Chapter 4
I staggered to my feet, brushing dust off my pajama pants. The fire cast a flickering glow on my face, but my voice was as cold as a winter wind.
“It’s fine,” I said flatly. “I opened the album and saw bugs crawling inside–maybe cockroaches–so I burned it.”
Alpha Simon blinked, clearly caught off guard by my calm explanation. His gaze darted to the smoldering ashes. For a moment, his mighty Alpha brain short–circuited, unable to compute.
“Bugs?” he echoed, his tone shifting from anger to confusion.
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“Big ones,” I confirmed.
His shoulders sagged slightly, and he let out a deep sigh. “Are you okay? I’m sorry- I might have overreacted,” he said, running a hand through his hair.
“Might have?” Sasha, my wolf, snorted in my head. *“He nearly launched himself into the fire like some tragic romantic hero.“*
Simon softened his tone further. “Those photos were ten years of memories, Elena. Weren’t we going to share them at our wedding? you burn them?”
& Why di
I folded my arms, barely suppressing a scoff. “You’ve been busy with work for ages. I didn’t want to bother you with something as
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trivial as a bug infestation.”
His brows furrowed, and he stepped closer, the sad–puppy look in his eyes almost laughable. Almost.
“If there were bugs, you could’ve messaged me,” he said earnestly. “I would’ve handled it.”
I didn’t bother responding. The man
standing before me wasn’t the boy who once promised to protect me from anything and everything.
He stood beside me, gazing forlornly at the ashes, as though his heartbreak was the real tragedy here. It was ironic–he had ruined our ten–year relationship for another woman, yet he still acted as if he cared.
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I turned to head back inside, but before I could escape, Simon pulled me into his arms. The sharp scent of Black Opium cologne hit me like a brick wall, and I immediately sneezed–three times in rapid succession.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern in his voice.
I wanted to say, “No, the awful scent of Veronica’s perfume on you is making me sick.” *Instead, I muttered, “Allergic” trying to pull away, but his grip only tightened.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I know I’ve been neglecting you. Once things settle down, let’s retake those photos, alright? We’ll replace what was lost–double it, even!”
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In the past, his words might have thawed my heart. But after spending last month in the ER because he forgot my cream allergy for another woman’s birthday cake, I wasn’t about to be swayed by sweet nothings.
When he finally released me, I stepped back, brushing his hands off like they’d burned me. “No need to apologize,” I said coolly. “If you really want to make it up to me, throw me a proper birthday party!”
Simon blinked, startled by my simple request. In eight years, I’d never asked for one–not after the first disastrous attempt where cream–filled pastries made a surprise appearance and almost killed me. But since I’d be leaving soon, I wanted to experience at least one birthday with him by my side.
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His mouth opened, but he quickly shut it and nodded. “Alright, I can do that.”
Before he could elaborate, his phone buzzed. The familiar chime made my stomach twist. I didn’t need to glance at the screen to know who was calling–it was the custom ringtone reserved for Beta Veronica.
Simon’s expression changed instantly, his gaze darting to the screen. “It’s work,” he said hastily. “Something urgent. Don’t wait up for me tonight–I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
As he spoke, he was already backing away, his movements rushed and almost guilty. By the time he finished his half–hearted excuse, he was meters away, practically sprinting toward his car.
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my wolf growled low in my mind. *“He didn’t even try to lie convincingly.“*
“Nope,” I agreed, watching his retreating
figure with a mix
of resignation and relief.
For once, I didn’t bother calling him out. Let him run. It only made my decision to leave that much easier.
The next morning, a small army of workers descended on the house to set up the party. Among them, strutting like she owned the place, was none other than Beta Veronica herself. She announced she was there to “oversee the arrangements” since, apparently, she’d designed the setup.
By sunset, the workers were gone, leaving
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behind a party layout that looked eerily familiar. It took me a moment to place it–oh, of course! It was a watered–down version of Veronica’s own birthday party from this year.
She sashayed over, that smug smile
plastered on her face. “Well, everyone’s been hard at work all day. What do you think? Does it suit your taste?”
I gave her a once–over, my eyes landing on the necklace dangling from her neck
a necklace that had gone mysteriously missing from my jewelry box months ago. My wolf growled low in my head. *“She’s a bitch thief. Just say the word, and I’ll rip it off her neck.“*
I squinted, my voice cold enough to frost the windows. “A secondhand setup for a
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secondhand person. It suits you perfectly.“”
Her smug expression faltered, and for a moment, I thought she might actually drop the act. But no, Beta Veronica had other plans. she glanced at a crystal ornament on the table, picked it up, and smashed it to the floor. One sharp shard nicked her foot, and she immediately let out a pitiful wail, tears springing to her eyes.
Before I could react, Alpha Simon stormed over and slapped me across the face.
“Enough with the tantrums!” he roared “Veronica took the day off to help with *your*
party, and this is how you repay her? If don’t like it, then do it yourself!”
you
He didn’t even wait for my response.
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Scooping Beta Veronica into his arms, he rushed her out.
I stood there in the empty room, one hand pressed to my stinging cheek, the silence weighing heavy around me.
The next morning, I wasn’t surprised to find the room still empty. Not a single guest had shown up. Why would they? Alpha Simon had been my only friend for the past ten years, and clearly, he wasn’t interested in celebrating anymore.
When the cake arrived, I opened the box, cut myself a small slice, and stuck a single candle in it. Sitting at the kitchen counter, I lit the candle and closed my eyes.
“May we never meet again,” I whispered, the
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wish as simple as it was final.
I didn’t even bother tasting the cake. It wasn’t like I could eat it anyway–cream allergy, remember? I left it there, untouched.
When my phone rang, signaling the end of my countdown, and grabbed my suitcase.
The ride to the airport was uneventful, the city blurring past the car window like a fading memory. As we neared the terminal, I pulled out my phone and sent one final message to Simon.
“Let’s end things here. There’s no need to keep in touch.”
Not even a breakup–just a simple end to ten years of my life.
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By the time I boarded the plane and turned off my phone, it was already ringing with Simon’s frantic calls. I didn’t answer.
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