Chapter 4

Emma Wilson POV

I hastily pulled back Sophie, who was about to rush forward. "No need. There's no need to ask him."

"What do you mean, no need?" Sophie was both angry and anxious, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "Emma, you gave him so much! How could he treat you like this?"

I couldn't answer her, just smiled faintly. "Come have a drink with me."

Sophie looked at me, understanding that beneath my calm exterior, I was heartbroken. Her anger was replaced by concern.

"Let's go! I'll drink with you all you want today!"

In the noisy bar, I drank glass after glass.

The burning liquid slid down my throat, searing my stomach, but it couldn't warm my slowly chilling heart.

After an unknown number of drinks, I got up to go to the restroom.

I leaned against the sink, looking at my reflection. Red-rimmed eyes. Disheveled. I tried to smile, but couldn't.

As I exited the restroom, a figure stumbled into me, nearly knocking me over.

I frowned, stepped back, and looked up to see Ben Carter, another friend of James's.

He looked like he'd had a lot to drink, his face flushed from the alcohol.

"Isn't that Emma?" Ben squinted, recognizing me. He slapped me hard on the shoulder. "Here to find James, right? Come on, come on, he's inside, I'll take you!"

Before I could refuse, Ben dragged me around the corner and to the door of a private room.

"James, look who I brought!" Ben flung open the door, shouting with a triumphant air.

The laughter inside the room instantly died. Everyone's gaze turned towards us.

There were seven or eight people inside, all close friends of James, and Charlie Green was there too.

James sat on the central sofa, with Olivia, dressed in an exquisite dress, sitting closely beside him.

At this moment, James's hand was still holding Olivia's. They looked very intimate.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

James's smile stiffened. The others exchanged glances, and the atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Ben belatedly realized what was happening. He slapped his forehead, his drunkenness momentarily scared away, stammering, "Uh, no, that... Emma, I..."

Before he could finish, I turned without a word and walked away.

"Emma!"

James's face changed. He quickly rose and chased after me.

In the hallway, James grabbed my wrist, pulling me back and forcing me to face him. "Emma, why are you here? And why are you turning around and leaving?"

I looked up at him. "If I stayed there, wouldn't the atmosphere be awkward for you?"

James was silent for a moment before saying, "Did someone tell you something?"

"Do I need to be told?" I laughed bitterly. "You proposed to Olivia. All your friends know. The Pack is buzzing about it. You never even intended to hide it. You were just waiting for me to leave on my own, weren't you?"

"That's not what you think!" James interrupted me, eager to explain. "Olivia is the daughter of a prominent Silvermoon Pack Alpha. She saved my life once, and these past four years, she's used her Silvermoon Pack connections to get me a lot of support. She's even made enemies because of it. I owe her too much."

"So what? What does that have to do with me?"

"She's my fated mate. I can't abandon her." He grasped my shoulders with both hands. "But Emma, I still love you. As long as you don't mind her presence, nothing between us has to change. It can be just like before."

I was stunned, completely incredulous. "So you're saying you want me to be the other woman in your mate bond with someone else?"

James's expression faltered. He wanted to defend himself, but his words were cut off by a sudden voice.

"James, what are you doing out here?"

Olivia gracefully approached us.