Episode 18
1137 Words
Clara's POV
When Caleb walked in, I was staring at my phone.
Ever since I sent that email asking for the address, Xavier's beta hadn't replied. Had he changed his mind? Or was he trying to shut me down with silence? I honestly couldn't tell.
Maybe this was just his polite way of saying don't get any closer.
Suddenly, I heard the door slam open. The sound was heavy, deliberate. The next second, an opened delivery box was tossed right in front of me. I instinctively locked my phone screen, flung it aside, and straightened my back.
"What is this?" Caleb demanded, his voice sharp.
I blinked. "A handkerchief," I said.
"I know it's a handkerchief." His tone turned impatient. "I'm asking if you bought it for me as a gift?"
"N-no…" My heart skipped a beat. I'd been too focused on avoiding him—on the Frost scent clinging all over him—and forgot to bring the box upstairs.
I picked it up from the floor and set it on my lap. "It's for myself," I said calmly.
He clearly froze for a second, then frowned. "You?"
"Yeah," I replied flatly. "Am I not allowed to buy something for myself?"
He stepped closer, his eyes scanning my face like he was hunting for a c***k. "Since when do you use this kind of style?"
"Since now." I smiled at him. "People change."
He let out a short, cold laugh. "You never used things like this before."
"You never defended another woman instead of your Luna before," I shot back, unable to stop myself.
The air locked up instantly. His expression shifted—like something had been hit dead center—but he pulled it back fast. "Watch your attitude. I did it for Silvercrest's reputation. As my Luna, you should know how to endure."
Endure. That word again.
"I just like the texture and the style," I said lightly, pretending nothing mattered. His gaze stayed fixed on me, sharp and searching, like he was waiting for me to slip.
After a few seconds, his voice dropped. "Clara, are you hiding something from me?"
"Are you?" I countered.
That shut him up. His lips parted like he wanted to argue back, but no words came out.
"You don't seriously think I bought it for another man, do you?" I joked, even though my heart was pounding. "I've loved you for almost ten years, Caleb."
That seemed to convince him. His shoulders relaxed, and he nodded slowly. "So have I."
He didn't say anything else, just turned and walked out of the bedroom. Only after the door closed did I realize I'd been holding my breath. I was this close to being found out.
He was already suspicious. I had to speed things up.
Once my heartbeat finally settled, I picked up the handkerchief box from my lap, and opened the wardrobe. Until I got Xavier's address, it would have to stay here for now.
The moment the wardrobe door opened, the smell hit me.
And I saw the panties immediately.
It was shoved in there carelessly, like someone had been in a rush. Pink lace. Thin strings at the waist. Absolutely not something I would ever buy. And it was obvious—it had been worn.
In that instant, I didn't feel angry. I just felt physically sick.
I pinched it between my fingers, didn't even bother looking twice, and dropped it straight into a trash bag. Then I started pulling my clothes out of the wardrobe, one by one. Fast. No hesitation. They were contaminated. I didn't want to wear any of them again.
I didn't touch Caleb's shirts or coats. Only my side. Dresses. Knitwear. Coats. Some of them I still remembered clearly—what year I bought them, where I wore them. Caleb used to stand beside me back then, pretending to be attentive, already impatient the moment he turned away.
I used to tell myself he was just tired. Thinking back now, it's almost funny.
The wardrobe emptied quickly. I sat down on the floor, staring at the pile of clothes, suddenly realizing how little I'd actually kept over the years.
Next came the jewelry. I set the box on the bed and opened it. Everything still looked expensive, intact, but to me, it all felt weightless now.
The anniversary necklace.
The earrings he grabbed on a business trip.
And the wedding ring.
I sorted them into three piles. Things to sell. Things to donate. And the wedding ring.
The ring lay cold in my palm. I stared at it for a moment, then without hesitation, placed it into the sell pile.
I packed everything up, took out my phone, and listed each item on a resale platform. The descriptions were plain. No emotions. No stories. When I finished, I realized I felt… lighter. I was really about to leave.
Just then, my phone buzzed. It was Lora.
【The place you asked me to look into has news. It's outside Silvercrest's border. Hardly anyone goes there.】
I stared at the screen for a few seconds before replying.【Okay. I can sign right away.】
She replied almost instantly. 【Are you sure you want to do it this fast?】
I sent back a single word. 【Sure.】
Emilia and Ethan were still distant with me. I didn't know when I'd earn their trust. I'd hoped to leave quietly, peacefully—but Caleb was already watching me. I had to prepare in advance. If it came down to it, I'd sever the mate bond and leave immediately, then fight for my puppies later. If Caleb found out I was planning to leave, he'd explode. I didn't want to be dragged back into that chaos.
I set the phone down and started packing my things. The truly important things weren't many. Documents. My father's notes. A few personal items. When I reached the bottom of the cabinet, I found an old photo album. On the cover, written in clumsy handwriting, were the words "Clara❤️Caleb."
I hesitated before picking it up. It was a gift from Caleb on our first anniversary. He'd made the cover himself. And every photo inside had been chosen by him. When he gave it to me, his hands were shaking, damp with sweat, but his eyes had been so bright.
So pretty.
My hands trembled for a while, but in the end, I didn't open it.
Caleb was no longer the man he used to be. And I shouldn't keep longing for that version of him.
I placed the album into a trash bag together with the underwear and tied the drawstring tight.
"Goodbye, Caleb," I whispered.
But then, finally, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I bent forward, and broke down sobbing.
- Writer
