A voice calling my name pulled me from unconsciousness.

"Katherine! Katherine!" It was Derek's voice, filled with panic.

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled of disinfectant. The white ceiling gradually came into focus above me.

Derek sat beside the bed, looking haggard. His eyes were bloodshot. His clothes were wrinkled, his hair messy. He looked like he hadn't slept all night.

"You're finally awake!" He gripped my hand tightly, his voice shaking. "The doctor said you passed out from a high fever. Thank God David found you in time, otherwise..."

His voice broke, and tears filled his eyes.

"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have let you go home alone. I shouldn't have let you walk in the rain..."

A nurse pushed the door open and came in to check on me. "Her temperature is back to normal, Mr. Blackwood. Your wife is recovering well."

She turned to me. "Mr. Blackwood has been watching over you the entire time. He hasn't even had water to drink. He only stepped out just now to take a very important call."

I nodded, my voice hoarse. "Thank you."

The nurse took my temperature, gave me some instructions, and left. A few minutes later, I heard Derek's voice outside the door.

He was on the phone. His tone suddenly turned cheerful, a sharp contrast to the worry he'd shown in the hospital room.

"Really? That's wonderful! This is the best news!" His voice brimmed with uncontainable excitement. "I'll be right there!"

I dragged my weak body to the window and saw Derek hurrying toward another building at the hospital. It was the werewolf fertility center.

His steps were light. His face wore an unmistakable smile. I changed into my clothes and followed him.

In the waiting area on the first floor, I saw Derek carefully helping Sheila out of an examination room. She wore a white dress that made her look pure and innocent. Her face glowed with happiness.

That was when Derek spotted me standing not far away. His smile froze instantly, and his face went pale. He released Sheila's arm in a panic and quickly stepped back.

"Katherine? How did you..." Panic filled his voice. "You're supposed to be resting in your room."

"I came to pick up medication," I said calmly. "The doctor told me to get some supplements."

Cold sweat broke out on Derek's forehead as he explained nervously, "Oh, I see. I just happened to be passing by here, and I ran into... ran into Sheila. She said she wasn't feeling well, so I came with her for a checkup."

His voice stuttered. He was obviously lying.

Meanwhile, Sheila saw me. A smug, challenging smile appeared on her face.

She deliberately stroked her still flat stomach, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Oh, Luna Katherine! What a coincidence! I just came out of the examination room. The doctor said I might be carrying a pup."

Derek's face turned even paler. He tried to stop her. "Sheila, don't..."

"Derek was nearby, so I asked him for help." Sheila completely ignored Derek's attempts to stop her. "After all, I'm expecting. Derek is my boss, so he came to help me."

She looked directly at me, smiling provocatively. "Luna Katherine, please don't misunderstand!"

Derek broke out in a cold sweat. "Katherine, let me explain."

"Good luck with that," I said calmly, my voice completely flat. "I'm going home now."

I turned to leave, and Derek tried to follow. "Katherine, wait."

"I'm tired. I want to go home and rest." I didn't look back. "You do what you need to do."

I cut off whatever explanation he was about to give. When we got home, Derek used urgent company business as an excuse and quickly shut himself in his study.

I heard him on the phone inside, keeping his voice low. But occasional fragments drifted out, full of tension and anxiety.

"How could you say that in front of her?

"What are we supposed to do now?

"This has to stay secret. Katherine absolutely can't find out..."

I sat in the living room. My phone suddenly buzzed. It was a text from Sheila with an attached photo of a pregnancy test report.

Then more messages flooded in like a tide. All from Sheila. The content was explicit and taunting.

She described in detail how she and Derek had sex in our marriage bed, in his office, and even on his Alpha throne.

Every message came with suggestive photos. His shirt was on our bedroom floor. Her heels were under his desk.

The last message read, "Dear Luna Katherine, thank you for sharing Derek with me. He says I know how to please an Alpha better than you do. Soon, I'll be taking your place."

I stared at every message with no expression, my finger scrolling slowly across the screen. Every photo and every line of text cut like a knife.

But I felt no anger. No tears came. Only a terrifying cold. Finally, I turned off my phone screen.

Just then, Derek crept up behind me.

He wrapped his arms around me from behind, nuzzling his cheek gently against my neck. His voice was as soft as a spring breeze. "My darling, what has you so lost in thought?"

I watched the brilliant fireworks outside the window, the ones Derek had prepared to celebrate Sheila's good news. Nausea rose in waves.

I murmured, "They're beautiful."

"You like them?" Derek wrapped his arm around my waist. "Next time I'll prepare something even bigger for you."

"Derek," I said softly. "I don't like using things other people have already used."

He froze. "What do you mean?"

I didn't answer. I just watched the fireworks outside slowly fade and die. Just then, his phone buzzed. It was probably another text from Sheila.

Derek took a quick glance at it, his face flushing slightly. "There's something at the company I need to handle. I'll prepare an even bigger surprise for you later."

"Go ahead."

He kissed my forehead. "Wait for me to come back. I'll spend proper time with you then."

The door closed softly, but to me it sounded like something breaking completely.

The next morning, I was packing my luggage when I heard urgent footsteps from downstairs. Derek burst through the door, panic all over his face.

His clothes were wrinkled, his hair messy. Sheila's rose scent still clung to him. He pointed at his chest, where a silver crescent-shaped mark glowed faintly. It was the symbol of our mate bond.

"Katherine, what's happening?" His voice shook. "Why is our mark fading?"

"Maybe you've been working too hard lately." My voice held no emotion. "Get some rest, and it'll be fine."

Derek stared at me for a long time, unease filling his eyes. "Katherine, you're acting strange today."

"I'm fine," I said dismissively.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the sound of a car engine came from the manor gates. The doorbell rang.

Derek glanced toward the entrance and hurried downstairs. I watched him through the security monitor as he headed for the gate. A red sports car sat parked out front, and Sheila stood at the front door.

The moment Sheila saw him, she threw herself at him. "Derek! I've missed you so much."

Derek pushed her away, his voice low and furious. "Are you insane? What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to come?"

"But Derek, I'm carrying your pup." Sheila stroked her stomach. "He misses you, too."

Derek fell silent for several seconds. Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the far end of the garden, away from the security cameras.

I pulled up the backup garden camera feed and watched them argue heatedly.

At first, Derek tried to push her away. He pointed at her angrily, saying something harsh. But Sheila kept pressing closer, using her body to seduce him, whining something in that cloying voice.

Then, in the middle of their argument, she suddenly stood on her toes and kissed him.

Derek struggled for a moment. Reason and desire warred inside him. In the end, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her back deeply.

I turned off the monitor and waited calmly.

An hour later, Derek came back inside, guilt written all over his face. "Katherine, something urgent came up at the company. I need to go on a business trip for a few days."

"Alright." I nodded. "Drive safe."

He looked at me in surprise. "You're not going to ask where I'm going?"

"It's company business. I wouldn't understand."

Derek hesitated, then walked over and kissed my forehead. "When I get back, we need to talk. I feel like there's been something off between us lately."

"Okay."

He picked up his briefcase and glanced back at me. "Katherine, no matter what happens, I love you."

The door closed again. I stood and walked toward the backyard.

I stood in front of the moonflower garden. White blossoms swayed in the night wind, releasing a faint fragrance.

Every flower held a beautiful memory. Now they were nothing but reminders of his lies.

I remembered what he said when he planted the first seedling. "Katherine, these flowers will be with you for life, just like me."

I struck the lighter. The flame cast a red glow on my face.

"I'm sorry, Derek," I said softly. "Some promises, once broken, can never be repaired."

The flames leapt up and devoured the entire garden. Orange light illuminated the night sky. I turned and went back inside. From a hidden spot, I retrieved the suitcase I'd already packed.

I walked to the vanity and picked up all our photos together. I tore them up one by one and threw them in the trash. Each tear felt like a knife cutting my heart, but I didn't stop.

Finally, I took out my phone and typed a message. "Two weeks are up. You can open the anniversary gift I gave you now."

After hitting send, I threw both the phone and the SIM card into the trash without hesitation. The gemstone pendant at my chest glowed with cold light, completely severing the mate bond between Derek and me.

I took one last look at this home that had once been filled with love. Then I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the door.

On the way to the airport, I didn't look back, nor shed a tear. I merely felt relief.

Goodbye, Derek. This time, it truly was goodbye. From now on, no one would know where I'd gone.