gave him unlimited monthly funds to keep his failing pharmaceutical company running – gone with just a tap of my finger.
1/3
With a few more movements, I canceled the automatic payments for Oliver’s elite kindergarten. The confirmation message popped up: “Tuition payment canceled.” I hit confirm without hesitation.
Next, I forwarded an email to the coordinator of Oliver’s extracurricular activities, withdrawing him from the expensive wolf combat training that cost thousands each month. “Please remove Oliver Winters from all scheduled sessions effective
immediately,” I typed.
Finally, I canceled the standing order for the rare European herbs – over $100,000 annually – that strengthened his weak
constitution. These herbs had kept him from having severe allergic reactions, had built up his immune system. But if Rachel was
to be his mother now, let her figure out how to keep him healthy.
Derek noticed my focused expression and the rapid movement of my fingers across the screen. His face paled quickly as
realization dawned.
“Olivia, what are you doing?” Panic edged into his voice. He tried to grab my phone, but I pulled it away.
I looked up, meeting his eyes directly. “Making room for Rachel.”
“What?” His confusion seemed genuine, but I was done with his lies.
“You heard me.” I turned to Oliver, who was now watching me with suspicious eyes: “Haven’t you always wanted Aunt Rachel to
be your mom? Well, I’m leaving now, so why don’t you let her be your mom from now on?”
Oliver’s face transformed instantly. The sullen look disappeared, replaced by wide–eyed delight. He nodded eagerly, as if afraid I
might change my mind. His reaction was like physical proof of everything I’d suspected.
“Really? You mean it?” His excitement was like a physical blow to my chest. “Can we do it today? Can you break the mate bond with Dad today?”
Derek quickly covered Oliver’s mouth with his hand. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying. He’s just a child, Olivia. He doesn’t
understand what breaking a mate bond means.”
Oliver struggled against Derek’s hand, pulling it away with surprising strength. “I’m not stupid! I know exactly what I want. If
she wants to leave, then let her leave!”
He looked at me with such hatred that I barely recognized him as the same boy who once clung to me during thunderstorms.
“Aunt Rachel will make a lot of money too,” Oliver continued defiantly. “She told me she used to work at a big company before
she came to work for you. She doesn’t need your money!”
I stared at my son, feeling nothing but a hollow emptiness where my heart used to be. His words should have hurt, should have
made me cry or scream or beg him to reconsider. Instead, I felt nothing. It was as if my last tear had already been shed, my last
hope already extinguished.
Ava, my wolf, was unusually quiet inside me. Usually, she would fight for our family, for our pup. But even she seemed to have
given up.
2/3
Derek’s face paled further. He grabbed my wrist, his grip tight. “Olivia, you can’t mean-”
My heart races just thinking about what I’m about to say.
The monitor beside my bed started beeping faster, registering my accelerated heart rate despite my outward calm. A nurse poked her head in, concerned by the change in my vitals, but I waved her away.
After so many years of being mates, it was obvious that Derek knew exactly what I was going to do, “You’re not thinking clearly,” Derek pleaded, his voice dropping to a whisper.” You’ve just been in shock and any behavior now would be an irrational
decision.”
“I’ve never thought more clearly in my life,” I replied coldly. “For years, I’ve supported you financially, emotionally, in every way possible. And this is how you repay me? By letting another woman steal my place in my son’s heart?”
Oliver suddenly shouted from his bed, “She didn’t steal anything! I chose her!”
—
Those words those simple, cruel words from my five–year–old son were the final confirmation I needed. There was nothing
left for me here. Nothing worth fighting for.
Thoroughly disappointed, I looked at the father–son duo quietly. Opening my mouth, and said.
“I, from today, will dissolve the mate–bond with you, Derek,” I said, my voice was stronger. “In the name of the Moon Goddess,
from now on, I and you two father and son will have no more relationship whatsoever. And I will take back everything I
previously gave you, including the villa, my support for your company, and Oliver’s aristocratic
kindergarten.”
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