"You mean… You still want my son and me to live in the tent?" I asked hoarsely.

Jason grew frustrated. "You've always been used to mingling with commoners, haven't you? Just wait a bit longer. I'll arrange a new place for you. Don't be so petty! You know we need to avoid gossip about our relationship."

That was when I truly understood. In his eyes, I would always just be the "healer who once saved him"—not his mate or his wife.

And our pup? Nothing more than an inconvenience to be "properly placed somewhere else".

I looked at him, my gaze icy and calm as I said, "Fine. I'll do as you say. Don't worry—I won't tarnish your reputation, or get in the way of you and the princess."

I was going to leave anyway—whether it was sooner or later didn't matter.

…

Jerry and I started packing up the things we had just moved into the house.

"Mom, can't we stay here anymore?" Jerry asked softly.

I patted his head. "It's alright. We'll live somewhere else."

This house was the one Jason personally chose for us two years ago. He said it was quiet and near the main court, and he had supposedly specially prepared it for us.

We waited with such hope for so long to move in… only to be told to leave.

I was crouching to pack up Jerry's books when a mocking sneer echoed from the stairs. "Be careful with how you place my things!"

Bailey strutted into the room, fanning herself arrogantly. "Every piece of furniture here is worth a fortune. If you break anything, you lowborns wouldn't be able to pay for it with your lives."

I immediately pulled Jerry behind me and stood up to block him from her.

Bailey's eyes narrowed sharply, then she shrieked, "What is a filthy lowborn like you doing here?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Jason walked in and coolly interrupted me, "She's the healer assigned to treat nobles. For convenience, she's temporarily housed here."

I had heard that line countless times—for convenience, for treatments, for duty…

I stayed silent, picking up my luggage, holding Jerry's hand as we prepared to leave.

Suddenly, a scream came from behind. "You lowborn scum dared to bump into me?"

I spun around to see Bailey fall dramatically to the ground, clutching her arm as she wailed, "Guards! Seize her! She disrespected me!"

"I didn't do anything!" I defended myself.

But before I could say more, four guards rushed forward and slammed me to the ground without hesitation.

"Do you think the princess would falsely accuse a lowly thing like you?" Bailey's maid sneered and kicked me hard in the stomach—viciously and with precision.

"Mom!" Jerry flung himself toward me, trying to shield me, but the maid shoved him hard to the ground.

"Halt!" A thunderous voice rumbled in the air, and everyone immediately froze.

Jason strode back into the room, his expression as dark as a storm. "Who gave you permission to touch her?"

He swept his gaze coldly over the guards and spoke in a tone that left no room for argument. "Everyone, stand down!"

The guards looked terrified and immediately let go.

I was released and staggered to my feet, my face pale with blood at the corner of my mouth.

Jason stepped toward me, reaching out as if to help me, but then stopped.

I didn't respond. I simply wiped the blood from my mouth, turned, and continued packing.

Then, a small but steady voice rose in the silence. "Thank you, Your Majesty, Alpha King Jason."

Jerry stood tall, his tone polite but distant.

He didn't call Jason "Dad", not even "Father". Instead, he called him Alpha King Jason.

Jason stiffened up as he looked down at Jerry. His throat moved as if he wanted to speak, and something flickered in his eyes.

I turned in disbelief, only to see Jerry's reddened eyes.

"Mom, let's go."

All the words I wanted to say got lodged in my throat. I forced a smile and whispered back," Okay."

Just as we brushed past him, Jason grabbed my arm.