Chapter 23

Patience's POV

I looked at Kelsey, my tone laden with undisguised sarcasm, "Is it because I saved Cyrus today that you think if I take charge of the project, he'll feel obliged to invest in your company out of gratitude?"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Kelsey's face as his thoughts were laid bare. His eyes darted, but he quickly feigned composure. "What's wrong with that? I just want to maximize our benefits. It's good for the company and for our little family!"

Family?

The word pricked me like a fine needle.

Once, it had been the thing I yearned for the most.

I had agreed to mate him, hoping to find a new "family" after losing my parents and brother.

But in the end, I realized this place had always been his sanctuary, never mine.

"If I hadn't saved Cyrus today, would you still want me back?" I looked into his eyes, searching for a hint of sincerity.

"You're Mrs. Hoffman, you can come back anytime," Kelsey said, his words smooth but hollow.

"Then can I just announce myself as Mrs. Hoffman there?" I raised an eyebrow, my tone tinged with mockery.

Kelsey fell silent for a moment before reluctantly admitting: "We agreed to keep our mating a secret for now, to reveal it when the time is right."

"Because if we reveal it now, everyone will know about your affair, right?" I cut straight to the chase, shattering his facade.

I laughed and said, "After all, everyone knows Hazel is your crush, but no one knows about our mating. Your 'devoted boss' image would be shattered."

Kelsey's face darkened instantly, his annoyance palpable. "Do you have to make things so difficult for me?"

"I'm not trying to make things difficult for you, which is why I have no intention of returning to Hoffman Tech," I said calmly, my heart now a still pond, my pheromones like dew-kissed grass after the rain, serene and ripple-free.

That was the clarity that came from severing all ties. "Also, I told Cyrus that if he insists on thanking me, he should build a public school. So don't expect me to help you get an investment from him."

Kelsey was furious and embarrassed, his metallic cologne turning abrasive, like a struck piece of iron emitting a grating hum.

As he turned, a gust of wind from his movement revealed the faint shadow of wolf claws between his fingers.

He stormed into the study, slamming the door so hard the frame trembled.

His Alpha rage thundered through the house, and he didn't speak to me for the rest of the night.

The next day, I went to BlueTech and finalized the details of my employment.

At lunch, while aimlessly scrolling through I*******m, I came across a photo posted by Hattie.

The picture showed a man's hands, one holding a bowl of oatmeal and the other a spoon, looking tender and gentle.

The caption read, "Taking care of his future wife. Sweeeeeet!"

Looking at the bowl of oatmeal in the photo, I suddenly understood what Kelsey had been doing in the kitchen this morning.

Back when I was sick, with a fever of 104 degrees, lying in bed without the strength to move an inch, he had simply said over the phone, "I'm busy with work, take some medicine yourself," without even coming home to check on me.

And as soon as my fever had just broken, he had called me back to the office for an urgent meeting.

I had sat in the office, editing plans while hooked up to an IV, and he had taken it for granted.

Not to mention caring for me, I had even ordered my own takeout while barely holding myself together.

But now, he was willing to get up early only to make a bowl of warm oatmeal for Hazel.

The difference between love and indifference was really that stark.

"What are you looking at?" Yvette asked curiously, leaning over.

She paused when she saw the photo, then reacted with anger, grinding her teeth, "It can't be Kelsey, can it? He's way out of line, and you're not even divorced yet! So eager to move on?"

"I don't care," I put away my phone, got up, and prepared to leave.

These things could no longer hurt me.

"Where are you going? You're not thinking of going to the hospital to confront them, are you?" Yvette grabbed my arm.

"I don't have the time," I gently pulled my hand free, "I'm going to see my parents."

As soon as I stepped out of Yvette's company, a black sedan pulled up silently in front of me.

A man in a black suit got out of the car and said respectfully, "Ms. Frost, I'm Mr. Gross's assistant. He wants to thank you for saving his life and would like to invite you to dinner."

"No need," I said indifferently, "I already told him that day, if he wants to thank me, he should build a public school."

With that, I walked straight to my car, got in, and closed the door.

Half an hour later, I stood in front of the display cabinet holding my parents' urns, covered with a wolf-head flag, which was particularly eye-catching in the solemn setting.

"Mom, Dad," I whispered, my voice so soft as if not to disturb them.

"I thought Kelsey owed you an apology, wanted him to come pay his respects and say he's sorry. But... now it seems unnecessary, right? An apology from someone like him would be meaningless."

The only response was the silent air and the occasional sound of the wind from outside the window.

"Wait a little longer, and soon I'll bring you home," I promised softly.

"Are you leaving here?" Suddenly, a deep voice came from behind.