Chapter 3

I didn’t wait.

After hanging up on Henry, I grabbed the first suitcase I could reach and followed Chloe’s nose to find my way.

I thought it would be hard.

But it was strangely smooth.

So, this is what it feels like… to realize I can do everything on my own.

I pulled open the drawer and shoved clothes inside, messy, frantic.

Then my fingers brushed a dress sewn with diamonds, and I stopped.

Ethan had picked it out for me himself.

Because I couldn’t see the patterns, I could only feel the texture.

He’d said, “Mom, I picked the prettiest pattern you can feel.”

My chest tightened so hard it hurt, but I didn’t let myself stop.

I forced my body to keep moving.

Because I knew—if I stopped, the truth I’d learned would crush me completely.

I found another piece of clothing when the door creaked open.

“Ashley?” Andrew’s voice came from behind me. “What are you doing?”

I ignored the lump in my throat and kept stuffing the suitcase, then turned toward his voice and squeezed out a stiff smile.

“I just… suddenly wanted to try organizing the closet.”

I could feel his mood.

My wolf told me he was especially irritated right now.

Maybe because I’d made a mess here.

Chloe followed the familiar scent… and then caught that disgusting scent again. Every hair on her body bristled.

I kept my mouth shut. I tried to listen—to hear that heart beating inside her chest—

But it was too faint.

A savage impulse nearly swallowed me whole, urging Chloe to come out and tear her apart.

To make her taste what it feels like to have an empty chest.

I clenched my fist. My nails dug deep into my palm.

Her scent was close to Andrew’s.

Right now, she was standing beside my husband.

Shamelessly enjoying the life that heart had bought her.

I bit my tongue.

Because if I opened my mouth, I would scream.

Andrew spoke, and it was information:

“Rory will be living here for a while.”

“What?” My voice cracked.

Rory smoothly took my hand and placed it over her flat belly, her laugh sweet as syrup.

“Can’t you feel it? There’s a little life in here.”

After she spoke, it was like she was waiting—for the blessing she expected, for the warmth I used to give her.

But I only raised an eyebrow.

“And then?”

Her grip on my hand went stiff. Her voice turned wronged, wounded.

“I thought you’d be happy for me, Ashley. We’ve been through so much together.”

Happy?

The word burned like fire.

Happy that she had what I’d dreamed of, what I’d lost?

Or happy that she had my son’s heart?

Andrew’s impatient voice cut in.

“Ashley, what is wrong with you? Are you jealous of the Omega by your side?”

I slowly lifted my face and couldn’t stop the cold laugh slipping out.

“Jealous?”

I repeated it. “Why would I be jealous?”

He seized my wrist so hard it felt like he could crush bone.

“Because she’s pregnant with a pup, and you—”

He stopped there.

But I knew what he meant.

I was jealous she could carry a pup… while my pup died on an operating table.

I laughed, and the scene suddenly felt so absurd it was almost funny.

Then he continued, “She can’t live alone. She needs us. That pup needs help.”

Rory begged softly, “I’ll only stay until things calm down. You know what my brother is like.”

“Us?” I looked at them, cold and confused. “But that’s not our pup.”

The moment the words landed, a crushing Alpha pressure wrapped around me.

Blood rose in my throat, metallic and hot.

“Why are you throwing your own pain onto other people?” Andrew shouted. “Look at you—this jealous ugliness. Pathetic.”

Pathetic.

I nearly ground the word to powder between my teeth.

I forced myself steady, swallowed the taste of blood, and curved my lips.

“Andrew… why are you getting so emotional? Is that pup yours?”

Silence swallowed the room.

Andrew’s voice shot up, sharp and defensive.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Of course, it isn’t.”

“Then why bring her into this house?” I asked softly. “She’s just an Omega. Why does she get to live in the Alpha and Luna’s house?”

“She was troubled by her vicious brother, Ashley!” Andrew finally exploded. “She has no one. She’s just a pregnant woman. How evil do you have to be to throw her out?”

How evil do you have to be to personally kill your own child?

The words choked in my throat. I didn’t say them.

I zipped the suitcase slowly, deliberately.

“Excuse me,” I said. “I still have to… organize the closet.”

Andrew left with a single line tossed over his shoulder.

“I seriously don’t get how you can organize anything when you can’t see.”

And then he was gone.

With Rory.