Chapter 4

Maybe she noticed my gaze. Isabella looked up at me, the corners of her lips slowly curving into a smile.

It was gentle and calm, like a mother wolf who had already secured her place at the top.

“What a coincidence,” she said lightly. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Her eyes dropped to the safety rope I hadn’t had time to unclip yet, and she added meaningfully,

“Your climbing just now. It’s exactly the same as when Henry taught me.”

My fingers curled unconsciously, knuckles whitening.

I turned to leave, but she grabbed my arm.

The pull yanked at my old injury, sharp, needle-like pain exploded through the half-healed wound.

“That day,” she lowered her voice, leaning close to my ear, “you heard my conversation with Henry, didn’t you?”

She let out a soft laugh.

“I’m impressed you held it together. Or is it that… you don’t dare face reality at all?”

I forced myself to stay calm.

“Believe it or not, I’m leaving Henry.”

She froze.

For a split second, I actually caught a flicker of panic in her eyes.

But I didn’t want to tangle with her anymore.

I turned and walked away.

The moment my foot reached the descent point, a strange sound rang out behind me.

I didn’t think much of it.

Until my body suddenly dropped. The safety line at my waist went slack.

Weightlessness seized me in an instant.

As I plummeted, I clearly saw out of the corner of my eye—

That flash of triumph on Isabella’s face.

On the edge between life and death, I dug my fingers into a hold on the rock wall. My nails tore back, pain shooting straight up my arms into my skull.

My wolf nature went berserk. Almost purely on instinct, I forced my body to stabilize and barely managed to land.

My legs gave out.

Cold sweat soaked my back.

In the medical room, I let the staff tend to my wounds.

The sting of alcohol on my skin hurt—but not nearly as much as the cold spreading through my heart.

I replayed the details again and again.

The more I thought about it, the more certain I became—It wasn’t an accident.

After a simple bandage, I cooperated with the police who arrived and reviewed the training facility’s surveillance footage.

The result caught me completely off guard.

“The footage was hacked,” the officer said with a frown. “And the method was highly professional.”

My chest sank.

“Can it be restored?” I pressed.

The security staff shook their heads helplessly.

“The hacker’s skills are far beyond ours. Forget restoring it, we can’t pull a single frame.”

In the end, the police could only leave empty-handed.

I stood there, ears ringing.

My steps were unsteady as I headed out.

When I passed the emergency stairwell, I suddenly heard a low argument inside.

“Henry.”

A man’s voice, clearly dissatisfied.

“I never thought I’d be the one cleaning up after you.”

“Usually, if Jenifer so much as scrapes her skin, you lose your mind worrying.”

“But now Isabella nearly gets her killed, and you still take Isabella’s side.”

“…Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen in love with Isabella?”

The air fell into a long, suffocating silence.

So long I nearly forgot to breathe.

Then I heard Henry’s voice.

“…Maybe a little.”

My mind exploded with a loud “buzz”.

“But that feeling will never come before Jenifer,” he continued.

“I’m doing this for the two pups.”

“I’ve already warned Isabella.”

“This won’t happen again.”

Won’t happen again?

Cold crept up my spine, spreading into my limbs.

Only then did I truly understand he had made his choice.

After we returned, I didn’t mention the climbing gym.

Instead, Henry, perhaps out of guilt, sent even more expensive gifts.

Jewelry, dresses, and custom weapons, I ignored them all.

In my heart, I simply counted down.

Seven days.

Almost there.

After receiving a message from the butler, I went to the bank to handle asset transfers.

I was signing documents when my gaze drifted to the other side of the lobby.

Henry.

And Isabella.

They were surrounded by executives, calm and composed.

After asking around, I learned this was the second year Henry had set up exclusive trusts for the two pups.

“I heard the initial amount is eight figures.”

“Henry really dotes on Isabella and the pups.”

“So those rumors about him being tangled up with some low-ranking Omega must be fake, right?”

“Henry’s clearly a good Alpha, a good mate, and a good father!”

I bit my lip hard.

The taste of blood spread in my mouth.

Just as I stepped out of the bank, I ran straight into them.

Henry immediately walked over, as if nothing had happened.

“Jenifer, you’re here too? I’m helping Isabella with something. Perfect timing—let’s head back together.”

I wanted to refuse.

But I couldn’t override his insistence.

In the end, I got into the car.

The moment I sat in the passenger seat, I noticed the car was filled with baby supplies, bottles, special blankets for young wolves, and soothing toys.

Henry who used to see only me kept glancing at the back seat through the rearview mirror, checking on Isabella and the pups.

That unhidden concern was like a dull knife, slicing into me again and again.

The next second, a heavy truck ahead lost control and barreled straight toward us.

Henry jerked the steering wheel.

Too late.

The violent impact flipped the car.

The world spun wildly.

Pain tore through my body, my vision bleaching white.

Through the haze, I heard urgent voices.

“Alpha, the vehicle could explode at any moment! We can only save one, the back seat or the passenger seat first!”

“We recommend saving the passenger. Her injuries are more severe—”

“Henry…” Isabella cried, her voice breaking. “Save me… I want to see our children again. Please…”

The air froze.

I hated that I wasn’t blind that I could clearly see the hesitation flash through Henry’s eyes.

In the end, he turned his face away with difficulty.

“No.”

“Save the adult in the back seat first.”

“She’s more important.”

In that instant, I felt my heart shatter.

I suddenly remembered long ago when I was kidnapped by a rival Pack, he stood in front of me, covered in blood.

“Jenifer, your safety matters more than my life.”

So vows can expire, too.

As the pain swallowed my consciousness, I didn’t even have the strength to cry.

When I woke again, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled the hospital room.

With red eyes, I called his name again and again.

“Henry…”

“Henry…”

No one answered.

Finally, leaning on a cane, I went to get some hot water.

As I neared the pantry, my entire body tensed.

Through the half-open door, I heard Isabella’s trembling yet joyful voice—

“Henry… the doctor just said I’m two months pregnant.”