I shook my head.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Mm."

Mia stepped toward me, reaching out as if to support me. I sidestepped her touch with practiced ease.

"Pearl, you gave Boweike such a scare when you suddenly came down with a fever," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "He didn't even go to the office today, and I had no choice but to come over here. Sorry to disturb. Are you hungry? Boweike bought you some food. Here, which one would you like?"

Her words buzzed in my ears, but I couldn't miss the diamond necklace glittering at her neck—a necklace that felt like a dagger piercing straight through my chest.

The receipt for that necklace was still tucked in the pocket of Boweike's suit jacket. Once, I had believed it was meant for me. But no, here it was, resting around Mia's neck.

"Nice necklace," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Anything is fine for lunch."

As soon as I spoke, Boweike looked visibly tense, while Mia's face softened into a sweet, satisfied smile.

Boweike cleared his throat. "There's an important meeting at the office today. Now that you're awake, why don't you come along? I'd feel better if you weren't home alone."

I tried to refuse, but his insistence left me no choice but to agree. Mia, for once, remained silent.

Downstairs, Mia was the first to open the car door, sliding into the passenger seat without hesitation.

"Pearl, I get car sick," she said lightly, turning back to face me. "Can you sit in the back?"

I looked at Boweike as he reached for the door handle, waiting for him to say something. Instead, he looked caught between guilt and helplessness. "Mia's stomach hasn't been feeling great lately. Maybe—"

I didn't let him finish. Without a word, I pulled open the rear door and got in.

The ride was rougher in the back, every bump sending waves of pain through my lower abdomen. Cold sweat trickled down my spine as I gripped the safety handle, trying to steady myself. Meanwhile, Boweike and Mia chatted easily in the front seat, laughing as if I weren't even there.

"Pearl, you don't look so good. Are you okay?" Boweike finally asked at a red light, turning around briefly.

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

That was all it took for him to turn back to Mia, resuming their conversation without a second glance.

The scene was almost laughable—if it weren't so heartbreaking. Everyone believed he loved me, but I knew better. His heart had already shifted, making room for someone else.

When we arrived, I stepped out of the car and took several deep breaths to steady myself. Ignoring the concern on Boweike's face, I brushed past his outstretched hand and followed him into the building.

He left me in a lounge near the conference room. As people passed by, they showered me with compliments.

"Wow, so that's our Luna? She's gorgeous."

"She and Alpha Boweike make such a perfect couple."

"She looks so kind. No wonder they're so in love."

I forced a calm smile, my gaze locking with Mia's. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her expression laced with resentment.

I slid a freshly brewed coffee toward her.

Mia shoved the cup aside and fixed me with a sharp glare. "I'm pregnant."

Her words hit like a thunderclap. My heart clenched, and my hands trembled so badly I had to dig my nails into my palms to steady myself.

"Congratulations," I said coolly, my voice barely betraying the storm inside. "You should also congratulate me."

Mia blinked in confusion. "What?"

"I'm getting an abortion."

The blood drained from her face as she stared at me, speechless.

Ignoring her reaction, I picked up my phone and sent her a file. "If you can get Boweike to sign this, then the Luna position is yours."

She fumbled to open the document, her eyes widening as realization dawned. Surprise quickly turned to joy.

"You're serious?" she asked breathlessly.

"Yes."

My gaze remained steady. I couldn't tolerate lies or betrayals. And in this marriage, there was no room for a third wheel.

Boweike seemed completely unaware of my plans. Over the past few days, he had cared for me as attentively as ever.

On the day of the surgery, my mother arrived in person.

She held my hand firmly and said, "I'll be your strongest support. I'll stay with you through this."

Then she added, "Your brother came back, too."

I froze for a moment before forcing a bitter smile.

The brother she mentioned was Conrad—my stepbrother, the son of my mother's second mate. He had been my only companion when I was young.

My mother was a rare female Alpha, and Conrad was the most renowned warrior in the Elara Pack. His name alone could strike fear into any territory.

Years ago, when I married Boweike and joined his pack, Conrad had been so furious that he cut off all contact with me. We hadn't spoken since.

But right now, I didn't have the energy to think about him. My focus was on ending this pregnancy and severing the mate bond with Boweike.

Fate, however, always seemed to enjoy playing cruel jokes.

At the hospital, my mother and I ran into Boweike and Mia, who were there for a checkup.

Through the bustling crowd, my eyes locked with his.

"Pearl," he called, his voice tinged with disbelief.

I saw the shock in his eyes as he gently pushed Mia aside and hurried toward me. He stopped short when he noticed my mother.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

She took one look at the situation and instantly understood what was going on.

"I'm just here to keep Pearl company," she replied calmly.

"Oh... but, Pearl, today isn't your checkup day." Boweike quickly pulled out his phone and started scrolling through his notes.

I glanced at his screen and felt my heart tighten. Every detail about my pregnancy was recorded—checkup dates, morning sickness patterns, even the timing of fetal movements. The notes were thorough and meticulous.

My nose tingled, and tears threatened to fall, but I held them back. I looked at Mia, who stood not far away, and forced a steady voice. "I'm fine. I just came to pick up a report."

"Oh, alright." He let out a visible sigh of relief. Then, noticing my gaze shift toward Mia, he quickly explained, "Mia's stomach has been feeling off. I brought her here to get checked."

I glanced at the ultrasound report Mia held in her hand, and my throat tightened painfully.

"Okay, I'll be going now," I said, turning away abruptly.

Before I could break down completely, I grabbed my mother's arm and hurried off.

"Wait, honey! I'll take you both home later," Boweike called after me.

Without looking back, I answered softly, "Alright."

Tears streamed down my face as I walked away.

Boweike, you're about to lose me and this child.

In life, there are only two choices—live in ignorance and let the world decide your fate, or take control and carve your own path to freedom.

Unfortunately, I was never meant to live blindly. In my love, there was no room for a third person.

The tenderness and romance that Boweike once reserved solely for me were gone, never to return.

Lying on the hospital bed, I was consumed by memories of us—memories that now felt like a cruel illusion.

Suddenly, chaos erupted outside the operating room.

"Alpha Boweike, you can't go in! She's in the middle of surgery!"

"Get out of my way!" Boweike's voice boomed, making my heart freeze. A sharp buzzing filled my ears, and I looked up to see the doctor falter, his hands trembling.

I knew immediately—Boweike had used his Alpha power to control us.

My mother stepped outside and blocked his path.

"Boweike, if you cause any more trouble, I won't hold back," she warned, her voice sharp and commanding. "You know our pack doesn't bow to threats. You witnessed our strength the day you married Pearl."

Boweike clenched his fists but finally released his hold on everyone. The doctor snapped out of the trance and resumed the procedure.

Through the haze of anesthesia, I heard Boweike's desperate voice echoing from the hallway.

"Pearl! Pearl!"

He sounded frantic, like a man on the brink of losing everything.