Chapter 4 An Anniversary Surprise

Aria's POV.

"I've departed. I'll arrive tomorrow afternoon."

It was my father.

I put the communicator away and let out a long breath. It was time to end all of this.

While Luke was away from the hospital, I checked myself out and took a taxi back to our home.

Standing at the front door again, staring at everything that felt both familiar and strange, my emotions tangled into something difficult to name.

Memories of my intimacy with Luke flooded back. I once ran into our new home hand in hand with him. He held me and kissed me beneath the Christmas tree. We curled up by the fireplace together, watching old movies.

Looking back now, those scenes felt nothing but ironic.

I walked straight into the master bedroom. Our wedding photo still hung on the wall.

In the photo, I leaned against Luke, smiling with pure happiness, as if mocking my own foolishness.

The thought of Luke and Layla using our bed more than once made my stomach churn. I forced myself to look away.

I opened the wardrobe and began packing.

I carefully placed my mother's Heart of the Ocean into its velvet case. A few everyday outfits, some important work documents, and everything I owned fit into a single small suitcase.

As for the gifts Luke had given me, I found them tainted. I packed them up casually and gave them away to members of the pack.

I despised those gifts, but perhaps other werewolves would find them useful.

The house was purchased under my name, and I instructed my men to help list it for sale at a low price as soon as possible.

I had poured endless effort into this house. It carried all my hopes and ideals about love. Luke didn't deserve it.

"Aria!" Rapid footsteps approached as Luke pushed the door open. His eyes were full of panic. "Thank the Moon Goddess, you're alright!"

He rushed toward me and reached out to touch my forehead, but I turned aside and avoided his hand.

"Why didn't you tell me you came home?" His voice was urgent. "I couldn't find you at the hospital, and I couldn't reach you on the communicator. I was going out of my mind!"

"Maybe it was on silent. I didn't hear it," I said calmly, offering a perfunctory apology as I pulled open the living room curtains.

The garden outside was barren. The lilies Layla had planted were gone, but Luke hadn't had time to replant the roses. The exposed earth looked pitifully bare.

Luke's gaze shifted immediately. With a hint of guilt, he said, "It's my fault. I've been too busy lately and didn't take care of the roses. They withered."

He took my hand. "I'm sorry, Aria. Once your surgery is over, I'll plant them again with you. We'll fill the entire garden."

I looked at his hypocritical expression and suddenly smiled. "No need. I don't like roses anymore."

Luke froze, then hurriedly asked, "Then what flowers do you like now? We'll plant whatever you want."

I deliberately dragged out my words, watching his tense expression. "Then let's plant lilies."

Luke's face darkened instantly, his fingers tightening unconsciously. "Lilies..."

"I was kidding." I looked away, my tone cold. "I don't like lilies at all. I don't have a favorite flower right now. I'll tell you when I do."

Luke visibly relaxed and nodded quickly. "Alright. We'll do whatever you want." He paused, then put on a gentle expression. "By the way, tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. I've prepared a surprise for you."

I sneered inwardly. You already gave me a surprise, Luke.

Your betrayal, giving away the heart source that belonged to me to Layla's father, wasn't that the greatest surprise of all?

"I don't want to go back to the hospital. Let's stay here tonight," I said to Luke.

Luke didn't refuse.

He took out his communicator and ordered dinner to be delivered to the villa.

Watching his back as he turned to make the call, I suddenly spoke. "Luke, if I don't live long enough to get the transplant and I just die like this, would you be sad for me?"

Luke's body stiffened abruptly. When he turned back around, panic was written all over his face.

"Don't talk like that! Aria, the surgery will succeed. You'll recover."

The worry in his eyes was real. If I hadn't already known about his betrayal, I might have been fooled again, even felt guilty for asking.

But now, the heart that once loved him was already dead. No matter how convincing his performance was, it could no longer stir even a ripple.

I pulled my hand back and gave a faint smile. "I hope so."