"You want to bring this up again?" Kian snapped, his frustration spilling over. "Fine. If it bothers you that much, I’ll tell Maya. Happy now?"
I let out a quiet, bitter laugh. He still didn’t get it.
"It’s not about Maya, Kian," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I’m asking why you lied. It’s not about meeting her, about kissing her, or even about sleeping with her..."
"Oh, I see," Kian cut me off, smirking as if he had just solved a puzzle. "You’re jealous. That’s what this is all about, huh?"
He folded his arms, nodding to himself. "I finally get why you've been distant all week. You’re jealous of Maya."
In the past, I had avoided arguments with him, always trying to be the understanding one. I didn’t want to be the clingy girlfriend who made a fuss over everything.
But ever since he broke his promise on my graduation day, something inside me had begun to crack.
Until now, when it was finally breaking apart.
"And what if I am jealous?" I shot back, my voice sharp, my chest tightening with anger and heartbreak. "Would that change anything? Would you stop seeing her?"
I didn’t wait for his response. I already knew the answer.
"No, right? Because I know you never met went for an Alpha meeting,” I pressed on, my voice breaking despite my best effort to hold it together. "You lied. You used work as an excuse so you could have fun with your friends. So you could be with Maya."
Tears burned down my cheeks before I could stop them.
"So, I think it’s better if we end this," I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice. "Besides, our parents don’t even know about us. And soon, you’ll be married to your dream girl."
Kian’s face paled. Panic flashed in his eyes as he took a desperate step toward me.
"No! Selene, please." He grabbed my shoulders, his grip firm, his voice raw with emotion. "I can’t lose you. Don’t do this."
"I know you’re upset right now, but I swear to you," he pleaded, his hands trembling against my skin. "Maya and I are only doing this for our families. The one I love is you. Only you."
"I’m sorry," he continued, his voice softer now, almost breaking. "I’m sorry for missing your graduation. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me. I know I let you down, but from now on, I swear you’ll be my priority."
Another promise. Another lie.
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. Why was I even angry anymore?
In twenty days, I would be gone. Kian would no longer be a part of my life. So why waste my energy on him?
In the end, I did what I had always done—I forgave him. Or at least, I let him believe I did.
Kian let out a breath of relief, wrapping his arms around me like everything was fine again.
"Then tonight, will we sleep together?" he asked, hope flickering in his eyes.
I immediately stepped back. "No."
Without another word, I turned and walked into my room, shutting the door behind me.
Outside, I heard him chuckle softly. "Alright, alright. Take your time, baby."
The next morning, I made breakfast and packed a lunch for him, playing the role he always expected from me.
Kian beamed when he saw the food on the table. "Thanks. If this is how it is, everything will work out just fine."
I smiled back. A perfect, empty smile.
For five days straight, I played along, pretending to be the devoted girlfriend while quietly packing my things.
I even attended my friend’s wedding alone. When I entered the bride’s room, I told her about my plans. She hugged me, crying.
"Don’t cry on your happy day, okay?" I said, forcing a smile.
She nodded. "Let’s hang out one last time before you leave for the Capital pack!”
"Sure."
But as I watched my friend and her husband walk down the aisle, an unexpected ache settled in my chest.
A twinge of jealousy.
Kian and I could have been the ones standing at that altar—if he had chosen me when it mattered.
I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. I wouldn’t let myself dwell on it.
After the dinner party, I was ready to go home.
Then my phone rang.
Maya
"Selene, Kian’s completely drunk at our friend’s party. Can you pick him up?"
I went. Not because I cared, but because this would be the last time I played the role of the understanding girlfriend.
When I arrived, I could hear their conversation before I even stepped inside.
"So, what happens to Selene after you get married?" one of his friends asked.
I stood frozen outside the door, my breath shallow, my heart hammering so loudly I was sure they would hear it. But they didn’t. They were too busy laughing. Too busy mocking me.
“She’ll do what she always does—stay by my side and obey me. Isn’t it fun having a loyal little pup at home?” Kian’s voice was light, amused, as if the words meant nothing.
A roar of laughter followed.
“Oh my goodness! Man, everyone needs a stupid Selene in their life!” someone jeered.
My stomach twisted. My grip on the doorknob tightened, but I didn’t push the door open. I couldn’t.
“She’s easy,” Kian continued, his voice almost bored now. “You just tell her what she wants to hear, and she eats it up. She forgives. She stays.”
Another laugh. Another dagger to my chest.
I stood there, swallowing the lump in my throat. I could walk in right now, let them see me, let them see the woman they thought was nothing more than a toy, a joke.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I stayed in the shadows, letting the truth sink in, letting their words carve themselves into my bones.
And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t angry.
I was done.
