Chapter 4

I stayed in the hospital for only three days.

I had to get back to work.

Carl never gave me money. Everything I had came from my own efforts.

As I stepped out of the hospital, I was surprised to see Carl's car parked outside.

I instinctively opened the passenger door.

A soft gasp reached my ears.

Only then did I notice Bianca pulling back from the driver's seat.

Her disheveled collar and slightly provocative glance froze me in place.

"Elizabeth, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to kiss Carl's dick..." she trailed off, looking like she might cry.

Carl untangled a strand of hair from his watch.

He frowned at her. "What are you talking about? Don't make Elizabeth misunderstand."

Then he turned to me. "Her hair got caught on my watch when she was picking something up."

I wanted to believe him. Carl was always upfront.

Or rather, he didn't bother deceiving me.

But a sharp howl exploded in my mind.

It was my wolf, Talia. "He's lying to you!"

Her voice carried an unfamiliar fury, nearly shattering my composure. "His collar reeks of Bianca's stinky scent. Carl betrayed you."

"No way!" I countered silently.

But as the words formed, a sharp pain surged in my abdomen, like ice piercing my bones.

Talia's anger grew, her growls thundering in my ears. "His loyalty is a lie. While you were in agony, he was probably fucking that bitch. It's only because of Arthur's painkillers that you didn't feel this sooner."

Her words stabbed like an icy blade into my softest spot.

The physical pain intertwined with the ache in my heart, and I couldn't hold on any longer.

I clutched my stomach, curling into myself.

Talia kept growling, but her voice soon carried a hint of aggrieved whimpering. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. But I can't stand him lying to you..."

Before our bonding, Carl had told me clearly. "I had feelings for my sister once, but from now on, I'll be loyal to you."

Loyalty?

I swallowed the bitterness in my chest.

"Carl, we need to talk," I said, my voice steady as I looked at the man before me. "Bianca, can you take a cab home?"

My unusual tone seemed to unsettle Bianca.

She touched Carl's arm, biting her lip. "Carl, Elizabeth seems upset. I'll get out so you two can talk."

Carl didn't respond, his fingers flying across his phone screen.

The cold light of the screen illuminated his sharp jawline, not sparing me a glance.

The chilly breeze sent a shiver down my spine.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he suddenly pocketed his phone and turned to me.

"You don't need to cook today. Walk home."

I blinked, caught off guard. "Carl, what do you mean?"

"You smell like the hospital," he said, pointing at my clothes, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "It'll dirty my car."

My heart tightened, my breath hitching for half a second.

I gripped the hem of my shirt, my fingertips cold. "But you're a doctor! Your car already smells like the hospital!"

"Don't make me repeat myself," Carl cut me off, his eyes full of reproach. "I told you not to target Bianca. You're disappointing me."

I stared at him.

Seeing no trace of softness in his eyes, my throat tightened, words failing me.

During the standoff, a taxi honked at the intersection.

I bit my lip, turned to leave, but Carl's voice came from behind.

His tone was low, laced with restrained patience, yet it cut deeper than a shout. "Elizabeth, you're not allowed to take a taxi home. This is your punishment."

The wind slipped through the car window, carrying his words to my ears. "Bianca's upset. I don't want her to feel worse because of you. Walking home is your penance. I've already gone easy on you."

My steps faltered, my back stiffening like stone.

He hadn't missed my emotions.

But from the start, his scales tipped toward Bianca.

My grievances were misplaced anger, while Bianca's unease was the distress he fiercely protected.

Even though I'd just had surgery, my wound still seeping blood, he punished me.

The taxi honked again.

I didn't look back or speak, just walked firmly down the path.

Carl called after me. "I'll be waiting at home."

As his car shrank into the distance, my eyes finally welled up.

Talia was right. He might have betrayed me long ago.

Yet I kept making excuses for him.