Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Trista’s POV
I opened the door.
The instant I saw Cassian, my first instinct was to slam it shut.
D
He was faster. As the door started to swing closed, his palm braced the frame, and he forced his way in.
The single room dormitory was small. With him standing there, the air instantly filled with his
scent.
For three years we were mated. Now, we hadn’t shared territory for a week. Standing face–to- face, his pheromones pushed through the doorway. The mating bond tightened faintly beneath my skin.
Under his intense stare, I felt exposed. I stiffened my spine and spoke with cold detachment. “What are you doing here p>
I had already signed the termination agreement and transferred the money.
Samantha, eager for her “promotion,” should have delivered those papers to him.
There was nothing left for us but the final ritual before the Moon Goddess altar.
He seemed to ignore my coldness, surveying the sparse, clean dorm room.
He quickly walked toward me, pulled a small velvet box from his pocket, and opened it—a diamond necklace. “I bought you this on my trip. Let me put it on you p>
I raised my arm to block his hand and took a step back, widening the gap.
“Cassian,” I looked at him, keeping my voice steady. “We were mates for three years. We’re past the point where you need to perform the ‘good husband‘ act p>
His knuckles froze. He eventually placed the necklace on the coffee table.
When he spoke, his voice was low, carrying the exhaustion of a recent struggle. “Trista, the thing with Samantha isn’t what you think p>
I truly didn’t want to hear her name again, but I hated seeing him look so innocent, so wrongly accused.
I fought down the familiar ache in my chest and asked him coldly, “You say I’m wrong p>
1/3
15:37 Mon, Dec 29
Chapter 87
ل
B
Finished
“Then tell me–did I imagine you lying to me, staying away for a month p>
“Did I imagine you booking a private bay, arranging a yacht, flowers, the blueberry cake you baked yourself, and that post full of affection for your beloved she–wolf and Algernon p>
He was silent for a second. He pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and pulled up his Instagram page, holding it out. “I admit I lied to you for Samantha and Algernon p>
“I also admit I posted that update–but it was only up for one minute before I deleted it p>
He was admitting that Samantha’s return had genuinely stirred something in him.
Even though it had been months, hearing him say it still felt like my heart was being crushed. “Even one minute means it existed p>
Before he could offer another defense, I pressed on. “We were mated for three years. You never put this much effort into me as you have into her these last few months p>
His throat worked, but he didn’t deny it.
I fought back tears, refusing to let my pheromones betray my distress. “Cassian, for the sake of the twenty years I loved you, can we just end this with dignity p>
He seemed physically hit by the statement, but he struggled toward me, reaching for
I instinctively recoiled, stepping aside.
His outstretched hand hung in the air, then dropped lifelessly.
you
my hand.
He stared into my eyes, his Alpha instinct suppressed low. “Trista, I know misunderstood me. And I know you can’t accept Samantha and Algernon. I already made them move out of our house. I will keep my distance and ensure they don’t enter your territory again p>
He paused, offering his hand once more. “Trista, stop fighting me. Come home p>
I dismissed his hand. My voice was firmer than my heart. “Love is clear in the details p>
“I’ve seen how much you care for Samantha and Algernon. You said yourself you have to take responsibility for them p>
“They are your happiness. Terminate the mating bond with me. Let the three of you live together as a true family. That is the fair ending for everyone p>
The room was silent. We stared at each other.
My despair and sadness were undisguised. He saw everything.
2/3
15:38 Mon, Dec 29 d …
Chapter 87
He stepped closer, seizing both my hands. This time, he gripped me tight, making sure I couldn’t escape.
“Trista, I admit it,” he finally confessed completely. “When Samantha first returned to Los Angeles, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of the ‘old flame back in my life p>
61
Finished
“She and Algernon were sick. I stayed by the hospital day and night. She asked for a public post, so I gave it to her p>
“But I only let that post stay up for one minute before I deleted it p>
“I didn’t explain it to you because I didn’t want to hurt you even more p>
His voice was hoarse. “She came back. I admit there were nights I didn’t come home p>
“But I never crossed the line p>
“Not then, and not now p>
100
༢/༢
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.