In my freshman year, after being admitted to the prestigious Moonstone Healing Academy due to my excellent grades, the nightmare that would plague my entire student life began.

I don't even know when I provoked those nobles in the werewolf world. Not long after I enrolled, a massive campaign of school bullying unfolded against me.

Splashing cold water and isolation were the least significant things.

They covered my desk with vulgar graffiti - "bastard," "bitch"... all kinds of filthy words I'd seen and never seen before came flooding toward me.

It's not that I didn't fight back.

But every time I resisted, it only brought more severe bullying.

The one who hated me most was Scarlett.

She always wore exquisite makeup, looking so kind and gentle, yet she could press a lit cigarette into my mouth.

"Isn't this our famous little scholar? You actually dared to report us? Who gave you the courage, hmm?"

Her sweet voice was laced with deadly poison.

The excruciating pain made tears flow uncontrollably, blurring my vision. I could only see Scarlett's magnified smile filled with sick pleasure.

Countless days and nights swallowed by darkness wrapped around me like cold, heavy chains, strangling me until I could barely breathe.

Until that day.

In the chaos, the hand gripping my hair suddenly let go.

Like a torn rag, I was thrown out of the filthy mop bucket, collapsing limply on the ground with blurred vision.

The harsh laughter stopped abruptly.

A heart-stopping silence fell.

I struggled to lift my head and saw an unusually tall silhouette against the light.

Afternoon sunlight poured in from behind him, coating his entire figure with an almost sacred golden edge that hurt my eyes.

He didn't even raise his voice, just spoke two words plainly.

"Get lost."

Scarlett and her gang, who had been so arrogant just moments before, were left with only terror and disbelief on their pale faces.

They didn't dare make a sound, scrambling away in panic.

Leaving behind a mess and me with barely a breath left in my body.

The sunlight was blinding.

He bent down slightly, casting shadow over me.

A dry, warm hand gently brushed away the hair on my face that had been soaked and stuck by dirty water.

In that moment, I thought I had encountered salvation.

So even though Scarlett's bullying behind the scenes became more severe, I seemed to have found the strength to support myself.

A flower blooming in the mud.

On graduation day, Ethan confessed to me.

Enormous, unreal ecstasy instantly overwhelmed me like a tsunami.

All the past suffering, all the darkness, all the humiliation seemed to be completely washed away and redeemed in that moment.

In that moment, I thought the Moon Goddess had finally looked down and seen me, this believer in the dust.

It turned out.

It turned out that Ethan was the very perpetrator who had kicked me into the depths of hell.

All my bone-deep pain, the desperate struggles throughout my entire school career, those countless sleepless nights.

They were all essential parts of his carefully orchestrated salvation game script.

Just then, my phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket.

I shuddered violently, almost trembling as I reached into my pocket.

It was from my father's Beta.

[Miss Elena, are you certain you want to merge two-thirds of the territory your father left you into Alpha Ethan's pack?]

Two-thirds of the territory.

What my father left me - wealth enough to shake half the werewolf world.

Just minutes ago, I had been so naively going to share my joy.

How ridiculous.

My fingertips dug deep into my palms from excessive force, but strangely gave my brain a trace of cold clarity.

In my ears, I could still faintly hear Scarlett's triumphant voice.

"Ethan, I've arranged everything for next week's plan. I guarantee that fool will never forget it!"

I pulled at the corners of my mouth, my fingertips tapping on my phone.

[Plan suspended. Wait for my notice.]

[Also, find someone to help me investigate Ethan and Scarlett's affairs.]

Ethan, I've caught your betrayal.

I sat on the sofa in a daze until the beeping sound of the keypad lock at the entrance brought me back to reality.

Before I could react, two strong arms wrapped familiarly around my waist, pulling me back into a familiar embrace.

"Honey, I'm home."

Ethan's deep, smiling voice sounded close to my ear.

However, the next second.

A faint, almost imperceptible gardenia scent suddenly hit my nose.

All the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly in that moment.

I felt like I was being pulled back into the dark, damp washroom at school, with the same nauseating sweet gardenia fragrance filling the air.

Before my eyes was Scarlett's face with that cruel smile.

Burning cigarette butts, filthy floors.

I couldn't control my violent trembling.

"Ahhhh——!!!"

A piercing scream erupted from deep in my throat.

Using all my strength, I shoved Ethan hard, sending him crashing to the floor.

"Get away! Don't touch me——!"

Caught off guard, Ethan staggered backward two steps before barely managing to steady himself.

He suddenly realized something. His voice carried obvious panic and trembling.

"Sorry honey, my secretary wore gardenia perfume today. I already showered, didn't realize I still had the scent on me."

He instinctively reached out toward me, trying to approach.

"Don't be afraid, honey. It's me. Those things are in the past. You're with me now, no one will dare hurt you anymore."

"Don't come closer!"

I screamed sharply, my body recoiling from intense rejection and fear.

He knew better than anyone how much I feared that scent.

Even the slightest trace could trigger severe PTSD.

"Ugh——"

I suddenly bent over, one hand covering my mouth tightly, the other frantically grasping the nearby wall to support my swaying body as I retched violently.

Ethan was so frightened that tears welled up in his eyes, his voice choked.

"Honey, what's wrong? Please don't scare me like this."

"It's my fault! How could I forget that you hate that smell most? I'll go shower right now and then take you to the hospital!"

He hurried frantically into the room to get my medication.

His hands trembled so much he couldn't open the bottle several times, fear almost spilling from his eyes.

Finally managing to open the pill bottle, he didn't even dare approach me, throwing the pills toward me from a distance.

Meeting his eyes full of care and heartache, my mind inexplicably conjured the image of him looking at Scarlett with the same precious, devoted expression.

How could a person be so split like this?

I felt sick and could barely breathe, but still picked up the medication and swallowed it.

Seeing me calm down quickly, Ethan also breathed a sigh of relief.

Before he could speak, I slowly sat on the floor, my voice hoarse.

"Did you... meet someone secretly?"

Ethan's pupils contracted sharply the moment my words fell.

His expression turned helpless, his voice returning to its usual deep gentleness, carrying a soothing tone.

"Honey, you're overthinking again. Didn't I tell you? It was the new secretary who accidently wore the wrong perfume. You know I only have you in my heart."

But I already knew him too well.

Every time he lied, he would unconsciously curl his pinky finger.

I glanced down and said nothing.

He reached out to help me up.

This time, I didn't refuse.

He kissed my forehead gently.

I forced down my nausea and looked at him.

"Ethan, if you ever betray me, I will never, ever forgive you."

I saw the doting expression on his face freeze for a moment.

The next second, he cupped my face helplessly, looking serious.

"Honey, I don't know why you'd think I would betray you. I'm willing to swear to the Moon Goddess that I, Ethan, will never betray Elena in this lifetime. If I lie to you, may I die a terrible death."

I lowered my head and forced a smile.

Liar.

In the end, the Beta brought me to a rose garden.

Looking at the familiar garden, I looked up in surprise.

After getting together with Ethan, I had actually been quite anxious.

The Shadowmoon Pack was too wealthy - a level that an orphan like me could never reach.

To catch up with Ethan, I threw myself desperately into my profession.

Finally, three years ago, I cultivated the extremely beautiful and gorgeous Moonlight Rose.

One flower cost several thousand dollars, but even so, the reservation list was booked solid through next month.

And the rose garden before me was where I cultivated them.

This rose garden only received five customers per day, and knowing I was coming to take over today, they had cleared the place entirely.

Looking at the garden full of delicate, blooming roses, my suffocated mood finally lightened a bit.

Just after signing the transfer agreement, I heard a commotion from downstairs.

"We ordered 9,999 roses and were supposed to pick them up today, but now you're telling me they're temporarily unavailable? What's wrong with your staff? Get your boss to come talk to me!"

The voice was too familiar - I instantly realized it was Ethan downstairs.

The manager beside me looked embarrassed.

"The gentleman downstairs is anxious to give his wife an anniversary gift, so..."

"It's fine. Let's see what the customer wants first."

I took a deep breath, the joy in my heart vanishing completely.

I closed my eyes and looked down at the scene below.

Under the warm yellow spotlights, Scarlett wore an expensive champagne-colored dress, nestled against Ethan's side.

"It's okay, Ethan. I don't really need them. I just heard these roses were beautiful and wanted to see them. Since I can't, it's fine."

"Such a pity. I was hoping to see them before going to the hospital... Never mind, we shouldn't disturb them. Let's go."

Her tone was coquettish, but the disappointment in her eyes was remarkably obvious.

Ethan looked at her sideways, his eyes almost overflowing with heartache.

He pulled her into his arms, his voice tender.

"Silly girl, you're still the same as before. Don't worry, since you want to see them, I'm not afraid of trouble."

Then he looked coldly at the nearby staff.

"Is this your service attitude? Can't you see there's a patient here? I don't care what you're doing - you must get those flowers to me today!"

"Ohhh——!"

Several well-dressed men who were obviously Ethan’s friends immediately started making exaggerated noises.

"Ethan is so good to his Luna!"

"Exactly! Ethan and his Luna are truly a perfect match!"

"What's that she-wolf? A parentless orphan doesn't deserve to stand beside Ethan. Should have dumped her long ago!"

I had long known that Ethan's friends didn't think much of me.

I never expected their disgust to reach this level.

My mind went completely blank.

The Moonlight Rose was the variety I had cultivated by hand in the greenhouse during those years when I loved Ethan most passionately, spending countless days and nights.

Each plant was infused with my hopes for the future and my love for Ethan.

These flowers that carried all my sincerity and love were now being casually presented by him to the very person who had bullied me.

And sick?

Ha.

Looking at the smugness in Scarlett's eyes, I pulled my lips into a mocking curve.

Only someone as blind and heartless as Ethan couldn't see through her little tricks.

A tearing pain shot through my chest, so intense I could barely breathe.

Just then, one of the men nudged Ethan with his elbow, his expression playful.

"By the way, when exactly are you planning to come clean with that Elena ? We can't wait to see how spectacular her face will look when she learns the truth!"

But Ethan's face instantly darkened.

"Who gave you permission to talk about Elena like that?"

The friends looked at each other, and the atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Scarlett tried to lighten the mood.

"Everyone's just worried about Ethan. After all, she's just an orphan, really not suited for you..."

"Enough."

Before she could finish, Ethan cut her off.

"This isn't your concern. I know what I'm doing."

The smile on Scarlett's face instantly froze.

She immediately pulled away, her eyes full of accusation.

"I know you can't bear to let her go, but didn't you promise us you'd humiliate her at next week's anniversary? Are you going back on your word now?"

Ethan's frown deepened.

He looked at Scarlett's tearful face, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something.

But in the end, he just looked away irritably without immediately answering.

This brief silence was, for Scarlett, tantamount to the most terrifying answer.

Tears immediately flooded her eyes, while her other hand moved to her abdomen.

"If you've really fallen for her, then I might as well go to the hospital right now and abort this child!"

"After all, he'd be born without a father anyway! Rather than let him suffer his whole life, better to end it now!"

"You're pregnant?"

Ethan's voice rose sharply from shock.

Like being struck by lightning, he grabbed the hand Scarlett had placed on her abdomen.

He lowered his head, his eyes filled with disbelief and wild joy.

"When did this happen?!"

Scarlett winced from his grip, but seeing his loss of composure, a flash of triumph quickly passed through her eyes.

Her face remained pitifully vulnerable.

"Two months ago. I didn't dare tell you. But there's no point talking about it now. I can't let this child become an obstacle between you two. I..."

Before she could finish, Ethan pulled her into his arms.

"How could you be so foolish!"

He cupped Scarlett's face, his voice sighing.

"When did I say I was backing out? Since I promised you, I'll definitely do it. But you must not tell her about this. Understand?"

Scarlett nestled in his arms, breaking into a smile through her tears.

Taking the opportunity, she coquettishly made several small requests.

Like accidentally inserting some "evidence" of me being intimate with other men when playing memory videos.

Like having him publicly announce that this engagement was something I had schemed to steal, and that we weren't married because I was stupid.

Each request aimed to completely destroy my reputation.

And Ethan, still immersed in the wild joy of becoming a father and his guilt toward Scarlett, agreed to everything without hesitation.

My body began trembling violently beyond my control.

Liar.

Ethan, that big liar.

The staff sent by the manager quickly resolved everything.

Tears rolled down my face as I watched them finally finish their discussion and walk out together.

But Ethan didn't leave.

"Wrap up 99 champagne roses for me right now."

Champagne roses were once my favorite roses.

When we got married, Ethan had filled the wedding venue with vast seas of champagne roses.

He had made passionate vows to me in that sea of flowers.

"Elena, in this lifetime, I'll only give roses to you."

Now he was secretly giving 9,999 moonlight roses to another woman.

I shook my head, finding it utterly ironic.