Chapter 3

Olivia Summers POV

Half an hour later, my apartment door was violently burst open.

Liam stormed in, seething with rage.

"Olivia!" His eyes were red as he pointed at me. "Explain yourself! What do you mean it's off?!"

I sat on the sofa, not even glancing at him.

Liam grew even more furious.

"Delete that Ins post right now and go apologize to Ava! Otherwise this ceremony..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

I stood up and threw the Marking ceremony contract onto the coffee table in front of him.

Liam froze.

"What are you doing with that?"

I didn't answer.

Right in front of him, I pulled out a page and tore it forcefully.

"Are you insane?! Stop!"

Liam reacted and tried to grab it.

Too late.

I didn't stop. I tore the entire document into pieces, then raised my hand and scattered them.

I watched Liam's stunned expression and told him calmly:

"I said the ceremony is off, so this thing is useless now."

Liam was completely shocked by my action.

After the shock came humiliation and rage. I heard a low growl rumbling from his throat.

I had no doubt he wanted to rush over and bite through my throat.

But he wouldn't. Ryan had told me that werewolves cannot kill their own fated mates.

"Fine! Olivia, this is your choice. Don't you dare regret it!"

He just left those harsh words and stormed out, slamming the door violently.

Looking at the mess all over the floor, I actually felt relieved.

At what point in this relationship did I become so pathetic?

My proposal was Liam's casual remark after dinner: "Get ready, we'll have the Marking ceremony soon."

All the subsequent preparations were done by me alone.

For three years, I kept telling myself "he just doesn't understand romance."

But those exquisite wedding photos Amy sent completely shattered my lie.

It wasn't that he didn't understand. He just couldn't be bothered to make an effort for me.

Memories came flooding back.

The passenger seat in Liam's car was always Ava's, with the excuse that "she doesn't like sitting in the back."

We'd plan to see a movie, but he'd insist on buying an extra ticket so Ava could sit beside him.

Even when Ava went out on missions, he'd follow and accompany her the whole time, leaving me sick and alone in the hospital.

And my grievances were always met with just one sentence from Liam:

"Why are you so petty?"

For three years, I changed too much for Liam, learned to give in too much.

It wasn't love that beat me. It was him and his friend who had no boundaries.

Now, I wasn't going to put up with it anymore.

I picked up my phone and started making calls one by one, canceling everything related to the Marking ceremony.

"Hello, Amy? Sorry, you don't need to come tomorrow... Yeah, that woman wasn't me. It's okay, it's not your fault."

"Honey, the Marking ceremony is canceled. You don't need to come. I can handle it. Just... don't tell Ryan yet."

With each call I finished, I felt the shackles on me lighten a bit more.

Three years of youth wasted on a dog was better than wasting a lifetime.

At least there was still time.