A thousand good-byes

chapter 3

ALISA'S POV

I woke up with a pounding headache and a body that felt heavy and unfamiliar, and for a moment I just lay there trying to understand where I was and what had happened.

Then the memories came back slowly and my stomach tightened as I realized I was not in my home and I was not alone, and when I moved slightly I felt the blanket shift and I looked down to see that I was completely naked underneath it.

“God… what did I do,” I whispered to myself, pressing my fingers against my temple as regret settled deep in my chest.

The sound of running water reached my ears and I froze, my eyes moving toward the bathroom door as I realized he was still there, and something about that made my heart start beating faster because it suddenly felt too real and too complicated.

“I need to leave,” I muttered quickly as I pushed the blanket aside and stood up, ignoring the soreness in my body as I picked up my clothes and dressed in a hurry.

I did not want to face him, I did not want to answer questions, and I definitely did not want to explain why I had done what I did.

As I reached for my bag, I noticed a card on the table and I hesitated before picking it up, my eyes scanning the name printed on it, and the moment I read it I went still because even I knew that name carried weight and power.

“This is not just some random man,” I whispered under my breath. Then a memory came back, soft but clear, his voice close to my ear, low and certain.

Mate. My hand tightened around the card and I shook my head immediately. “No, that doesn’t make sense,” I said quietly.

Jeff and I were not mates, we had never been, our marriage was arranged and forced by family expectations, there was no bond between us, no connection like the ones people talked about.

“So how can a stranger…” I trailed off, my chest tightening. Fear crept in slowly and I dropped the card back on the table like it burned. “I’m not doing this,” I said firmly, grabbing my bag.

The shower was still running, which meant I still had time, and without thinking twice I walked out of the room and left without looking back.

Whatever had happened the night before was a big mistake, one I wasn't sure if it would come back to haunt me in the future but I was willing to take my chances. I couldn't stay and find out at all.

I did not stop until I got to my apartment. When I opened the door, I was not prepared for what I saw. Jeff was already there. Sitting calmly like nothing had happened.

And Aiden was with him.

For a second, I just stood there, staring at both of them, my chest rising and falling as anger slowly replaced the shock. Jeff looked up first. “You’re back,” he said like I had just stepped out for a short walk.

I let out a dry laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”

He frowned slightly. “We need to talk.”

“No, you need to explain,” I shot back, stepping inside and dropping my bag. “Start talking.”

Aiden stood up slowly. “Alisa, I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

I turned to him immediately. “Don’t,” I said sharply. “You don’t get to say that.”

He went silent. Jeff sighed and stood up. “This is not what you think.”

I laughed again, louder this time. “Really? Because it looked very clear to me.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “There are things at stake here, things you don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand,” I said, my voice rising. “Because from where I stand, you married me just to hide who you really are.”

He did not deny it. That hurt more than anything. “My reputation matters,” he said instead. “My name, my position, the alliance with your family, all of it depends on this marriage.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “So that’s it? That’s all this is to you?”

“It’s important,” he replied.

“And what about me?” I asked, my voice shaking now. “Did you ever think about how I would feel?” He said nothing. Not a single word. I laughed bitterly. “Of course you didn’t.”

Aiden spoke again, his voice low. “We didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You already did,” I said coldly. There was a short silence before I took a deep breath and said the words I had been holding in. “I want a divorce.”

Both of them froze. Jeff’s expression changed immediately. “You’re not serious.”

“I am,” I replied without hesitation.

He let out a sharp breath. “You can’t be serious, Alisa.”

“I am done,” I said firmly. “I’m not staying in this marriage.”

His eyes hardened as he stepped closer. “You don’t get to make that decision.”

I frowned. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he said, his voice dropping. “You are an omega, Alisa, and not a strong one.”

My stomach tightened at his words. “Everything you have comes from me,” he continued. “Your family depends on this. Your life, your comfort, your business, all of it exists because of my name.”

I clenched my fists. “I don’t care.” He paused, clearly not expecting that. “I don’t care about your money or your status,” I repeated. “I would rather struggle than stay with someone who used me.”

“You’re making a mistake,” he said coldly.

“Maybe,” I replied. “But it’s mine to make.” I grabbed my bag again and turned toward the door.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“Away from you,” I said without looking back. And before he could say anything else, I walked out. I did not stop walking until I reached my restaurant.

I stood outside for a moment, staring at it, then let out a slow breath. “If I can’t have peace in my marriage,” I murmured, “then I’ll build it here.”

And this time, I meant it.