Chapter 4

Lily POV

On the seventh day at the medical center, he finally called.

"How long are you going to keep this up? It was just one treatment. Are you planning to stay at the medical center forever? Chloe's already gone home. When are you planning to come back?"

I leaned against the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling and laughing coldly.

"Home? Alex, that's not my home anymore."

The other end went quiet for a moment. His tone seemed to soften slightly.

"Lily, stop making a scene, okay? That's your home, and our future home."

I had no interest in listening to his high-sounding lies and simply hung up the phone.

But the next second, the screen lit up again.

"Lily, you hung up on me?!" The anger in his voice nearly burst through the receiver.

"Is there anything else? I need to sleep." I was too lazy to deal with him.

"If you dare hang up, I'll withdraw all aid promises."

He said this through gritted teeth. The smile on my face instantly vanished.

"Alex," I said coldly, "you're threatening me with this again? Are you addicted to it?"

Silence for a few seconds.

"It's because you won't talk to me properly."

I took a deep breath, suppressing my rising anger.

"What do you want?"

"There's a charity gala the day after tomorrow. I'll send you an invitation." He said, "You must come. Consider it... my compensation to you."

The word "compensation" coming from his mouth was ironic.

But I knew now wasn't the time to tear off the facade.

My Pack was teetering on the edge. Once he reneged on his aid promise, everything would be over.

At least for now, Alex was still the Alpha.

But I swore, after Sebastian and I held the Mark ceremony, he wouldn't be anymore!

So I answered, "I understand. Can I hang up now?"

He wanted to say something else, but Chloe's soft voice came through the phone.

He quickly hung up.

I watched the screen go dark, a hint of self-mockery on my lips, then turned off my phone.

Two days later, Alex had someone deliver a gown to the medical center.

The moment I opened the box, I froze.

It was a white gauze dress—gentle, pure, respectable. Exactly the "look" Alex liked.

I picked up scissors and cut it to shreds without hesitation, throwing the pieces in the trash.

Then I made a call and had someone send over a red strapless gown.

Confident, bold, sexy—that was me.

After applying heavy makeup, I smiled at myself in the mirror.

During those years with Alex, my clothes were always muted colors, my makeup so light it was nearly transparent.

But I never liked muted colors, and I never liked pretending to be docile.

Since I'd already decided to leave him, I didn't need to pretend anymore.

The charity gala venue was brilliantly lit. The moment I entered, I felt countless gazes focus on me.

That kind of attention gave me a long-lost sense of satisfaction.

After all, no one had seen me look like this.

"Isn't that Lily? Why is she dressed like that?"

I heard someone's surprised voice.

The moment Alex turned around, I saw him visibly freeze.

I smirked, raised my champagne glass, and toasted him from afar.

His face darkened a few shades. Someone nearby teased, "Did you two break up? Does that mean I can pursue her now?"

Alex laughed coldly. "She and I haven't broken up. She's probably jealous that I've been too close to Chloe lately, so she's dressed like this to win me back."

Win him back?

I laughed softly, the sound more bitter than wine.

He continued socializing with others while I held my glass, drinking one after another.

Until someone approached me, a hand reeking of alcohol trying to rest on my shoulder.

I frowned in disgust and warned coldly, "Back off."

But the man grinned lewdly and still tried to touch me.

I grabbed a wine bottle from the table and smashed it hard against his shoulder.

The sound of shattering glass was deafening. He screamed and fell to the ground.

I looked down at him, bared my fangs, my tone as cold as ice.

"That's a warning. Touch me again and I'll bite through your throat!"

The security warriors came and dragged him away. I picked up another glass of wine and continued mingling.

Glass after glass went down, and my consciousness began to blur.

I staggered toward the restroom, but just as I entered, I heard ambiguous panting sounds.

That sound—I recognized it immediately.

Alex.

I froze in place, my fingertips going cold.

For my "compensation," he specifically called me here, yet turned around to embrace another woman.

How absurd.

I calmly washed my hands.

The face in the mirror with red lips and heavy makeup looked cold and unfamiliar.

The place in my chest that once held feelings now felt only numb.

As the charity gala was ending, I finally understood his real purpose in calling me here.

A thick stack of cooperation agreements sat on the table—all projects I wanted.

At least tonight, I got what I wanted.

"Wait for me at the parking garage," I told the driver.

I walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the basement level.

The elevator doors opened. I had just stepped out when everything went black—

I lost consciousness completely.