Chapter 002:

Alicia's POV

My hand shook uncontrollably, and I found myself blinking repeatedly, struggling to believe what I was seeing.

The picture on my phone felt like a cruel joke, but the pain was all too real. I was lost in the agony of the photo when the door to the room suddenly swung open, and Andrew walked in.

A heavy ache settled in my heart, and a storm of emotions brewed on my face. Without a word, I marched up to him, my steps fueled by a mix of anger and hurt.

“Why is another woman touching you, Andrew? Are you really cheating on me now?” I demanded, my voice thick with bitterness. I fought to keep my tears at bay, but the pain was almost too much to bear. I tried my best to not let myself be upset by his cold attitude, but I never expected his betrayal in our marriage.

The betrayal was so much more painful than his previous actions in the past years.

He had never held me with such tenderness or looked at me with the affection I had always yearned for.

Yet, here he was, entangled with someone else, being intimate with a stranger in a way he had never offered me.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Andrew’s voice was deep and cutting, filling the room with an icy edge. His tone dripped with indifference and coolness, as though my pain was an inconvenience he had no patience for.

“Were you with someone else all this time?” I asked, my voice steady despite the rage inside me. I was determined not to let this ruin our anniversary night, though my heart felt like it was shattering.

I held up my phone and showed him the photo, but Andrew remained expressionless. No shame, no sorrow, and no guilt.

Andrew took two deliberate steps toward me, his face a mask of cold detachment. His dark eyes, devoid of warmth, bored into mine with a disturbing intensity.

“Listen to me, Alicia,” he said, his voice laced with contempt. “Don’t get ahead of yourself! And never stop me concerning such unimportant matters!” he warned sternly.

His words struck me like a knife, but I was desperate to hold on to some shred of understanding. I was ready to make excuses for him, to find a reason for his actions that I could accept.

I reached out for his hand, my voice trembling with a mix of hope and desperation. “Just tell me you didn’t have sex with her, Andrew. Please, tell me the pictures aren’t true!”

He yanked his hand away from my grasp, his expression unreadable. “I was drunk,” he said dismissively.

“My secretary thought it was her job to take care of me and make me feel good.”

His cold explanation only deepened my pain. Before I could respond, he turned away from me and walked into the bathroom, leaving me standing there, crushed and alone.

Did he truly think his vague answer to my question would stop me from finding the truth?

As his wife and mate, I deserved a clear answer. But if he simply ignored me, what should I do?

Back in college, I had been one of the top students. My results were excellent, and I had remarkable abilities.

I could have secured a job at Silver Fang Company, where Andrew worked. However, he had made me forgo that opportunity, insisting I stay home to fulfill my duties as a housewife.

I was confined to taking care of our daughter, Elisa, while Andrew continued his work at the company. I had no desire to be just a housewife, so I poured myself into charitable endeavors.

This work made me popular and beloved within the pack, but it also left me with no means to discover the full truth about Andrew's words.

My heart was filled with confusion and pain. Was there anything more tragic than a wife not even having the right to get confirmation from her husband himself about whether he had cheated on her?

Before my thoughts deepened, Andrew walked out of the bathroom in a towel wrapped around his waist. He was so hot and tempting. No wonder all of the female wolves in our pack wanted him.

I had longed for one simple thing tonight: for Andrew to claim me as his own, to show me that he still desired me. But my hopes were quickly dashed when he slipped into his robe and dressed with detached speed.

Disappointment washed over me, and I bowed my head, lost in a swirl of thoughts and sadness. Just then, Andrew approached me, breaking the heavy silence.

“Here you go,” he said, his voice lacking warmth as he handed me a small black box.

My curiosity was piqued despite the turmoil inside me. I carefully opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond necklace; a piece I had always admired and desired. The sight of the necklace, so exquisite and elegant, brought a fleeting smile to my lips.

For a brief moment, I felt a tinge of hope. “I guess he didn’t forget about our anniversary,” I thought to myself as I ran my fingers over the sparkling gems.

“Andrew, you…” I began, lifting my head to express my gratitude for the beautiful necklace, but his next words sliced through my fragile excitement like a blade.

“You’ll wear that to the charity gala in two days,” he said, his tone cold and dismissive.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to know the Alpha’s wife is less than perfect… Don’t embarrass me.” With that, he didn’t wait for my response. He simply turned on his heel and left the room, leaving me in stunned silence.

The room felt like it was collapsing around me. The weight of his words hit harder than I expected.

He had completely forgotten our anniversary again, treating it with such reluctance that my heart ached.

My hand fell heavily onto my lap as I stared at the necklace.

Tears could not be controlled anymore and flowed down.

That night, I didn't sleep. I had thought of ending the marriage many times. But it was too difficult to make the decision.

What if my daughter wants her daddy at home?

What if other pack members judge me?

I had no answers in my heart.