Gloria had been living with her grandfather, while Harry preferred to stay with her parents.
Once, her grandfather gave her a ruby. She was happy as she liked shiny things very much. She held the ruby and looked at it under the sun. Harry wanted to snatch it and was pushed away. She didn't use much strength, but Harry fell to the ground. The maid saw it and said to her, "You are an ill-bred child without parents. How can you push Harry?" Gloria was stunned. She didn't understand why the maid said so. She asked the maid on the spot, "I have Daddy and Mommy. Why do you say that?" The maid was also stunned. She curled her lips and said, "You have always stayed with your grandfather and are not close to Alpha Alger and Luna Camille. I was worried when I saw Harry fall to the ground and say something stupid. Gloria, don't tell your grandfather about it, okay?" At that time, Gloria was young, so she believed the maid's words. Now, becauseAlthough they were prepared, Gloria and Christine were scared and closed their eyes subconsciously. Time seemed to have stopped. Gloria didn't feel pain. She felt something warm dripping on her face, and she opened her eyes in confusion. The next second, her eyes widened in horror. "The dagger is made of silver. Don't you feel pain?" Gloria stared blankly at the hand that blocked Damon's dagger. Patrick's blood was dripping on her face. Patrick's face was ashen. He pursed his lips tightly and stared at Gloria for a long time. Only when he confirmed that she was safe did he feel his heart beating again. Patrick suppressed Leo, who was about to go berserk. He turned around and glared at Damon, whose face was pale. Before he could say anything, Damon had fallen to the ground. Damon's lips were bloodless. He said in a low voice, "I want to avenge Gabrielle! Gabrielle died because of her. Why is Gloria still alive?" Damon's voice
Christine suddenly realized something. She stretched her arms slowly and hugged Gloria. She said reluctantly, "Have you made up your mind?" "Yes. And I'm sorry," Gloria said with guilt. "You don't have to say sorry. You have figured out what really happened back then, and there is no more misunderstanding between you and Alpha Patrick. But, why do you still want to leave?" Christine was puzzled. Gloria shook her head and smiled bitterly. "The grudge between me and him will always be there. Since he rejected me and sent me into the werewolf prison mercilessly, we could no longer make up again." "But the misunderstanding has been resolved!" Christine emphasized again. "Women are foolish sometimes. I also want to fool myself, but I can't do it. Every day and night, the wounds on my body are constantly aching. They remind me of what happened in the past. I can't deceive myself that everything is over." Gloria's tone was sad but firm. 'Moreover
Ellison and Patrick were exhausted from fighting. They lay on the ground, panting heavily with wounds on their bodies. When Leonard arrived with a group of people, he saw Ellison and Patrick fighting back and forth. Ellison's subordinates stood aside and did not make a move. Leonard understood that it was a one-on-one battle between Ellison and Patrick, and their subordinates didn't need to participate in it. Thus, Leonard confronted Ellison's subordinates. They were all elites among the guards of the pack. Although they did not make a move, the atmosphere between them was tense. Though Ellison and Patrick were exhausted and fell to the ground, no one went up to help them. After a while, Ellison's phone rang. He took it out and pressed the answer button. He listened to it and then put on a satisfied smile. Ellison got up from the ground, and his footsteps were a little unsteady. He looked down at Patrick, who was still lying on the
Leonard was efficient. The Black Thorn Pack had been in Gabbs for so many years and was well connected. Ten minutes later, Leonard replied, "Alpha Patrick, forty minutes ago, the car left Gabbs." "I was right..." Patrick closed his eyes and clenched his fists. He said inwardly, 'I was right that she was only pretending to obey me." He punched the table angrily. The sharp part of the broken table cut his hand, and his blood dripped down on the table. Patrick regretted it very much. He couldn't blame Gloria's excellent acting skills. It was all because he had deceived himself. He didn't forget that Gloria wanted to kill him that night! He thought that he could keep her if they had a child together. It turned out that Gloria had never given up on the idea of running away. Patrick suddenly opened his eyes, which were filled with desperate determination. He roared, "Go after her!" He wouldn't let her run. He would rather die in he
The taxi driver was easygoing, and Gloria chatted happily with him on the way. Gloria suddenly realized that she only tried to escape, but she didn't know what she would do after she arrived in Hawaii. 'I've got plenty of time to think about it,' Gloria said to herself. She was glad that she had sold the box of jewelry for a large sum of money. "This is my first time in Hawaii, and I want to live in a quiet hotel. Do you have any suggestions?" Gloria asked. "A quiet hotel? Why? Most people would choose busy places, yet you want a remote one. I live by the seaside. Last year, I remodeled my house into a family hotel. If you haven't booked one yet, you can stay at mine if you want." The driver said enthusiastically. Time passed slowly, and they approached the beach. "Can you open the window?" Gloria said anxiously. As the window rolled down, she reached out her fingers, and the cool wind touched her fingertips. It was the feeling of f
"Would Grandfather do something that doesn't benefit him?" Patrick sneered. "I didn't get it at first. But do you know what he said yesterday in the hospital? He said that he told me when I was a child that, one day, if there would be a woman who could affect my mood, then he would not hesitate to destroy her." After finishing speaking, Patrick clenched his fists. Only he knew that he was about to go crazy from anger right now! "That is why he hurt Gloria! It turned out that even he could tell how much influence Gloria had on me, yet I had no idea. What a fool I was! What's more, I was stupid enough to throw her into werewolf prison, putting her through all that she didn't deserve!" Patrick clenched his fists, suppressing his anger. "Really? Just because of that?" Ellison couldn't believe his ears. He thought, 'For that reason, he nearly destroyed an entire Alpha bloodline?' Patrick glanced at Ellison mockingly and said sarcastically, "Of course, he wou
"Tell me the whole story of that day again." Patrick's expression was so calm that no one could tell what he was thinking. Christine tried hard to remain calm. Clear-minded, she repeated everything that happened that day in detail. Her description was not exactly perfect, but it made her words more believable. Patrick did not say anything, because none of Christine's words made her suspicious. Besides, there was no point for her to bear the consequences of revealing something that had nothing to do with her. Patrick did not know Christine well enough. At least, he did not know who Christine was many years ago. The Christine he knew was loyal, selfish, and indifferent. That was why she could manage to look coldly at those men and women who indulged themselves in sensual pleasures in Fittro Club during those countless nights. Patrick believed that a person like Christine would not hide anything from him for something that did not benefit her at all
Patrick ignored Derrick and said to Kevin, "Kevin, see him out." Derrick was pale. He looked down at the ground and walked out under Kevin's gaze. Just as Derrick was about to vanish from Patrick's sight, the latter, who was on the stairs behind him, said, "Derrick, there's something you don't understand. It's because she's my mate, not yours, that you and I choose differently." After saying that, Patrick no longer bothered to talk to Derrick. He turned around and walked up the stairs. Derrick's body shook. He was still in a trance until he got into the driver's seat. He thought back to Patrick's words. Patrick said that they were different, which was the reason why they chose differently. Derrick closed his eyes, and suddenly, a line of tears ran from the corners of his eyes. He thought, 'Gloria, is that so? So, the whole story is about Patrick and Gloria. I am never part of it. Right?' He opened his eyes, looked at the wine in his
Cline released Luana with a hint of despair, staggering back a step.His bloodshot eyes locked onto hers as he asked, "Never at all?"Luana's lashes fluttered, her composure unwavering as she shook her head again.The smile on Cline's lips deepened with bitterness. "What about these, then?"He pulled out a letter he'd carried always, holding it before her. His voice cracked, his eyes red as he repeated, "What do these mean?"Luana's gaze fell on the perfectly preserved letter, and her expression froze—a chord struck deep within.She wondered when exactly she'd lost all hope in him.Her thoughts drifted back to that night when he held her close, their intimacy shattered by his cold words, "Don't delude yourself into thinking I'll love you."She'd felt like ice, realizing she was nothing to him but a vessel for his emotions. Yet now...Luana slowly lifted her eyes to Cline, his composure completely undone.Whe
Luana fought with all her might, her slender hands clawing at Cline's arms.Her nails bit through his skin, drawing blood, yet he held on relentlessly."Cline!" Luana roared in fury, finally dropping her Dorothy act and staring him down as Luana.Hearing his name from her lips, Cline's eyes reddened further. "You finally admit it..."Luana sneered. "So what if I do?"Cline froze, his bloodshot eyes slowly meeting hers.Her face was an icy mask, devoid of emotion, filled only with contempt.This cold Luana left him at a loss.As he opened his mouth to speak, Luana turned her head, her calm eyes reflecting Cline's pale face."Did you really mean it when you said you loved me?""Yes..." Cline's heart leaped at the chance to connect, and he nodded eagerly, about to confess a decade-old truth.But Luana cut him off, her voice ice-cold, "If you loved me, why wouldn't you wait until our contract ended before break
"Does it hurt?" Luana silently asked herself.Once, she had known pain—excruciating, soul-crushing agony that had left her curled on a cold floor, voiceless and desperate.It had been a pain that stripped away all hope in this man before her, eroding her very will to live. It had been so severe that even in her final moments, when she'd longed for a glimpse of him, he'd refused even a phone call.That pain was no mere physical wound. It was a despair that seeped into her very being.It was after enduring such torment that she had finally seen Cline for what he truly was—a man utterly ruthless toward her.Yet now, here he was, holding her and asking if she hurt. The irony was bitter, almost laughable.With a cold, expressionless face, she said, "The five minutes are up. Let me go."But Cline, who had finally held the person he'd obsessed over, had no intention of releasing her so easily.He held her tight and said, "
Cline held tight to her arm, as if he'd never let go unless Luana gave him a chance to speak.Luana, brows furrowed, sighed and relented, "Five minutes, right here."Cline's cold gaze shifted to Dorian, who shot him a glare before turning to Luana."Five minutes, then home," Dorian warned.Luana nodded meekly, "Okay."Only after Dorian strode into the villa did Luana turn to Cline, her voice cool and impatient."Well?"In Dorian's presence, Luana had been the picture of obedience, just as she used to be with him.Now, though, Cline saw a change in her—calm, distant, and edged with impatience.This new version of Luana only deepened the ache in his chest.He longed to reach out, to brush his fingers against her face, but as his hand rose, she flinched violently, stepping back as if struck.Luana stared at Cline's right hand, her pupils suddenly clouded with fear, as if the ghosts of past trauma had res
Luana nodded in agreement and turned toward the stairs.But after just two steps, she froze, her fingers brushing the banister.Slowly, she turned back, her voice hesitant. "Clarissa, I came back as Dorothy... What about Gehrmann?"Clarissa had guessed that Luana had returned as her sister Dorothy the moment she heard Dorian call her by that name.Clarissa's smile was warm, reassuring. "I won't say a word to him or Cline. Your secret's safe."Relief flickered in Luana's eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, the word soft as a feather.As Luana walked away, Clarissa watched her retreating figure, worry knotting her brow."Is this luck or a curse?" she thought, "Leaving Cline only to be trapped by Dorian."At the car, Luana opened the passenger door and slid in."Home at ten seems early," she ventured, her tone tentative.Dorian glanced over, his indifference palpable. "Make it eight, then."Luana's lips twitched
Clarissa watched Luana's fingers tighten around the phone until her knuckles whitened. "When I first saw those messages flooding in, I tried luring him out myself—posed as you, planned to bring the cops. But instead of catching a creep, I got..."She trailed off, the memory of the man in the café still prickling her nerves.A man as cold and heartless as Cline—why would he cling to memories of Luana like this?"Anyway," she shrugged, "he never showed. Guess some ghosts stay buried."Luana's voice was a whisper. "These things... they should've been my fight. Not yours."Clarissa cut her off, "If it were me in this mess, you'd do the same. So quit with the thanks already."Luana nodded meekly, her lashes drooping as she glanced back at the phone screen.The mystery gnawed at her—Mr. Night's messages reeked of obsession, yet he hid in plain sight. Why?She couldn't fathom it, and frankly, didn't care
"I had no choice but to pull a dumb move—I seduced Gehrmann and took Naomi's spot as his bedwarmer," Clarissa said flatly, her voice echoing off the brick walls."I thought I could use him to get back at Cline. Turns out I was dumber than a bag of hammers—Gehrmann wouldn't lift a finger against Cline for any woman." She kicked at a pebble, watching it skitter into the shadows. "By the time I figured that out, he wouldn't let me walk away."Clarissa shifted her weight, catching Luana's profile in the dim light."But don't you worry, Luana. I ain't falling for Gehrmann's charm. This world's got exactly one good man left—Albion. And he's six feet under."So, I won't be that girl anymore—the one who pours her heart out for every little kindness, even when it's not worth it."Mentioning Albion again made Luana's eyes dim as if the light behind them had been switched off.She lowered her lashes, hiding the sorrow pooling th
Third Person's POVLuana tightly embraced Clarissa, hoping to alleviate her pain.Clarissa, however, patted her back with a smile and said, "It's alright. After finding out the truth, I was devastated for a while, but then I pulled myself together. I installed surveillance cameras and recorded every moment of their infidelity, which I sent to my lawyer."I won the lawsuit, but I couldn't get the house back. I could only recover the mortgage payments, the money I spent on him, and compensation for emotional distress..."However, what I didn't expect was that someone would expose Albert's bigamy online, ruining his reputation. His company fired him, and no other major firms would hire him. As far as I know, his current salary isn't even enough to cover the mortgage. Plus, his mother has cancer, which is why he keeps begging at my door."Clarissa's voice turned cold as she continued, "He thinks I'm still the naive woman I once was, that if he kneels a
Clarissa took a deep breath, opened the bedside table, and took out a marriage certificate, handing it to Luana."You two weren't entirely meant to miss each other. At least he kept his promise from when you were young and married you."Seeing the marriage certificate, Luana's eyes welled up.She reached out and slowly unfolded it...Name: LuanaName: AlbionBeside them was a composite photo of the two, dressed in white shirts, with a red background, their faces beaming with happiness.When Luana was eighteen, she had asked Albion, "When are you going to marry me?"Albion, engrossed in a book at the time, looked up and playfully tapped her nose with his pen, saying, "When I'm capable of giving you happiness."Luana pouted, dissatisfied, "But when will that be?"Albion held up his book and replied, "After I've mastered all this knowledge and become someone worthy, then I'll marry you."Luana rested her chin