Chapter 7

Grote immediately spun around and rushed to Christine, pulling her tightly into his arms. "Christine! What's wrong? How does it hurt? Don't scare me!"

Christine clung to his chest. Raising her tear-streaked face, she choked out, "Honey, it's all my fault. Ms. Bowers seemed low lately, so I thought a simple task would be a good distraction. I just asked her to help me with dinner.

"But… But she didn't seem too willing. She slaughtered the chicken right in front of me, and blood splattered everywhere."

As she lied, she trembled with weakness.

"I just can't stand the smell of blood. I was worried it'd harm our pup, so I asked her to clean up the mess. I didn't expect Ms. Bowers…"

Her voice cracked, and she couldn't finish the sentence.

"I know I'm not worthy of carrying your pup. If my presence makes things so difficult for you and if Ms. Bowers can't accept this pup, then… then I'll kill myself to atone for my sins!"

With that, she really broke free from Grote's embrace and threw herself against the wall.

"Christine! Are you crazy?"

Grote was terrified. He immediately pulled her back, holding her tightly in his arms.

When he turned to look at me, his gaze was filled with the utmost disgust.

"Renata!" he barked at me. "What are you waiting for? Can't you see how filthy the floor is? Clean it up!"

Christine snuggled closer to him and softly added, "Yeah, the smell of blood is so strong. It's really bad for the pup. Ms. Bowers, can you clean up everything, inside and out? Don't miss a single spot, okay?"

That didn't satisfy her. She tossed the sticky, tangled necklace onto the floor. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here's your necklace. Thanks for letting us borrow it."

The sheer humiliation left me sobbing uncontrollably. My blood ran cold, leaving me paralyzed and able to do nothing but weep in utter despair.

Upon hearing me cry, Grote felt a headache coming on.

I couldn't believe it. Any guilt he felt just moments ago vanished under Christine's manipulation.

Perhaps trying to ease his own conscience, he said, "Alright, stop crying. It's just a necklace. I'll buy you a new one."

"What?" I stared at Grote in disbelief.

He knew that was Mom's necklace, and I treasured it above all else. Yet, he allowed Christine to treat it like a tool to please him.

I dropped to the floor and gripped the necklace tightly, desperately wiping away the stains from it.

"Don't be so dramatic." Christine scoffed from the side. "It's just a cheap necklace. It should be its honor to have pleased Alpha Grote. Don't be so petty."

All the accumulated humiliation broke me at that moment.

I shot up and glared at Christine with all my hatred, wishing I could tear her apart. Without thinking, I rushed at her.

"Christine, don't push it!" I screamed, charging at her with everything I had.

But Grote caught me. I wanted to tear Christine to pieces, but he held me down with force, restraining me as if I were a helpless mad she-wolf.

All I could do was watch as Christine smirked at me, mocking my helplessness and my inability to do anything while she humiliated me.

"Get out! Kneel outside. You can only come in when Christine forgives you."

Grote unshackled me and threw me out. Without another glance at me, he turned to anxiously support Christine and checked her over and over again for any sign of injury.

I laughed—a broken, hollow laugh.

Slowly, I crawled to my feet. The pain in my body made every movement excruciating. Step by step, I made my way outside.

The sea wind cut through me like a blade.

I stared out at the vast blue ocean.

Over the past seven years, we had shared countless kisses beneath this very sky.

I remembered that year when he had promised me, "If I ever betray you, I'll jump into the sea."

I chuckled, calling him foolish. How could I let him jump into the sea when I loved him so much?

But now, staring at the endless blue, I couldn't help but think how foolish I had been.

Without a second thought, I jumped.