Chapter 4

The room full of laughter stopped abruptly the moment I pushed open the door.

Elias, even more flustered, quickly pulled his hand away from Vivian's.

"The new product sales hit ten thousand, so I invited everyone to celebrate."

His pale explanation couldn't hide the panic in his eyes.

He feigned composure and stepped back, gesturing for me to sit in the empty seat next to him.

But I didn't even glance at it, walking straight to the sofa.

Vivian's gaze swept over me, a triumphant smile on her lips. As she raised her glass and approached, her expression shifted to one of reluctant apology.

"Oh, Luna Clara, we got a bit carried away and rudely showed up without your permission. This is the wine I brought, please have a taste."

At that moment, all eyes were on me.

Curiosity, scrutiny, speculation – I saw it all.

Only Elias stood frozen in place.

In the past, he was the most opposed to me drinking. At every gathering, he would rush to snatch my glass, saying in an almost scolding tone,

"She can't handle alcohol, she shouldn't drink."

Then he would tip his head back and down it himself.

But now, the white glare of the chandelier fell on his bewildered face. His Adam's apple bobbed, yet he said nothing.

I took the glass and, under everyone's gaze, drank the wine.

The hot, fiery liquid burned down my throat, much like the burning warmth in his palm three years ago at our wedding, when he lovingly held my hand and swore to give me a home.

I thought I had held eternity.

I set the glass down. Elias's phone on the table flashed glaringly.

It was him.

"How could you just drink wine?"

"You're still pregnant…"

"Even if you didn't drink, no one was forcing you. Can you stop being so angry with me and tormenting yourself like this?"

"Please, think about our child, okay?"

I stared at the messages scrolling like a barrage of texts, every word packed with "sincere emotion."

Yet not a single one came from the bottom of his heart.

I put my phone face down on the table and quietly ate the food in my bowl.

Someone at the table looked enviously at Elias.

"Alpha Elias's company is growing stronger, he has a beautiful wife, and soon a new baby – truly a winner in life!"

A chorus of agreement followed.

Elias couldn't hide the smile on his face. He uncharacteristically cut a steak and pushed it towards me, but I refused and pushed it back.

In that moment, I ignored all his subtle expressions, ignored the constantly vibrating phone, and focused on eating my own meal.

Someone suddenly said,

"I've heard Luna Clara is especially beautiful and virtuous. She and Alpha Elias are truly a perfect match!"

Everyone echoed the sentiment.

Only I, with a darkened expression, pulled out the medical report for my unexpected miscarriage.

"Elias, let's get a divorce."

"I want to break our mate bond."