Chapter 4

Matteo returned later that night.

When he noticed the suitcase beside the bed, he let out a sigh.

"Freya, Enzo has been found. I was wrong to accuse you. If you're angry, you can hit me or yell at me, but please don't leave. Okay?"

I replied coldly, "As long as he's been found, that's all that matters."

Then I explained, "I just want to take Ella on a little vacation."

Matteo's expression immediately relaxed.

"That sounds great. Ella will be thrilled!"

I didn't respond.

After a brief hesitation, he spoke again, his tone somewhat reluctant.

"Enzo was badly shaken by what happened tonight. He doesn't want to stay at his old place anymore, so I've decided to bring Laura and him here to the estate for a while."

My fingers curled tightly into my palms. It felt as though someone was carving out my heart with a knife.

I hadn't expected him to be so eager to move Laura and her pup into our home.

Suppressing the bitterness rising in my throat, I replied flatly, "Do whatever you think is best."

Matteo seemed surprised by how easily I'd agreed. His voice softened even more. "Freya, I know I've been neglecting you and Ella lately. I'll make it up to both of you from now on."

I said nothing, merely nodding with a faint smile.

Relief washed over Matteo's face, as though a huge weight had finally been lifted from his shoulders.

"Then take Ella to bed early tonight. Laura and Enzo have been through a lot, so I'm going to spend the night with them."

…

The following morning, after taking Ella to say goodbye to her friends, I returned to the estate.

From a distance, I could see a line of cars parked outside as the household staff carried box after box of belongings into the house.

The staff had gathered near the entrance, whispering among themselves.

"The Alpha is certainly generous to his late friend's partner and pup."

"Tell me about it. He's given them the entire third floor. He even let that pup have Ms. Ella's bedroom and playroom."

"I don't think it's that simple. Haven't you noticed how much that pup looks like the Alpha?"

"That's enough. Don't spread rumors. The Luna is back. You don't want her overhearing any of this."

Ella turned to me, her expression clouded with hurt and confusion.

"Mommy, is what they said true?"

I parted my lips, struggling to figure out how to answer her.

Just then, a commotion broke out upstairs. I quickly scooped Ella into my arms and hurried up to see what was happening.

Inside the playroom, Enzo had just knocked over Ella's castle. Standing with his hands on his hips, he glared at the toys scattered across the floor.

"These are all girly toys! I don't like any of them. Hurry up and get rid of this junk!"

Ella stared at the scattered building blocks and immediately burst into tears. She dropped to her knees and frantically began gathering her toys.

"Don't touch those! Daddy gave them to me for my birthday! And Mommy just made those fairy lights and masks for me!"

Matteo hurried over as soon as he heard the commotion.

Enzo immediately ran to him, wrapped his arms around his leg, and burst into tears.

"Daddy! I just wanted to play with her, but she knocked over the castle!"

Ella protested through her tears, "I didn't! You were the one who knocked it over!"

Matteo picked Enzo up and gently patted his back before turning to Ella.

"Ella, you're the big sister. Why can't you just let the little boy have his way?"

I stepped forward, gathered Ella into my arms, and gently comforted her before turning to Matteo.

"How dare you come in here, jump to conclusions, and blame Ella without even bothering to find out what happened?"

Laura quickly nudged Enzo.

"Enzo, hurry and apologize to Ella. This is her home. You shouldn't upset her."

Matteo frowned at Ella.

"Ella, get down and apologize to Enzo."

Ella's little body trembled as she buried her face in my shoulder and sobbed.

I gently rubbed her back and said coldly, "She did nothing wrong. She has nothing to apologize for."

With that, I turned and walked straight out.

The moment we returned to my bedroom, Ella burst into tears.

"Mommy, is Daddy going to be Enzo's father now? Does he really not want me anymore?"

I held her silently in my arms, letting her cry until she had no tears left. Eventually, exhausted from crying, she drifted into a deep sleep.

…

At lunchtime, Laura walked in carrying a tray of food. When she noticed my suitcase, a smug glint flashed in her eyes.

"Freya, are you leaving?"

I ignored her, but she didn't seem bothered. Instead, she continued with a smile.

"Well, anyone can see that Enzo is Matteo's pup. Staying here will only make you a laughingstock."

My heart sank at her words. I'd suspected that Enzo might be Matteo's pup, but hearing Laura admit it so openly was still difficult to accept.

Judging by Enzo's age, Matteo must have betrayed our mating vows during the fourth year of our union. All this time, I'd been living in a world built on his sweet words and lies.

I took a deep breath, stood up, and met her gaze.

"Is that so? Do you think my leaving will make your pup any less illegitimate?

"Whatever relationship between you and Matteo, you'll always be nothing more than a she-wolf he keeps hidden in the shadows."

Laura's face instantly paled.

The next second, she suddenly lifted the tray and dumped its entire contents over her own head.

"Ah!"

At the sound of her scream, Matteo came rushing into the room. Without a moment's hesitation, he charged toward me and shoved me hard.

My head slammed against the bedpost.

Laura hurriedly stepped between us, tears streaming down her face as she spoke.

"It's not Freya's fault. She didn't mean it. I was just being careless…"

Matteo cut her off, his voice thick with concern.

"How could you be so careless that you ended up spilling food all over yourself? After everything she's done to you, you're still defending her?"

I reached up to touch my forehead and felt warm blood trickling down my skin. My head was still spinning, and I was just about to defend myself when Matteo spoke again, his anger rising.

"Freya, Laura went out of her way to bring you food, and this is how you repay her? By bullying her out of spite? No wonder Ella has become so spoiled and ill-mannered. She's learned it all from you!"

Woken by the commotion, Ella scrambled out of bed and rushed toward Matteo, pounding her little fists against him.

"You're a bad daddy! You hurt Mommy! I don't want you anymore!"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Matteo's face. He reached out as if to pick Ella up, but before he could, Laura suddenly cried out.

"Matteo, it hurts…"

Matteo immediately withdrew his hand and scooped Laura into his arms. He didn't even spare a glance at the injury on my forehead before turning and walking away with her.

I stood frozen, watching Matteo's retreating figure disappear once again.

Suddenly, I felt utterly ridiculous.

I'd been so certain of his love because of the scent that surrounded him. Yet time and time again, I'd made excuses for him, finding ways to deceive myself rather than face the truth.

Ella climbed to her feet, took my hand, and said with quiet determination, "Mommy, let's go. I don't want to stay here anymore."

"Okay," I replied.

I picked up our luggage and took Ella's hand. After one last look at the home we'd shared for eight years, I turned and walked away.

As the plane prepared for takeoff, I forcibly severed the mate bond between Matteo and me.

Clutching my chest as unbearable pain tore through me, I boarded the plane.