Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Trista’s POV
I looked past Samantha, focusing on the child playing in the garden.
Finished
“I’ve made up my mind,” I said. “You and Cassian are so in love, and you have a child together. I should have stepped aside for you ages ago p>
Samantha moved forward excitedly, grabbing my hand. “Trista, thank you for doing this p>
C I calmly pulled my hand back. “This house is where Cassian and I lived after we mated. I left his most valuable belongings in the master closet and the study–I didn’t touch those. But everything else that could be removed, I cleared out p>
I laid out my plan. “I’ve already booked a renovation crew for you. You pick the style, and they’ll handle the rest. I’ll pay for the remodeling as a gift to you p>
I added, “I don’t have a specific gift for Algernon. But I emptied the room that used to be my music room upstairs. I told the designer to turn it into a nursery. Consider it a gift for him p>
Samantha, thrilled, pulled her son over to me. “Algernon, thank Luna Trista p>
The little boy was pure. He tilted his head and piped, “Thank you, Luna Trista p>
I reached out and touched his head. I felt a real pang of envy. “He’s precious. No wonder Cassian would risk everything to protect him p>
Samantha’s eyes flickered. She quickly shooed the child away to play.
She lowered her voice, feigning caution. “This is all my fault. Cassian and I messed He’s been so torn up and worried because of us… I truly don’t know how to help him. Thank you for setting us free p>
I shook my head.
There was no clear right or wrong, only love and lack thereof. I had fought. I had tried to fix things.
But every single thing that happened kept reminding me: Cassian didn’t love me, and he was never truly mine.
“I booked an express appointment for you,” I told her. “The contractors will be here tomorrow morning. You need to settle on a design and move in before Cassian gets back from his trip p>
Samantha still sounded hesitant. “Trista, are you sure p>
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Chapter 72
I didn’t answer.
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I turned and walked to the backyard, stopping before the mountain of “junk p>
That was our old furniture, the curtains I picked, the ornaments he bought–the residue of our shared life.
My mind was flooded with memories: running between the Ironthorn and Silverlight territories as a kid, training side–by–side as adults, and the brief, calm years after we mated.
I slowly knelt down. I picked out a small teddy bear from the pile.
He gave it to me ages ago.
C
I couldn’t even recall the year, only that I used to sleep with it, convinced it meant I was “in his heart p>
I flicked on my lighter and touched the flame to the fabric beneath the bear’s ear.
The fire caught. A strange calm washed over me.
My mother told me that day, I was crying because Cassian had refused to push me on the swing. I chased him all the way to the elders‘ office, making a scene. To quiet me down, he bought me this bear.
The flames spread quickly. The bear was consumed, leaving only a distorted black lump.
I stood up, backing away.
The fire devoured everything, the clear crackling sound illuminating the night. The light reflected on the glass door, mirroring my own thin, exhausted figure.
I watched the flames, feeling like my own heart was being burned to ash.
The mating bond seemed to snap in my chest, leaving a chilling void.
I sensed Samantha standing beside me.
She was watching my every move. I caught her trying, and failing, to suppress a joyful smile.
It didn’t matter.
I was here to burn it all down myself.
If she moved in first, if she dared to call this house her home, then anyone who wanted to kick her out later would be challenging the Ironthorn Alpha himself.
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Chapter 72
I took the termination agreement and a bank card from my purse.
I handed them to her. “Find a way to get Cassian’s signature on this p>
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Finished
“Tell him,” I added, “this card holds the one million I owe him. I’ll give him the PIN when he comes with me to formally terminate the contract p>
She took the papers and the card, her fingers trembling with excitement.
I raised my left hand, staring blankly at the wedding ring on my finger.
I’d worn it for three years, never once taking it off.
I remembered sobbing uncontrollably when he put it on me after the mating ceremony.
He laughed and told me to keep wearing it, never to take it off if I loved it so much.
I cried and promised him I’d wear it until the day I died.
Looking back now, I felt an unbelievable mix of innocence and ridiculous naivety.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.