Chapter 4

Victoria's POV I glanced at the time and dialed Ethan's number directly. "Victoria!" Ethan's urgent voice came through the phone. "You're finally willing to listen to my explanation—" "No need for explanations, Ethan," I cut him off coldly. "We're breaking up." "What? No, Victoria, listen to me. Things aren't what you think. My marriage to Scarlett is an arranged family alliance. I'll get divorced as soon as possible. You're the one I've always loved. Please, just give me another chance, okay?" Hearing these false words, I couldn't help but laugh coldly. "A family alliance? Ethan, do you take me for a fool?" "Ethan, you piece of trash, stay away from me." "What did you say?" Ethan roared at me. "I'm from the Sterling family—I have noble blood. You're nothing but a weak, pathetic omega. The fact that I liked you was your good fortune." He continued, "Listen, Victoria, Scarlett's father is a beta from the Northstream Pack. The fact that I haven't completely abandoned you because of her shows how generous I am." "If you have any brains left, you should be grateful to me. Victoria, trust me—becoming my mistress will give you a perfect life." His words were so ridiculous that I burst out laughing. "What are you laughing at?" "I'm laughing at what a pathetic, small-dicked piece of garbage you are. I'm laughing because your brain is full of shit!" "You fucking bit—" Before he could finish his insult, I hung up and immediately blocked his number. After taking several deep breaths, I called my best friend Grace. "Victoria? Are you okay? I just saw the news..." Grace's concerned voice came through. "I'm fine. Just dumped that scumbag," I said with a bitter laugh. "Aren't you supposed to be on vacation abroad?" "I booked a flight as soon as I heard the news. I'll be there tomorrow night. I'm sending you the restaurant address—don't you dare stand me up!" The address she sent was one of the city's most upscale restaurants—one I secretly invested in, though few people knew that. When I arrived the next evening, dressed simply but elegantly in clothes that flattered my figure far better than the plain outfits I'd worn during my relationship with Ethan, I immediately spotted him there with Scarlett. Ethan's forehead was wrapped in bandages, though I had no idea what had caused that. I could distinctly feel him watching me. Clearly, Scarlett sensed it too. Her expression instantly turned ugly. "This is an upscale establishment, not somewhere just anyone can waltz into," she sneered loudly enough for nearby tables to hear. "Victoria, how pathetic of you to stalk us here. Ethan and I are married now. Trying to seduce someone else's husband is shameful!" "This has nothing to do with either of you. Move aside," I said coldly, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Ethan. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing any emotion in my eyes. Ethan opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. Pathetic. "Nothing to do with us?" Scarlett mocked. "Who would believe you're not stalking us? What a coincidence! As if you could afford a place like this." Her venom wasn't finished. "Everyone knows you're obsessed with my husband. You're desperate to crawl into his bed. You shameless slut!" Throughout Scarlett's entire vicious attack, Ethan stood beside her in complete silence. Not defending me, not stopping her lies. My wolf Nora roared within me, demanding retribution. I let out a cold laugh, then raised my hand and delivered a resounding slap across Scarlett's face. *CRACK!* The sound echoed through the restaurant entrance. Scarlett stood there in shock, her hand slowly rising to her reddening cheek. "You... you dare hit me?" "A slap is the least of what you deserve," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "We all know who the real homewrecker is. I'm writing off these wasted five years as a life lesson." I finally glanced at Ethan, my gaze cold as frost. "Ethan, we're done. Bridges burned. If either of you pathetic wolves come near me again, a slap will be the least of your worries." With that, I walked into the restaurant, gave the hostess my reservation name, and was immediately escorted to a private dining room. I could feel Ethan's eyes following me, burning into my back. Through our fading bond, I could sense his turmoil. I knew he found me beautiful—he'd often told me my bright eyes lit up the darkest corners of his heart. He claimed I was the only one who made him feel truly alive. All lies. The truth was much simpler: in his eyes, I wasn't good enough. My supposed "humble origins" didn't meet his Sterling family standards. In his twisted mind, he probably thought it generous to consider keeping me as his mistress while married to Scarlett. He might have imagined I should be grateful for his scraps—a comfortable life as his dirty little secret. The thought made Nora snarl with rage inside me. If only he knew who I really was. Outside the private room, I could hear them arguing. "You're still staring at her even after she left," Scarlett hissed. "What's wrong with you? Haven't you gotten over her yet?" "Of course not," Ethan quickly placated her. "Haven't I proven myself? All these years I never touched her, not once. You're the only one I want, baby." "That's more like it," Scarlett purred, apparently mollified. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Scumbag and bitch! In the private room, I waited nearly twenty minutes before Grace finally arrived. "Sorry, Victoria!" she immediately apologized, breathless from rushing. "Traffic was absolutely horrible." I smiled genuinely for the first time that day. "Don't worry, I just got here too." Grace immediately dumped what seemed like an entire shopping bag's worth of items onto the table. "Look at everything I brought you from vacation! This handbag—isn't it gorgeous? This lipstick shade is almost impossible to find. This necklace would look amazing on you. Oh, and this hair clip—I knew it was perfect for you the moment I saw it!" Though they were small gifts, each one represented Grace thinking of me during her travels. This was what real friendship looked like. "Thank you, Grace," I was touched by her thoughtfulness. "Don't be so formal!" She waved dismissively, then leaned forward conspiratorially. "After dinner, we're going clubbing. I've been dying to introduce you to some male models I know—they're all incredibly fit and way more handsome than Ethan!" I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in days. "That sounds perfect!" Halfway through dinner, I excused myself to the restroom. After finishing, I was washing my hands when arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind. "Victoria," Ethan's voice whispered in my ear, reeking heavily of alcohol. "Did you block my number? I know you still love me. You must still have feelings for me, right?" His arms tightened around my waist. "Victoria, please understand, I'm in an impossible position. You know my status in the Sterling pack is unstable—especially with my half-brother still around. Once I secure my position, I'll divorce Scarlett. Then I'll officially mate with you, and we'll have beautiful pups. Wouldn't that be perfect?" Once, I'd found his voice soothing. Now it made my skin crawl. The alcohol stench on his breath only amplified my disgust. "Get away from me!" I snarled, not bothering to be gentle. "Are you still angry with me, my love?" Ethan, apparently afraid of Scarlett catching us, dragged me into the men's restroom. "Ethan, what the hell are you doing? Let go of me!" I struggled against his grip. He pushed me against the wall, his bloodshot eyes trying to kiss me. I turned my face away, but as I did, he seemed to notice something on my neck—the marks Damian had left. His eyes first widened in disbelief, then narrowed in fury. "Victoria, what is that on your neck? Some kind of allergic reaction?" "Can't you tell?" I replied coldly. "A man's mark. I spent the night with someone else." "Impossible!" Ethan's control snapped. "You wouldn't be with another man! I'm your boyfriend! You're just trying to hurt me, right? For five years I restrained myself, never touched you, while you tried to seduce me countless times. You want to crawl into my bed so badly? Fine, I'll give you what you want right now." Finally, the truth emerged. He'd been avoiding physical intimacy with me because Scarlett demanded it. Now that they were married, he thought he could have us both. "You're sick. Stay away from me!" I tried to push him away, but the alcohol made him immovable. "You're mine, Victoria. I'm your only man!" He frantically tried to kiss me while his hands moved toward my belt. I could feel his desperation—he wanted to check if I'd really been with another man, if I was "ruined" for him. Suddenly, a powerful force yanked Ethan away from me. "Who the fuck—" Ethan roared, then froze when he turned to see who had intervened. Damian stood there, his perfect features coldly furious. Even standing still, he radiated overwhelming dominance, filling the small space completely.