5

I silently pulled myself up from the ground, enduring the stabbing pain in my leg as I limped away one step at a time.

I hadn't gone far when I heard Hunter speaking tenderly to Scarlett behind me, "Scarlett, don't come outside. Stay in the house where it's safe."

"But Olivia left," Scarlett replied, her voice carrying a calculated tremor. "Is it because I came back and stole the brothers' affection? That's why she's leaving so determinedly? But I finally reunited with my brothers after so long... why can't she just let me have this?"

"It's not your fault," Hunter responded immediately. "Olivia is just too petty."

"Then can we decorate the house in red? That's my favorite color," Scarlett asked sweetly.

"Of course we can," Ethan and Mason called out in unison as they followed Hunter outside.

"And those paintings on the walls... can I replace all those things?" Scarlett pressed, her voice growing bolder. "I hate those things so much. They're ugly and tasteless. "

All three brothers agreed without hesitation, not a moment's doubt in their voices.

Red had once been the color we all hated most because it reminded us of blood—of the day we lost our parents. Those decorations she called " tasteless " were items I had carefully chosen for our home.

While my brothers were busy with pack duties and rarely home, I had spent countless hours trying to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere in the place we shared.

The physical pain combined with this emotional betrayal made me dizzy. I struggled to stay upright, fighting not to collapse, when a strong hand suddenly steadied me.

I looked up with effort, taking a moment to recognize Derek, the pack's most formidable warrior. He had also signed up for the secret enhancement mission.

Without a word, he took my luggage from my hands and placed it in the trunk of his car. Mason laughed coldly behind me.

"Is this your mate?" he sneered. "Are you planning to bond with him? Is that why you're leaving home, because you met some wild man from outside? We raised you since you were a child—are we really less important than this stranger?"

Derek looked at my wretched state and angrily defended me:

"What kind of brothers are they? Why do you still recognize them as such? Your parents sacrificed themselves to save them, and this is how they treat you. That Scarlett, she's not even—"

"We're leaving in a few days anyway..."

I hastily cut him off in panic: "Master Derek!"

Derek finally fell silent.

He opened the car door and forcefully ushered me inside.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Mason's face darken instantly:

"Derek, what are you implying?"

Derek looked at him with disgust and scoffed: "What am I implying? In a few days, you'll know."

My heart suddenly jumped to my throat.

Mason stood frozen in place, as if stunned.

After a while, as the car was about to leave, he rushed forward, trying to open my door.

Derek had already gotten in and swiftly locked the car.

Through the window and the curtain of rain, I could only vaguely make out Mason's lips forming the words:

"Olivia, get out of the car!"

His expression was furious, yet seemed to be mixed with other strange emotions.

I couldn't understand it. I only knew that, by now, my departure was probably of little importance to the Paine family.

I closed my eyes, no longer looking at him.

As the car drove away, the rearview mirror showed Mason still standing there.

Derek continued to rage: "They took your healing gem and then threw you out in the pouring rain. I really don't understand why you came back to suffer this abuse."

I turned my head to look out the window at the torrential rain.

After a long silence, I spoke softly: "They used to be very good to me."

Derek didn't believe it.

He had only met me after I joined the Beta Wolf Enhancement program and had never seen the Paine family treat me well.

My eyes misted over, and I seriously repeated: "Really. They used to be very good to me."