You Were Never There

I returned to the palace of the Snowdrifter Pack, where Liam and I had been staying after our marriage.

Liam and I were childhood friends. He was a prince of the Snowdrifter Pack, while I was the daughter of the richest member of the pack.

My parents tragically lost their lives in a rebellion within the pack. Before my mother passed, she begged Liam to shelter me, which he agreed to. Only then did she draw her last breath.

Since I had had a crush on Liam from a young age, I mustered all my courage to confess my love.

To my surprise, Liam rejected my confession. I had thought he loved me back because he was the one who helped me through the grief of losing both parents. He had hit back at those bullies who harassed me or insulted me because I was an orphan.

I could have misinterpreted the intentions behind those actions, but what about the times he'd dried my hair, bought me underwear and pads, and even kissed me on the cheek? I thought he loved me.

I was left confused and frustrated for a while. Things started to change when we got engaged on Liam's parents' wishes.

Overjoyed, I naively thought that Liam had deliberately turned me down to spring this surprise on me.

Never had I thought that the marriage arrangement was the start of our deteriorating relationship.

"Sofia, I never thought you'd be so calculative! After I turned you down, you bribed my parents with your inheritance and forced me to marry you!"

Liam came at me angrily and glared at me as though he was staring down an enemy.

I was utterly confused and desperately explained to Liam that I had done nothing. But he didn't believe me.

In his eyes, I was just a woman who would stop at nothing to marry him. He still held onto that belief even after we formed a mate bond and had Cecilia.

Perhaps I had made the wrong decision from the very beginning. If I had never married Liam, my daughter wouldn't have fallen victim to an unknown dose of wolfsbane and met such a tragic end.

I held Cecilia's ashes in my arms and stayed awake the entire night.

"Why are you just sitting there in a daze? Look at yourself—where is the dignity of the Luna of the Snowdrifter Pack?"

Liam had returned.

Seeing that I didn't respond, he assumed I was still upset about Cecilia's birthday.

"I bought Cecilia a birthday cake. See? I kept my promise this time. So, stop acting like the whole world is against you."

"There's no chance anymore," I said coldly.

"What are you talking about? I missed one birthday! It's not like Cecilia won't have any more birthdays in the future! Do you really have to blow this out of proportion? Sofia, my patience has its limits!" Liam's pupils contracted, his frustration evident.

"Liam, what's going on? Is Sofia mad at you again because of me?"

Just as I was about to explode in anger, Mia barged in.

"I'm really sorry, Liam. You know I never wanted to come between you two. I just… I just want to stay by your side…"

Mia's acting had gotten much better. If I hadn't caught the smug, taunting look she threw my way, even I might have felt sorry for her.

"It's okay, my dear Mia. It's not your fault." Liam's voice was filled with tenderness.

Watching this scene unfold, I suddenly lost the will to argue. Their voices became nothing more than noise.

"Just leave, Liam."

"Sofia, I am only here to celebrate Cecilia's birthday. Look, I even brought a gift! And I wanted to apologize for selfishly taking Liam away last time. Please don't kick me out, okay?" Mia pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Sofia, don't be ungrateful. I'm warning you—just get along with us peacefully." Liam's tone carried a sharp edge. "Go wake Cecilia up. We'll celebrate her birthday and not let Mia's kindness go to waste."

"Cecilia isn't here." My voice remained emotionless.

"She's not? Where did she go? Don't tell me you hid her on purpose just to get my attention! I'll find her myself." Liam started heading upstairs.

"Sofia, I heard Cecilia was poisoned with wolfsbane. Is she alright?" Mia's lips curled into a wicked smile.

"What did you say? It was you! You did this to Cecilia, didn't you?"

I hadn't told anyone about Cecilia's poisoning. Everyone simply believed Cecilia was sick.

"Give me back my Cecilia!" My eyes widened in fury. I wanted nothing more than to strangle Mia right then and there!