Chapter 2

The surgery lasted ten hours.

When it was over, it was already the evening of the next day.

Rain began to fall outside the window.

Arthur stayed by my side, not leaving until he confirmed I was stable.

I slowly opened my eyes, surrounded by the sterile white of the hospital room.

I tried to sit up but felt a wave of dizziness.

Arthur quickly supported me, his voice cool. "You just had surgery. Stay down."

I nodded and lay back, my gaze hollow as I stared at the ceiling.

My mind replayed the scene on the operating table.

Carl left in a panic. Arthur calmly took over.

My heart felt torn in two.

One half burned with despair and anger toward Carl.

The other half held gratitude for Arthur.

I turned my head, unwilling to let Arthur see my emotions.

The rain outside grew louder, as if weeping for my pain.

Carl finally remembered to contact me.

A small comfort warmed my heart.

Arthur noticed the phone screen and quietly left the room.

When Carl's video call came through, the anesthesia had worn off, and pain throbbed in my wound.

I answered, and a lively, flirtatious voice burst through. "Ohhh... that feels so good... you're hitting me just right..."

What was that sound?

While I suffered through surgery, was Carl fucking another woman?

The rain pattered against the glass, but my fingertips felt colder than the drops.

My body felt pricked by thorns, a dull pain spreading to my heart.

My wolf, Talia, remained calm. "Darling, don't worry. It might be a misunderstanding."

Her words steadied my heart slightly.

I frowned, staring at the phone screen.

The video showed a noisy bar booth, dim lights, and raucous laughter.

The camera focused on the center of a couch, and my breath caught.

Sitting on Carl's lap was Bianca, the sister he rushed to save.

Bianca wore a tight dress, her hair spilling over Carl's shoulder.

Her arms looped around his neck, her body swaying slightly, her thigh brushing against his dick.

Even through clothes, the sight made my stomach churn.

Carl's hands rested on her waist, as if to push her away, but he didn't try hard.

The crowd around them cheered. "You chose dare, so grind ten more times!"

Bianca giggled, leaning closer to Carl, her voice carrying through the video. "Carl, don't be so shy."

My fingers clenched until they whitened, the dull ache sharpening into piercing pain.

The agony shot through my veins to my heart.

I stood abruptly.

A rustling came from the phone, as if Carl had grabbed it back.

His eyes looked dazed, reeking of alcohol and, faintly, Bianca's scent.

He shook his head, clearing his mind. "Elizabeth, are you feeling better?"

He sensed my unease. "It's not what you think. We're playing truth or dare. She picked a dare..."

"You didn't go to save her? Why are you in a bar?"

Bianca squeezed next to him, shouting in her usual affected tone. "Sorry, Elizabeth, I was drunk and talking nonsense. Carl came running to me like his life depended on it. I already scolded him. Is your surgery done? He only just remembered. But he only forgot about you because he was worried about me. You won't hold it against him, right?"

I couldn't listen anymore.

Carl pulled her away. "Don't listen to her, Elizabeth. I care about you too. How are you feeling?"

I stared at the lipstick mark on his face and spoke softly. "She was grinding on your dick just now?"

Carl's face stiffened, then irritation flashed across it. "Elizabeth, you know Bianca's just my sister. We grew up together. What's wrong with being close? It's just a game. Stop antagonizing her. I only love you."

Only love me?

Love me?

He left me during my surgery.

He only remembered to check on me after it was over.

And he was drinking and getting cozy with his so-called suicidal sister.

"What kind of family grinds on your dick like that? Carl, is your idea of 'close' something I don't understand, or are you fooling yourself?" My eyes and heart were equally cold. I couldn't hold back my questions.

Before Carl could respond, his friends chimed in. "Man, your Luna's trying to control you? We all know Bianca's just your sister. How can she accuse her like that? But honestly, Bianca's great. She's like another Luna to you."

Carl seemed emboldened, looking at me arrogantly. "Elizabeth, you shouldn't question me. Rest well. I'll visit when you're better."

His words made my already aching wound feel torn open again.

But his attitude hurt even more.

"He didn't cheat, Elizabeth," my wolf said, her voice tinged with sadness but trying to soothe me. "Carl and his sister have been close for years. It's normal for him to care about her."