Chapter 3

“Sign it.” I flipped the document to the last page, covering the rest, and held it out to him, my voice so quiet it was almost lost in the air.

He glanced at it, probably assuming it was another demand for jewelry or property. Eager to end this farce, he signed without even reading it.

Afterward, he looked up at me. “Evangeline isn’t well, and she has no one to look after her at home. She’ll be staying here for a few days.”

I nodded numbly. “Suit yourself.”

I picked up the papers and left without looking back.

My notary sent an email: “The divorce agreement has been reviewed by counsel. Please come to the office on Wednesday to sign. The waiting period after a successful divorce is one month.A copy will be filed with us.”

I printed the PDF and slipped it into a kraft paper envelope. The document was as thin as my marriage certificate once was, yet so heavy I could barely grip it. I squeezed the papers tight until my fingertips turned white.

Finally… it was going to end.

That night I returned to the villa, and the sound of laughter drifted from the living room.

Evangeline sat on the sofa, with Cyril and Flynn curled up on either side of her, listening to her tell a story.

“…And in the end, the Alpha defeated his enemies, protected his she-wolf, and they lived happily ever after.” She gently stroked the two pups’ heads.

Cyril looked up at her. “Aunt Evangeline, you’re so much gentler than Mom.”

Flynn nodded eagerly. “I wish you were my mom…”

I stood in the doorway, my heart stabbed brutally.

I expressionlessly walked upstairs and took a shower in the guest bathroom. Warm water washed over my body but could not chase away the cold in my chest.

I closed my eyes and thought: Don’t worry. Only a month...that wish of yours will come true soon enough.

Not long after I lay down, the other side of the bed sank.

Evander had finished showering and lay down beside me.

I turned my back to him, motionless.

Suddenly he leaned closer, his arm wrapping around my waist, his soft lips pressing against the back of my neck.

I stiffened and shoved him away violently.

He frowned. “I gave you the compensation you wanted. Your brother wasn’t even seriously hurt. How long are you going to keep this up?”

I was about to speak when—

Knock, knock, knock!

The door opened a crack, and Cyril’s little head poked in. “Daddy! The weather forecast says it’s going to thunder tonight! You said Aunt Evangeline is scared of thunder!”

Flynn squeezed in too. “Daddy, come stay with Aunt Evangeline! She’s scared!”

He glanced at the gloomy sky outside and got up without hesitation. Before leaving, he tossed over his shoulder: “Sleep alone tonight.”

The door was left slightly ajar, and faint laughter came from the next room.

“Evander, you’re here?” Evangeline’s voice was soft and sweet.

“Daddy! Aunt Evangeline’s stories are amazing!” Cyril exclaimed excitedly.

Flynn whined. “Daddy, can we let Aunt Evangeline live here forever?”

He chuckled lowly. “Of course.”

I lay in bed, listening to their joy, and slowly closed my eyes.

The next morning when I went downstairs, laughter filled the kitchen.

Evander stood at the counter wearing an apron, his slender fingers holding a spatula. Evangeline stood beside him, leaning in occasionally to smell the food, her eyes curving into crescents.

Cyril and Flynn circled their legs, chattering away happily.

“Evander, I can’t believe you still remember my favorite flavor after all these years.” Her voice was soft, touched.

He turned to look at her with a tenderness he had never once shown me. “I never forgot, not for a moment.”

He placed the cooked bacon and eggs on a plate and pushed it toward her. “Try it. See if it tastes the same.”

She took a bite, her features lighting up. “Even better than before.”

Cyril raised his hand immediately. “Aunt Evangeline, when Daddy is busy, I’ll cook for you!”

Flynn hopped up and down in agreement. “I’ll learn too! I promise I’ll cook better than Daddy!”

She laughed and ruffled their hair. He watched them, his cold features softening into a smile.

I stood at the staircase, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.

All these years, because he was the Alpha of the DuskFang Pack, living by extremely high standards, and the two pups had been raised spoiled and picky, I had served this family diligently and carefully.

But it turned out…

A man who couldn’t even be bothered to pick up a fallen oil bottle would cook for the one he loved.

Pups as spoiled and willful as Cyril and Flynn could become this thoughtful.

I was nothing but dirt beneath their feet, yet they bowed willingly for Evangeline.

The one who loves first, it seems, always loses completely.