Chapter 5 Cheap Love

Aeris' POV

Freya was dressed to perfection, and her cheeks were rosy. She was such a stark contrast to my haggard, embarrassed state.

Why was it, in my most desperate moment, that I had to run into the very last person I wanted to see? I couldn't help but step back, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

But Freya turned to look at me. She flashed me a friendly smile, but she had a taunting look in her eyes.

"Your ring looks nice. I like it. How much is it?" she asked.

Her gaze skimmed over my wet sweater, which was clinging to my thin frame.

She added casually, "You don't look too well, Aeris. Why are you selling your ring? Are you short on money?"

I opened my mouth. But in the next moment, I looked down because I was unable to bear her probing stare.

"Sorry. I'm not selling it," I muttered.

Freya adjusted her shawl lightly and said, "That's a pity. Since we know each other, I was going to offer a high price. Are you sure you won't reconsider?"

"I…" My throat tightened, and I was unable to utter a word.

It was exactly because I was broke and couldn't pay Dad's hospital bills that I was standing there, trying to sell my bonding ring.

I couldn't quite say no to her offer. Yet, I didn't want to sell it to Caius' first love. Maybe she was not even his first love anymore. Perhaps they were already far beyond that. Even the saleswoman had addressed Freya as Mrs. Everett.

I had thought my heart would no longer ache over Caius. Sadly, I couldn't deny that I still felt the pain at that moment.

The saleswoman quickly stepped in. Her words sounded especially grating to my ears.

"Miss, this is Mrs. Everett. Her mate is the Alpha of the Darkclaw pack. You're really lucky that she fancies your ring. Since you need the money, I'd say your best choice is to sell it to Mrs. Everett."

I felt suffocated. Every "Mrs. Everett" she uttered ripped at my chest. A strong, metallic taste rose in the back of my throat.

Just a year ago, I would never have agreed to the bond severance. But in only one year, everyone had already started to acknowledge Freya as Mrs. Everett.

Then, who was I? What did my three years of bond to Caius mean?

He could spend 80 million dollars on jewelry for Freya without batting an eyelash. But when I asked for ten million dollars, he said that I was delusional and unworthy. I even had to bring up our bond severance just to earn an audience with him.

Freya waved her hand dismissively, her stance that of a victor. She slid the ring onto her finger and admired it triumphantly.

"Name your price. Whatever it is, I can afford it."

I shut my eyes, swallowing the blood in my throat. Her putting on airs as a victor made me sick to my gut.

"I said I'm not selling it," I repeated.

Freya spoke with a feigned pity. "Aeris, Cai told me things about you. I feel sorry for you. But there's something I should remind you of. In your condition, you won't be able to cover your dad's medical bills without Caius' help, right? And besides…"

Her lips that were painted in a garish shade of red curled up. She looked like a venomous snake flicking its forked tongue.

"If I were you, I'd leave on my own. That would be better than being thrown out. If it comes to that, you might even be expelled from the Darkclaw pack altogether."

I couldn't endure it anymore. Her constant provocations riled me up, making me abandon reason.

I retorted, "Ms. Brooks, shall I remind you that at least for now, you're not Mrs. Everett? It seems you're very fond of snatching what belongs to others. Or maybe your hearing isn't too good? Then, I'll say this clearly for your benefit. Do listen closely."

I spoke heavily, stressing each syllable, "I said I'm not selling it to you."

As soon as my words fell, I reached out to snatch the ring from her hand. In the struggle, it slipped and rolled across the floor, coming to a stop before a pair of handmade Italian leather shoes.

I reached for it just as the shoes moved. One foot stepped down heavily, trapping my ring—or to be more accurate, our ring—beneath it. The sharp and familiar scent of cedarwood reached my nose. I didn't need to look up to know who had stepped on my ring.

It was none other than Caius.

He was the one who designed the ring. There was only one of it in the whole wide world. He had placed it on my finger at our mate-bonding ceremony. I used to never take it off, even when I was washing up.

Now, he trampled on it like it was some kind of trash. He didn't even spare me a glance.

I froze, unable to move or breathe.

His steps didn't falter. He didn't even look at me. It was like I was nothing but dust on the floor.

Freya rushed to his side, wrapping her arm around his affectionately like they were lovers in the throes of passion.

I caught the saleswoman's whisper. "Every time Mrs. Everett comes, Alpha Caius accompanies her. It's clear how much they love each other."

I picked up the ring and held it in my palm. The sharp edges of the diamond nearly cut into my skin, but I felt no pain.

I heard Freya saying, "You're late, Cai. Weren't you going to take me shopping?"

Her tone was so soft and sweet as she acted coy with him. "Oh, and I ran into Aeris trying to sell her ring. I said I'd buy it, but she didn't want to sell it to me."

I turned around stiffly, just in time to see Freya flash a smile at me. I felt disgusted.

After hearing her words, Caius finally trained his gaze on me. He fixed his eyes on me intently as he asked in a frigid tone, "Are you selling that ring?"

I forced a smile, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. Holding back my tears, I gripped the ring tighter until it cut into my flesh. The pain kept me from breaking down into a tearful mess.

"Yes, Mr. Everett. This is my bonding ring. Do you want to buy it?"

His lips twisted into a mocking smile as his gaze swept over all my wretchedness. "Selling your own bonding ring, huh? So that's all your so-called love is worth? How cheap."

My stomach twisted, and the taste of blood intensified in my mouth. My vision darkened, blurring the couple before me, who stood there like they were a match made in heaven. The sudden onslaught of pain nearly knocked me unconscious.

I didn't defend myself because it was useless. With the last of my strength, I pushed the door open to leave. I didn't want to show weakness anymore. Even if I was dying, and even if my soul was fading, I had been humiliated enough today. I was nearly stripped of all my dignity.

Still, I refused to show Caius and Freya even one more shred of my vulnerability.

At the very last second, I said, "I once treasured it more than my own life. But now, I know it's nothing but a stone."