“Is this the end of the world?”

I asked myself as soon as I opened a purple box in front of our house. It was filled with heart-shaped chocolates, daisies, and a small letter. A part of me assumes that it might be from my boyfriend, but why would he do this? I picked the piece of paper, and I have never let out a loud chuckle in my whole life.

“For the person that makes my world brighter than ever..”

“Maybe someone mistook our house for someone else?” I asked myself as I inserted the paper inside the box. I doubt that it would be from my live-in partner. It’s been a while since he made an effort to make me happy.

“What do you mean mistook, this is for you.” I was taken aback when someone talked. I glanced at the guy who was currently leaning on the white wall. It was none other than Dan, the one I had been living with for years.

“You told me you like flowers, right?”

I rolled my eyes and glanced at the daisies inside the box. After all these years, he didn’t really know me at all. How can he look so proud of doing something wrong?

“Go on, post it on your blog. Make sure the brand is visible so we can see an increase in sales in my uncle’s flower shop,” he added.

“I am allergic to daisies, Dan. I already told you a million times!” I whispered and touched my forehead.

“But you are the one who told me that you like flowers, right?” he screamed in my ear and entered our house. I immediately closed my ears using my hands and gulped. “And now you are telling me that you are allergic to it?! Are you dumb?”

“I always tell you how much I like flowers every time we go out, but I always follow it with “I can’t purchase one because I am allergic to it,” I answered and closed the door. He looked back at me, full of disgust and irritation. “Maybe, you are not really listening to me.”

“Enough with that crap, Sasha. Are you still mad because I told you not to pursue law school?” he replied and opened the door to pick up the box. “You won’t be able to handle law school. You are weak and you are not that smart.”

“But I had the highest GPA on our campus, and was encouraged by my professors to enter the law school..” I know this would cause even more chaos in our relationship, but this time, I want to stand up for myself. “I can study while cooking, cleaning, do the laundry, and—”

The next thing I know, I am already on the floor. His slap was so sharp, and quick, but full of force and weight, leaving a lasting pain on my cheek.

“Take a picture, post the photo, or else I will make sure that I will make your other cheek hurt too.”

“No! I don’t want to!” I screamed. “You already made me post a lot of lies to fool every one of how fairytale-like our story is! I am tired of it!”

Dan cupped my face with his enormous left hand.

“Are you hearing yourself?” he asked. “If this is stressing you out, think of what I might feel. Do you think I am happy after everything?”

—

[Thank you for giving me a cute surprise, love.]

I wiped my tears as I hit the post button. I followed Dan’s orders, even though it was painful for me. In a minute, the photo I posted was filled with so many warm comments and hundreds of likes. Everyone is gushing about how sweet he is to make this kind of gesture, while I am inside of my room, putting ice packs on my bruised face. I can’t help but laugh. I’ve always been the cream of the crop in the academic world, but it is infuriating how I am willing to be tormented by a guy who used to love me back.

—

To divert my attention, I decided to go out to buy some eggs and vegetables. As I walked into the hallway of our condo building, I was startled when I heard a familiar voice and scent.

“I gave the box to Sasha.”

“Dan, why can’t you just leave her?”

“I can’t, and I won’t.”

I stopped for a moment and held my bag tightly. I am 100% sure Dan is talking to Stella, the girl of her dreams.

“Do you even love me? If you really love me, let her go then…”

“Look, I’ve always wanted to let go of her.”

I immediately took a step forward, but I was taken aback when I heard what he said.

“But she is my mate.”

“Leaving her would not only tarnish my reputation in our pack but might make my situation even worse.”

[Stella commented on your photo: I wish I could also have my own Dan!]

I rolled my eyes and continued scrolling. I have no idea why she keeps on clinging to a guy like Dan. She can pick from billions of guys in the whole world, and there would definitely be someone who would like her back. She is drop-dead gorgeous and has an oozing charisma, so I really wonder why she sticks with someone who is already in a relationship.

Dan bought her expensive gifts and a house, but she never posted it. Maybe because it might catch the attention of some people, and might cause chaos, given the fact that I am a pretty well-known blogger.

But I keep on thinking about the conversation they had earlier.

“What do they mean when they talk about mate?”

When I accidentally glanced at our calendar, it suddenly hit me.

“Today is my birthday..” I whispered. “How could I forget my birthday?”

I immediately got up and checked out the fridge. I only got some vegetables, meats, and eggs. I plan to cook my favorite dish but any minute, Dan would be here. I don’t want to make the house smell, because he might get mad.

“I’ll just buy some cake then, I guess.”

—

After a few minutes, I finally came back from the cake shop. I was about to open our door, but all of a sudden, I saw a pair of shoes outside and smelled a familiar scent.

I sighed and opened the door wide.

I saw him sitting on a black sofa, looking irritated.

“Why are you out this late?”

I didn’t answer him. Instead, I closed the door with all my force, making him startle.

“Who gave you the permission to close that door that loud? This is my house! If you break any of those, can you pay for it?”

I drop the paper bag I am holding and raise my left eyebrow. I had enough. Maybe it would be alright to talk back now, on my birthday.

“For your information, I am the one who pays the electric bills, as well as the foods you always eat. I manage our family’s business, so If you think I am a freeloader, think again. Oh wait, do you even think?”

He immediately stood up and placed his hand on my neck. He pinned me against the wall, and all I can see is how his face is turning gray. In our seven years of relationship, this is the only time I’ve seen him like that.

“I-mm–I am hurt–”

“Is this from the guy you are seeing?” he asked and picked up the paper bag. He threw it away, and his eyes widened when he saw a cake falling from the paper bag. He slowly released his hand from my neck, and read the words above the cake.

“Happy 27th Birthday, Sasha....I am sorry for everything..”

From: Sasha.

He slowly glanced at me, and his eyes were full of guilt and sadness. Perhaps, he felt bad.

“Stay here, I am going to buy a cake.”

As soon as he left, I found myself falling from my knees and started sobbing.

I can’t endure this anymore. This is not the first time he did this to me, but the fact that he did this to me twice today, on my birthday, scares me to death. I looked in the mirror and saw a bruise on my neck.

When the door opened, I immediately took a step back.

I saw Dan, holding a paper bag. He took out the strawberry cake and placed it above our wooden table.

“Put some makeup on, let’s take a video.”

I slowly nod and wipe my tears.

“Pick some pretty dress, we will be posting it to your blog.”

“I don’t want to..”

He raised his left hand, making me flinch.

“What did I say?!” I feel my heart start pounding quickly. His voice changed as if there was a monster inside him. I opened my eyes and was shocked to see half of his face changed. His eyes became yellow and half of his face turned gray.

“Oh my god…” I whispered inside my mind.

“Cristine, answer please,” I whispered as I paced back and forth our room. “I need you now…”

As soon as the ringing stopped, I felt my heart sink.

“Hello?”

“Cristine, at last! I need your help, please!” I whispered and sat on my bed. “I am sorry for everything, you were right! I want to go to where you are right now..”

“What do you mean?”

“I need to leave this house, I want to break up with Dan.” I sighed. “I am..tired of all of this..I want to go to New Zealand..”

“What?! Are you out of your mind?! He is like the greenest flag! You literally abandoned me for him, and I can really see why. Now, what’s the problem? Oh wait, maybe you are the problem?”

“Cristine, listen. He is not the type of person you know! It is all just a facade!” I screamed and started crying. “I was so wrong..I am sorry… He is the worst….”

Suddenly, she dropped the phone.

I immediately remove the tears flowing down my cheeks, feeling sorry about myself, after everything that happened.

“Now, even my best friend left me…What should I do now?”

I should have known earlier that Dan’s love would gradually change like the weather. But who can blame a young girl like me, who fell from a guy’s sweet words and promises? Besides, our parents swore to death to make us marry for the sake of our business, so there is no going back–so I don’t have any options at all.

Out of nowhere, my phone buzzed. When I looked at my phone, I saw a message coming from my friend, Cristine.

[I booked a flight. Four days from now, in the afternoon. I’ll send you the deets later. For now, inform your parents.]

I screamed out of joy. I immediately replied to my friend, while my tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

—

As I got out of the taxi, I stared at the huge mansion of my family. But then, rain started pouring. Luckily, the gate was open, so I started running with my enormous bags.

I knocked a few times, and for the 4th time, the door finally opened.

“Why are you here?” my mom greeted me with furrowed brows. Ever since, my mom hated me as if I was a killer who got out of jail. ”You should be with your soon-to-be-husband, right?”

“He hasn’t proposed yet, and besides, I need to talk to papa,” I answered and started walking past her. She immediately pushed me away, making me startled.

“Why do you have bags? Did you leave your home?”

“It was never a home, it is just a house.”

“Dan was right, you are really a difficult partner.”

My blood started to boil when I heard those words from my mom.

“A difficult partner? Are you hearing yourself? Are you with us? You are supposed to side with me because I am your daughter, but you act as if I don’t matter at all!”

“He told me how much you gave him a difficult time, and how you portray Stella as if she is stealing Dan. What’s wrong with you? You used to love him before, right?”

“What are you trying to say? Can you see the bruises on my face? In my neck? He did all of these!” I shouted and dropped the bags I was holding. “He used to be so kind and lovable, but everything changed! Honestly, I feel like he is not the same guy I used to like too!”

I held my mother’s arms and sighed.

“Mama, I think he is hiding something!”

My mother removed my hands from her arms and raised her left eyebrow.

“Hiding? What is he hiding? Are you out of your mind?”

“I think he is a monster…” I whispered. “I remembered him saying that I was his mate, and I saw his face turning gray. His eyes turned yellow too!”

“Honey, of course, he is a half-werewolf. What do you expect?” my mom shook her head and sighed. “You might like it or not, but even if you are both from different worlds…”

“You are destined to be together, forever….”

I can feel my jaw dropping at that moment.