It had taken months to gather the courage and evidence, but finally, I had everything I needed. The elders had agreed to check the evidences before performing the ritual that would dissolve our mating bond, freeing me from Derrick’s betrayal. The ritual had been both painful and cleansing, like ripping out roots that had bound me to a man who had no loyalty. The ache in my chest was soon replaced with relief and newfound strength. For me and my unborn child, there would be no more lies, no more deceit.
I knew that Derrick felt the severing of our bond because aftee feeling relieved, the severed mate will feel the consequence which is feeling my pain ten times more.
As I stepped outside the ritual hall, I found myself face-to-face with her—Samantha. She waited by the entrance, her smug smile barely concealed as her eyes met mine. Even now, as the rain began to mist the grounds, she looked smug, as if my pain was her victory.
“Charlotte,” she greeted with a smirk, crossing her arms. “I thought you’d never have the courage to leave him.”
I met her gaze, calm and unbothered. “I’ve no use for a mate who doesn’t respect his bond. If you want him, take him. He’s yours.”
She blinked, momentarily thrown off by my composure. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing me hurt. Derrick’s betrayal had burned through me, but I wouldn’t let Samantha see my scars. I refused to give her that power.
“Does it really not bother you?” she sneered. “You spent years by his side, and now... just like that... ou’re giving up?”
I smiled faintly, a touch of sadness creeping into my voice. “You know, Samantha, when I look back, I never gave up on him. He gave up on us long before you even came along.”
For a moment, I saw something flicker in her expression: her lips curled into a bitter smile.
“What a pity,” she murmured. “Guess you were never enough for him.”
With a sharp laugh, she turned to leave, but suddenly pivoted and grabbed my arm, yanking me forward with a fierce grip. “You may act like you’re okay, but we both know better,” she hissed, her eyes blazing. “You’re just a bitter ex, nothing more.”
I pulled my arm back, but her grip was stronger than I anticipated. She pushed me backward, and I lost my balance, collapsing to the ground. A sharp pain exploded through my abdomen, stealing the breath from my lungs as I fell onto the wet earth.