Chapter 4

Tristan cupped his cheek, but there was no sting there. All he felt was a heartache so sharp that it felt like a knife was slicing him open.

He was the Alpha of the Fenrir unit, the man who used to dominate battlefields and make hardened thugs and enemies shake in their boots. If anyone else dared lay a hand on him, they would already be a cold, lifeless corpse on the ground.

But the one who had hit him was his wife. He had no choice but to endure it.

He stared at Claire's face—so familiar, yet suddenly so distant—as his thoughts drifted back to that moment years ago. Back then, she hadn't just saved his life; she'd told him over and over to hang in there and to keep on living. He would never forget those beautiful, kind eyes and the words she'd used to pull him back from the edge.

He just couldn't understand how that gentle, warm young woman had turned into… this.

Right then, Claire seemed to realize she'd gone too far. She quickly said, "Tristan, it's your fault for saying such ridiculous things. You made me lose my temper and slap you. Either way, you have to apologize to me, or I'm never forgiving you."

Tristan smiled bitterly. He said slowly, "Claire, if there's even a shred of conscience or decency left in you, go to 32, Falcon Ridge three days from now to see Ruby. It might be the last chance you ever have to see her."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Claire had no idea that 32, Falcon Ridge was the address of Ravelton's funeral home, and even less idea that Ruby had already left this world forever.

She hurried after Tristan and grabbed his shirt. "Get back here! Where do you think you're going? Are you seriously using Ruby to threaten me?"

He slowly turned around, his face already streaked with tears. Of course, the tears weren't for himself. They were for Ruby.

His lips trembled as he choked out, "Just remember this, Claire. If you don't go to 32, Falcon Ridge in three days, you'll never see Ruby again."

Just then, Adrian strode over, a hint of contempt and mockery in his expression. "Come on, Tristan. All Claire did was hit you and say a few things. Are you seriously crying over that? Can you even call yourself a man? No wonder she looks down on you!"

As he spoke, he moved right up to Tristan's ear and dropped his voice, murmuring, "Let me tell you something—your wife is a total pro in bed."

Hearing that made Tristan's expression instantly darken. The rage he'd been forcing down erupted like a volcano. He clenched his fists so hard that his arms trembled. In the end, he couldn't hold back anymore. He snapped and drove his fist straight into Adrian's face.

There was a heavy thud as the punch landed. Adrian was caught off guard and staggered backward, stumbling several steps before crashing to the ground.

All color drained from Claire's face. She let out a sharp cry and rushed over to help Adrian up, her eyes full of panic and concern. "Adrian, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," Adrian forced out, swallowing the pain as he pushed himself to his feet. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Tristan, we could've talked things out like civilized human beings. How could you just throw a punch like that?"

Claire's fury flared. She strode right up to Tristan and slapped him hard across the face again. "Tristan, I'm ordering you to apologize to Adrian. Now! If you don't, I won't let this matter slide. I won't ever forgive you!"

Tristan let out a bitter laugh. "You want me to apologize to him? You're dreaming. Maybe try asking what exactly he said to me first."

She snapped, "I don't care what he said. You laid hands on him, and that's where you crossed the line. You were wrong, so you're gonna apologize."

Right then, Sheldon and Miranda stormed over, both of them seething.

Sheldon glared at Tristan and roared, "How dare you hit Adrian, you useless piece of trash! You're getting bolder by the day!"

Miranda was just as furious. She shrieked, "Listen up—apologize to Adrian this second, or I'll make sure Claire divorces you on the spot!"

Tristan snorted at the mention of divorce. He shot back, "Divorce? Honestly, I've been ready for that for a long time. Even if Claire doesn't divorce me, I'll be the one filing the papers. Claire, this marriage is over. Whatever was between us is dead and gone!"

With that, he shoved Claire away, then walked off without looking back.

Behind him, Claire screeched furiously, "You're the pettiest person I've ever met, Tristan! All I did was let Adrian stay with us for a few days, and you're blowing up like this and demanding a divorce? Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?"

Tristan acted like he didn't hear her. He didn't so much as falter as he strode off. In the span of a few seconds, he'd disappeared at the end of the street.

Adrian put on a guilty look as he watched Tristan vanish, then said gently to Claire, "Claire, I'm so sorry about this. It's my fault that Tristan blew up at you. Now that he's stormed off like that, you should probably go after him."

She just curled her lip in contempt. "Don't worry about him. There's no way he's serious about leaving. He's pulled this stunt plenty of times. Give it half an hour, tops, and he'll come slinking back on his own. He'll be all apologetic as he grovels at my feet like always."

Miranda stepped up and took Adrian's arm. "Forget about that loser. Let's get you back inside."

"Yeah. You're still sick. You don't wanna make things worse by catching a chill." Claire grabbed Adrian's free hand. She even reached up and gently brushed her fingers over his split lip where Tristan had punched him.

Gordon walked over, looking thunderous. "You went way too far, treating Tristan like that!"

"Grandpa, can you please stay out of this?" Claire laced her fingers through Adrian's and led him back toward the house.

Sheldon and Miranda hurried to help steady Gordon as they walked him back. Sheldon said, "Dad, you're not young anymore. You really should stop interfering with these youngsters' lives. Let's go back inside."

"Exactly." Miranda curled her lip. "Tristan's just a useless nobody, Dad. Why waste your energy worrying about him? It'd be great if Claire could marry someone like Adrian instead. He's a PhD holder who graduated overseas—his future is limitless."

Gordon stared in the direction Tristan had gone, then shook his head helplessly. His heart felt heavy.