Chapter 2 You'll Always Be My Friend

Lianne's POV:

For three years, Ethan and I shared the same bed, night after night, sharing intimate moments.

There was never a formal mating ceremony between us, yet I convinced myself that he cared for me.

I believed he held back only because he feared the Thorn Pack wouldn't accept me. As long as I handled everything well for him, I thought he would one day stand before everyone and declare that I was his Luna.

Only now did I understand the truth. He had never planned to give me that place.

From the beginning, that title belonged to Ivy.

"Lianne," Ethan called out as he turned back, his brows drawing together when he saw how quiet I had become. "Even after we break the mate bond, you'll still be part of the Thorn Pack. I'll make sure you have everything you need. You'll always be my friend."

"Friend?"

The word hit me hard.

My head lifted sharply, pain rising in my eyes.

After everything we had shared in the past, he wanted to use something as distant as "friend" to erase three years of my devotion and love.

A faint, bitter smile pulled at my lips as I tried to steady myself. "What if I don't agree to this?"

His expression turned cold without hesitation. "Lianne, don't make things harder than they need to be."

I lowered my gaze, keeping the tears from spilling, my nails pressing into my palms.

"What were you about to say earlier?" Ethan asked out of the blue.

I steadied my breathing and forced a faint smile. "It wasn't anything important. It was about Sparkle's new season jewelry launch. There was something I wanted to go over with you, but... I've already handled it."

Bringing up the pregnancy now would only make things worse for me.

He didn't want a child from someone like me. The only person he had ever wanted was Ivy.

"Good," he replied, a hint of ease showing as he reached out to touch my hair the way he always did.

I turned my head without thinking and avoided his hand.

For a moment, his hand lingered in the air before he pulled it back as if nothing had happened.

"You should get some rest. I'll stay in the guest room tonight." Without looking at me, he turned and left.

The moment the door closed, my strength gave out, and I sank beside the bed as tears finally fell.

"I'm sorry... baby," I whispered. "I can't give you a complete family."

...

When morning came, I forced myself out of bed, ignoring the soreness in my body.

The face in the mirror looked pale, with exhaustion clearly showing in her eyes.

I applied heavier makeup than usual, carefully covering the dark circles, then got ready to head out.

The Thorn Pack controlled a wide range of businesses, including Voss Group.

Within the group, Ethan held absolute authority as CEO, while I worked as his chief secretary.

That position once made me believe we were meant to be together, but now it felt like nothing more than a bitter joke.

When I came downstairs, Ethan was already seated at the table, sipping his coffee. He had changed into a dark gray suit, which made him look even more distant and composed.

"Come with me," he muttered as he set the cup aside and looked at me, his voice steady, as though nothing had happened the night before.

My steps halted, and a chill spread through my hands.

After everything he said, how could he act as if it meant nothing?

"There's no need," I replied, lifting my chin, my tone turning cold. "Since we're ending our bond, we should keep our distance. If Miss Brooks sees us together, it might cause misunderstandings. No woman would accept another woman staying close to her mate."

Without waiting for him to answer, I turned and left the villa.

The morning air felt sharp as it filled my lungs, making me cough. A faint pain settled in my lower abdomen.

"Stay strong, little one," I murmured as I flagged down a cab.

The moment I walked into the secretary's office, my assistant rushed toward me, her face drained of color. "Lianne, something's happened!"