A mocking glint flashed in my eyes.

What was this supposed to be?

Compensation, charity, or a final act of pity?

Compared to my carefully cultivated moonlight roses, they were as crude as a joke.

Ha.

After confirming the fruit of love with Scarlett, had he finally remembered there was a pet at home that needed appeasing?

Were these flowers the last bit of dignity he was leaving for me, the trash about to be swept out the door?

That familiar churning sensation in my stomach began stirring again.

"Honey, you're home?"

Ethan's voice came from the direction of the bathroom.

Fresh from his shower, he only carried the scent of steam and sea salt, yet it still made me want to vomit.

He walked up to me, raising his hand to embrace me, but I dodged without leaving a trace.

His hand wavered in the air for a moment before he casually moved it to his head.

"Why are you so late? I called but you didn't answer."

I lowered my gaze, giving a perfunctory response.

"Nothing much, just went to check out the anniversary banquet venue. My phone was on silent, so I didn't hear it."

Ethan's expression immediately softened.

He strode forward, gently pulling me into his arms and kissing my forehead.

"You can leave these little things to me. You just need to wait five days and dress beautifully for the banquet."

"Just thinking about our fifth wedding anniversary in five days makes me so happy. Honey, being able to marry you is the blessing of Moon Goddess."

He loosened his hold slightly, cupping my face with both hands, his gaze focused as if I were his entire world.

"Honey, if there's anything that makes you unhappy, remember to tell me, okay? I'm the person who loves you most in this world. Don't hide anything from me, hmm?"

If this had been a week ago, I probably would have been moved to tears.

Would there be anyone else in the world who would treat me as well as he did?

But now, having seen his true face, I only felt utterly disgusted!

Though I didn't understand why he still thought we had a future. He had already promised Scarlett he would strike against me at the anniversary in five days.

Yet now he was saying these things. Did he want me to unknowingly "adopt" his and Scarlett's child?

Or was he planning to simply send Scarlett and the child somewhere I couldn't see them?

One family outside, another family with me. Playing me for a fool?

Enormous disgust and fury at being manipulated erupted like a volcano in my chest.

Yet I had to force down the nausea.

He seemed to sense something.

If he discovered I was planning to leave, would I still be able to go?

I didn't know.

But it was only five days either way. I could endure a little longer.

After drinking a glass of water and lying down, I felt an abnormal dizziness wash over my head.

This obviously unnatural phenomenon filled my heart with desolation and disbelief.

I had only drunk that one glass of water, and had even eaten dinner outside before coming home.

Ethan, do you hate me this much?

Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes as I lost consciousness.

When I regained awareness, I felt a piercing light flashing before my eyes.

A voice spoke hesitantly.

"Alpha Ethan, are you really going to remove a kidney? Your Luna is eight weeks pregnant with a very healthy fetus. If nothing goes wrong, it's likely a boy. But if you insist on removing a kidney, this fetus probably won't survive, and your Luna might hemorrhage severely."

"She's actually pregnant?"

I could hear the shock in Ethan's voice.

I thought he might show some consideration for the child in my belly, but the next second, his voice turned cold.

"Do it! This is what she owes Scarlett anyway. It's just a child - she can get pregnant again later!"

"Besides, she's an orphan. Any child she bears would just be illegitimate anyway."

I bit my lip desperately, my whole body trembling.

This was too absurd!

He had given me a fake mating certificate, deceiving me like a fool all along. Now he was calling my child a bastard!

And this child I had never even realized existed, who hadn't even had a chance to see the world, was about to be killed by his own biological father!

I couldn't control my violent trembling.

As for Scarlett's illness?

Ha!

Would she really be sick?

Thinking of what my investigation had uncovered, I couldn't help but want to laugh at the sky.

Ethan, oh Ethan, if you knew what she's been doing behind your back, would you regret treating me like this today!

Perhaps my trembling was too intense, as Ethan noticed.

"What's happening? Has the anesthesia worn off?"

The doctor looked back.

"Probably just too cold. The anesthesia dosage was sufficient, Alpha Ethan. Don't worry, she won't wake up this quickly."

"Good, start now."

Ethan responded casually.

I could feel his consistently gentle gaze fall upon me.

"I love you, honey. Sleep well. When you wake up, everything will be better."

Just as the doctor was about to begin surgery, I suddenly heard his phone ring.

Scarlett's voice came through.

"Find a way to paralyze her legs, so there won't be any accidents later."

Why!

They were taking away my child, and now they wanted to strip away my ability to walk too?

I felt like I was falling into an ice cellar.

Yet my body was rigid as a corpse, unable to move.

I heard the doctor hesitate for a moment, then respond in a low voice.

"Yes, Miss."

A tear rolled down from the corner of my eye.

The sound of metal instruments clashing rang in my ears.

I could feel something cold penetrating my body.

Suddenly, I felt a strange tugging sensation from below.

Something important was being forcibly torn away.

"The surgery was very successful, but the lady lost quite a bit of blood. She probably won't wake up for two or three days."

"Excellent."

Ethan's voice drew near again.

"She won't remember anything, right?"

"There will be a brief period of memory confusion after surgery - that's a normal reaction to anesthesia."

I heard Ethan breathe a sigh of relief.

He kissed my forehead tenderly, the sticky sensation making me nauseous.

"You've suffered, honey. Be good, and it won't be like this anymore."

My consciousness began sinking again.

Before falling completely into darkness, I heard Ethan answer a phone call.

"Don't worry. Yes, next week's anniversary banquet will proceed as planned."

I instinctively tried to move my legs, only to despairingly discover I truly had no sensation.

I would never walk again for the rest of my life.

I turned my head and met Ethan's bloodshot eyes.

His eye sockets were red-rimmed, with heavy dark circles underneath, as if he'd been keeping vigil for days and nights.

Seeing me awake, he wept with joy, scalding tears falling heavily onto the back of my hand.

"Honey, you scared me to death. Do you know you were unconscious for three days? I almost thought you were going to leave me."

His voice choked with emotion, several times too overcome to speak.

"The doctor said there was a problem with your immune system. For your health, they had to remove one kidney, and your legs... you won't be able to walk anymore."

I trembled as I reached down, but he grabbed my hand.

"Honey, don't be afraid. No matter what you become, I'll never leave you. I'll love you forever."

I had never imagined his acting skills were so exquisite.

I had seen Scarlett call him more than once, yet he ignored every call, devoting himself entirely to caring for me.

Anyone unaware of the truth would truly believe we were a loving couple.

But everything I had suffered was his gift to me.

He stayed busy until evening, finally half-kneeling beside my bed, his warm lips falling on the back of my hand.

"Honey, I know you're in pain. But your body is too weak right now. The doctor recommends you never get pregnant again in this lifetime.

But honey, don't be afraid - having you is enough for me. Besides, I found a friend who specializes in this area. At most in a year, you'll be able to become a mother."

This sentence shattered my last bit of rationality.

My child, my everything - he had destroyed it all. How could he still say these words with such peace of mind?

"Slap—"

I used all my strength to deliver this blow.

Ethan's face turned to the side from the impact, bright red fingerprints immediately appearing on his pale cheek.

The air froze.

He slowly turned his face back, emotions I couldn't read churning in his eyes.

Just when I thought I would face his fury, he suddenly grabbed my stinging hand and reverently kissed my palm.

That kiss was scalding and moist, carrying an almost pathological obsession.

His trembling lips repeatedly caressed the lines of my palm, as if repenting, or drawing some kind of strength.

"Hit me a few more times."

He pressed my reddened palm against his face.

"I know you're hurting, honey. I'm willing to let you hit me until you feel better."

I coldly withdrew my hand, watching his bewildered expression, speaking each word clearly.

"Ethan, we're finished."

This sentence came too suddenly. I could see a flash of confusion quickly pass through his eyes.

But immediately after, he smiled helplessly.

"Honey, I know you're angry. But you can't joke about divorce. You know I can't live without you. How can you say such things to break your mate's heart?"

Knowing I didn't want him to touch me, he lifted his hand to cover the IV tube, his voice gentle.

"There's only one day left until our fifth anniversary. Honey, you need to get better quickly. I've prepared a huge surprise for you."

I laughed coldly.

A surprise to ruin my reputation? That would indeed be huge.

"What a coincidence. I've also prepared a big gift for you."

A gift he would absolutely love.