Escaping My Mate

During my two days in the hospital, Nick completely vanished from my life. Later, I saw his Instagram updates from Valentine's Day, showing him and Sherry riding the Ferris wheel together, participating in the "Kiss for One Minute at the Top" challenge.

When I got home, I gathered every wedding item I had personally picked out and gave them away to the household staff. I let them choose whatever they liked.

Then, I scrolled through the photos of Nick and me on my phone one last time, deleting them one by one. It was time to say goodbye to the past and begin my new life.

Once I was done, I opened the supplements the healer had prescribed—herbal extracts to help my body recover—and took one. Just then, Nick returned. He spotted the supplements and cheerfully put them back in their gift box, clumsily but carefully retying the ribbon.

"That's thoughtful of you for getting these supplements for Sherry. She really needs them right now to strengthen... her health," he said.

I did not bother correcting him. I knew it was not a supplement to strengthen her body, but rather to support her pregnancy.

Without hesitation, I snatched the box from his hands, grabbed a pair of scissors, and cut the ribbon apart. Then, I walked to the sink and dumped the entire bottle of pills down the drain.

Nick roared, "You heartless woman! You know Sherry almost miscarried—and you wouldn't even spare a single bottle of supplements for her?"

"That's right," I replied calmly.

Nick angrily threw the empty box into the trash can and called his Beta, demanding he buy new supplements and deliver them immediately. Suddenly, he noticed that many things in our house were missing, including our matching coasters on the kitchen counter.

He asked, "Flora, what happened to all those wedding items you bought for us?"

Seemingly remembering I was bleeding, he added, "Why are you so pale? Was your period really that bad this time?"

Looking at the concern in Nick's eyes, I calmly shook my head. He was just a stranger now, no longer entitled to be part of my life.

Seeing my denial, Nick visibly relaxed and spoke to me with rare gentleness. "Don't be upset about those harsh things I said before. I was just looking out for you."

"You mentioned needing a bridesmaid for the ceremony. I've decided to let Sherry be your bridesmaid," he offered.

"Fine," I replied.

Nick froze, confused as to why I would refuse to give Sherry supplements yet agree to have her as my bridesmaid. In truth, I was simply preparing for the day I would leave him at the altar.

He kissed my forehead and said, "Whatever upset you, just let it go. After we're done with the wedding, I'll take you on vacation. I'll spend every single day with you so you can get pregnant with our pup soon!"

"Sure," I replied.

He planted another firm kiss on my cheek. "You don't look well, so you should just rest at home. I'll take Sherry to pick out her bridesmaid dress and come right back to keep you company."

"Okay," I responded.

After he left to find Sherry, I vigorously scrubbed my face at the sink—his saliva was disgusting.