Chapter 4

　　Mira's POV

　　By the time I left the hospital, it was already broad daylight.

　　I went back to the upscale apartment Elias and I had rented to pack my things. I'd once been determined to spend the rest of my life with him, so I'd moved nearly everything I owned into that apartment.

　　Packing it all up now felt strangely exhausting.

　　My phone rang.

　　It was Elias.

　　"My parents are coming to Mooncrest Pack today. Go pick them up at the station. They don't like to wait. Be there half an hour early."

　　A chill ran through me.

　　In my previous life, Elias's family had paraded me around like their personal chauffeur and tour guide. I'd skipped classes to take them sightseeing and shopping. I'd failed several courses and nearly been kicked out of Mooncrest Pack Academy.

　　This time, I wasn't wasting another second on them.

　　"Did you forget what I said last night? Elias, you're not my boyfriend anymore. Pick up your own parents."

　　His voice sharpened with impatience.

　　"Mira, are you done yet? I have surgery with my advisor today. How am I supposed to skip that?"

　　He still thought I was the same gullible fool who'd shower him with gifts and beg for his forgiveness.

　　I let out a cold laugh.

　　"Send me their train details."

　　His tone immediately shifted into smug satisfaction. He thought he still had me figured out.

　　"Take your Bentley. It's roomier."

　　I curled my lip.

　　Roomier?

　　He just wanted me to show off.

　　Instead, I took the old SUV we used for grocery runs and drove leisurely to the station, leaving Elias's parents and several relatives waiting outside under the blazing sun for a full hour.

　　Elias's father, Peter, launched into a tirade the moment he saw me.

　　"You kept us waiting this long! Where are your manners?"

　　His mother, Helen, chimed in with her own brand of poison.

　　"If you hadn't thrown yourself at Elias, do you think he'd have looked twice at you? Elias is going to be a hospital director someday!"

　　I smiled sweetly.

　　"Uncle, Auntie, let's cool off. We can talk in the car."

　　Elias's family piled into the SUV, chattering excitedly as they ran their hands over the leather seats.

　　They kept boasting about how their son had managed to win over an Alpha heiress.

　　I cracked the window open for some air and said casually, "Let me take you to my place. We've been together this long. I think it's time our families met."

　　They burst into laughter, convinced I was afraid Elias would slip away and wanted to lock him down with marriage.

　　Peter and Helen puffed up with self-importance and readily agreed.

　　When the car stopped in front of the main Mooncrest estate, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.

　　European-style architecture. A swimming pool. Immaculate gardens. Luxury they'd only ever seen on television.

　　I heard Peter muttering to Helen about how Mooncrest Pack didn't even have a son, only two daughters, so everything would eventually belong to Elias.

　　His confidence seemed to swell.

　　He sniffed.

　　"Why isn't anyone coming out to greet us?"

　　I rang the doorbell.

　　The housekeeper, Margaret, came out, but she didn't even open the gate.

　　She frowned at me.

　　"Eldest Miss, the Alpha is home today. How could you bring these people here? You're only making trouble for the Alpha."

　　Every word dripped with disdain.

　　Even Elias's family, slow as they were, understood the implication.

　　Peter exploded on the spot.

　　Margaret fired right back.

　　"Sir, don't pretend you're family when you aren't. Mooncrest Pack has never acknowledged your family."

　　Humiliated, Helen started acting like a shrew.

　　"You only have two daughters. Who would want anything to do with your family?"

　　That was exactly what my father heard as he came out the door.

　　He stormed toward us, laughing coldly.

　　"Your son's qualifications aren't even enough to get through the door of Mooncrest Jewelry Group! I admit my daughter was blind. But if she really stays with your son, she won't get a single share of Mooncrest Pack's inheritance!"

　　Peter scrambled to pull Helen back, trying to smooth things over so they could go inside and discuss the marriage.

　　My father cut him off.

　　"Show me twenty million, then we'll talk! Otherwise, with a family like yours, you're not even fit to be our servants!"

　　Then he barked at Margaret.

　　"Release the dogs!"

　　Several hunting hounds came charging out, lunging and snapping at Elias's family.

　　Screams tore through the estate.

　　They scrambled in panic. Helen's dress was torn, Peter's arm was bleeding, and several relatives ended up tangled together on the ground.

　　I stood to the side and gave a short whistle.

　　The hounds immediately trotted back and sat in a neat row, waiting for their reward.

　　Watching Elias's family rolling around on the ground, I thought of my previous life.

　　I remembered screaming for Elias to save me, only to watch him turn away without a trace of emotion.

　　Those screams of pain finally gave my hatred a small outlet.

　　The bodyguards led the dogs away.

　　I called an ambulance.

　　I wasn't about to let those people dirty my car again.

　　At the ER, Elias's family howled and wailed.

　　The doctor handed me the bill.

　　"The imported vaccine is two thousand per person. Seven people makes fourteen thousand."

　　Peter ordered me around as though it were my responsibility.

　　"Go pay! Now!"

　　I ignored him and called Elias instead.

　　"I have surgery with my advisor today—"

　　"Your parents are in the ER getting rabies shots. Fourteen thousand. You pay."

　　I hung up.

　　Then I took the bill and headed to the cardiology department where Elias was interning.

　　When I passed Bed 35, I found it empty.

　　The nurse told me the man with the gunshot wound had been discharged that morning.

　　A moment later, Elias came out of surgery and spotted me at the nurses' station.

　　He sneered.

　　"You kept calling him a friend. He didn't even tell you when he was discharged. He couldn't care less about you."

　　I smiled.

　　I shoved the bill into his hands.

　　"Your family is in the ER waiting for their shots. And here you are, worrying about my business."

　　Elias glanced down at the fourteen-thousand-dollar total.

　　His expression changed for a moment before he lowered his voice, seething.

　　"Mira, I told you to look after my parents. You actually let them get hurt! You're going to give me an explanation today. I'm not letting this go!"

　　My expression remained flat.

　　"I'm not your girlfriend anymore. Take care of your own parents. Why did they get bitten by dogs? Because they asked for it. Mooncrest Pack isn't a place where just anyone can run their mouth."

　　I turned and walked away.

　　Behind me, Elias ground his teeth.

　　"Fine, break up! Don't come crying and begging me to take you back!"

　　Before the elevator doors closed, I turned my head and gave him a maddening smile.

　　"Elias, you've really perfected the entitled freeloader routine."

　　The doors shut.

　　My phone rang almost immediately.

　　"Mira, you're serious?" Elias's voice was barely containing his fury.

　　"Completely," I said calmly. "Every cent you've gotten from me, I'll make you pay back—with interest. And as for your career..."

　　Through the phone, I could faintly hear Peter and Helen cursing.

　　The other relatives joined in, all complaining about the humiliation and blaming Elias for bringing home trouble he couldn't handle.

　　I smiled coldly.

　　"Handle it yourself, Elias. This time, no one is cleaning up your mess."