Chapter 8

"Sell all my shares in territory of the Blackwood pack now."

Initially, to demonstrate his love for me, Ethan had specifically transferred half of his territory to my name.

Originally, I had planned to inherit my legacy first and then find buyers, but Ethan had beaten me to it by bringing me to the hospital.

His actions had left me so disturbed that I lost consciousness until the third day.

The Beta paused for a moment.

"Selling now would result in a 60% loss."

"I don't care if they become worthless."

After finalizing that, I pulled out the mate bond severance papers I had already had drafted.

After giving the signed mate bond severance agreement to the Beta, the hospital room door was suddenly kicked open violently.

Scarlett strutted in wearing high heels, her lips curving into that familiar arc that made my heart tremble.

"Well, if it isn't our little scholar? How did you become so pathetic again?"

"Where's your savior? Oh my, could it be that you discovered your savior wasn't actually a savior, so you got too excited and couldn't handle it?"

I jerked my head up.

"You did it on purpose?"

I suddenly thought of that corridor by the study.

Everything clicked into place.

Of course, how could it be such a coincidence that I would overhear just by passing by?

She had deliberately let me hear everything!

Scarlett's lips curved upward, smiling with delight.

"You're not completely stupid after all. But so what if you figured it out? With no child, no legs, and now even Ethan doesn't want you anymore, what do you have to fight me with?"

She suddenly leaned closer, the rich gardenia scent from her body making my temples throb.

I gripped the bedsheet tightly, my knuckles turning white.

The smell of disinfectant suddenly became piercing, mixing with that cloying gardenia fragrance from her body, reminding me of a mop bucket filled with dirty water in a restroom.

Scarlett suddenly pulled out a pack of cigarettes from her bag.

"Remember this smell? This is the same brand we shoved in your mouth back then. You surely haven't forgotten, have you."

Memory flooded back like a bursting dam.

The searing pain of cigarette butts burning my mouth, the suffocation of dirty water flooding my airways, the harsh laughter surrounding me.

My breathing became rapid, large black spots appearing before my eyes.

Her red lips curved into a malicious arc.

"Tell me, what does trash taste like? When I give birth to Ethan's child and become the legitimate Luna of Blackwood pack, I'll definitely invite you to taste it again."

The taste from memory instantly surged up my throat.

I suddenly grabbed the water glass from the bedside table.

"Get out! Get the hell out!"

The glass shattered at her feet. Scarlett screamed and suddenly fell to the ground.

"Oh, Elena, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to appear in front of you. Please don't hurt my child!"

The hospital room door was violently pushed open, and Ethan stormed in with a livid expression.

He swept up Scarlett, who was sitting collapsed on the floor, then turned to roar at me.

"Are you insane?! She's pregnant!"

Watching his anxious state, I suddenly remembered how he had rushed into that restroom during high school, carrying my soaked body out in the same way.

How ironic - the same scene, but the protagonist in his arms had changed.

Scarlett clutched his shirt collar, sobbing.

"Don't blame her, it's my fault. I shouldn't have come to apologize."

"What?"

"I wanted to apologize for bullying her in high school."

Scarlett lifted her tear-filled eyes.

"I was young and ignorant back then. I shouldn't have been so mean to you. But I was just too scared - afraid you would steal my spotlight. I'm sorry, I did terrible things back then, so even if you hit me now, I deserve it."

As she spoke, at an angle Ethan couldn't see, she flashed me the exact same malicious smile from years ago.

This smile became the final straw that broke me.

"Ahhhhh—!"

I grabbed everything within reach.

Medicine bottles, fruit, medical charts.

I hurled them frantically at them.

"Get out! All of you get out!"

Ethan shielded Scarlett as they dodged the flying objects, his expression terrifyingly dark.

"Slap!"

A sharp slap landed hard on my face. I turned my head to the side, my ears ringing.

I only heard Ethan's cold voice.

"Are you calm now? Scarlett knows how to admit her mistakes. Can't you be more mature?"

I slowly turned my head back, looking at this man I had once worshipped like a deity.

He held the architect of my torment in his arms, his hands stained with my blood, yet demanded that I be mature.

How ridiculous.

Ethan seemed stung by my gaze. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately only held Scarlett tighter and turned to leave.

My tears finally burst forth.

The sunlight outside was perfect.

I watched their retreating figures from afar, then turned to get into my Beta's car that had come to pick me up.