Chapter 2

My heart sank, and for a second, I thought I had misheard.

"You agreed to it?"

Leah looked uncomfortable at my response. "Victor, Jason may not be your real brother but he's been part of this family since your parents adopted him. You want him to get better, don't you?"

She paused, like she was choosing her words carefully.

"We're just going through the Marking Ceremony. The witch says it'll help Jason recover faster, as it'll lift his mood. It won't change anything between us. I'm still your mate and Mark's mom."

Before I could respond, Mark spoke up. "Daddy, Uncle Jason's really upset. The doctor said it’s bad for his health. So please agree with mom, okay?"

I stared at them both.

One was the woman I had loved for years, the other my son.

I had given everything to both of them. Every piece of me. As a mate, as a father. I had sacrificed it all.

Why were they treating me like this?

Why would they betray my love, just for Jason?

I stood there silently for a long time.

What did it matter now? I was dying anyway.

Jason wanted my things? Fine. He could have them alll. I didn't want everything I had anymore.

I wiped away the tear that slipped down my cheek, then looked up at Leah .

"Okay. Fine."

Leah’s face lit up with surprise and excitement. She quickly grabbed the papers from the table.

"Great! This is the Mate Bond Dissolution Agreement. Once you sign, we'll formally reject our bond and be done with it."

I felt like my heart was shattering. So she had planned this all along.

Leah really wanted to end things between us, didn’t she? To be with Jason?

"Daddy, just sign it," Mark said, handing me the pen.

I took it and quickly signed the paper. Once Leah and I rejected each other, the ridiculous conversation ended.

Then, I went upstairs to rest.

Leah solemnly promised from behind me, "Victor, when Jason's fully recovered later on, I'll end things with him. Believe me—my heart will always be yours. This is just a formality."

I pursed my lips. In my heart, I already knew the truth—we were over.

Then, I heard her sigh and add, "Victor, you've become more composed now—not as reckless and unreasonable as before. Back when we used to argue, I wasn't always right either. I owe you an apology.

"Once Jason is better, I'll take care of you. I won't upset you anymore."

"Daddy, I won't make you angry again either! You've been so generous and selfless to Uncle Jason. I'm really proud of you!"

Their words hit me like a wave of cold water. Their words contained gratitude and care, and all of it started only after the bond was broken.

How ironic.

Before, I had hoped for something. Maybe even expected it. But now, as I headed upstairs, I felt nothing but numbness.

It didn't matter anymore.

I was dying anyway.

I tried to hurry up the stairs, but before I could reach the top, everything went black.

I woke up to the shock of cold water splashing across my face. I shivered, gasping as I blinked up at the ceiling.

Leah and Mark were standing over me, their faces tight with frustration. They didn't seem worried.

Just… disappointed.

"Daddy, are you pretending again?" Mark asked, his voice flat. "You've used this fainting trick so many times. Can you try something new? Mommy and I are supposed to bring Uncle Jason his mushroom soup. You've wasted our time, and now the soup's cold!"

Mark was clearly angry.

Leah looked disappointed, and she was holding a glass of ice water in her hand.

"Victor, stop it. Even though we've dissolved our mate bond, I still love you. Don't try to test my feelings for you with tricks like pretending to faint."

I slowly came to my senses, realizing what had just happened.

I had passed out. But instead of rushing me to the hospital or getting me medical help, they had thrown a glass of ice water in my face to wake me up.

It was laughable.

They would have known I was really dying, rather than pretending, if they had just unblocked their link to me.

No one cared enough to check.

"Daddy, you look fine. You're all rosy and healthy. You don't look sick at all. Next time, try a new trick if you're going to pretend."

Mark's words cut through me like a knife.

I forced myself to stand up, ignoring the weakness that nearly made my legs buckle beneath me.

The doctor's potent painkiller was working, making me look healthier than I was. But I knew, deep down, my body was already fading.

"I'm not pretending. I might have skipped a meal, that's all. If you want to go to the hospital, I'll go with you. The transfer agreement still needs a few more signatures."

Leah clearly wanted to say more, but when she saw me pick up the agreement, he simply nodded and followed me to the hospital.

So—she already knew about the agreement.