Chapter 8
The day we finalized the divorce dawned bright and clear–sunlight piercing through the clouds, warm against our skin.
Everything went smoothly. I had entrusted all asset divisions to my lawyers. As for the belongings in the villa, my private organizer handled them with one instruction: Sell everything Alpha Manfred ever gave me- jewelry, property, all of it–and deposit the proceeds into my account.
Tucking the divorce certificate into my bag, I turned to leave after a brief farewell.
Alpha Manfred reached for me, his hand hovering midair before dropping.
“Emily, let’s talk. That day at the hospital–1
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didn’t mean to leave you waiting. There were reporters; it wasn’t the right time to be seen together”
His words tumbled out in a rush. “Are you still angry? I’ve been swamped–Jessica’s pregnancy has been hard on her. The online rumors have made her depressed, and she’s terrified I’ll leave her for you.”
“Emily. I’m exhausted–between her and the pack and–everything. You understand, don’t you?”
Oh, I understood all right.
What I didn’t understand was how he still thought I cared.
I was grateful my heart had long gone numb, leaving no room for hope.
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I folded my arms. “So, if I’d stayed in the rain that day–if I’d kept waiting–I’d have gotten neither you nor an explanation?”
He flinched.
I pressed forward, voice low and even. “Did you have to erase me so completely to prove you loved her?”
“Emily, I-”
“Did you ever stop to think why I was even at the hospital? That maybe I wasn’t just there for fun? That maybe I got soaked in the rain and waited because I needed you?”
He winced. “I… I meant to ask. But Jessica wasn’t feeling well, and by the time I was free–she said you looked fine. Probably visiting a friend. I didn’t want to bother-”
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I cut him off with a shake of my head. “Alpha Manfred, explanations don’t matter anymore.”
“It’s not over.” Desperation edged his voice. “You promised this was temporary. Go back to Eclipse Pack for a while. Once Jessica’s had the baby–no, once the media calms down–I’ll come for you.”
“You still think this is temporary?” I asked.
“Of course! You promised-”
“No,” I interrupted, voice steady. “I promised because I still loved you then. Because I hadn’t realized just how disposable I’d become in your life.”
I met his eyes. My wolf wanted to bare her teeth–not out of anger, but sorrow.
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“The divorce is real. My heartbreak is real. And do you know why I stopped reaching out?”
He stayed silent.
“Because to me, divorce means exactly what it says. The end. No ‘pause. No ‘we’ll fix it later! Just done.”
“After today, let’s go our separate ways- cleanly, completely.”
He opened his mouth again, but I cut in.
“I, Emily Valdez, rejected you, Manfred Alvarado,as my mate”
Checking my phone, I saw it was nearly time to leave for the airport.
But Alpha Manfred looked as if the ground
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had crumbled beneath him.
All those times he’d chosen Jessica, all those times I’d forgiven him–it had warped his perception. He’d assumed my love was infinite. Unshakable.
His eyes welled up, lips trembling. Ignoring my resistance, he pulled me into a crushing embrace.
“Emily… you’re really leaving me?” His voice cracked. “You said you understood. You know I don’t love her–it’s always been you, right?”
“If the divorce upsets you, let’s undo it. We’ll remarry today-”
“But when I didn’t want this, you had all the answers,” I said quietly. “You had solutions- just none that didn’t involve sacrificing me.”
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Over his shoulder, I spotted Jessica approaching–designer sunglasses, sky–high heels despite her four–month pregnancy. Her glowing complexion betrayed no trace of the “depression” he’d described.
She tugged his sleeve, her wary eyes locked
on me.
I pushed Alpha Manfred away. “Your fiancée is here.”
Then, meeting his gaze one last time: “In all our years together, I never asked anything of you. But today, I have one request.”
“Anything” he whispered
“From now on, unless absolutely necessary -I won’t step foot in Silver Claw Pack, and you won’t come to Eclipse Pack.”
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A final pause.
“Let’s never see each other again.”
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