Chapter 2

In the third year of simping for Darcy, he finally made a promise.

That was... every time I flattered him and satisfied his ego, I could touch his face. Once.

As soon as he heard my question, he grew impatient and grabbed my claw, placing it directly on his face. "Hush, touch it. You're really good at pretending."

I didn't argue. I just stroked his face softly. "Darcy, be careful not to hurt your face."

My affectionate tone and gentle touch stunned him again. Suddenly, he lowered his head, thin lips approaching me. "Why not reward you with a kiss for behaving so well?"

When he leaned in, I quickly turned my head, and he kissed the air.

I was a bit suprised by his reaction since he never kissed me once in those eight years, and I kept holding onto the hope that one day he would.

But now, that hope is gone. My heart is numb. I don't want it anymore.

Naturally, he was displeased. "Ginger, you are really shameless!"

Brigitte, unwilling to be ignored, came over and pushed me aside. "Darcy, you can only choose one of us—me or Ginger!"

I stumbled and nearly lost my balance, but then I heard him chuckle softly. "What's wrong? Jealous? She's nothing compared to you."

With that, he wrapped an arm around Brigitte and walked away.

My heart, already numb with pain, stirred again at the sight.

I could feel my wolf quietly weeping inside me, and tears blurred my vision.

"Darcy… You don't have to love me. But why her?"

I caught up before they got into the car. "Darcy, you can have any she-wolf you want. But not Brigitte."

I hated the Folan clan more than anything, and Brigitte Folan was one of them.

The thought of him mating with Brigitte made me sick.

"Ginger, don't be selfish. You failed to win Darcy's favor, and now you want to stop him from getting on my good side?"

Brigitte looked sad as she leaned against his shoulder.

He looked down at me from above. "Ginger, are you even worthy of meddling in my affairs?"

Then he pushed me aside and got into the car.

After struggling for so long, I was exhausted and fell to the ground in humiliation.

Even so, I raised my claw and grabbed the corner of his trousers, still pleading. "Darcy, I've never asked anything of you. I'm begging you."

He yanked his leg away, got into the car, and shut the door.

"Ginger, stop reading so many romance. I'm not the male lead, and I won't be moved by blind devotion."

The car drove off.

I lay on the lawn, writhing in pain.

Before I passed out, I pulled out my phone, dialed 999, and opened a photo.

"Darcy, I'm done pretending I'm okay. You're not loyal—you never were. How could you treat your mate, someone who's loved you with everything she had, like this? And then… you brought Brigitte into our den. Do you have no shame? I won't forgive you. Not this time."

I touched his face on the screen, tears clouding my vision. Maybe this was it—the last time I’d cry for him. After this, no more pain. But before I walked away for good, I had one thing left to do:

Take Darcy back from Brigitte.

Not because I still wanted him—but because she didn’t deserve him either.

I wouldn't let her wear the title that never belonged to her.

So, after a moment, I softened again. "Forget what I said, Darcy. I forgive you.

Just remember this—I loved you a little more than you ever loved me."

With those final words, my body gave out, and everything faded into darkness.

When I woke up, I was in the infirmary, natural herbs applied to my wounds.

What woke me was a phone call from Darcy.

The moment I answered, his growl blasted through the receiver. "Ginger, why did it take so long for you to answer?"

"I was unconscious. I've been lying in the infirmary. I'm sorry."

He paused for a few seconds, then sneered. "What? Are you playing the victim now?"

He didn't care. Instead, he gave an order. "Send me a set of she-wolf clothes immediately. You're her sister. You should know her size."

Brigitte's voice chimed in, full of fake sweetness. "Ginger, include my underwear too. Darcy got a little too passionate last night and tore everything."

I ended the call and sat there in silence for a moment.

My heart remained still, even as my body trembled unconsciously.

I swallowed my tears and forced a cold smile.

I could hear my wolf whispering softly inside me:

"It’s all over."

Then, I ripped off the herbs and dragged myself out of the infirmary.

"What are you doing? Where are you going?" the healer shouted behind me.

But I didn't look back.