There was a pause.
“It’s the day our son died,” I said. “The day the snow buried everything. The day you didn’t come back.”
His face changed. Just for a second. Regret, maybe. Or guilt. I couldn’t tell anymore.
“And… I’m allergic to mango,” I added, looking at the cake he was still holding out to me.
“Wife, I…” he started, “I didn’t know. I thought—”
“You didn’t think,” I cut in softly. “You just forgot.”
He stepped closer. “Chloe, wait. Don’t go like this. Let’s just talk, alright? You’re upset, I get it, but don’t shut me out.”
I shook my head and turned away. “I’m not upset. I’m just… done talking.”
I walked away, ignoring him calling after me, ignoring Chiara’s soft crying, ignoring the way his voice shifted when he started comforting her instead.
...
Back in my room, I shut the door and blocked everything out.
I didn’t know how long I slept. Maybe hours. Maybe longer.
A noise woke me up. Something moving downstairs. Voices, faint.
I opened my eyes slowly.
Drake was there, sitting by my bed, watching me like nothing had ever changed.
“Wife,” he said softly, his voice warm again, gentle like before. “You’re awake.”
I didn’t answer. I just stared at him.
“I made you something,” he continued, almost careful now. “Strawberry cake. Your favorite. Do you want to get up and eat a little?”
I pulled my hand away when he tried to touch me. “No. I’m not hungry.”
His hand stayed in the air for a second before dropping. He sighed. “Don’t lie to me. You’re still angry, aren’t you?”
I didn’t respond.
He leaned forward a bit. “After I finish this busy period, I’ll take you out. There’s a concert coming up, one you used to like. We can go together, just us. Would you like that?”
I turned my face away, staring at my hair falling over my shoulder. I stayed silent.
He pressed his lips together, then reached for my hand again, holding it this time. “Wife… Chiara prepared something for you. An animal show. She said she wants to apologize properly. At least go take a look, okay?”
“I don’t want to,” I said quietly.
He didn’t listen. Of course he didn’t.
Without another word, he lifted me into his arms and carried me downstairs.
The night air hit me hard. Cold. Sharp.
I was only in a thin nightgown, and my body started shaking almost immediately. But he didn’t notice. Or maybe he did, and just didn’t care enough.
I watched him walk ahead, carrying clothes in his arms.
But not for me.
For her.
He went straight to Chiara and carefully helped her into a thick protective suit, pulling it over her shoulders, adjusting it like she was something fragile. He slipped gloves onto her hands, fixed the helmet over her head, every movement slow and careful.
Then he leaned in and kissed her cheek, soft and full of affection.
“Chiara,” he said gently, “don’t push yourself too hard. You and the pup… you’re what matters most right now. Nothing else is more important than you.”
The wind carried his voice straight to me.
The moment Chiara pulled the cloth off the cage, my whole body went stiff.
Inside were two beasts. A massive bear and a shadow lynx, both fully grown, both restless, their claws scraping against the metal bars like they wanted out.
The second the cloth dropped, they froze… and then their heads snapped toward me.
“Rawrrr—”
The bear roared, low and hungry, its black eyes locking onto mine like it already chose me.
My heart dropped.
Why are they looking at me like that…?
I took a step back without thinking, my chest tightening. And then it hit me. The bouquet earlier. That weird, sharp smell.
My fingers curled slightly. No… no, don’t tell me…
I forced my voice to stay steady. “Drake… I don’t feel good. Can we just go back? Please… I don’t want to stay here.”
Before, he would’ve panicked. He would’ve carried me back himself, asked a hundred questions, made sure I was okay.
Now…
He frowned, like I was being difficult. “Chloe, don’t start this again. She’s been preparing for a long time. Can’t you just stay and watch for a bit? Don’t ruin it.”
Don’t ruin it.
I swallowed, my throat tight. “I’m not trying to ruin anything. I just… I really don’t feel well. Can’t we leave after this? Or even now?”
He sighed, clearly annoyed. “You’re overthinking. Nothing’s going to happen. Just stand there and watch, alright? It’ll be over soon.”
Watch? Me?
I almost laughed.
Chiara stepped forward, a little clumsy but trying hard, holding the control chains. “I practiced this for days,” she said softly. “I really wanted to make it up to you. Please… just give me a chance.”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.
The show started.
The bear and the lynx moved through the fire rings and across narrow logs, their bodies smooth and powerful, everything looking normal on the surface.
“Good, that’s it,” Chiara said nervously, pulling the chains. “Easy… easy…”
Drake clapped, smiling, his eyes fixed on her like she was the only thing in the world. “That’s great. You’re doing amazing. See? I told you you could do it.”
Not once did he look at me. Not once did he think about the fact that this whole thing was supposed to be for me. But that wasn’t even the worst part.
My breathing started to get shaky. My hands trembled more and more. Because those two beasts…
They kept looking at me.
Again and again. And every time their eyes met mine, it felt heavier. Hungrier. Like they were waiting.
I took a small step back. Then another.
I need to get out. I need to leave. Now.
No one noticed. Of course they didn’t. I was just about to slip out of their range when suddenly—
“Ah!”
Chiara screamed.
I looked up. She lost her footing on the platform, her body swaying before she fell. The chains slipped right out of her hands.
Everything went wrong in a second.
The bear and the lynx froze. Then they started roaring, wild and uncontrolled.
“Chiara!” Drake shouted, his voice breaking as he ran toward her without hesitation. “Chiara, are you hurt? Say something!”
And just like that… He left me.
The beasts turned slowly.
My breath caught. “No… wait…”
The next second, they lunged.
Everything went black and fast.
Pain exploded through my body, sharp and crushing, like my bones were being torn apart, like something was ripping me open from the inside.
“Ah—!” I screamed, my voice breaking, raw and desperate.
It hurt. It hurt so much I couldn’t even think. I collapsed, blood spreading beneath me, warm and endless.
Through blurred vision, I saw him.
Drake.
Holding Chiara tightly in his arms. Not even looking at me. Not even once.
