Chapter 3

Brianna's POV

Three days later, I finished managing my daughter Lydia’s funeral alone.

I unlocked my phone and called the manor’s housekeeper, Thomas. "Thomas, send two people to pack up Lydia’s things."

On the other end was only impatient noise. "Luna, not today. The entire manor is busy preparing for Miss Clarissa’s birthday party. No one can be spared."

Before I could reply, the line went dead.

Holding the cold, heavy urn in my arms, I walked back step by step to the place that was once called home.

The solemn Sapphire Pack manor was now brightly decorated with banners and balloons. Warren had spent a fortune to throw a dreamlike birthday party for Lorelei’s daughter.

"Brianna? Why are you back alone?" Lorelei, dressed in a designer gown, walked out to greet me, gasping with feigned concern. "Where’s Lydia? Today is Clarissa’s birthday, I specifically prepared the prettiest dress for Lydia so she could join the celebration..."

Every single word tore into my bleeding wounds.

"Get away from me." My voice was as raspy as stones scraping together.

Warren followed her out of the main hall, dressed in a sharp suit. Seeing me dressed in black, holding an urn, there was no guilt on his face—only disgust and vigilance.

"What kind of scene are you making now?" He frowned and berated me. "Do you know what day it is today? Who are you trying to curse by wearing those gloomy clothes? Throw that broken box out! Don't ruin everyone's mood!"

A broken box? That was his own daughter’s ashes!

My gaze suddenly locked—Lorelei’s daughter, Clarissa, ran out from behind her. Around her neck hung a deep blue sapphire necklace, dazzling and radiant.

It was a family heirloom left by my mother-in-law, Harper, when Lydia was born—unique in the entire Sapphire Pack and priceless.

Now, it sat around the neck of my enemy's daughter.

"Give that necklace back to me!" I lost my mind completely, lunging at Clarissa. "You don't deserve to wear her things!"

"Stop it!"

Without even looking at me, Warren delivered a heavy kick straight to my chest to protect the mother and daughter.

I flew backward like a broken kite, my head slamming hard against the stone steps. Agonizing pain surged through me, and my vision turned bloody red.

The urn hit the ground with a loud bang, shattering into pieces. White powder scattered all over the floor.

"Brianna, have you lost your mind?!" Warren shielded the crying Clarissa behind him, pointing at me in rage. "Bringing an urn to cause trouble at her birthday party? Are you trying to curse my daughter to death?!"

Blood dripped from my forehead. I lay on the carpet, my fingers digging deep into the fabric, my voice hoarse: "Warren... those are Lydia’s ashes... She died three days ago."

"Shut up!" The coldness in his eyes did not lessen for a second. He raised his foot and stepped directly onto the pile of white ashes on the ground.

The leather sole crushed Lydia’s ashes mercilessly.

"You think throwing some dust around will get my attention?" He looked down at me with pure disdain. "I hired the top medical team to care for her. As the Alpha's daughter, it was just a drug trial—how could it be fatal? I've already sent people to fetch her. She’ll be discharged shortly to attend the party!"

"Guards! Lock the Luna in her bedroom! She is not allowed out to embarrass me further!"

Looking at the white powder beneath his shoe, the last flicker of light in my eyes died completely.

The guards dragged me into the bedroom like a dead dog and locked the door from the outside.

I slumped on the floor, clutching Lydia’s favorite dress tightly to my chest. My tears had long dried; only silent, soul-deep weeping remained.

Less than half an hour later, the door was violently kicked open.

Warren stormed in, his face contorted in rage. He grabbed my neck with an iron grip, lifting me off the ground and slamming me against the wall.

Suffocation hit instantly.

"Hand over the medicine!" His eyes were bloodshot as he roared, deafening me. "Clarissa’s condition suddenly worsened because someone stole her life-saving drug! Who else but you would do something so vile?!"

Lorelei ran in right behind him, crying to the point of fainting. "Brianna... please give the medicine back! Clarissa can't hold on much longer... If you want revenge, take it out on me, the child is innocent!"

"Did you hear that?!" Warren tightened his grip, nearly crushing my throat. "You dared to snatch the necklace in front of everyone, and now you secretly steal medicine to kill a child! How can your heart be so venomous?!"

He raised his hand and slapped me across the face.

A loud snap echoed. My head hit the wall hard, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth.

I looked at this man I had loved for ten years and let out a raspy laugh. "I’ve spent the last three days handling Lydia’s funeral... Where would I find the time to steal medicine..."

"You still dare to lie!" His gaze reeked of utter disgust. "Lorelei genuinely wanted Lydia at the party, yet you were jealous enough to steal her child's medicine! You are beyond saving!"

I lay on the floor, half my face swollen, blood dripping onto Lydia’s dress.

Ten years of love, turned to ash. Warren, you killed your own daughter with your own hands, and you personally buried everything I had.

Just as he raised his hand to strike me again, his phone rang urgently in his pocket.

It was his assistant, Hank.

Warren snorted coldly and answered, "Did you pick her up? Bring Lydia over!"

There was no report from the other end—only Hank’s panicked, trembling voice:

"Alpha... this is bad! Miss Lydia isn't in the ward at all! We searched the whole hospital, and Dr. Vance is gone too!"

"The operating room... is covered in blood! Miss Lydia... she might have met with tragedy!"

Warren’s pupils contracted violently. He froze on the spot, as if struck by lightning.