The auction progressed smoothly, with exquisite items presented one after another, each commanding impressive bids.

Finally, the host's voice rose with genuine excitement: "Our next piece is truly special—an original creation from emerging designer Elara, titled 'Moonlight and Wildfire'!"


The spotlight illuminated my creation. The ruby caught the light like living flame, while the diamond gleamed with the cool radiance of moonlight. The two stones, locked in their eternal embrace against black velvet, told a story of passion and restraint, of fire and ice.

I held my breath as the bidding began, my heart pounding in my chest.

To my astonishment, after a fierce bidding war, "Moonlight and Wildfire" went to none other than Katherine.


As the event wound down and guests began to disperse, I gathered my things to leave. Before I could escape, Katherine materialized before me.

"A stunning piece, Elara," she said smoothly. "So full of... intense and blind emotion. Rather like its creator." Her words were precision-targeted barbs.


I met her gaze coldly, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a response.

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a silky murmur: "Don't look at me with such hatred. I've only taken what you were foolish enough to throw away."

Her gaze flicked briefly to Bruce, who stood watching us from across the room. Something in her eyes—mockery, perhaps, though I couldn't tell whether it was directed at me or him.

As she brushed past me, she whispered one final sentence in my ear, her voice so soft yet crystal clear:

"The way he looks at you is... never the same as when he looks at me. How pathetic that neither of you can see it clearly."

With that parting shot, she turned toward Bruce and called out, "I'm heading out now, Bruce. Looking forward to our business meeting tomorrow."

I watched Katherine's elegant exit, my carefully constructed composure shaken by her cryptic words.

I dug my nails into my palm, using the sharp pain to center myself.

Bruce approached me then, his tone casual as if we were mere acquaintances: "Katherine and I are strictly business associates these days."

I studied his carefully composed expression, finding no trace of the explanation I deserved. But it no longer mattered.

"Sign the divorce papers, Bruce. Stop dragging this out."

His hand shot out, gripping my arm. "Elara, enough with these childish tantrums! Do you honestly believe designing pretty trinkets will earn you respect as an Omega?"

His dismissive words ignited a fire in my chest. "Bruce, you have all the power and status in the world, but are you happy? Do you have anyone who truly loves you?"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. When I looked at Bruce again, I felt only pity. "Bruce, I loved you once—truly loved you. If any part of you respects that, let me go."

With that, I pulled my arm from his grasp and walked away without looking back.

In the weeks that followed, Bruce continued to ignore the divorce papers.

I retreated into my work, channeling all my energy into new designs that seemed to flow from some newly awakened wellspring of creativity.

But the ghosts of my past, which I had foolishly believed were behind me, returned with a vengeance.

One evening, I was returning from the supermarket, my arms laden with bags of prenatal vitamins and fresh produce. Twilight had fallen, and the streetlights in my modest neighborhood cast weak pools of light on the empty sidewalks.

I had just pulled out my keys when several dark figures materialized from the shadows, blocking my path to the building's entrance.

With a sickening lurch of my stomach, I recognized their leader: Malcolm, the corpulent merchant who had tried to buy me from my family.

His fleshy face twisted into a revolting leer as he recognized me.

"Look who it is? Our little runaway nightingale." Malcolm rubbed his hands together. "I heard Castillo got tired of you? I knew it. A lowly Omega like you would always end up this way."

My heart froze in my chest. The shopping bags slipped from my grasp, hitting the pavement with a dull thud as apples and oranges rolled in all directions. I instinctively covered my stomach with both hands, backing up until I felt the cold metal door against my spine.

Malcolm chuckled, "Now, no one can protect you. Come back with me obediently and pay back what you owe me, with interest!"

The two hulking figures behind him moved forward, their intentions clear in their predatory stance.

As one reached for my arm, I ducked and sank my teeth into his wrist with all my strength.

The man howled and jerked back. I used the momentary distraction to dart sideways, fumbling for my phone with shaking hands.

In my panic, muscle memory took over. Before I could think, I had dialed Bruce's number.

After three rings, he answered. "Elara?"

In the background, I heard Katherine's distinctive laughter. They were together...

My heart plummeted.

"Bruce," I gasped, my voice breaking with terror. "Help me... Malcolm found me! I'm outside my apartment building—they're trying to take me!"

There was a heartbeat of silence on the other end.

"The baby!" I cried desperately. "Bruce, save our baby!"

Through the phone came the sound of furniture crashing and a guttural roar that barely sounded human: "WHERE ARE YOU? EXACT LOCATION! ELARA! ANSWER ME!"

But it was already too late.