chapter 5

Christine

The room went silent after I said those words.

“I want a divorce.”

Four simple words. But they carried four years of pain.

Four years of betrayal. Four years of swallowing my tears and pretending I was okay.

Four years of loving a man who slowly destroyed me.

I watched every emotion cross Zack’s face. Shock, disbelief, and anger.

But not pain.

Not the pain of losing me.

No.

The pain he felt was because, for the first time, I had taken away his control.

For the first time, I was the one making a decision. And he couldn’t understand it.

“Repeat that.” His voice was low.... Dangerously low.

I stared at him.

The old Christine would have lowered her head.

The old Christine would have apologized.

The old Christine would have begged him not to be angry.

But that woman was gone. She died on that ballroom floor. Along with her child.

“I said I want a divorce.” This time, my voice was stronger.

Zack stared at me. Then he laughed. Not because it was funny.

Because he couldn’t believe I had the courage to say it.

“Are you serious right now?” His eyes narrowed. “You want to divorce me?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

The smile disappeared from his face. “Christine, do you even understand what you’re saying?”

I looked at him quietly. “I understand perfectly.”

“No, you don’t.” He stepped closer. “You are angry. You are hurt. You lost the baby and you are blaming me.”

My heart twisted.

Even now.

Even standing in front of him.

He still didn’t understand.

He still believed my pain was just an emotional reaction. Not the result of his choice.

“I am not blaming you, Zack.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I am accepting the truth.”

His eyebrows furrowed.

“What truth?”

I looked directly into his eyes. “That I was alone long before I asked for a divorce.”

The words hit him.

I saw it.

A small flicker of guilt. But it disappeared quickly.

Because Zack Kingsley had spent years convincing himself he was never wrong.

“I am your fated mate.” His voice hardened. “You are my Luna.”

I almost laughed.

Almost.

Because hearing those words from him felt like a cruel joke.

“Your Luna?” My voice cracked. “Do you even know what being a Luna means?”

The room became still.

I continued.

“A Luna is supposed to be protected by her Alpha.” My eyes filled with tears. “A Luna is supposed to be chosen.”

My voice shook. “An Alpha is supposed to run toward his mate when she is hurt.” I touched his chest. “But you ran away.”

Zack’s face changed. “Christine...”

“No.” I raised my hand. “Let me finish.”

For years, everyone interrupted me.

Everyone spoke over me.

Everyone decided what I should feel.

Not today.

“Do you know what hurt the most?” My tears fell. “It wasn't losing my child.”

Everyone froze.

Even I felt my heart break saying it.

“Because losing my baby destroyed me.” My hand moved to my stomach. “I will carry that pain for the rest of my life.”

I looked at Zack.

“But what hurt the most was looking at my mate…” My voice became a whisper. “…and realizing I was not worth saving.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Zack looked away. Just for a second. And that small movement told me everything.

Because somewhere deep inside, he knew.

He knew he failed me.

But admitting it would mean accepting he was the villain of my story.

And powerful men hated admitting they were wrong.

Suddenly, Vivienne laughed.... A cold, mocking laugh.

She turned toward me.

“Divorce?” She looked at me like I had said something ridiculous. “You?”

Her eyes traveled over me. “You think you can leave this family?”

I didn’t answer.

She stepped closer.

“You seem to have forgotten something, Christine.” Her lips curved. “You have nothing.”

My heart tightened.

There it was.

The belief they had always held. That I was nothing without them.

“You came here with nothing.” She continued. “My son gave you everything.”

I stared at her.

Everything?

Was that really what she believed?

That Zack created my life?

That without him, I was empty?

“You gave her your name, Zack,” Vivienne said proudly. “You gave her a place in this pack.” She looked at me with disgust. “And now she wants to throw it away?”

I remained silent.

Because arguing with people who refused to see the truth was exhausting.

But then Mr. Kingsley spoke. His voice was colder.

“You should be grateful.”

“Grateful?” I turned toward him.

“Yes.” His eyes hardened. “The Blackwood Pack accepted you.”

My eyebrows lifted.

Accepted me?

The words almost made me smile. Because they had forgotten something.

I didn’t need their acceptance.

I had earned my place. But before I could respond, Zack spoke.

“Christine.” His voice softened.

A voice that once made my heart melt.

But now?

Nothing.

“I know my mother’s words were harsh.”

I almost smiled.

Harsh?

That was what he called it?

Years of humiliation.

Years of being treated like an outsider.

Harsh.

“But this doesn’t have to happen.” He walked closer. “Let’s talk.”

“Talk about what?” I looked at him.

“About us.”

Those words hurt.

Because once upon a time, I would have given anything to hear him say that.

Now they meant nothing.

“There is no us anymore.”

“You don’t mean that.” His jaw tightened.

“I do.” I stared at him.

“No.” He shook his head. “You’re just hurt.”

Again. That word 'Hurt' Like my pain was temporary.

Like tomorrow I would wake up and become the same foolish woman who forgave him.

“I loved you.”My voice became softer. “I loved you more than anything.”

Zack froze.

“I chose you when everyone told me not to.” My tears fell. “I stood beside you when you had nothing.”

His expression changed. “I defended you when people questioned your ability as an Alpha.” My voice trembled. “I built this pack with you.”

A tear slid down my cheek. “But when I needed you…” I looked at him. “You chose someone else.”

Nobody spoke.

Nobody could.

Because the truth was standing right there.