Chapter 3

On the fifth day of the countdown to the end of my life, I was discharged.

Dragging my weak body out of the healer's den, I ran straight into the wolves I least wanted to see.

Erwin stood beside that familiar off-road vehicle with his arm around Alyssa. His eyes were cold as if he were looking at a stranger.

"Get in," he said coldly. "You're visiting my parents' graves."

I gripped the hem of my clothes so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

I knew all too well what was waiting for me.

The vehicle drove toward the cemetery on the outskirts.

Along the way, Alyssa leaned against Erwin's chest. She occasionally laughed softly as she fed him pieces of fruit.

I sat in the front seat. Watching their intimate acts through the rearview mirror, my chest ached repeatedly.

When we reached the cemetery entrance, Erwin got out first.

I was about to follow when the sight before me froze me in place.

From the entrance all the way into the cemetery, a three-mile path was completely covered in burning charcoal that glowed with a terrifying red under the sunlight.

Erwin held Alyssa in his arms. His voice was cold as ice. "Lara, your entire family are sinners. Your parents are dead, so you'll atone for them."

He pointed at the blazing path.

"Kneel on it. Crawl all the way to my parents' grave and repent."

My legs trembled. I knew the consequences of refusing would be worse.

The moment my knees touched the charcoal, the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

The pain made my vision go black for a moment, but I could only clench my jaw and continue moving forward.

Behind me, I heard the off-road vehicle rolling slowly over the ground.

Erwin's car followed right behind me at the slowest speed with its windows lowered.

I could clearly see his fingers intertwined with Alyssa's. I could see him kissing her fingertips.

My knees had already become a bloody mess, and my palms were burned black.

Sweat mixed with blood dripped onto the charcoal and made hissing sounds.

By the time I finally crawled to the gravestones, I was almost unconscious.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Erwin holding Alyssa as they stood before the grave.

"Dad, Mom, I've found the love of my life," he said with an unbelievably gentle voice. "I brought her here specially to meet you. I've already taken revenge on the enemies who caused your deaths."

Alyssa obediently offered flowers. "Mr. Keller, Mrs. Keller, don't worry. I'll take good care of Erwin."

"Bow," Erwin suddenly said as he turned toward me. His gaze was cold again.

I bent down with difficulty and slammed my forehead heavily onto the ground in front of the gravestone.

After my atonement, Erwin said I was soiled and left me in the cemetery.

He wrapped an arm around Alyssa and walked away.

On the way back, it suddenly started raining heavily. I dragged my broken body forward step by step.

Every step sent rainwater washing over the wounds on my knees. It stung like crazy.

By the time I finally crawled back home, night had already fallen.

Erwin sat in the living room reading documents. When he heard the noise, he looked up.

Seeing my miserable state, a strange flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, but it quickly returned to indifference.

"Tomorrow is Alyssa's birthday," he said calmly as he closed the file. "I'm throwing her a grand party. You'll organize it."

I froze where I stood.

"Do it the way you used to describe your dream marking ceremony," he added with a cruel smile.

My heart clenched in pain.

I had described my dream marking ceremony to him countless times.

There would be a bonfire dance. Moonlight flowers would cover the entire pack territory.

The pack members would play the oldest songs of blessing.

Yet now, the ceremony I once dreamed of was nothing more than an ordinary birthday party for Alyssa.

"Stop wasting time." Erwin frowned and tossed me a tube of ointment. "Nothing can go wrong tomorrow."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

The ointment fell to the floor. I picked it up and threw it into the trash.

Dragging my battered body around the venue, I began preparing for the party. I didn't sleep the entire night.