On his 999th attempt, Alpha Sheldon Sanders finally married the woman he'd chased for years, Katryn Clinton.

Everyone in the pack said Sheldon loved her so much it hurt. He wouldn't even go to a business meeting with another woman unless Katryn was at his side.

But five years into the marriage, this picture-perfect Alpha walked through the door with another woman—one who looked disturbingly like Katryn.

"Kate, she's just a young girl I've been sponsoring. She's had it rough. I couldn't just leave her out there. You're too kindhearted to mind, right?"

Katryn thought it was just Sheldon's bleeding heart acting up again.

She couldn't have been more wrong.

On her little sister, Kimberly Clinton's birthday, Katryn baked a cake and waited for her to get off her summer job.

Instead of Kimberly walking through the door, she got a phone call from the hospital, Kimberly had jumped from a high-rise, her body was shattered from head to toe, and she was clinging desperately to life.

When Sheldon arrived at the hospital, Katryn thought he was there to comfort her.

However, she was dead wrong.

His dark eyes were cold as he dropped two legal contracts and a phone on the table in front of her.

On the screen, Kimberly's face was swollen and bruised while a group of guards ripped at her clothes, laughing as they shoved a wine bottle inside her.

"Damn, she's tight."

"Go deeper!"

Kimberly screamed until her throat broke, fighting with everything she had, but it was all in vain.

Then the video cut to her standing on the edge of a twelve-story rooftop, staring into the sheer drop below. Hopelessness and despair was written all over her face.

"Kate... goodbye." Hearing that, Katryn collapsed and sobbed uncontrollably.

And the one who had set it all in motion? Sheldon's so-called charity case—Joanna Loretta.

Expressionless, Sheldon tossed a pen onto the table.

"Sign the liability waiver and this agreement to drop the charges. Or I'll leak the video online.

"You know, my legal team can spin this any way they want."

Clutching her shirts, Katryn's fingers went numb. She glared at him through her tears.

"Sheldon! That's my sister!

"She's in there fighting for her life, and instead of going after the bastards who hurt her, you're forcing me to sign this?"

He didn't even flinch.

"Anna and her brother didn't mean for it to go that far. It was just a joke. Nobody thought Kimberly would jump."

"Anna's still young. I won't let one mistake ruin her future. Sign it, and I'll wire you 500 grand right now. Refuse, and not a single doctor in this pack will touch Kimberly."

Katryn shook with rage, then ripped the papers into shreds.

"I'm not signing! I'll see those guards dragged into court!"

Sheldon leaned back, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

"From the video, it looks like Kimberly enjoyed it. If I release it, who do you think people will believe?

"Listen to me. She's on the operating table right now. If you don't sign, she dies.

"And that clip? Just a preview. I've got plenty of her private photos. If I sell them for a dollar each, how many people do you think would buy?

"Stop wasting time. Sign."

Sheldon knew Katryn so well that he already had another waiver ready, sliding it toward her.

"I, Katryn Clinton, willingly absolve Joanna Loretta and Timothy Loretta of all responsibility..."

The words stabbed her eyes. Her nails cut into her palms. Tears blurred her vision.

Staring at Sheldon in front of her, she couldn't see a trace of the man who once swore he'd love her forever.

All she saw now was a stranger.

Never in her life had Joanna imagined his "forever" could end so fast.

Turns out, she was never the one he couldn't live without.

For Joanna, he'd shoved her and Kimberly straight into hell.

For Joanna, he was willing to force her into signing this settlement, letting the culprits walk away untouched.

Her eyes burned as Katryn stared at the words on the agreement, her hand trembling around the pen.

She knew Sheldon wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. With Kimberly still lying in the OR, she had no choice but to give in.

The moment she signed, her phone buzzed with the cold chime of a "Transfer Successful" notification.

Sheldon glanced at her, a flicker of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"I'll take care of Kimberly's surgery."

Watching Sheldon's figure vanish at the end of the corridor, Katryn bit down on her arm and sobbed until her chest felt like it was being ripped apart.

She realized that when a heart shattered, it felt as though every bone in one's body ached too.

When she finally cried herself dry, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

"Aunt, I want a divorce. Back then, you asked me to marry Alpha Gabriel of the Stone Pack—and now I've decided to agree."

The voice on the other end spiked with shock.

"Seriously? You love Sheldon so much. Are you really willing to leave him? You even gave up a six-figure salary just to be his Luna."

Katryn stayed silent. On the other end, her aunt let out a weary sigh, as if she had already guessed the truth.

"Kate, it wasn't cruelty that made me push you into marrying a dying man. The Alpha of Stone Pack may have been frail, but he was a financial titan and he singled you out by name.

"Your father's business collapse left him owing the Stone Pack millions. Marrying their Alpha was the only way to wipe the slate clean... and it gave you a life of privilege most women only dream about."

Katryn let out a tired hum of acknowledgment.

"Alright then. Since you've agreed, the wedding will be in a month. Get the divorce papers settled as soon as you can."

That night, Katryn never left the hallway outside the OR. When a doctor finally stepped out, he hesitated for a long time before coming over. "Ms. Clinton, just an hour ago, Ms. Loretta accidentally cut her finger. The Alpha panicked and pulled every available doctor in the hospital to examine her wound. At this point, we truly don't have a surgeon left for Kimberly's operation.

"And besides, the case is extremely complicated. The surgery has to be postponed until tomorrow. Maybe you should go home and rest."

Katryn froze to the core at his words.

Kimberly's body was shattered, still fighting for her life and Sheldon had diverted the entire medical team over a scratch on Joanna's hand?

She called him again and again, only to have every call rejected. In the end, he blocked her.

One single text came through, cold as ice.

"Anna's hand is delicate. I need to stay with her. Don't bother me tonight."

The message stabbed her chest like a needle, leaving her numb and breathless.

Alone, Katryn curled up in a dark corner of the hospital, sobbing until her eyes swelled. By morning, she had reached a decision.

At the courthouse, she handed over her ID, ready to file for divorce.

The clerk checked the system, then frowned, glancing at her oddly.

"Ms. Clinton, your marital status is listed as single. Your mate... Alpha Sheldon Sanders... he is married, but not to you."

The words hit Katryn like a lightning strike.

"There must be a mistake. I signed a marriage license with him; we even held a wedding ceremony. Please check again."

The clerk's eyes softened with pity.

"The record shows Alpha Sheldon's spouse was a woman named Laveleen Sanders. But according to the system, five years ago, he updated his status to 'widowed.'"

The clerk, worried she wouldn't believe it, even pulled up the digital marriage license and their photos.

On the screen, Sheldon and a smiling woman leaned into each other, radiating happiness. The sight made Katryn's eyes burn.

All this time, Laveleen's name had been taboo in the Sanders family—never mentioned, not a single photograph left behind.

Now Katryn finally understood—she had only ever been a stand-in, chosen because she faintly resembled Laveleen.

And Joanna? She was the mirror image of the woman in that photo, her sweet smile a perfect match.

For a split second, if Katryn hadn't known Laveleen was long dead, she might have mistaken Joanna for her.

So that was it. That was why Joanna got all of Sheldon's devotion.

Katryn staggered out of the courthouse, the clerk's words pounding in her ears like a relentless bell.

Laveleen Sanders was Sheldon's stepsister, long dead.

So, he'd had someone in his heart eight years ago?

All that time chasing Katryn, was it really just because she resembled Laveleen?

And after Laveleen's death, was Katryn nothing more than his substitute?

Refusing to accept it, Katryn called her best friend and asked her to dig into the so-called wedding from five years ago. When her friend finally called back, her voice was heavy with pity.

"Kate, you were right. Everyone at that wedding—the guests, even the parents—were hired actors. Sheldon's real parents were overseas expanding the pack's business. They never even came back."

Fake...

It was all fake.

Even Sheldon's five years of "love" for her. A lie from start to finish.

Katryn wandered the streets in a daze. Thinking about everything that had happened, she let out a bitter laugh—and then the laughter turned into tears.

Before her cheeks were even dry, Sheldon's call lit up her phone.

His voice came through like ice. "I'm sending you an address. You've got five minutes to get here."

She didn't mean to, but her thumb hit the decline button. Seconds later, an explicit photo surfaced online.

The face was blurred, but Katryn recognized Kimberly instantly.

Sheldon's lazy voice message followed right after.

"Just a little warning, next time you hang up on me, it won't be a censored picture."

Katryn's grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white.

Just one more month—one more month to secure Kimberly's surgery and then escape from Sheldon forever.

So for now, for Kimberly's life, she had to endure.

When Katryn stepped into the private suite, Sheldon was slouched on the couch, shirt collar undone, cradling Joanna as she whimpered against his chest.

His eyes, dark and cold, fixed on Joanna the moment she appeared.

"Because of you digging into her and her brother, Anna's been battling depression. She nearly jumped off a building. If I hadn't caught her, you would've killed her. Now—get on your knees and apologize."

Laughter rippled through the room, sharp with mockery. Katryn's fingers curled into her palms.

"I didn't do anything wrong."

Sheldon tilted his phone, flashing a series of gut-wrenching photos. Her blood seemed to freeze in her veins.

Staring down at her shoes, Katryn finally sank to her knees, her voice trembling.

"I'm sorry."

Sheldon turned to Joanna, his gaze full of indulgence.

"Happy now?"

Joanna stayed quiet. Sheldon read her silence instantly.

"Then tell me—how should we punish her?"

Joanna pressed closer into his chest, her tone wounded.

"She's the Luna. How could I have the right to punish her?"

Sheldon's fingers tipped her chin up, his voice gentle and coaxing. "If I say you have the right, then you do."

"I saw a pet shop downstairs selling puppy costumes," Joanna murmured. "Why not make her wear one?"

A bundle of fabric was tossed at Katryn's feet. Moving like a machine, she slipped into the ridiculous outfit. They paraded her around the room like an animal. Then came the next suggestion—something harsher.

Sheldon frowned, but before he could speak, Joanna cut in quickly. "If it's too much, forget it."

He soothed her with a few sweet words, enough to bring a fragile smile back to her face, before turning to Katryn.

"Kimberly's surgery needs money, doesn't it? Here's the deal—take a slap, and I'll give you 15,000 dollars."

Katryn stared at him, stunned.

From forcing her to kneel to now being slapped in public—he was pushing her further and further into humiliation.

One by one, the people in the room lined up, striking her across the face. Her cheeks stung and swelled under the blows, but her heart was colder than ice.

Compared to the pain in her chest, this was nothing.

At one point, when she lifted her eyes to Sheldon, she thought—just for a split second—she saw something flicker in his gaze. Pity? Pain?

No. Impossible. It was nothing but a cruel illusion.

By the time it was over, she'd endured 20 slaps. Five of them came from Joanna herself, under Sheldon's watchful eye.

Both sides of Katryn's face were bruised and swollen, unrecognizable.

Sheldon, as if it were nothing more than a transaction, calmly pulled out his phone and wired her 300,000 dollars.

"Go to the hospital and get that face treated. I already told the doctor. I don't want to come home and see a disgusting mess."

Sheldon's tone carried no warmth, only disgust.

Katryn's expression didn't change as she met his gaze. "Just don't go back on your word about Kim's surgery."

He waved her off impatiently.

As Katryn turned to leave, Joanna suddenly grabbed her hand and leaned into Sheldon with a pout. "Alpha, I really love this bracelet. Can Luna give it to me?"

Katryn yanked her hand free and stepped back.

"No. This was my mother's heirloom. I won't give it away."

Sheldon's eyes lingered on the bracelet for a few seconds, unreadable.

Joanna's lashes glittered with tears.

"Alpha, does Luna hate me? If she doesn't want to give it, fine. But why use some excuse about an heirloom?"

Sheldon chuckled faintly.

"She's right. It was her mother's keepsake. If you want, I'll buy you something even more beautiful."

"No! I want this one." Joanna's voice turned soft and stubborn.

Sheldon's gaze snapped back to Katryn, cold as steel.

"Name your price. Five hundred thousand dollars for a worthless trinket. Sounds fair, huh?"

Worthless trinket?

Katryn's hand clutched the bracelet tight, her lips cracking dry, unable to form words. Only her eyes screamed silent outrage.

He knew damn well it was the only thing her mother had left her, and he dared to call it a worthless trinket.

All because of Joanna. He was even willing to rip it from her hands.

Sheldon's patience finally snapped.

"I already wired you the 500,000 dollars. Don't forget—Kimberly's still stuck in that hospital bed."

The threat in his voice iced her veins.

Her grip slowly weakened until guards pried the bracelet from her bleeding wrist, leaving a long, raw scratch.

She forced a laugh, one so broken it looked more like crying.

"Can I go now?"

For some reason, seeing her like that made something clog in Sheldon's chest.

His lips parted, but before he could say anything, Joanna lifted the bracelet, twirling it playfully in front of him. Her voice went sweet and coy.

"Alpha, will you put it on me?"

His eyes snapped right back to her, the corners of his mouth softening into indulgent warmth.

"Of course. You'll look perfect in it, Anna."

Not once did his gaze flicker back to Katryn.

Katryn slowly closed her eyes, her chest aching dully.

It wouldn't be long now. Soon, she would be gone for good—leaving them to bask in their so-called undying love.

Katryn stumbled into the hospital, still wearing the ridiculous puppy mascot costume she hadn't even bothered to take off.

People stared and whispered, their voices blending into static as she drifted in a daze.

Memories of the good times with Sheldon flickered like an old film reel, only to dissolve into nothing. It all felt like a dream that had never been real.

Instead of heading to the ER to treat her own swollen face, she rushed straight to Kimberly's ward.

But the sight waiting for her made her blood run cold.

"Kim!"

Kimberly's bed was being wheeled out of the operating room, belongings scattered all over the floor.

Katryn grabbed the nurse's arm, her nails digging deep.

"She hasn't had her surgery yet! How dare you push her out!"

The man dropped his gaze, refusing to answer.

From behind him, a man swaggered forward, smirking, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Well, well. I didn't know you little slut had such a gorgeous sister. Wonder if I told Sheldon, he'd let me have you for a few nights. Think you'd be as fun as Kimberly?"

Katryn's eyes blazed, her fists curling so tight her nails pierced her palms. Rage surged in her chest, suffocating.

"It was you. You're the bastard who assaulted Kim!"

Timothy sneered, tilting his head with the arrogance of someone untouchable.

"Yeah, that was me. So what? You dropped the charges and signed the settlement. What can you do to me now?

"Besides, Sheldon's obsessed with Anna. You think he gives a damn if you or Kimberly live or die? Hell, it was his call to kick her out of surgery. Don't believe me? Go ahead. Call him."

Katryn's heart split open as she looked at Kimberly's pained face. With shaking fingers, she dialed.

Sheldon's voice came through, cold and flat.

"Yeah. I told Timothy to throw her out."

She'd braced herself, but hearing it still stabbed like a knife.

"Why?!"

"Why?" He laughed bitterly. "Ask yourself what you've done."

She didn't know what he meant. All she knew was Kimberly would die without the surgery.

"Sheldon, please. I'm begging you. Let them operate. Her condition's already been delayed too long."

His laugh cut sharp.

"Begging me? That's rich. Miss Perfect, the untouchable ice queen—now you've sunk this low.

"Tell me, did you plant something on that bracelet because you knew Joanna liked it? Hoping she'd break out in hives the moment she wore it?

"And those rumors online—calling her a homewrecker? That was you too, wasn't it? Trying to destroy her reputation?"

Her lips parted, stunned.

"No, I didn't! She—"

"Enough!" His voice snapped like a whip. "You want Kimberly back in that OR? Fine. Post a public apology. Tell everyone you slandered Anna and Timothy. Admit you and Kimberly staged this whole sob story for a payout."

A bitter, broken smile twisted across her lips.

But before she could answer, Kimberly suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, the crimson splattering across her sheets.

Katryn went pale as death.

"Doctor! Somebody help! Please!"

She sprinted to the nurses' station, screaming, and a team of doctors rushed in.

Half an hour later, one emerged, pulling down his mask with a heavy sigh.

"She was already critical. The delay was too long. We did everything we could."

Katryn froze, her whole body hollow, like someone had drained every drop of blood from her veins.

On the phone, Sheldon's voice still droned on, merciless.

"Katryn! Did you hear me? Don't think you'll get away with defying me. Kimberly won't get that surgery—"

She gripped the phone so tight her knuckles turned white. Her voice came out flat, exhausted, and venomous.

"She's already dead. Are you happy now?"

But instead of silence, Sheldon let out a mocking laugh.

"Pathetic. Cursing your own sister like that? What kind of monster are you?"

Katryn hung up, her hands trembling. She watched as Kimberly's body was wheeled into the morgue, then collapsed in a corner, sobbing until her whole world caved in.

If only she could start over. God, if only.

After the funeral, Katryn carried the urn home, planning to bury Kimberly's ashes alongside their parents before she left town for good.

The house was thick with dust, the dining table covered in a gray.

It was obvious Sheldon hadn't been back in days—too busy playing house with Joanna.

Wiping her tears, Katryn quietly packed her things.

Her gaze caught on the wedding photo still hanging on the wall. She pulled it down and replaced it with a doctored picture she'd had made at a photo shop—Sheldon and Joanna smiling together as if they were the perfect couple.

Then she booked a one-way flight.

Just as she finished, her phone lit up. Sheldon's name glared across the screen—over 50 missed calls.

The moment she picked up, his voice barked through. "Are you ignoring me now? Get your ass to Tribeca Villas No. 8. Bring me a box of condoms."

Katryn's grief turned into a surge of fury.

"I'm not your damn maid! You killed Kim! Was that not enough? Now you want to humiliate me too?"

His tone dropped, cold and sharp. "Katryn, what would Kimberly think if she heard you cursed her like that? Twisting her death just to get pity? Don't tell me you've sunk this low.

"You've got five minutes. If you're late, I'll leak those videos of Kimberly and that cute little dog costume you wore. Think your old admirers wouldn't eat that up?"

Her knuckles whitened around the phone.

Kimberly deserved peace, even in death. Swallowing her rage, Katryn bought what he demanded and followed the GPS to the address.

She thought she could drop it off and leave, but Sheldon forced her to wait outside.

Through the door, she heard it—moans, laughter, the kind of sounds that sliced through her chest like glass.

When Sheldon finally stepped out, their eyes met. He froze.

The red veins in her eyes said it all. She hadn't slept in days.

His voice softened. "Alright, enough. I've already arranged up a surgeon for Kimberly. Don't worry so much."

Katryn just stood there, face blank, lips pressed tight.

Before he could say more, Joanna appeared in a slinky nightgown, draping herself over him with a giggle.

"Alpha, you're impossible. You nearly broke me in half just now."

Then her eyes slid to Katryn, full of smug challenge.

Sheldon instinctively pushed Joanna back a step, forcing a smile. "Didn't you say you've got your brother's birthday party to get to? Go get changed."

Then Sheldon turned to Katryn. "You're coming too. I'll make Timothy apologize to you properly."

Katryn almost laughed out loud at the absurdity.

He actually wanted to drag her to the birthday party of the man who destroyed Kimberly.

Like a puppet on strings, she let him push her into the backseat.

The scenery blurred past the window. She closed her eyes.

"Just a little longer. Soon, it will all be over," she thought.

The private suite reeked of booze and smoke.

Sheldon frowned at the chaos but still walked in, hand in hand with Joanna.

Katryn trailed behind them like a soulless machine.

"Alpha! You're late. That's three shots as punishment!"

"Hey, isn't that Luna? Sit by me, sweetheart!"

"Your sister's got the curves, but damn, I wonder what you taste like."

Filthy laughter filled the room. Katryn's stomach turned, her fury snapping straight to Sheldon, who didn't even glance her way, too busy draping his jacket over Joanna's shoulders.

The next moment, Timothy yanked Katryn into his arms, his hands roaming freely.

Memories of Kimberly's suffering flashed in her head. Katryn shoved up and slapped him hard across the face.

"Don't touch me!"

Timothy's cheek flared red. He struck her back and spat at her.

"Bitch! Quit your acting. One word from me and Sheldon will hand you over!"

Sheldon sat there swirling his drink, irritation tightening his jaw.

Joanna's eyes shimmered with fake tears as she leaned against him. "Alpha, Luna still hates me, doesn't she? She embarrassed me and Timothy in front of everyone. It was just a joke, but she hit him."

Sheldon squeezed her hand, his voice gentle. "Don't cry. I'll make her apologize."

He slid a glass across the table to Katryn.

"Ten shots. Finish them, and this incident will be forgotten."

Katryn's fingers curled, nails biting into her palms as she fought to hold back her tears.

He knew—he damn well knew she was allergic to alcohol.

But of course, he'd forgotten.

Shot after shot burned down her throat. Katryn couldn't tell anymore if what she was swallowing was liquor or her own tears.

Watching her punish herself, Sheldon almost moved to stop her—until Joanna leaned in, shoving her phone under his nose.

"Alpha, look at this lingerie set. Will you buy it for me?"

The sultry lace on the screen pulled his attention instantly. His mouth curved into a smile.

"If you want it, I'll buy every color."

By the tenth shot, Katryn's body gave out. Her throat seared, her chest stabbed with pain, every breath scraping like fire.

Sheldon's face blurred into nothing. She thought she heard distant shouting before darkness swallowed her whole.

When she woke, the sharp sting of disinfectant filled her lungs.

A quick glance out the window told her an entire day had passed.

A nurse noticed her stirring and smiled. "You're awake."

Katryn's voice was hoarse. "Was it Alpha who brought me here last night?"

The nurse shook her head.

"No. The club staff dropped you off."

A bitter laugh slipped from Katryn's lips.

What was she expecting?

She gathered her things to leave, but footsteps and the click of the front lock stopped her.

Sheldon froze in the doorway when he saw her holding the framed black-and-white photo. His brow tightened.

"Where are you going?"

Joanna followed close behind. The moment her eyes landed on the picture in Katryn's hands, she shrieked, stumbled, and tumbled down the staircase.

Sheldon's face drained white. He bolted down after her, panic surging as he lifted her head and saw the blood soaking her hair. His fury snapped back at Katryn like a whip.

"Katryn! You did this on purpose, didn't you? To scare Anna, you actually made a funeral portrait of Kimberly? You're sick!"

She clutched the urn tighter, her chest crushed by pain.

"Sick? Who's really sick here?"

Sheldon pulled Joanna into his arms, wiping her tears as she whimpered pitifully.

"Alpha, my head... it hurts. What if it's a concussion? What if I lose my memory? What if I forget you?"

His voice gentled, his embrace tightening around her.

"Don't be stupid. You'll never forget me. And even if you did, I'd never leave your side."

The tenderness in his tone cut Katryn like glass.

Once, that warmth had been hers. Now it belonged to someone else.

Sheldon looked at her with indifference and waved his hand.

"Smash it!"

The guards immediately yanked the urn from Katryn's hands.

"No! Give it back! Sheldon, I'm begging you, please... That's Kim's ashes!"

The guards froze, eyes shifting to Sheldon as if waiting for orders.

He let out a cold laugh.

"Still acting? Kimberly just had surgery, and she's resting at the hospital. Timothy even went to visit her for me. Do you think I'm an idiot? How long are you planning to keep up this act?

"Smash it. Dump whatever's inside down the toilet."

Katryn's eyes went bloodshot as she lunged for the urn, but the guards shoved her hard. Her forehead slammed against the sharp edge of a table, blood spilling instantly and blurring her vision.

Ignoring the pain, she threw herself at the toilet to grab what she could, but the ashes dissolved in the water, slipping through her fingers no matter how desperately she tried to hold on.

One of the guards hit the flush. Katryn could only watch as the ashes swirled down the drain. She collapsed to the floor, sobbing until her voice broke.

Her raw, helpless cries sent an involuntary shiver down Sheldon's spine.

Joanna quickly held out her bloodied hand to him.

"Alpha, it hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Snapped out of his daze, Sheldon's face tightened with concern.

"Yeah. I'll take you right now."

Lifting her into his arms, he shot Katryn a dark glare over his shoulder.

"You hurt Anna. Your punishment is to write a ten-thousand-word apology—one thousand times. Miss a single word, and I'll send one of Kimberly's photos to a random person in your contacts. Got it?"

He left guards behind to watch her, then carried Joanna out of the house and headed for the hospital.

Watching his back as he disappeared, Katryn felt her chest rip apart with pain.

"Sheldon, you've betrayed me completely," she said inwardly.

Katryn stayed up all night, filling page after page until she finally finished the thousand repetitions of the ten-thousand-word apology.

Her hand was rubbed raw, skin split open, blood smearing across the paper with every stroke of the pen.

She muttered over and over, "I deserve this," like she was losing her mind.

Even the guards couldn't stand to watch, letting out quiet sighs.

When they left, the house was empty, leaving Katryn alone.

Sheldon still didn't come home. Instead, he sent a voice message.

"Anna's hurt because of your little stunt. I have to stay at the hospital to take care of her. Sleep on your own tonight. Don't wait up."

She was about to shut off her phone when the screen lit up with new messages from Joanna—lines of text, followed by several videos.

"Luna, Alpha's too sweet. He said he's worried I'll scar, so he brought in every top surgeon in the city. To cheer me up, he filled my VIP suite with gifts.

"Oh, and that Blue Heart sapphire necklace you always wanted? He just bought it at auction and gave it to me.

"Luna, if I were you, I'd file for divorce before you end up with nothing. After all, Alpha loves me."

Katryn ignored her taunts.

Over the next few days, Sheldon still didn't come home. All she got was another message.

"I'm out of town for work. I'll bring you back a gift."

Katryn knew better. "Work" was just an excuse for him to play house with Joanna.

Joanna kept spamming her with messages. When Katryn didn't reply, her tone turned venomous.

"Bitch, you're just as trashy as your sister. I'll make sure both of you are ruined. You'll see soon enough. Alpha never loved you."

She sent dozens of texts like that. Katryn couldn't be bothered to respond and finally blocked her.

Every day she counted down on her fingers. Just five more days, and she'd be free of Sheldon.

Until one morning, she was yanked out of bed in her sleep.

Opening her eyes, she saw Sheldon's cold face staring down at her.

Her brain froze. She couldn't even process what was happening until he threw a phone in front of her, a video playing on the screen.

In the video, a man was tied up, beaten bloody, his face twisted with fear.

"It was Luna! She paid me 1,500 dollars to kidnap Ms. Loretta. I swear it's true! Please let me go!"

Sheldon grabbed her by the chin, squeezing hard enough she thought her jaw would snap.

"Still playing innocent? Or are you just that good at faking it?

"Anna was strung up at an abandoned construction site for a whole day and night. If I hadn't gotten there in time, she'd be rotting in some godforsaken ditch!"

Katryn's first instinct was to shake her head.

"I didn't!"

But Sheldon didn't believe a word. He waved his hand, and guards dragged her downstairs, shoved her into a vehicle, and hauled her to a deserted construction site.

They chained her wrists and hoisted her up, her arms stretched to the breaking point. Pain shot through her bones, cold sweat soaking her shirt, and her vision dimming.

Sheldon stood below her, staring up with flat, merciless eyes.

"Admit it. You know what you did wrong?"

Through clenched teeth, fighting the pain, Katryn managed a bitter smile.

"Yeah. I know."

"What was it?"

She paused, each word laced with venom.

"My mistake was meeting you.

"My mistake was saying yes when you proposed.

"My mistake was ever becoming your mate."

Sheldon froze for half a second before fury twisted his face.

"If you won't repent, then hang here all night. Think it over!"

The night swallowed her whole, black and ruthless.

Her arms had gone numb, her body shuddering from fear.

Rain pounded down, soaking her to the bone and chilling her blood to ice.

Her eyelids grew heavy...

The first thing Katryn noticed when she woke was the sharp, sterile scent of disinfectant in the air.

"You're awake?"

Through the haze, Sheldon's face came into focus. He was sitting at her bedside, eyes rimmed red.

"You must be starving. I'll get you some broth."

He even smiled—something she hadn't seen in what felt like forever.

"You had a raging fever. Out cold for three days. You scared the hell out of me.

"Kate, stop fighting me, okay? Anna saved my life. That's why I take care of her. Don't keep making it difficult."

Katryn stared at the ceiling, her eyes burning dry.

"So going through an entire box of condoms with her—that's your idea of gratitude?"

The question left him speechless. After a long pause, he sighed.

"I just made the same mistake every Alpha makes.

"I promise that once she makes the team, I'll keep my distance from her."

But Katryn didn't care anymore.

Tomorrow, she'd be gone. Away from Sheldon. Away from all of this.

Her silence fooled him. He thought it meant forgiveness. Relief softened his features as he fed her the last spoonful of broth.

"Do you remember what today is?" he asked.

Before she could answer, he jumped in eagerly, like a kid showing off a prize. "Our five-year anniversary. I've had everything prepared. You're going to love it."

That evening, he took her aboard a yacht, the sea breeze sharp and salty.

Then Joanna appeared—flowing gown, gemstone-studded, glowing under the lights like the star of the night. Guests gasped in awe.

"Alpha's mate is so young and stunning!"

"That dress... I know it! Custom, one of a kind, from an international top designer. Worth millions. Alpha must adore her."

Sheldon didn't correct them. He only gazed at Joanna with that soft, indulgent look Katryn used to know.

Bitterness burned in Katryn's throat.

Their five-year wedding anniversary—and the star of the show was another woman.

Even worse, that same gown on Joanna's body had once been Sheldon's gift to Katryn for their anniversary.

When it came time to cut the cake, Sheldon finally dragged Katryn to the stage. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Wait—so this is his mate? Then who was that girl earlier?"

"Wasn't Alpha supposed to be crazy about his wife? Why let another woman steal the spotlight?"

The host tried to smooth it over. "Alright, everyone, let's turn our eyes to the big screen—Alpha and Luna's sweetest moments together."

People expected wedding photos. Romantic memories. Instead, the screen lit up with moans. A sex tape. In a car. Every explicit detail, flashing larger than life.

Sheldon's face darkened, rage radiating off him like a storm about to break.

"Shut it off! Now!"

At the center of the scandal, Joanna's eyes brimmed with tears. Humiliated, she bolted from the room.

Sheldon rushed after her. Passing Katryn, he didn't spare her an ounce of doubt, only a look full of disappointment.

"You've destroyed Anna's reputation!"

"I didn't..." Katryn's voice cracked.

But no matter how she tried to explain, Sheldon didn't bother listening. He only chased after Joanna.

With the couple gone, the crowd turned on Katryn.

"What kind of woman plays her own husband's sex tape at their anniversary?"

"Jealous bitch. How twisted do you have to be?"

"Exactly. Airing dirty laundry in public—Alpha's going to be the laughingstock now."

The whispers cut into her until she could barely stand.

Soon, Sheldon's men dragged her out to the deck.

He loomed over her, face dark, and backhanded her so hard blood pooled at the corner of her mouth.

"You drove Anna to the edge. She almost threw herself into the ocean! Tell me, how the hell should I punish you?"

Joanna wept prettily against his chest. Guests circled, voices full of blame.

Sheldon soothed her with sweet words until she gave a shaky laugh. Then, with a flick of his eyes, the guards yanked Katryn toward the rail, ropes cutting into her skin.

"Throw her over. Let her feel what it's like to drown."

His cold command was like a dull blade sawing straight through her heart.

The splash shattered the night. The impact slammed through her body, pain exploding in her chest.

Freezing seawater rushed into her nose and mouth, stabbing her lungs like needles. Bound hand and foot, she couldn't even fight back.

All she could do was sink. Deeper. Until the world went dark...

When she opened her eyes again, a man was standing by the window.

Sheldon placed a contract in front of her. "I've decided to give up half my shares—60% for you, 40% for Anna. Don't worry. You'll always be my wife. Our marriage will last forever.

"Oh, I lost our marriage license. Tomorrow we'll re-file, okay? Bring Kimberly too. Once we're done, the three of us will take a trip. Call it the honeymoon I owe you."

Katryn's lips curled. She laughed until the tears came.

He was still lying.

But it didn't matter anymore.

When she signed the transfer papers with a smile, Sheldon believed she'd agreed.

Relief softened his face as he kissed her forehead, then left with the documents.

At the door, he turned back, gentle as ever. "Tomorrow at the city hall. Don't stand me up."

The moment he was gone, Katryn returned to the house they'd shared for five years. As she expected, it was empty. He hadn't been home in weeks.

Dragging her suitcase to the door, she glanced back one last time. The house was familiar, yet it had never felt colder.

That night she boarded a red-eye flight. As the plane lifted and the stars came closer to her window, a strange calm swept over her.

She and Sheldon—this was the end. They would never see each other again.