Chapter 3

Ethan and Lyla leaned close to each other. They whispered as they slowly walked away.

They didn’t notice me hiding behind the car. They were completely absorbed in the joy of having just received their mate certificate.

Leaning against the car, I slowly slid to the ground. My hands rested on my lower abdomen as tears streamed down my face.

'It's time to leave, isn't it?' I thought to myself.

At that moment, a phone number appeared in my mind. It was one I had memorized so well over the years.

I’d repeated it to myself hundreds of times but never had the courage to actually dial it.

Today, with trembling fingers, I finally dialed the number.

I thought it might ring endlessly and go unanswered, but it barely rang twice before someone picked up.

“Dad, I miss you so much!”

My tears trickled, and my voice cracked.

“Silly girl, do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this call?”

He sounded so much older. I didn’t need to see him to know he'd worried for me all these years.

“Dad, I know I was wrong. I want to come home.”

I heard a loud thud on the other end like something heavy being knocked over.

“Are you serious? You’re really coming back to take your rightful place in the pack? I’ll send my second-in-command to bring you back right away!”

His voice trembled with excitement. Although he tried to stay calm, his quickened breathing gave him away.

“Come get me tomorrow. I need to sort some things out first," I said quietly but firmly.

By the time I got back to the villa, it was already late at night. One of the servants had left a light on for me.

Exhausted, I collapsed onto the couch and looked around the dimly lit room, where the walls were covered in photos of Ethan and me.

My heart felt like it was being crushed under a heavy boulder. Every beat brought a sharp, stabbing pain.

I forced myself to stand up and began taking down every photo. I tore them apart one by one and threw them in the trash.

It was already past midnight when Ethan called.

“Maddie, happy anniversary! It’s our fifth year together today. I still love you just as much as I did in the beginning–”

I continued tearing up our photos while listening to him.

He talked on for a while without getting a response. His tone turned careful.

“Maddie, I’m sorry. Something came up with work and I can’t make it home today. But once it’s done, I promise I’ll make it up to you!”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind. Take care of your work first," I replied softly.

There was a pause on his end before he asked anxiously, “Maddie, are you really okay with this? I don’t know. Something feels off. Are you hiding something from me?”

I froze mid-motion.

“No, what could I possibly be hiding from you?”

No matter how I reassured him, Ethan insisted on video calling me.

I wiped my tears and accepted the request.

We video chatted for two full hours before he finally hung up. He was reluctant to say goodbye until the end.

Right before the call ended, he looked at me with deep affection and said, “I can’t make it back tomorrow, but I’ve prepared lots of surprises for you. I hope you'll like them! Maddie, I want to be with you forever. I want to spend every future anniversary with you!”

After the call ended, I whispered to myself, "Ethan, there is no future for us."

Thank goodness he wasn’t coming back. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even know what excuse to use to leave tomorrow.

I packed up everything that belonged to me. I threw away everything I couldn't take with me.

By the time I was done, the sky was already turning bright.

Today was our fifth marking anniversary.

It was also the day he and Lyla were holding their marking ceremony.