Chapter 3

The night was late when I returned to the estate.

Liam was curled up asleep on the bed, still clutching the mating ring tightly against his chest.

Seeing him like this made something soft melt in my chest.

I tiptoed over to help him pull up the blanket.

But Liam stirred, startled. When his sleepy eyes focused on my face,

they lit up instantly.

"You... you're back."

"Yeah," I smiled, leaning down.

"If I'm ever out late again, you don't need to wait up. Just go to sleep when you're tired, okay?"

After tucking him in, I headed to the study.

My phone lit up on the desk.

A text from Ethan.

*Emma, come back right now and apologize, and I might consider forgiving you.*

*Throw all the tantrums you want, but you cross the line using that freak to humiliate me!*

I stared at the screen, utterly detached.

Words that once had the power to shatter my world now seemed like nothing more than an eyesore.

I didn't reply. I blocked his number immediately.

Total silence followed.

Early the next morning, I took Liam out.

For all these years, he didn't even have a phone of his own.

I thought having one would make it easier

if he ever got lost or needed help.

At the store, I helped him get a new number and saved it into my contacts.

When typing his name, I paused before firmly typing out:

"Liam."

But just as we stepped out of the mall, we ran smack into Ethan and Sophie.

Ethan's glare cut like daggers across our intertwined hands before locking onto my face.

He scoffed with mocking fury:

"Emma, you really playing house now? Parading this pathetic joke around... aren't you ashamed of embarrassing Silver Creek?"

Sophie chimed in, her tone smug and patronizing:

"Emma, drop the act. Ethan's already cooled off. Just apologize and this will all blow over."

"Excuse us. I'm taking my mate to pick out our ceremony attire."

I cut them off, my voice cool and flat.

Hearing me call Liam my *mate*,

Ethan lost it.

"Emma! Have you forgotten how you begged to be with me? Have you forgotten you swore you'd only ever love me?"

"How long are you going to keep up this ridiculous farce with this idiot? Are you really throwing our Mate Ceremony away?!"

I met his furious glare, answering with icy calm:

"That's right, Ethan. I don't want you anymore."

As the color drained from his face,

I guided Liam past him and never looked back.