Meanwhile, Liam Blackwood stared at his phone screen, his brow furrowed.

He'd expected me to cry or cause a scene, but he never imagined I would react with such calm.

"What did she say?" one of his pack members leaned over, his eyes widening. "Just... just 'Okay'?"

"That's not right," another rubbed his chin. "For a girl who was so infatuated with you, she wouldn't be this calm..."

The ceremony site was confused, but then someone caught on, realization dawning on his face.

"Damn, she must have been here earlier and overheard our conversation outside the door! She already knows the baby is fake and the ceremony is fake, that's why she's pretending to be so unbothered!"

After their analysis, Liam's frown deepened.

With my personality, after waiting all these years and learning he had someone else and even a child, I would definitely have made a huge scene.

The only reason I was being so calm was that I must have discovered the truth and was playing hard to get, trying to make him chase her again.

The pack members immediately agreed with this theory, offering their suggestions.

"If that's the case, Alpha, you should keep up the act with Sylvia. This is a perfect opportunity to get closer to her. Anyway, the girl obviously hasn't given up yet. Once you two are actually together, she'll have no choice but to move on."

"Exactly. What Sera thinks doesn't matter. What matters is that you should strike while the iron is hot and win over the heart of Sylvia. Once she's carrying your pup, all your problems will disappear."

The pack was chatting excitedly when my brother, Damine, pushed through the door, his gaze locking directly on Liam.

"Liam, step outside. We need to talk about Sera."

Was I running to my brother to complain?

Liam lazily lifted his eyes, about to speak, when his phone rang.

"Liam? Are you free right now? Remember you said you needed to put on an act for your friend's little sister? I was thinking you could come with me to pick out some baby supplies. It would make the act more believable."

Hearing Sylvia's gentle voice, Liam agreed without a second thought.

He immediately stood up, leaving only one sentence for my brother.

"Next time. I'm busy right now."

"Just for a minute..."

Seeing how eager he was, Damine tried to call him back, but a few pack members blocked his path.

"Come on, Damine. Liam's in a hurry to see the girl he loves. Don't stop him."

"Yeah, you know how he feels about Sylvia. After waiting for so many years, this is finally his chance to confess love. You shouldn't try to set your sister up with our Alpha anymore."

Hearing their advice, Damine frowned.

"That's not what I meant."

He just wanted to tell him that I was going abroad and would no longer bother him.

After resting for a day, I went out and applied for my visa.

The officer told me it would take at least two weeks to process.

After staying home for a couple of days, it was Damine's birthday.

Damine loved parties and always hosted a big celebration. I changed into a dress and went to attend.

The ballroom was filled with guests and buzzing with activity. His pack members were all there.

I didn't want to run into any of them, so I just stayed in the corner.

After a while, Liam entered the room, one arm wrapped around Sylvia and the other holding the baby, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

Seeing him looking so smug, everyone couldn't help but envy him, murmuring amongst themselves.

"Who would have thought Liam would be the first to find his mate? I've heard he's had a thing for Sylvia for years. Now with a child and a mate, he's truly the lucky guy who has it all."

"What a shame for all those girls who had a crush on him. Their hearts must be completely shattered!"

Hearing these comments, I showed no emotion on my face.

Moments later, Liam led Sylvia over to me, calling out to me nonchalantly.

"Sera, I don't think I've introduced you to my mate and our pup."

All eyes in the room fell on us.

My expression remained unchanged as I forced a smile. "Nice to meet you."

Sylvia, the excellent actress he'd hired, seeing this, took the initiative to extend a hand, a warm smile on her face.

"You must be Sera? Liam has mentioned you a few times. You're so young, you just can't tell the difference between love and infatuation."

She added, “Now that Liam has me and our pup, you can finally let go of those silly feelings. We're planning our mating ceremony for next month, and we expect you to attend."

I lowered my gaze. "I understand, Sylvia. You'll be our future Luna. I overstepped before, but I know my place now. I wish you both happiness."

Hearing me say that, the pack members around us immediately started teasing.

"What things are we talking about? The times you called Liam in the middle of the night, asking him to pick you up?"

"Or when you got drunk in public and declared you was going to be Liam’s mate?"

"What about when you went to the Blackwood estate and questioned the staff about his preferences?"

"Sera, now that Liam is taken, if you keep clinging to him, you're just shaming yourself and your family's name. You need to be smart about this. Don't be the one cause to drive a wedge between your brother and Liam!"

Every word felt like salt being rubbed into my wounds.

I instinctively looked at Liam, standing just a few feet away, his expression cold and indifferent.

For a moment, he seemed like a completely different person—no longer the Liam in my memories who always looked out for me.

But then I thought, he'd always been this cold toward other girls, never giving them any false hope.

It seemed his tolerance for my affections was only out of respect for Damine. He didn't want to make things awkward.

Now that he was with the woman he truly loved, he had to draw a clear line between us.

After all, in his heart, Sylvia was more important than anyone else, wasn't she?

With that thought, a deep sense of bitterness washed over me. I just nodded and turned to leave.

The birthday banquet was just getting started, and the late-arriving Damine was busy greeting guests. He didn't notice me at all.

Meanwhile, Liam eagerly and openly introduced Sylvia to everyone as his future Luna.

He took drinks meant for her, fed her tasty pastries, gently straightened her skirt when it got messy, and even massaged her tired shoulders...

Everyone praised how doting he was on his mate, how lucky Sylvia was to be bound to him, calling them the perfect, destined couple.

I watched from a distance, my mouth tasting bitter, forcing myself to look away.

I sat alone in the corner until Sylvia, holding a wine glass, walked over and broke the silence.

"It's your brother's birthday, yet you're sitting here saying nothing. Are you angry?"

I didn't expect her to approach me and instinctively moved two steps back.

"I'm not angry, Sylvia. I've let Liam go completely."

Sylvia paused for a moment, her gaze becoming complicated.

"Liam told me you've been chasing him for years, determined to be with him."

"That was in the past. I gave up after I found out he'd loved you for so long. I truly wish you happiness."

After saying that, I tried to get up, but Sylvia grabbed my arm.

"You said Liam loved me for years? Where did you hear that? Did he tell you that himself?"

I didn't feel like talking to her anymore, but still in friendly behavior "Everyone says so. Maybe you can ask him yourself."

But Sylvia wouldn't let me go, insisting on getting a clear answer.

As we struggled, the chandelier above us suddenly loosened and came crashing down.

I looked up at the black shadow falling rapidly, my mind going completely blank.

Before I could react, Liam's face changed drastically. He rushed forward to shield Sylvia and move her away, leaving me alone under danger.

The heavy silver chandelier slammed into me completely, knocking me to the ground.

The burning candles ignited my dress immediately. The fire and the silver prevented my wolf from healing.

Blood gushed from my wounds, my body screaming in agony as if every bone was being shattered.

I lay in a pool of my own blood, unable to stop trembling and convulsing, listening to the terrified screams around me.

Through the flames, my vision grew blurrier. The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Liam holding Sylvia, whispering soothing words to her.

I don't know how much time passed before I slowly woke up to see my brother, Damine, sitting by my bedside with red-rimmed eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sera. It's my fault. I failed to protect you and let you get so badly hurt."

I shook my head, my voice weak and hoarse.

"It's not your fault, Damine. It happened too suddenly. You were too far away to help me."

Hearing my words, my brother recalled the events leading up to the accident and felt even more guilty.

"I couldn't help you, but Liam was right there. If it weren't for Sylvia keeping you talking, you could have avoided that disaster..."

I shook my head, comforting him gently. "Damine, when he and the woman he loves are both in danger, it's instinct to save the one who matters most. I was just being foolish before, but after this, I've truly let him go."

"Good. As long as you can move on, I'll support any decision you make."

Damine tightened his grip on my hand and nodded firmly.

I forced a faint smile and slowly composed myself.

Once my condition stabilized, my brother, who hadn't rested in days, finally allowed himself to get some sleep.

The quiet room returned. I took out my phone and booked a flight to Finland, departing in ten days.

The airline called to confirm my reservation. I was listening carefully and didn't notice footsteps at the door.

"Yes, it's the first flight to Finland on the 19th. First class."

"What first class?"

I jumped when I suddenly saw Liam appear in the doorway.

"It's nothing."

Even though I denied it, Liam's instincts told him something was wrong. His gaze fixed on me intently.

"When did you learn to lie? Where are you booking a flight to?"

Faced with his probing questions, I was silent for a few seconds before answering in a hoarse voice.

"You're about to have your mating ceremony. No matter where I go, it has nothing to do with you, does it?"

Liam had been suspicious, but hearing this made him think it was just another one of my tricks. His face returned to its cold expression.

"You're right, it has nothing to do with me. Sylvia was worried about you and asked me to check on you."

"I'm fine, Liam. You can go now."

This unusual, distant attitude caught him off guard.

Just as he was about to speak, a healer knocked and entered, announcing it was time for my checkup.

My leg was injured, and the silver dust in my system was suppressing my wolf's ability to heal, making it impossible for me to recover fully. I struggled to get out of bed and almost fell.

Liam's reflexes were quick as he caught me. I murmured a quiet thanks and tried to push the wheelchair away myself.

Seeing my covered in wounds and unable to move easily, he couldn't bear it. He took over pushing the wheelchair himself.

"Where's the examination room? I'll take you there."

"I can manage on my own."

When I refused, Liam only became more insistent, pushing me out of the hospital room.

Just as we got downstairs, we ran straight into Sylvia.

The moment he saw her, Liam immediately let go of the wheelchair to go to her.

It happened to be a slope, and the wheelchair, without time to brake, sped rapidly downward.

"Ah..."

Watching as it was about to crash into the flowerbed, my heart leaped. I forced myself to roll out of the wheelchair.

I fell to the ground, my hands and knees scraping against the pavement, cuts beading with blood.

I let out a pained groan, clutching my torn wounds as cold sweat beaded on my forehead.

Sylvia was also a little frightened and hurried forward to see if I was okay.

The wheelchair was smashed to pieces.

She looked at my injuries and tugged on Liam's arm.

"Liam, Sera is hurt badly, and the wheelchair is ruined. You should carry her to get it bandaged."

Hearing this, a subtle change appeared on Liam's expression.

He looked at the pained Sera, then his gaze fell on Sylvia, and he shook his head.

"No. Since you are going to be my mate in few days, I am not supposed to touch another woman."

Every word struck at my heart. I dug my nails into my palms hard enough to draw blood.

Unable to persuade him, Sylvia could only tell him to get a new wheelchair.

This time, Liam agreed.

After watching his retreating figure disappear, Sylvia handed me a handkerchief.

"That's just how Liam is. He only ever listens to me. Don't hold it against him. I also feel responsible for you getting hurt at the hotel, but our pup has been running a fever these past couple of days and I couldn't get away, so I had him come check on you in my place. I didn't expect another accident. Though unintentional, it's still our fault. I'm truly sorry."

I didn't know what act she was putting on today. Ignoring the pain, I got up on my own.

"Sylvia, I've already told you I won't fall for Liam anymore. Whether you're acting or really getting bound, I couldn't care less."

With that, I dragged my weary body and tried to leave.

But Sylvia still wasn't finished. She stepped forward to chase after me.

"So you know Liam and I are just acting..."

Her words were cut short by the sound of a huge splash that made me turn my head.

Seeing Sylvia had accidentally fallen into the pool and was struggling and calling for help, I hesitated for a few seconds before reaching out my hand.

The returning Liam saw this scene, sprinted over, and jumped into the pool to rescue Sylvia.

Looking at her pale, weak form as she coughed, he turned his furious glare on me.

"I was only gone for a few minutes, and you deliberately pushed Sylvia into the water?"

I never imagined that Liam would blame me for this.

Seeing his furious expression, I was about to explain, but he gave me no chance.

He cradled Sylvia in his arms, then roughly shoved me into the pool.

"I've tolerated your obsession with me all this time, but Sylvia is my limit. If you dare hurt her again, don't expect me to show you any mercy!"

His cold, stern tone mixed with the icy water flooded my ears.

The blood flowing from my body spread through the water, creating a pinkish-red haze.

When I was a child, I almost drowned, so I have a deep fear of water.

I couldn't swim. I kicked and struggled with all my might but couldn't reach the shore.

The oxygen in my lungs gradually depleted, my face turning purple as my heart slowed.

A dizziness washed over me, pulling my consciousness down into an endless darkness...