Chapter 3

"I'll be busy for the next few days. Let the healer take care of you," Vivian said. She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would suffocate.

Ignoring the disappointment in Damien's eyes, she hurriedly left.

When she got home, she began clearing out everything related to Damien.

There was a doll from when she was three, a clay sculpture from when she was nine, a love letter from when she was sixteen, and a matching pair of wolf fang necklaces from when they were eighteen. She threw them all away.

Over the next few days, she only gave brief, perfunctory replies to the mind links Damien sent her.

One day, after completing the paperwork to get discharged, Damien reached out again.

"Vivian, I'm being discharged today. I've prepared a surprise for you."

She told him her location.

After more than twenty years together, it was time for a proper ending.

Damien covered her eyes and brought her to the restaurant where he had confessed to her at sixteen.

At the entrance, there was a banner.

[Celebrating Damien & Vivian's 10th Anniversary]

Vivian froze.

It was their anniversary today.

She lowered her gaze. She didn't seem pleasantly surprised.

Since their relationship started here, she'd let it end here too.

As soon as she stepped inside, she looked around. The decorations were made of foxtail grass that she didn't like. The photo wall was messy, and their pictures were scattered unevenly. There was only one set of dining utensils on the dining table.

Was this his idea of a proper celebration?

Damien noticed it too. His expression turned cold as he called the owner over.

The owner trembled. "A-Alpha, everything was arranged according to your Beta's instructions. We also felt it wasn't appropriate, but your Beta insisted–"

Damien's expression darkened. He leaned closer to Vivian and tried to soothe her. "I'll deduct three months of Denise's provisions. Today is our tenth anniversary. Don't let someone irrelevant ruin your mood."

A few days ago, he had said he would fire Denise immediately if she made a mistake. Now, it was only a deduction of provisions.

It was all because he wanted to keep her by his side.

Vivian sat down calmly. It didn't matter anymore how long he kept Denise around. It had nothing to do with her anyway.

When the cake was brought out, Vivian sighed softly. It was a chestnut cake.

"I'm allergic to chestnuts."

Damien, who had been with her for over twenty years, certainly knew that.

He finally snapped. He stood up abruptly and stormed out. "I'm going to find Denise!"

Watching him leave, Vivian hesitated for a moment. She then followed him.

At the entrance, she saw Damien grabbing Denise by the wrist. He still looked furious.

"Denise, did you do this on purpose to ruin my anniversary with Vivian? I've told you countless times, and I specifically reminded you she's allergic to chestnuts!

"Not only did you mess up the decorations, but you even ordered a chestnut cake! For mistakes like this, I could strip you of your Beta position immediately!"

Denise yanked her hand free. She looked at him with reddened eyes. "Yes! I did it on purpose! You expect me to personally plan a celebration for the man I love and another shewolf? Even if you drive me out of the pack, I won't do it!"

Tears welled up in her eyes. Damien's anger faltered for a moment, but his voice remained stern.

"This is your duty as Beta! You know I love Vivian. You should've expected to see us being intimate with each other. This is something you brought on yourself."

Denise's voice broke. "Yes, I brought this on myself. I chose to fall in love with you. I chose to give up my dreams to attend the same academy as you. I chose to stay by your side even after graduating.

"I know you don't love me, but Vivian left you for her own future.

"Yet I gave up mine for you. I love you more than she does. So why can't you give me even a fraction of the love you give her? Even if it's just a little."

Something in Damien wavered.

The next second, he turned his head and avoided her gaze. "Vivian and I have known each other for over twenty years. I only love her."

It was unclear whether he was reminding her or trying to convince himself.

Denise let out a hollow laugh. Her eyes filled with endless sorrow. "I envy her so much. She's loved by you, but what about me? I can only stand here and watch you celebrate your anniversary with her when it's my birthday."

"Today is your birthday?" Damien froze.

Seeing the pained expression on her face, he spoke stiffly. "Fine. I can grant you one wish."