Chapter 3

On my birthday, I received a call from Simon.

"It's inconvenient for Xandra to move around too much because of how big her belly is. I'll take her to the altar first. You can ride in the bodyguard's car."

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. It was expected. In Simon's eyes, nothing was more important than Xandra… Not even his own Luna.

By the time I arrived at the banquet, my birthday celebration was already in full swing. Simon held the arm of the pregnant Xandra as they moved through the guests, accepting blessings from them.

"Alpha Simon, Xandra is about three months along, right? Congratulations to both of you!"

"Xandra still looks radiant even when she's pregnant. Alpha Simon must have been taking good care of you."

"That's right. Hasn't Alpha Simon always spoiled Xandra since they were kids?"

"When your pup is born, don't forget to invite us to the pup's baby shower."

Amid the flood of blessings and congratulations, everyone forgot that I was the Luna. They even forgot that this banquet was my birthday party.

Wearing an exquisite custom-made gown, Xandra basked in the guests' compliments. She grew more and more smug with each passing moment. Her eyes darted toward me from time to time tauntingly.

I had already known that this birthday celebration was never meant for me. So, I turned to leave.

However, Xandra called out to stop me. "Oh my, Kaylee. Why did you arrive so late? I didn't even see you. Simon was worried I'd be uncomfortable in another car, so he insisted on picking me up himself. You won't hold it against me, will you?"

I gave a light laugh. "Why would I? If you like it so much, you can have it."

Just as I was about to leave, Simon grabbed my arm. "Kaylee, I held this banquet for you. How can you just leave?"

He pulled me into his arms and said softly, "You know how Xandra's family is. She needs my help. Don't be so petty."

Before I could respond, Xandra suddenly clutched her belly and cried, "Simon, my stomach hurts. It feels like the baby is kicking me."

Simon immediately let go of me and hurried over to help Xandra into a chair. He then gently massaged her belly. The heart-warming scene made it seem as though they were the real couple.

It was my birthday party, yet Simon said he didn't have time to order me a cake. Ironically, he had time to order a custom designer gown for Xandra.

Xandra enjoyed Simon's affection very much. She glanced at me from time to time as if to say, "So what if you're the Luna? The one Simon loves is obviously me."

I closed my eyes and forced back my tears. Only one day remained until the abortion. After that, I would leave him for good. I would leave the position of Luna to the person he cared about the most.

Halfway through the banquet, the doors to the hall suddenly burst open. Simon's mother, Annie Barnes, strode up to me and slapped me across the face without a word.

She shouted, "You shameless woman! How dare you cheat on Simon and get pregnant with another man's bastard pup! You've disgraced us!"

"That's not true!" I clutched my face and tried to argue.

Simon quickly stepped in front of me to shield me from Annie. At that moment, I thought he was about to tell everyone the truth.

But he said, "Mom, Kaylee made a mistake in a moment of confusion. I've already forgiven her. I will treat her pup as if it were my own."

His words only confirmed the rumor of my infidelity, and the surrounding guests began whispering judgmentally among themselves.

"Don't worry, Kaylee. No matter what you've done to hurt me, I won't blame you," Simon added.

I found what he said absolutely absurd.

So, I stepped closer and asked softly, "What did I do to hurt you? You've told so many lies that you've started to believe them yourself. Have you forgotten whose pup I am carrying in my belly?"

Simon froze. With all the guests present, he swallowed back the words he wanted to say.

However, Annie was furious and distressed on his behalf.

She snapped, "How can you be so foolish, Simon? Kaylee is a shameless woman who cheated on you. Why are you still defending her?"

Then, she turned to look at me with disdain. "A woman like you is unworthy of being the Luna. Get out of here! Get out of my house!"

Annie forcibly dragged me out of the banquet hall and threw me onto the street. The night was dark, and the street was empty. I shivered helplessly in the cold wind.

Just then, Simon sent me a message that consisted of only one short sentence, "Bear with it, Kaylee. When this is over, I will bring you back and clear the air."

I let out a cold laugh and turned off my phone. Not hesitating anymore, I booked a ticket to leave. Braving the freezing wind, I walked toward the hospital.