Chapter 7

Three days before the flight.

Layla sent a photo of Caden grilling at the beach.

Layla: To celebrate me carrying his child, Caden brought me to the Maldives! He says it's hard on me carrying the pup, so I should just lie back and eat.

Seraphina didn't reply. She simply met up one last time with a few close friends.

Two days before the flight.

Layla sent another picture—this time Caden reading a book titled Early Education for Wolf Cubs.

Layla: Caden's already thinking about the baby's education. It's still tiny in my belly but he talks to it every day.

Seraphina still didn't reply. She went to a human bank, withdrew all her money in cash, and closed every account.

One day before the flight.

Layla sent a video. It showed a stunning fireworks display over the sea. Layla cried in the clip. Caden held her tenderly, comforting her: "Why are you crying? There will be more surprises."

Layla: Caden rented the whole island just for me. He bought up all the fireworks in the Maldives for my birthday.

So it was Layla's birthday. Pregnancy and a birthday—no doubt they were happy. Seraphina merely smiled faintly and called a local charity. "Hello, I have a batch of clothes I'd like to donate to poor mountain areas."

Soon a representative arrived. Over the past few days without Caden, Seraphina had packed everything: five large bags of clothes and shoes, all donated. She took her ID, bond tokens, family records—everything tied to "Seraphina"—to the wolf altar's incinerator and paid the priest to burn it all.

Standing once more in the house she had lived in for five years, she felt like a stranger. The place was spotless, stripped of every trace of her. All she had now was a small backpack. Inside: her new passport. The only "old" thing left was her phone. She called for a human driver to the airport.

At the terminal, just as she was about to pay the fare, Caden called.

"Sera, I'm back from my trip. I'm coming home to pick you up so we can go eat together."

He was back. With Layla at his side. From the car, Seraphina saw them emerge from the terminal—Caden pushing a luggage cart with two suitcases, one blue, one pink, obvious couple's sets. Layla clung to his arm, nestling against his shoulder.

"Tired from the trip?" Layla asked.

"Not too bad. By the way, I remember you said today I could finally open the gift you gave me, right?"

"Yes."

"I'm so excited. You made me wait a whole week. I've been guessing every day. Our bond anniversary—must be something meaningful, right?"

"Very meaningful. You'll know when you see it."

"Good. Wait for me. I'll be home in two hours."

Two hours. By then, her plane would be beyond the border. "Okay."

"See you soon. Love you, Sera."

Hanging up, Seraphina watched Layla pout and Caden kiss her lips as if to soothe her.

"Miss, you haven't paid," the driver reminded gently.

Seraphina snapped out of it, scanned the code—and transferred all her remaining money to him.

The driver stared at his screen, alarmed. "Miss, you put the wrong amount—$27,000 instead of $27. I'll refund it!"

"No need." She stepped out of the car. "I won't need it anymore. Thank you for bringing me. You drove me to the road of my rebirth."

She turned off her phone, removed the SIM card, tossed it in a trash bin, then handed the phone to a little boy.

The boy beamed. "Thank you, big sister!"

She ruffled his hair with a smile. "You're welcome."

His mother hesitated. "It's too valuable. We can't accept it."

"Are you going abroad?" Seraphina asked.

"Yes, to Africa. To find his father."

"Then take it. You might need it there."

"Alright... thank you."

Seraphina waved goodbye. "Safe travels."

Overhead, the loudspeaker called:

"Passenger Finn, please proceed to Gate H23 immediately. Your flight is about to depart..."

Clutching her passport, Seraphina looked back one last time, then strode to the gate. The instant she stepped through, she felt a clear crack deep in her soul. The invisible bond shattered.

She was free.