Chapter 1

The wind by the lake cut like a knife, slashing across my face in waves.

I stood before that old birch tree—the place where Clark and I had pledged our love.

That year, he had taken my hand and buried a copper coin beneath the tree's roots.

He'd said, "Esther, from this day forward, my heart belongs only to you."

I had laughed, cried, believed.

I thought it was destiny.

But now, what I saw was Clark embracing a woman—a woman who looked remarkably similar to me.

Sweet words poured from his lips: "Baby Caroline, you've finally come back. You have to know, you're the only one I love."

The woman called Caroline lifted the corner of her eye, glancing at me with lightning speed, her lips curved in a victorious smile.

"Then what about your current partner? I heard you have a daughter together."

My entire body went rigid as I recalled the message Clark had sent, asking me to come here.

In this moment, I understood—Caroline had sent that message. This was her declaration of war.

I looked toward Clark, holding onto the smallest sliver of hope.

But his next words shattered my heart: "I was just bewitched by her resemblance to you. You are my destiny."

"Don't worry, I'll arrange everything. In three days, I'll make you my only partner and you'll bear Fiorea's sole heir."

It felt as if a demon had ripped my soul from my body.

I stood frozen while the wind made my eyes sting, yet not a single tear fell.

The sound of churning lake water seemed to mock my naivety.

I turned away, my fingernails digging into my palms.

I had never imagined I would become the superfluous character in this story.

In the car, my phone burned hot in my palm.

I dialed the number that had contacted me earlier—the lycan alpha of the Luminas Pack.

"Father."

"Esther?" My father's voice was tense. "What's wrong?"

"In three days, I'll bring my daughter back to Luminas."

He was silent for a moment, then said quietly, "What happened? Are you alright? Did Clark do something?"

A warm current flowed through my heart, making my eyes sting slightly.

"I'm fine." I tried to keep my voice steady, unwilling to reveal my vulnerability.

Father didn't ask any more questions.

I understood his caution—after all, we had been separated for over twenty years. He had always thought my mother and I had been killed by an enemy tribe during a conflict.

For as long as I could remember, I had been raised by a vagrant.

Only before his death did he tell me that he had found and taken me in.

Not long ago, the lycan alpha of the Luminas Pack had suddenly found me, saying I was his biological daughter and asking me to return with him.

But I couldn't bear to leave Clark.

Now, however, I truly had to go.

Leave that man who had toyed with me as a substitute.

After hanging up, I stared at the road ahead.

Everything before me was a blur.

Late at night, I returned home.

The lights were off, the house cold and quiet.

My daughter's bedroom door was tightly shut, even breathing coming from within.

I gently pushed the door open a crack, watching her sleeping face.

"Baby, in three days, we're going home," I whispered in my heart.

The door was pushed open at midnight.

Clark's footsteps sounded as usual.

"Esther." He called my name softly, then bent down to kiss my forehead.

That kiss was burning and familiar.

But my entire body went rigid.

I saw the scratch marks he hadn't been able to hide properly.

I shoved him away violently.

"Don't touch me."

He froze, his brow furrowing.

"What's wrong?"

"You're filthy."

My voice was cold and final.

The air suddenly solidified.

Clark's eyes darkened, his voice dropping dangerously low: "Esther, what are you making a fuss about?"

I looked at him coldly, saying nothing.

"Stop being unreasonable." His breathing quickened, irritation barely concealed in his eyes.

"I just don't want to pretend to be confused anymore."

My words made the air even colder.

He stared at me, his gaze sharp.

For an instant, I could almost hear the sound of our past vows being torn apart.

In that tense moment, the phone rang.

The ringtone was jarring, like a knife slicing through the silence.

Clark glanced down at the screen, his expression suddenly darkening as his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

"Cool off by yourself. I have something to deal with—I won't be coming back tonight."

He grabbed his jacket and keys, moving efficiently, not waiting for my response before leaving.

I watched his retreating figure, my lips pressed tight.

Catching a glimpse of Caroline's photo flashing across the screen, my heart turned cold.

The door slammed shut with a bang.

Cold wind rushed in, then quickly dissipated.

The living room returned to deathly silence.

Only the clock remained—tick, tick, tick—each sound more piercing than the last.

I leaned back on the sofa and closed my eyes.

Countless moments from our past flashed before me.

He had once rescued me from that vagrant's hands, promising to protect me for life.

When I had been injured saving him and could no longer bear children, he had held me and whispered comfort: "No matter what happens, you are the only one."

But now, all of it had become lies.

My chest felt hollow and empty.

In three days, I would keep my promise and take my daughter back to where we truly belonged.

As for Clark—whoever he was going to see and whatever he would say—I no longer wanted to know.

Darkness enveloped the entire room like a massive curtain slowly falling.

And behind that curtain, waiting for me, would be an unknown abyss.