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.