He swooped down in front of my hospital bed, “No!” he shouted, his voice echoing off the hospital walls. “I don’t agree to
dissolve the partnership!”
Instantly, the unraveling stopped. The pain remained, throbbing and insistent, but the bond stabilized–weakened but still intact.
I’d forgotten the most crucial detail of our pack laws: both mates must agree to dissolve the bond.
Oliver looked between us, confusion replacing his earlier delight. “What’s happening? Why isn’t it working?”
Derek ignored him, his eyes locked on mine. “You can’t do this, Olivia. You’re not thinking clearly.”
“I’ve never thought more clearly in my life,” I replied, my voice steady despite the pain.
“You’re being completely irresponsible!” Derek’s voice rose, drawing the attention of a nurse passing in the hallway. “You can’t
just casually throw away a mate bond because you’re having a tantrum!”
I laughed, the sound hollow even to my own ears. “A tantrum? Is that what you think this is?”
“Think about what you’re doing to Oliver,” Derek pressed, gesturing to our son. “Do you know how the other pups will treat him
if his parents dissolve their bond? He’ll be laughed at. Bullied. Is that what you want?”
Oliver’s eyes widened at this, fear replacing the defiance that had been there moments before.
“They’ll call me a broken pup,” he whispered.
For a moment, my heart wavered. I’d experienced enough bullying in my life to know how cruel children could be. The thought of
Oliver facing that kind of torment…
But then I remembered the truth: the foundation of our family had already crumbled.
“Don’t worry about that, Oliver,” I said, my voice gentle despite my resolve. “You won’t be shamed by your classmates anymore.”
1/3
Derek’s face relaxed slightly, thinking he’d found his opening. But I wasn’t finished.
I looked at this father and son with a smile“I’ve canceled your noble school tuition,” I continued. “With your father’s income
alone, you’ll probably have to switch to a school for ordinary members of the wolf pack.”
The color drained from Derek’s face as the reality of the situation hit him. His pharmaceutical company had been operating at a
loss for years. Without my income supporting them, everything would change.
“You… you can’t be serious,” he stammered.
“I’ve never been more serious,” I replied, reaching for my jacket draped over the hospital chair.
Derek’s strategy shifted instantly. The anger vanished from his face, replaced by pleading desperation. He reached for my hands,
his touch gentle now.
“Olivia, please,” he begged, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Let’s not do this here. Let’s go home and talk about this properly.
We can work this out.”
Home? My villa? I paused for a moment, considering my options.
The option of severing the partnership outright just now didn’t seem right, and there was no guarantee that they would do
anything bad to my cottage after the hospital parting of ways.
And the villa we live in now was bought with money I worked hard for, with countless treatments and sleepless nights on duty. If
I’m going to take back everything that’s mine, I need to start with our home.
“Fine,” I said coldly. “We can go back to the house.”
Relief flooded Derek’s face. He obviously thought he’d won, that he could change my mind once we were home. He had no idea
what was coming.
The drive home was tense, with Derek attempting small talk that I ignored completely. Oliver sat silently in the back seat,
occasionally glancing between us with uncertainty.
When we pulled into the driveway of our sprawling villa, I felt a surge of determination. This house was mine. Paid for with my blood and sweat while Derek frittered away money on failed business ventures.
Now I’m going to take back all those unworthy payments of mine, starting with this villa.
Derek helped Oliver from the car, carrying him despite his protests that he could walk. I followed behind, already planning my
exit strategy.
But as we approached the front door, something caught my eye. Bright splashes of color dotted the perfectly manicured lawn –
clothes. My clothes. Scattered across the yard like trash.
I rushed forward, picking up a silk blouse I’d bought just last month. Beyond it lay dresses, pants, shirts – my entire wardrobe
thrown unceremoniously onto the grass.
2/3
“What is this?” I demanded, whirling to face Derek.
His face registered genuine shock. “I… I don’t know. I didn’t do this.”
A movement at the window caught my attention. Rachel stood there, watching us with a smug smile before quickly ducking away.
I stormed past Derek and Oliver, shoving open the front door with such force it banged against the wall. Taking the stairs two at a time, I made my way to the master bedroom – our bedroom.
What I saw stopped me cold. The large walk–in closet that had once held my clothes was now filled with unfamiliar items. Rachel’s clothes hung neatly where mine had been. Her shoes lined the shelves. Her perfumes and lotions cluttered the vanity.
he had moved in. While I was at the hospital with my injured son, Rachel had moved into my home. Into my space.
