Lianne's POV:
Ethan's words struck hard, leaving me unable to catch my breath.
Not once had he ever thought about having a child with me.
I had been foolish to believe he might one day return my feelings.
I steadied myself with a slow breath, forcing down the bitterness that rose in my throat.
No matter what, I wouldn't let him see me fall apart.
"You already signed off on Sparkle's proposal," I said, though my voice still wavered. "Then why change Sia at the last minute? She matches the brand perfectly."
"Ivy is coming back to develop her career here," Ethan replied, his tone steady, as if this was nothing worth arguing over. "She needs an opportunity to establish herself. Since Sparkle is a new launch under Voss Group, she'll be its first endorser."
So it all came back to Ivy. The moment she returned, everything else became secondary.
"And if I don't agree?" I retorted.
"I'm speaking as the Alpha of the Thorn Pack," he replied, his tone leaving no room for defiance.
No one in the pack could go against an Alpha's order.
My throat tightened, each word scraping painfully as I forced them out. "Alright. Since you've decided, I'll handle it."
Without waiting, I turned and left his office. The second the door closed behind me, the strength I had been holding onto slipped away.
I hurried down the hall and locked myself inside the restroom, bending over the sink as the nausea hit.
My stomach twisted violently, but there was nothing inside. All that came up was bitterness.
When I looked up, the reflection staring back at me felt unfamiliar. Pale skin, red eyes, someone I barely recognized.
My hand moved to my stomach, still flat beneath my palm. The tears I had been holding back finally fell, hitting the cold surface of the sink.
"I'm sorry, baby," I whispered. "He doesn't want you, but I do. Don't be scared. I'll protect you, no matter what it takes."
After composing myself, I returned to my office and called Mary back, promising that I would do everything I could to secure another endorsement for Sia.
Once the call ended, I leaned back in my chair and pressed my fingers against my temples.
My eyes drifted to the Rejection. A bitter laugh escaped me as I picked it up and read it.
Ethan was indeed generous.
The terms were generous. Three hundred million in cash, along with several properties in the heart of the city.
Even so, I felt nothing.
Later that afternoon, I had to bring an urgent document to Ethan, which forced me to return to his office.
Before I even reached the door, a sharp scent hit me. It was the scent of another she-wolf, strong and unmistakable.
The door hadn't been fully closed.
Through the narrow opening, I caught sight of what was inside.
Ethan sat on the couch, and a woman leaned against him, her arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed close into his chest.
There was no doubt. It was Ivy.
Her long hair fell over his shoulders, and the two of them looked as though they belonged together.
"Ivy, I've already secured the Sparkle endorsement for you," Ethan said.
"Ethan, you're so sweet," Ivy responded with a soft laugh as she leaned in and brushed her lips against his cheek.
The folder slipped from my grasp. Papers scattered across the floor.
At that moment, something inside me broke apart, and I felt as though I couldn't even stay on my feet.
The sound drew their attention, and both of them turned toward me.
Ivy saw me standing there, yet instead of pulling away, she smiled even more brilliantly.
She let go of Ethan and walked toward me, her steps slow as she approached with a gentle sway. Reaching out, she took my hand as if we were already familiar.
"So you're Lianne? I've seen your photo before," she said with a soft smile that carried both innocence and quiet pride. "I hope we didn't startle you earlier. Ethan and I haven't seen each other in a long time, so we got a little close. You don't mind, do you?"
She had a pretty face, but it made something churn in my stomach.
"It doesn't bother me," I replied, forcing a faint smile as I slipped my hand out of hers.
"I'm glad," Ivy answered, lowering her gaze slightly as she touched her neck.
That was when I saw it.
My breath caught.
Resting against her skin was the Moonstone Necklace, clear and radiant.
That wasn't just any piece of jewelry. It was the heirloom of the Thorn Pack, a symbol meant only for the Luna.
Three years ago, on the day Ethan and I first came together, I had seen that necklace displayed in the family cabinet.
Back then, I had imagined wearing it more times than I could count. To me, it meant recognition. It meant I belonged at his side.
But when I reached for it, what had he said?
He had stopped me without hesitation. "Lianne, we haven't completed the mating ceremony. Wearing this necklace is against the rules."
I had believed him. I had waited, hoping that one day, he would place it around my neck himself.
And now, he had given it to Ivy.
Rules?
So that was what those rules meant—an excuse to stop me from wearing the necklace.
"Do you like it?" Ivy asked when she noticed where I was looking, her voice carrying a quiet sense of pride. "Ethan put it on me himself. He said I'm the only one who should have it."
At that moment, everything became clear.
Those three years had been nothing more than something I played alone.
"It's beautiful," I muttered, my voice steady in a way that surprised even me. "It suits you well."
I bent down and gathered the papers scattered on the floor, each movement feeling distant as my heart grew colder.
Ethan didn't say a word. He remained where he was, silent.
After placing the documents neatly on his desk, I turned and walked out without looking back.
This time, no tears came.
When something inside truly breaks, even tears stop falling.
