Chapter 3

At my last prenatal checkup, the baby was misdiagnosed with Down syndrome.

I was so scared I could barely walk. When I called him, Aisling switched to video mode.

She wore a tight nurse costume, laughing seductively.

"Leon says if you're sick, get treatment. Calling him won't help."

"We're role-playing. We don't have time for you."

"He also said to stop using these excuses to find him. If you like hearing sounds so much, he'll record one for you as a prenatal lullaby."

Shortly after she hung up, Leon sent me a message.

"Text me if you need anything. If I don't reply, I'm with someone else. Stop calling to interrupt us."

He froze for a moment, looking somewhat satisfied.

"You finally listened. Good, worth praising. But I really didn't know about Kael that time. I wouldn't have let her talk nonsense otherwise."

He pulled out two necklaces from his pocket.

One pure gold necklace for our son Kael.

Unfortunately, Kael cried the moment Leon touched him, as if thoroughly disgusted.

Rebuffed, Leon gave me the other necklace with crushed diamonds.

"Here, I was with Aisling at an auction yesterday and saw this necklace. Should look good on you."

It was true he'd gotten it at the auction.

But I'd seen on Aisling's social media yesterday that this was a free add-on gift with that two-million-dollar pink diamond. It wasn't worth much at all.

As he spoke, he moved to put the necklace around my neck.

I flinched and dodged.

He frowned, displeasure in his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean? I praise you twice and you're already playing hard to get?"

A trace of mockery rose in my heart.

He always thought he could appease me with his occasional gestures.

"You misunderstood. I've always been allergic to this material."

His expression stiffened.

He seemed to have forgotten how he once spent tens of millions just to create a non-allergenic gold diamond ring for me.

Back when I most hoped he'd change his heart, I accepted whatever he gave me, even if I was allergic, even if it was uncomfortable.

As long as he showed me a pleasant face, I absolutely wouldn't reject him.

For that bit of lingering love, I made myself a complete mess.

In the end, the result was what it was.

After that day, he seemed to find a suitable excuse and stopped visiting us.

I was happy with the peace, focusing on recovery, postpartum rehabilitation, and playing with the baby.

But on social media, I could often see him riding the Ferris wheel with Aisling today.

Tomorrow shooting a commercial with her.

Cooking for her in the morning, accompanying her to trendy restaurants in the afternoon.

Sometimes there were even rich, exciting nightlife activities in the early morning hours.

People in the pack all said this was the mistress who'd stayed with him the longest.

They all speculated when he'd kick me, his devoted wife, out for her.

Actually, from my fifth month of pregnancy until before delivery, I'd mentioned divorce countless times, breaking the mate bond countless times.

But Leon refused. He didn't want to give up his happy family.

If he'd really agree, I wouldn't be opposed to being kicked out.

The day before receiving the divorce decree was Kael's Sip-and-See Party.

Leon showed up with Aisling in a high-profile entrance.

He even arranged her seat next to his. The hostess's position.

He played with Kael for a long time.

Aisling leaned in, looking at the baby with him.

"Hello, I'm your mother."

At those words, everyone's expression changed.

But before anyone could speak, Leon smiled at me.

"Forgot to tell you, Aisling prepared a recognition gift. She'll be Kael's godmother from now on."

Aisling put a gold bracelet on his hand.

Smiling brightly at me.

"From now on, Clara and I will take care of the baby together."

Hearing her provocative statement, I smiled faintly and took Kael from their hands.

"Perfect timing. A few days ago I met a witch who said Kael might face misfortune soon and needs a godmother to share his burden."

"Aisling really is a great philanthropist, solving so many problems for me. I'll accept the gift. Thank you."

Both their faces instantly turned ugly.

Aisling's eyes reddened, her voice choked.

"It's okay. Being able to do something for Leon's child is my good fortune. Sharing his misfortune is nothing. I'd even be willing to die."

"Someone who carries misfortune like me should leave early, so I don't spread bad luck to everyone."

She spoke while looking at Leon pitifully and taking her bag to leave.

Leon looked at me with displeasure, preparing to chase after her.

Alpha James looked at him with sharp eyes.

"Today is your son's Sip-and-See Party. In front of so many people, you're chasing after a mistress? Where does that put your family?"

He paused, about to speak.

I smiled at Alpha James.

"Let him go. Kael is today's main character."

He paused and sighed.

"Get lost. If you bring these shameful things here again, don't bother coming home!"

Leon's gaze was probing, as if trying to see in my eyes the same entanglement and bitterness that used to reassure him.

But I had none.

I withdrew my gaze.

This Sip-and-See Party wasn't too dignified, but fortunately Kael was still young and wouldn't feel hurt.

I wasn't hurt either. Tomorrow I'd receive the divorce decree. Alpha James also said a witch could help break the mate bond tomorrow. After that, everything would be over.