Chapter 3

The emergency room lights blazed harshly.

It wasn't until three hours later that Ethan's phone finally rang.

But when I answered, it was Victoria's saccharine voice that came through.

"Sister Emma, aren't you being a bit too controlling? Just because he didn't come home one night, you're calling to check up on him?"

I gripped the phone tightly, my nails digging into my palm.

"Let Ethan take the call!"

"Ethan is making me a late dinner. He says delicate girls like me need proper nourishment, otherwise I might end up looking like... Oh my, I didn't mean you look tired. I just think women should take better care of themselves."

"Victoria."

I spoke each word deliberately.

"Tell Ethan his father is dying."

The other end went silent for two seconds, then erupted in mocking laughter.

"That trick is way too pathetic, isn't it? Uncle doesn't die sooner or later, but just happens to have an emergency when Ethan is with me. Emma, how someone like you managed to hold onto the Luna position for three years is beyond me."

Before I could speak again, she hung up.

When I tried calling back, it went straight to voicemail.

She had blocked me!

I couldn't believe it.

A wave of desolation washed over me.

But death doesn't give you time for despair.

The next second, a doctor emerged from the room with a grave expression, handing me the final critical condition form.

"If this gentleman has any other family members, please call them quickly for a last goodbye."

My hand trembled as I signed.

Half an hour later, I still went to Northern Pack headquarters.

Outside the office, through the partially open door, I saw Victoria sitting on Ethan's lap, laughing as she fed him strawberries. Ethan had his arms around her waist, a bit of cream on his lips.

How tender.

I pushed the door open and they sprang apart like they'd been electrocuted.

Ethan looked guilty, rushing to explain.

"It's not what you think, Emma. I was handling work and she just brought me something to eat. There's nothing between us!"

I didn't look at them, speaking directly.

"Dad is in emergency surgery."

"The doctor issued three critical condition forms. If you go now, you can still make it for the last goodbye."

Ethan's face darkened.

"Just because she fed me a strawberry, there's no need to curse Dad, is there? I know you're unhappy about Victoria coming back, but saying things like this—isn't that going too far?"

I knew why he was thinking this way.

Alexander had just had a checkup yesterday, and all indicators were normal.

But he didn't consider that Alexander was already hanging on by a thread.

I took a deep breath. "Ethan, I have no reason to lie to you about something like this. If you go now, you'll make it in time. I don't want you regretting this for the rest of your life."

Seeing my determined expression, Ethan began to panic.

Just as he stood up, Victoria suddenly covered her mouth and dry heaved.

Ethan immediately turned to support her, his movements painfully practiced.

"Feeling sick again? You're already not feeling well, and the first trimester is such a critical period. Don't move around, just sit and rest properly."

Then he released his hands as if trying to hide something.

"She's pregnant, Emma. I can't just watch her suffer."

Those words stabbed into my heart like a knife.

I could barely stay standing, biting the inside of my mouth raw.

Three years of mating, every time I mentioned wanting children, he'd change the subject.

I naively thought he felt I was too overworked.

Turns out he didn't not want children—he just didn't want children with me.

Victoria's voice was weak, but her eyes gleamed with triumph as she glanced at me.

"It's okay, Ethan. I can manage alone. You should go with Sister Emma quickly. Since she came to find you personally, the situation must be really serious."

"It's just... sigh... I know I shouldn't say this, but if Uncle's condition is truly urgent, is it really appropriate for Sister Emma to just run over here like this?"

Ethan's expression changed, his eyes filled with uncertainty as he looked at me.

"What exactly is Dad's condition?"

I bit my lip, about to pull out the critical condition form when Victoria suddenly exclaimed.

"Oh my, Sister isn't about to pull out some critical condition form, is she? You can download those things anywhere online. Sister, your dramatics should have limits."

Now Ethan completely believed her words. He looked at me with utter disappointment.

"I know you're angry at me because of Victoria, but jealousy should have limits too! How can you make up stories about Dad's condition? You've really disappointed me!"

But then his expression softened slightly.

"I know why you're doing this. I'll come home later tonight, okay? As for Dad, I trust you'll take good care of him."

Turning, he looked at Victoria with gentle eyes.

"Public hospitals have too many germs. Let me take you to a private clinic for your checkup."

The glass in the hallway reflected my distorted figure.

I wanted to explain, but seeing that tender expression—so gentle it was foreign—I closed my mouth with bitter irony.

He would never believe that his supposedly fragile first love had hung up on my calls one after another.

How ridiculous. I'd rushed through the storm to tell him his father was dying, and he thought I was just jealous over a woman.

Ethan, I really hope when you discover the truth, you won't regret it.

I blinked hard, not letting myself shed tears.

When I returned to the hospital, the hallway was filled with white coats.

The lead surgeon removed his mask and shook his head at me.

"The patient had multiple organ failure. We... did our best."

I nodded mechanically, watching as a nurse covered Alexander with a white sheet.

My phone buzzed with a message from Ethan.

【Victoria isn't feeling well, so I'm taking her home first. I'll come by this afternoon. Take care of Dad for now.】

I typed slowly.

【No need to come.】

【He doesn't need me to take care of him anymore.】

【The freedom you wanted, I'm giving back to you as well.】

After sending this, I forwarded him the signed mate bond severance agreement.