Chapter 2
No sooner had I finished filing the police report and returned to the villa to pack my bags than the door was kicked open with a violent crash.
Evander stood in the doorway, his face dark with fury, with Cyril and Flynn right behind him. The two pups glared at me with pure rage in their eyes, as if I had committed some unforgivable sin.
“Was it you who called the police and accused Evangeline of murder?” His voice was icy, heavy with the oppressive aura of an Alpha. “Who did she kill? Are you really this relentless?”
Before I could speak, Cyril charged forward and shoved me hard. “Bad Mommy! Are you only satisfied when you get Aunt Evangeline killed?!”
Flynn lunged at me too, his tiny fists pounding my legs. “You’re horrible! Aunt Evangeline is so kind—why are you framing her?!”
I stumbled backward, my back slamming into the wardrobe. I gasped in sharp pain.
Tears stung my eyes as I stared at them, my voice trembling. “She swapped the dummy for my brother. Wyatt was burned alive… Am I wrong to call the police on her?”
The three of them froze at the same time.
Evander let out a cold laugh. “What nonsense are you talking about? Evangeline would never do such a thing!”
I laughed until tears streamed down my face. “Then call my brother right now and see if he answers.”
He frowned, pulled out his phone, and dialed Wyatt’s number.
Ring… ring…
After a long wait, the call automatically disconnected—no answer.
Evander’s expression shifted slightly. He was about to speak when the door creaked open gently.
Evangeline walked in, pale and frail, leaning weakly against the doorframe. “I heard… Wyatt went camping and hiking. He probably has no signal, that’s why he didn’t answer.”
Cyril and Flynn immediately ran to her sides, supporting her. “Aunt Evangeline! Why did you leave the hospital? The doctor said you need to rest!”
She smiled helplessly. “I heard Elowen called the police saying I murdered someone. How could I not come and explain?” She lifted her gaze to me, her eyes gentle yet resigned. “Elowen, I know what you’re afraid of. Even though Evander and I once loved each other, that’s all in the past. You two are Fate Mates now. I only wish you well and would never ruin your family. You really don’t have to frame me like this… Murder is far too serious a charge.”
Cyril tilted his head up, admiration written all over his little face. “Look at Aunt Evangeline’s grace! Compare that to Mom! It’s like night and day!”
Flynn snorted in agreement. “Cyril’s right. Mom only lies and hurts people!”
I trembled all over, my nails digging deep into my palms. “When the police finish investigating, you’ll know who’s telling the truth.”
“Investigating?” Evander let out a cold scoff. “You framed Evangeline—that is the truth! What else is there to investigate?”
He loomed over me, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ve already withdrawn the case and made some calls. In all of Aetherton, no one dares to take your case.”
I stared at him in disbelief. Before I could reply, my phone rang.
It was the police station.
“Elowen, we’ve dropped your case… Evander intervened, and there’s nothing we can do. Please… accept your loss. No one in Aetherton will touch this case.”
The call ended. I stood frozen, a bitter cold creeping up from my soles.
Pain, despair, rage… All of it crushed my chest, as if a wolf’s claw had torn out a chunk of my heart, the agony making my vision blur.
Yet in the end, I laughed.
I looked at the husband and pups I once loved more than anything, laughing until tears poured down uncontrollably.
His tone softened slightly. “Alright, this matter ends here. I may have gone too far earlier and scared you. I apologize.”
He paused. “I can give you any compensation you want.”
Tears still fell, but my gaze slowly turned cold.
I lifted a hand to wipe them away, then turned toward the drawer. My movements were slow, as if each step was a farewell to the woman I used to be.
When I pulled out the divorce papers, my fingers trembled slightly—not from anger or grief, but from a calm that bordered on relief.
