Chapter 7

Arthur's words gave me a surge of courage.

At night, I lay in the hospital bed, my mind consumed by thoughts.

During our bonding, I told Carl he had three chances to betray me.

If he used them up, I would leave.

In just three days, he betrayed me twice.

The first was when he left to save Bianca.

The second was when he rushed her to the hospital, ignoring my bleeding wound.

One chance remained.

I hoped Carl wouldn't disappoint me again.

If he did, I would walk away for good.

The memories pained me, and exhaustion pulled my eyes shut.

But a familiar scent invaded my consciousness.

It was Bianca's smell.

It wrapped around Carl like an inescapable net.

Then, a sharper sensation hit me.

Bianca's warm breath brushed Carl's neck.

I felt his heartbeat quicken.

I snapped my eyes open, cold sweat drenching my back.

My chest felt crushed, the pain stealing my breath.

I bit my lip hard, refusing to cry out.

My nails dug into my palms, drawing blood I barely noticed.

"No way..." I repeated in my mind.

But the details from our bond's connection were too vivid.

The pain in my waist throbbed, compounding the agony in my heart.

I curled into myself, like an abandoned puppy.

I wanted to call Carl and confront him.

But as my fingers touched the phone, they fell limp.

A nurse entered for rounds.

She said Arthur had arranged a bottle of medicine for me.

I held the bottle, my fingers trembling.

With a gulp, I swallowed the bitter liquid, its icy sting sliding down my throat.

Soon, the connection faded, and I could no longer sense Carl's whereabouts.

I glanced at the bottle's label-Bond Blocker.

I couldn't think why Arthur gave me this.

Maybe he saw my pain.

Leaning against the headboard, I closed my eyes, tears finally spilling over.

Carl used up his last chance.

I was too tired.

Too tired to keep hoping for a truth that might never come.

The next day, I requested discharge.

Back home, my fingers traced the already-drafted "Bond Dissolution Request."

As dusk fell, the sound of keys turned at the entrance.

Carl was back.

I took a deep breath, clutching the document.

Each step toward him sent pain through my wound, like walking on shattered glass.

In the living room, Carl was bending to change his shoes.

Bianca's scent lingered on his collar.

He looked up, frowning. "Why aren't you resting in bed?"

I didn't answer.

I walked to him and handed over the "Bond Dissolution Request."

My voice was calm, without a ripple. "Carl, let's end our bond."

His gaze landed on the document.

He froze, then scoffed, pushing my hand away.

His tone dripped with dismissal. "What's this tantrum? I only took Bianca to get her wound bandaged. Is this really necessary?"

His nonchalance made my chest tighten, breathing difficult. "Carl, you reek of Bianca's scent..."

His face darkened, and he reached for my shoulder, but I sidestepped.

"Elizabeth, can you stop being so unreasonable?" His voice rose, laced with the grievance of being wronged. "Bianca hurt her leg. I supported her. Of course her scent's on me."

I let out a cold laugh.

"I felt her breath on your neck, and even..." I paused, my voice catching.

"Elizabeth, it's not what you think. Let me explain..." Carl frowned. "I've said I only love you. What you felt was just..."

I cut him off, stepping back firmly. "Carl, I don't want your excuses."

I handed him the document again, my eyes resolute. "When we bonded, I said you had three chances. Now, those chances are gone. I just want to end this bond."

Only then did Carl realize I wasn't throwing a fit.

Seeing the despair in my eyes, his face changed.

He grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it nearly crushed my bones.

Panic laced his voice. "Elizabeth, I really do love you!"

I wrenched my hand free, my heart unmoved. "Love me? Carl, when you lie so much, do you start believing it yourself?"

I placed the document on the coffee table and turned toward the bedroom. "I've signed it. Don't forget to sign yours. Don't make me file for a forced dissolution."