I closed my eyes as tears streamed down my cheeks, transforming into a few brilliant pearls before tumbling into Silas' palm.

He froze for a split second, then pulled me into his arms.

"Annie, why are you crying?" he asked, his voice edged with panic. "Are you feeling sick?"

Every word dripped with affection, completely sincere. And yet, barely an hour ago, he had been wrapped around another woman, lost in passion.

The image surged in my mind, and nausea hit me instantly. I shoved Silas aside, then rushed to the bathroom, retching over the sink.

He hurried after me, patted my back, and handed me a glass of water. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

"I'm fine. It's probably something I ate. I just want to lie down for a while," I replied with a wry smile.

With that, I returned to the bedroom.

From there, I could hear the guests talking about me, their voices laced with envy. One commented, "I heard mermaids can't stay on land for too long, or they'll dry out and die. How is Luna Annelise doing just fine?"

"Because Alpha Silas cultivates moonlight lilies with his own blood. As long as she drinks the extract each month, she'll be fine."

"Oh, my gosh! Alpha Silas dotes on her way too much!"

Another added, "Exactly. They haven't had an heir all these years, and Alpha Silas isn't anxious at all. He's always the one comforting Luna Annelise, telling her not to rush."

"Did you see that massive pool built into the mountainside? It cost millions of dollars! There are natural coral formations, schools of fish, shellfish, and every kind of marine life imaginable. Everything was designed to recreate the ocean so Luna Annelise could swim freely."

A werewolf exclaimed, "Alpha Silas treats her incredibly well!"

"Luna Annelise loves him just as much. To be with him, she traded her singing voice to a sea witch in exchange for legs."

"Oh, my! They both gave everything for each other! Their love is even stronger than the bond between fated mates."

In the past, hearing those words would have made me feel unbearably happy. But now, all I felt was irony.

…

I had just stepped into the hall when a dancer suddenly burst into my path. She deliberately slammed into me, and my hand jerked.

I knocked over a candle stand, and the flame scorched my skin instantly.

"I'm so sorry, Luna Annelise. I didn't mean it!"

The dancer apologized through tears, but only I caught the flash of smug satisfaction in her eyes.

At that moment, Silas rushed to my side and cradled my hand, his eyes filled with worry. "Annie, does it hurt?"

Then, his head snapped toward his subordinates, and he roared, "Go get the healer now!"

His voice thundered through the hall. It was so loud it felt like the entire room had shaken.

A beat later, he turned to the dancer. His gaze was sharp as he kicked her hard. "You worthless Omega! What the hell are you doing? If anything happens to Anneliese, I'll make you pay for it!"

The dancer, Helena, staggered to her feet and ran out, her face twisted with grievance.

An icy dread filled me. Silas' panic when I was hurt, his fear, and the love he showed were all real, but so was his betrayal.

I couldn't understand how a man could love a woman so deeply and still betray her.

…

After the healer bandaged my hand, Silas stayed by my side. It wasn't until I pretended to fall asleep that he slipped out of the room.

I followed close behind as Silas headed for the helpers' quarters.

Helena was slumped on the floor, tears streaming down her face. The moment she saw Silas, she cried even harder.

She rushed toward him and tried to throw her arms around him, but he pushed her away, saying, "I warned you not to show up! From this moment on, you're fired. Get out!"

Through her sobs, Helena pleaded, "I missed you too much, Alpha Silas. I couldn't stop myself from going to the banquet. Please… Don't send me away."

"You hurt Annelise. You have to leave. Either you go on your own, or I'll have you expelled from the pack."

Almost immediately, Helena blurted, "I just wanted to tell you that I'm pregnant. Please don't send me away!"

Silas' face lit up with barely contained excitement.

"Really? Fine. For the sake of the pup, I'll give you one last chance. Do not appear in front of Annelise again, or I won't hesitate to expel you from the pack."

Helena nodded obediently.

Seeing that, I turned to leave. Just moments ago, a thought had crossed my mind.

If Silas drove Helena away, I could pretend none of this had ever happened. After loving him for so many years, I truly couldn't bear to let him go.

But he didn't. Worse, she was carrying his pup. So, what was the point of staying?

…

Back in the room, the nausea grew stronger. I thought it was because Silas' betrayal was too much for me to bear. After all, when pain became unbearable, the body reacted in its own ways.

I drank glass after glass of water, yet nothing helped.

The next morning, I rushed to the healing center and bought a pregnancy test. When the result appeared, it felt like something had stabbed into my heart.

I was pregnant.

It was incredibly difficult for a mermaid and an Alpha to conceive. That was why, for over a hundred years, I had never become pregnant.

I never expected the offspring would come into my life just as my relationship was falling apart.

I didn't want my offspring to grow up without a father, so I decided to talk to Silas. If he could give up Helena, that Omega, I was willing to give him one last chance.

But in the healing center's parking lot, I saw him carefully shielding Helena as they walked. The fragile hope I had just begun to feel was shattered instantly.

I swallowed the tears that slipped out despite myself, feeling ridiculous for ever having that thought. Why did I believe Silas would choose the young in my womb over the one in Helena's?

I wiped away my tears and drove home.

Then, I destroyed everything Silas had ever given me over the years. Once I was gone, Helena could move in immediately.

After all, a werewolf belonged with another werewolf. A mermaid like me should never have existed in their lives.

My offspring would never become the next Alpha, but they could become the next prince or princess of the ocean.

…

Silas never came back that day. Instead, I saw a bank notification on my phone. It was a seven-figure charge for a real estate project.

Not long after, I saw Helena's post. The caption read, "Just got pregnant, and the baby's father already gifted me a villa. Nursery renovations are officially underway!"

There was even an ultrasound photo attached.

Then, Silas called me. He said he was busy and wouldn't be coming home that night. I smiled and told him it was fine.

…

That night, I drove to the glacier and sat there, waiting for the fissure to open.

At dawn, the sharp crack of splitting ice echoed through the air.

Within minutes, the glacier split open. The opening would last only one hour.

Clutching my phone, I hesitated. I called Silas again and again, but he didn't answer.

In the final minute, I dropped my phone, stepped to the edge, and jumped.

Goodbye, Silas.