“You agreed to it?”
Leo looked uncomfortable at my response. “Viola, Jane may not be your real sister, but she’s been part of this family since your parents adopted her. You want her to get better, don’t you?”
He paused, like he was choosing his words carefully. “We’re just going through the Marking Ceremony. The witch says it’ll help Jane recover faster, as it’ll lift her mood. It won’t change anything between us. I’m still your mate and Mark’s dad.”
Before I could respond, Mark spoke up. “Mommy, Aunt Jane’s really upset. The doctor said it’s bad for her health. So please agree with Dad, okay?”
I stared at them both.
One was the man I had loved for years, the other my son.
I had given everything to both of them. Every piece of me. As a mate, as a mother. I had sacrificed it all.
Why were they treating me like this?
Why would they betray my love, just for Jane?
I stood there silently for a long time.
What did it matter now? I was dying anyway.
Jane wanted my things? Fine. She could have them all. I didn’t want everything I had anymore.
I wiped away the tear that slipped down my cheek, then looked up at Leo.
“Okay. Fine.”
Leo’s face lit up with surprise and excitement. He quickly grabbed the papers from the table. “Great! This is the Mate Bond Dissolution Agreement. Once you sign, we’ll formally reject our bond and be done with it.”
I felt like my heart was shattering. So he had planned this all along.
Leo really wanted to end things between us, didn’t he? To be with Jane?
“Mommy, just sign it,” Mark said, handing me the pen.
I took it and quickly signed the paper. Once Leo and I rejected each other, the ridiculous conversation ended.
Then, I went upstairs to rest.
Leo solemnly promised from behind me, “Viola, when Jane’s fully recovered later on, I’ll end things with her. Believe me—my heart will always be yours. This is just a formality.”
