Chapter 2

I didn't wait for Ethan Miller to come see me again. I checked myself out of the hospital first.

I found a witch on the black market and stated my purpose directly: "I want to break the Mate Bond, but I can't let him find out. Do you have a way?"

After I paid enough money, she brought me a small vial of potion: "Make him drink this and the Mate Bond will be broken, but you'll be very weak for a long time. Even the healing ability you werewolves pride yourselves on will be temporarily lost."

"How long?"

"Depends on your constitution. Maybe a few weeks, maybe a few months." She looked at me. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." I took the bottle and left.

By the time I got home, Ethan Miller was already sitting on the sofa waiting for me.

"Avy, why didn't you wait for me to pick you up? You checked yourself out?"

"Are you still upset about that drink? Forgive me, okay? To make it up to you, I'll take you to a charity gala and buy you a gift. How about that?"

My hand gripped the small bottle tightly in my pocket.

I already had a plan.

But Ethan took me out without giving me a choice.

When we arrived, I immediately spotted Ivy in the crowd. She wore a striking red dress, and the diamond bracelet on her wrist sparkled brilliantly.

Seeing my gaze land on Ivy, Ethan hastily explained:

"Ava, I didn't know Ivy would be here. I haven't contacted her in a long time."

"If you're unhappy, I'll have someone escort her out right now."

I pulled at the corner of my mouth, too lazy to expose his lies. "No need."

It was just a show for me anyway.

The auction segment of the gala soon began. I remained listless throughout.

But Ethan Miller acted like he truly wanted to compensate me. Whenever I glanced at an item, he would immediately raise his paddle.

In no time, he'd won quite a bit.

People around cast envious looks, but an uneasy feeling rose in my heart.

The feeling quickly came true.

After the finale piece—a contemporary painting—was brought out, Ivy was the first to raise her paddle.

"Two hundred thousand."

I thought Ethan Miller wouldn't be willing to bid against Ivy, but to my surprise, he raised his paddle without hesitation: "Three hundred thousand."

Meeting my astonished gaze, he showed an affectionate smile:

"You weren't very interested in what we got before. You looked at this painting a couple extra times, so you should like it, right?"

I was about to shake my head when he'd already looked away and started competing with Ivy.

After an intense bidding war, Ethan Miller actually made a gesture to the auctioneer, indicating he was willing to offer an even higher unlimited price.

Instantly, the entire venue erupted.

The way people looked at me was no longer just envious.

I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles. Turning my head, I met Ivy's half-smiling gaze, and my heart sank.

Ethan Miller ultimately won the painting.

But when the gala ended and the staff came to request payment, he was nowhere to be found.

Looking at the five hundred thousand dollar figure, my face went pale.

I called him, but only heard the automated message that his phone was off.

The staff member's expression gradually changed, and the surrounding gazes shifted from envy to mockery.

"Alpha Ethan's Luna can't afford to pay?"

"And I thought Alpha Ethan doted on his Luna so much. Turns out it was all fake."

"Maybe this lady wanted to show off herself and dragged Alpha Ethan here, then it backfired."

The humiliating words struck me like heavy blows, making me stagger backward.

The staff member's face had completely lost its pleasantness, looking at me with a cold smile:

"Luna Ava, you need to process the payment now. Otherwise, you'll incur substantial penalty fees and it may affect your credit."

I opened my mouth, but in the end could only say hoarsely:

"Fine, I'll pay the penalty."

I hadn't brought money, so I could only remove my necklace and bracelet, leaving my handbag as collateral before leaving in embarrassment.

This incident quickly fermented online. The comments were full of mockery and abuse.

Looking at those vicious words, my nails dug into my palms, but I couldn't even cry.

So this was Ethan Miller's true purpose for bringing me here.

He wanted me to become everyone's laughingstock.

When I returned home, it was already late at night.

Unexpectedly, Ethan had already come back. He was sitting on the living room sofa, holding a glass of water, seemingly waiting for me.

"Avy, you're back." He set down the glass and stood up. "About tonight, I'm very sorry. I got an urgent call and had to leave. Are you... okay?"

I looked at the glass of water in front of him, then at his seemingly concerned eyes.

"I'm fine." I said quietly. "Just a bit tired. I want some water too."

"I'll get you some." He immediately turned toward the kitchen.

Those brief few seconds.

I quickly dropped the witch's potion into his glass of water.

Colorless and tasteless.

He returned with a fresh glass of water and handed it to me.

I took it and sipped slowly, my peripheral vision fixed intently on him.

He picked up his own glass without any awareness and drank several gulps.

The taut string in my heart loosened slightly, then immediately, a strong feeling of weakness suddenly struck.

The witch's side effects had begun.

"What's wrong? You look terrible." He asked.

"Just too tired." I set down the glass, no longer looking at him. "I'll go rest first."

I turned and walked toward the bedroom, shutting his gaze out behind the door, looking at the countdown on the calendar.

Five more days.