Chapter 11
Celeste POV:
To prevent my condition from deteriorating further, Julian scheduled my first round of chemotherapy for the day
after tomorrow.
Chemotherapy has severe side effects–especially for a werewolf whose body is already weak. During the first two weeks afterward, I’d become extremely frail, and significant hair loss was common. Knowing this, I needed to quickly sort out all my affairs in advance.
My father, Anthony, was still unconscious with no signs of waking anytime soon. Fortunately, medical expenses were no longer an immediate concern. After settling a sum with the hospital, I returned to the pack villa I used to live.
The house–our marital home–felt increasingly alien. I’d soon have to move out, and worried about my physical state after chemotherapy, I had already contacted a moving company.
My best friend, Lila Anderson, rushed over the moment she heard. From afar, I could see her rushing towards me, impeccably dressed in a suit, high heels clicking hurriedly against the pavement.
In one hand, she carried a stylish handbag, and in the other, carried two grilled hot dogs crammed with sauce. Her voice was loud and clear:
“Celeste, you’re finally escaping your misery! I just got last month’s real estate commission–tonight, I’m treating you to the Ivy Vibes Club! Trust me, forget that scumbag; there are countless good men out there!”
Lila had been away traveling during the week when I discovered my illness, so she had no idea about my cancer diagnosis. She only assumed I’d finally come to my senses regarding the divorce.
Smiling faintly, I teased her, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. If your mate finds out you spent the night at Ivy Vibes Club, won’t he fly back just to hunt me down?”
Lila rolled her eyes dramatically, “Don’t even mention that jerk. I’ve lost faith in true love throughout the entire northern hemisphere. I flew overseas to surprise him, and guess what I found? That asshole took my hard–earned commission money and used it to support another she–wolf.”
She cursed, but beneath her casual tone, I could sense deep pain. Seven years of love had shattered completely because of the strain of their long–distance relationship.
I wanted to comfort her, but with my own marriage in tatters, I realized I was in no position to advise anyone.
Knowing Lila’s temper, I asked carefully, “With your personality, did you cause a huge scene?”
She dragged me to sit beside her in the garden and passed me one of the grilled hot dogs. Calmly, as if describing someone else’s life, she began eating her own hot dog and sighed softly.
TATLI Walled Away Alnha Went
11.1%
Chapter 11
“Maybe all these years have worn me down. Or maybe deep down, I had a premonition. When someone loves you, they’ll find countless reasons to show it. But when they don’t love you anymore, even the slightest excuse becomes reason enough.”
She continued, gazing into the distance, “In the past, he’d travel halfway across the world just to spend a few days with me. But now, he hasn’t returned for three full years.”
“Back then, he’d wake up in the middle of the night just to say ‘good morning‘ to me from the other side of the world. But lately, our conversations have dwindled. At first, I convinced myself he was busy finishing his Ph.D., trying to build a better future for us.”
“I even started working part–time in real estate while I was still studying at the medical school. I worked myself to exhaustion, pouring every commission into supporting his lifestyle abroad. I paid the down payment on his house.”
She let out a self–mocking laugh, but tears fell onto the roasted potato in her hands.
“In other large packs, or in those fast moving human societies, everything is expensive. But I ran around day and night, selling properties, supporting an ungrateful bastard. I might’ve even maxed out my credit card for him.”
I reached out and pulled her into a gentle embrace. “Lila, don’t cry. He doesn’t deserve your tears.”
She smiled bitterly. “That’s exactly what I thought. Celeste, you have no idea how beautifully ruthless I was–I didn’t scream or fight. Instead, I sat down, smoked a cigarette, and calmly calculated every penny he owed me. Thankfully, the house was in my name. That very night, I threw him and his mistress out.”
Surprised by her decisiveness, I asked, “Did he agree to that?”
“Of course not.” Lila smirked coldly. “He knelt, begged, cried, pleading for forgiveness. But watching him beg, all I could think was how on earth I ever loved such a pathetic man. I stayed just long enough to sell the property, severed ties cleanly, then came straight home.”
Quickly wiping away her tears, she turned toward me again, eyes serious. “Celeste, we’re no longer naïve young wolves. Between love and security, sometimes we must make a choice, right? I’ve urged you to divorce Dominic for
ages
now.”
“Now that you’re finally seeing clearly, I’m genuinely happy. A diamond bachelor like Dominic, his settlement money alone will allow you to live a carefree life surrounded by handsome young wolves.”
Though smiling, she couldn’t hide her bitterness. “You’ve lost a mate, but his money can easily pay for ten or more good–looking males to entertain you. Isn’t that fantastic?”
Feeling slightly embarrassed, I replied awkwardly, “Actually, I only got a ten–million–dollar settlement.”
“What?” Lila’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That cheating bastard had the nerve to give you only ten million? The Alpha who once showered you with extravagant gifts suddenly became so stingy?”
I didn’t explain further. “When he loved me, he treasured me like the brightest star. But when that love faded, he only needed one reason to let go. Anyway, I called you here today to help me move.”
11.4%
Chapter 11
“Fine. After we’re done moving, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight. Let’s have some fun.”
I smiled softly. “Sounds great.”
Everything in the villa had been arranged by Dominic, so I didn’t intend to take much–only some personal items and essentials.
When Lila noticed the wedding photos on the walls, her expression immediately soured. In each photo, I was smiling sweetly, while Dominic, usually stoic, wore a rare gentle smile as he held my waist.
Lila huffed irritably, “What do you plan to do with these photos? My advice is to sell them as scrap and use that money to buy yourself something nice, luxury costume jewelry or something like that.”
I shook my head calmly, “No need. Since it’s a divorce, we’ll split our property fairly.”
I called someone to take down all the pictures, carefully cutting myself out of each frame before hanging the remainder back up.
The only place I was genuinely reluctant to leave was the nursery I had personally designed. Dominic had filled it with everything I loved. I didn’t want Marina’s future pups to enjoy it.
That room had accompanied me through a year of sorrow. In the end, I only took the crib, instructing the movers to disassemble everything else.
It felt strange–countless nights of painful memories were cleared away within just a few hours.
Standing by the villa door, I recalled the excitement I’d felt when Dominic first brought me here. Back then, I never imagined we’d end up this way.
Taking one final look at the house felt like bidding farewell to the naïve she–wolf I had once been. Without hesitation, I turned and left.
Approaching Lila, I whispered, “Come to the hair salon with me.”
She patted my shoulder warmly, smiling, “Great idea! A new hairstyle, a fresh start! Forget that heartless jerk. I’ve been thinking about getting pink highlights myself. What about you?”
I hadn’t considered style. My only concern was the impending hair loss caused by chemotherapy.
“I want to cut my hair as short as possible,” I told her simply.
Lila hesitated slightly, concerned. “Celeste, you’re gorgeous either way. But don’t go too short, okay? You regret it.”
ht
She didn’t know I was preparing for the battle ahead–chemotherapy that would probably take most of my hair.
Gently, with a soft smile, I reassured her, “No, Lila. I won’t regret it.”
11- Talant
