Chapter 3
A day and a night later, they finally released me.
After I got out, I heard Elias had already dealt with the drugging incident.
After the banquet ended, he personally escorted Vivian home.
When I arrived, I heard Elias saying, "Vivian saved me. I've already marked her. She will be the Luna of the Dubois pack, and I will hold a wedding ceremony with her."
My footsteps halted.
Even though I'd already resolved to give up on Elias completely in this life, hearing those words still caused a sharp pain in my heart.
He believed Vivian saved him and wanted to marry her.
But if I had been the one to do it, he would only think I was throwing myself at him shamelessly.
In my previous life, the gossip in our social circle became so intense that it reached my father's ears.
My father was the Beta of the Dubois pack. He personally asked Elias, and only then did Elias reluctantly agree to marry me.
In this life, Elias couldn't wait to marry Vivian.
When Vivian saw me at home, she put on a conflicted expression. "That's not right, Dad. Clara likes Elias. People can say what they want about me, but Clara would be so hurt."
My father hadn't even spoken yet.
Elias's tall figure blocked my way through the door.
"Since you've already heard, I might as well make things clear."
"Clara, I don't like you. No matter how much effort you put in, it's all wasted. You'd better accept it sooner rather than later. It's better for both of us."
I replied softly, "Yes, don't worry."
"I won't bother you and Vivian anymore. I wish you both happiness."
Elias narrowed his eyes, studying me intently.
Behind me came my father's sigh. "Girl, you should have figured this out earlier. You're eighteen now. Focus on finding your mate from now on."
I tried my best to ignore Elias's penetrating gaze and nodded with a smile. "Okay."
After getting engaged to Vivian, Elias began frequenting our house.
Before, seeing him even once was like reaching for the sky. I had to ask his friends about his whereabouts and endure being mocked as a simp without getting angry.
Now, in the past two weeks, I'd seen him more times than the entire previous year combined.
Yet I felt no happiness at all.
Vivian always pretended to be kind while actually showing off. "Clara, these are the roses Elias sent. Want me to give you one?"
"This is a jewelry necklace Elias specially ordered from Europe. Want to borrow it? He's sent me so many things, I can't even wear them all."
Yet in my previous life, even our wedding rings were ones I bought for Elias.
While I was lost in thought, Vivian suddenly broke the necklace.
The lustrous pearls scattered across the floor, rolling to a pair of black leather shoes.
"Elias!" She threw herself at him pitifully, glancing at me. "Clara must have done it accidentally. Please don't blame her. It's my fault for not protecting the things you gave me..."
Elias's face darkened.
"Clara, you act so understanding in front of your father, but the moment he goes on a business trip, your true colors show, don't they?"
"You've loved bullying Vivian since childhood. Haven't you had enough yet?"
A bitter taste spread through my throat.
I said word by word, "I didn't do it."
Vivian immediately lowered her head. "Elias, it's all my fault. I'm the one to blame."
Elias shielded her behind him, his tone carrying an obvious warning.
"Before, your family affairs weren't my business, but now Vivian is my mate."
"For the time being, I'll move in here until your father returns."
In the past, I would have been overjoyed to live under the same roof as him.
Seeing my silence, Elias paused, then reminded me, "Behave yourself. Keep your distance from me so Vivian doesn't get the wrong idea."
That night, Vivian acted coquettishly, asking Elias to blow-dry her hair. She deliberately made enough noise to ensure I'd notice.
When I walked past, I didn't slow my steps for even a moment. Elias had no reaction either.
But the next day, when he saw I'd suddenly cut my hair short, he wore a knowing smile.
"Did you cut it specifically for me to see?"