Chapter 2

On Instagram, her feed was filled with pictures of James taking her to see the Northern Lights, and even renting out a private island to celebrate their anniversary.

They looked so incredibly happy in all those expensive places I could never afford.

It felt like an invisible hand was squeezing my throat, making it hard to breathe.

It was late at night when the front door finally clicked open.

The moment James walked in, he frowned.

"Why is it so cold in here?"

The apartment was in the city center, but it was old and had terrible heating.

All the other tenants had moved out because of the cold. I only stayed because the landlord gave me a six-month rent discount.

I stood there by the cracked door, keeping silent, my breath turning into white mist.

James went into the bedroom, grabbed a blanket, and wrapped it around me without asking.

His voice held a trace of anger.

"This is how you take care of yourself when I’m not around? Elaine, how am I supposed to feel at peace leaving you like this?"

I shoved him away with all my strength.

"Why are you acting like you care? Was playing me for a fool that fun?"

My pregnant body felt heavy and clumsy. I stumbled a few steps before stabilizing myself.

In the past, whenever I lost my temper, James would just smile helplessly, raising his hands in defeat.

"My bad, Elaine. I shouldn't have made you mad. You can punish me however you want."

But now, James’s face was cold.

"How long are you going to overreact over nothing?"

He paused.

"Nina is still young. She doesn't know how to handle things on her own..."

My emotions completely broke.

"She’s young, so you get to play boyfriend and take care of her?"

"Then what about me? How pathetic must I be for you to pretend to be a broke werewolf just to play with my feelings!"

When we first got together, he told me he was just an ordinary werewolf.

Werewolves in this city had classes, too. The only difference between a regular werewolf and a human was that werewolves were allowed to work in big corporations, while humans were barred.

A flash of pain crossed James’s eyes. He wrapped his arms tightly around me from behind.

"Elaine, calm down!"

I used every ounce of strength I had, but I couldn't break free.

"Don't touch me!"

With a soft click, the half-open door was pushed wider.

Nina stood there, staring at us in utter disbelief.

"You guys..."

"Nina? What are you doing here?"

As if realizing something, James’s face instantly darkened, his voice ice-cold.

"Why did you follow me?"

Tears streamed down Nina's face.

"Didn't you say I could come to you whenever I wanted?"

"What is this supposed to mean? Am I supposed to just stand here and watch you mess around with this old woman?"

She lunged forward and shoved me hard.

"I trusted you so much! I can't believe you’re this shameless, trying to seduce my boyfriend!"

I nearly lost my balance. James quickly shielded me, glaring at Nina.

"Stop it!"

Nina broke down completely.

"James, you liar! You promised you would marry me!"

She turned around, sobbing, and ran out into the night.

James immediately went to chase after her, but I grabbed his hand.

"I have something to tell you..."

He shoved my hand away violently.

"Let go! It’s late. What if Nina runs into danger?"

James ran off without looking back. The force of his shove sent me crashing to the floor, my stomach slamming hard against the sharp corner of the coffee table.

A sudden, agonizing pain ripped through my abdomen. A warm wetness spread between my thighs.

I reached down. It was blood.

The sharp pain made my vision blur. Shaking, I dialed James’s number.

"Help me... my stomach hurts so bad..."

Right before I lost consciousness, all I heard was James’s impatient voice through the receiver:

"You’re safe at home, what danger could you possibly be in? I just managed to calm Nina down. Stop throwing tantrums."