Chapter 3

Kaida Pov

“Mama!”

I twirled around at the excited call of my son, and a smile bloomed on my face as I watched him run towards me with a carved toy in his hand.

“See, Mama. Papa carved little Leo.” He giggled excitedly as he showed me the toy that looked like him.

I smiled gently and nodded and just this was enough to make him jump in excitement but before I could say more, his little legs were already running back towards his room where he had been playing with Ken.

For the first time in years, the house felt warm. The sound of laughter echoed in the air and from time to time, I could hear the excited call of Leo, as if he couldn't believe his father was home with him.

My eyes became gentle, and every part of my soul felt refreshed, but with just a reminder of something, the smile on my face turned cold and my heart returned to being heavy.

It's been days since the agreement between Ken and me, and true to his words, he stayed with Leo and acted like what a father should be.

I watched them play, I watched how he carried Leo on his shoulders and how they ate and jogged together every morning. You could imagine the smile on Leo’s face whenever people see him together with Ken—The proud smile, the innocent satisfaction.

“Little kids are so easily pleased.” I sighed, “He totally forgot about the times he had been wronged.” I chuckled, but it contained joy.

Finally, I placed the last dish on the table, and with hope in my steps, I walked toward Leo’s room where the playful sound could still be heard.

Just as I raised my hand to knock, Leo’s voice stopped me.

“Papa… will you always spend time with little Leo?”

I froze.

“Why? You don’t want me to?” Ken asked gently.

“Oh no! I love it!” Leo replied quickly. “It would be nice if Papa always stayed with Mama and me… just like Ben and his parents. I want Papa to carry me on his back, take me to the first snow festival, and celebrate my birthday like Ben’s Papa does.”

My throat tightened.

Ben was the son of a pack member and was the same age as Leo. I had seen Leo watching Ben and his father from the window many times.

I knew what he wanted and I have always silently felt his yearning, but hearing him say it out loud hurt more.

Inside the room, there was silence.

Then I heard Ken speak.

“The first snow festival? Y-your birthday?”

Panic rushed through me.

Before he could ask more, I pushed the door open.

Both of them turned to look at me and for a second, I froze at the resemblance.

“Dinner is ready,” I said calmly. “Leo, go wash your hands properly.”

Leo ran off obediently.

“When is his birthday?” Ken asked once Leo was gone.

The question pierced deeper than it should have.

I kept my voice steady.

“It's the first snow festival. He’s always hoped you would take him there.”

I didn't miss the brief expression that crossed his face.

Guilt.

But it disappeared quickly.

I couldn’t stop the faint mocking smile that touched my lips and he seemed to notice but who cares?!

How would Leo feel knowing his father doesn't even remember his birthday but would attend every birthday of Audrey’s daughter?

How pathetic.

“Remove that look,” he said coldly. “I’m only doing this because I agreed to spend one month with him. Don’t misunderstand.”

He walked past me without another word.

I didn’t react.

This marriage had ended long ago.

Now, I was simply waiting for it to be official.

There is no point holding onto a heart that never loved me.

***

The next few days were as peaceful and lovely as I sometimes forget all this wasn't real.

The sound of little Leo’s laughter made everything light and sometimes, I wished it could remain this way—just the three of us, like a happy family. But whenever Ken’s phone rang and the voices of Audrey and her daughter were heard, I remember that it would never be like that and his true love was Audrey.

Today, the weather was warm, and Leo had insisted we go to the park.

He came out wearing clothes that matched mine.

Ken followed, wearing the same design.

Leo had always wanted matching clothes like other families.

Ken had refused at first, but I reminded him of his promise.

And so here we were.

Walking side by side, Leo between us, holding both our hands tightly.

“Hello, Ben! I'm walking with my parents.” Leo’s excited voice rang loudly.

“Hi, Granny Miao, I'm going to the park with Papa and Mama. Bye.”

He greeted everyone along the way, his smile brighter than the sun.

I watched my son skip on his steps but his hands that held ours never slid out. I could see the pure joy, the excitement of showing off, the way he blushed when others noticed the matching wears or praised his looks for being a split image with the Alpha.

At the park, Leo finally ran off to play after Ken promised he would be there when he got back.

I stood quietly, watching him laugh with the other children.

For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe.

Then a presence stopped that peace.

A cold sneer sounded behind me.

“Do you think you can make him love you by doing all this?” a voice whispered. “After a month, you’ll be gone… and he’ll be mine.”