Chapter 5

Kylie tried to ignore the ache in her feet as she walked through the luxury mall in. After another difficult week, she had decided to buy only the things she truly needed for herself and her unborn baby, using the credit cards Richard had left with her.

She moved from one store to another, carefully comparing prices despite knowing she was carrying the name of one of the wealthiest Alpha families in Crest Moon Pack. She no longer wanted to live like a pampered Luna, especially after Richard had made it clear that his wealth could be taken away whenever he wanted.

As Kylie entered a clothing store, a familiar Alpha scent suddenly reached her.

She looked up and saw Richard walking toward the entrance with Cassandra.

Kylie's steps slowed.

Richard wore a dark suit, his expression calm and powerful as usual, while Cassandra walked beside him in an elegant dress. She looked happy until her eyes landed on Kylie.

Cassandra immediately lowered her gaze and moved slightly closer to Richard, making herself look nervous and uncomfortable. Richard noticed and quietly said, "Don't be afraid. Kylie won't cause trouble here."

Kylie heard every word.

She clenched her jaw and turned away, refusing to give them another reaction. She walked toward the cashier with the things she had selected, hoping to finish shopping before Richard could come near her.

The cashier smiled politely as she scanned each item. "That will be this amount, ma'am. You can insert your card whenever you're ready."

Kylie pulled one of the black cards from her purse and handed it over.

The cashier inserted the card into the machine, waited several seconds, and then frowned. She glanced at Kylie with an uncomfortable expression.

"Ma'am, your card," the cashier said hesitantly as she looked at the POS machine. She came over with the machine, clearly unsure of what to tell her.

Kylie frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

The cashier tried the payment again before shaking her head. "It won't go through."

Kylie's heart dropped.

She reached into her purse and pulled out the second card, silently praying that the first one had only been temporarily blocked.

"Please try this one," Kylie said, handing it over.

The machine beeped again.

The cashier looked even more uncomfortable. "Sorry, this one's not working either."

Kylie stared at the card before slowly pulling out the third one. Her fingers had begun to tremble, but she tried not to let anyone see her panic.

She handed it to the cashier.

The cashier tried again and gave Kylie an awkward, sympathetic look. "Ma'am, this one's not working either."

Kylie's face burned.

The store wasn't crowded, but everyone was staring at her.

She could hear quiet whispers from nearby shoppers, and the humiliation made her stomach twist. She had never imagined that one day she would stand in a luxury store unable to pay for a few simple items because her own mate had control over every account she owned.

A familiar voice came from behind her.

Richard walked over and looked at the cards on the counter. "What's going on?"

Kylie turned slowly toward him. Her eyes immediately hardened when she saw Cassandra standing a few steps behind him.

She answered coldly, "Apparently, all the cards you gave me are useless."

Richard frowned and reached for his phone. "That doesn't make sense."

He immediately called Leonard Gomez, his loyal subordinate. "Leonard, what's going on with my wife's three cards?"

Leonard sounded hesitant on the other end. "Alpha Richard, Ms. Smith said you told her to freeze them."

Richard's expression changed.

He ended the call and turned toward Cassandra.

"Explain yourself," Richard said, his voice low and cold.

Cassandra didn't even flinch.

Instead, she looked at him with wide, innocent eyes and calmly answered, "I was just trying to help. You said you wanted Kylie to see how hard life could be, so I just went along with your plan."

Kylie stared at Cassandra in disbelief.

Cassandra continued, "I wanted Kylie to realize how good she has it with you. Once she's cut off from your money, she'll finally see how tough things get without you."

Richard remained silent.

Cassandra stepped closer to him and spoke softly, "She won't have to suffer if she comes back to you."

Kylie felt her chest tighten.

So Cassandra had done it purposely.

She had frozen all three cards because she wanted Kylie desperate enough to return to Richard.

Richard looked toward the cashier and then at the items Kylie had selected. He took out his own card and handed it over.

"Put everything on my account," Richard ordered.

Kylie immediately shook her head. "No."

Richard looked at her. "Kylie, stop making this difficult."

"I said no," Kylie replied, her voice trembling with anger. "I don't need you paying for my things after you just stood there and let her freeze my cards."

Richard's face tightened. "You're pregnant. I'm not going to let you walk away without the things you need."

Kylie stared at him. "Then you should have thought about that before you threw me out."

Cassandra quickly lowered her gaze, pretending to feel guilty. "Kylie, please don't argue with Richard because of me. I truly thought I was helping him."

Kylie looked at her with disgust. "You knew exactly what you were doing."

Richard's patience began to disappear. "Enough, Kylie. You don't have to fight with Cassandra every time you see her."

Kylie stared at him and gave a bitter laugh. "And you don't have to defend her every time she hurts me."

The cashier stood frozen between them, unsure of what to do.

Richard finally placed his card on the counter. "Charge everything."

The cashier quickly nodded and completed the payment.

Kylie watched as every item she had carefully chosen was paid for by the man she was desperately trying to escape from.

Richard picked up the bags and handed them to her.

"Take them," he said. "You and the baby need them."

Kylie slowly accepted the bags, but she refused to look grateful.

"I may have taken these," she said quietly, "but don't mistake that for forgiveness."

Richard stared at her.

Kylie turned away, carrying the shopping bags toward the exit.

Behind her, Cassandra watched with a faint smile that disappeared the moment Richard looked in her direction.

And Richard remained standing in the middle of the store, watching his pregnant mate walk away while realizing that money alone could no longer force Kylie to return to him.