Chapter 9
Theo recently learned how to skateboard, and I couldn’t have been prouder.
I followed behind him with my phone every day, snapping photos nonstop. It never felt like
enough.
His skills were getting better, and that mischievous spark all little boys had was finally starting to show.
He often rode his skateboard with the puppy in tow, sometimes even gliding past pretty girls just to say, “Miss, you’re gorgeous!”
He was practically bursting with pride.
As I watched him act like that, I laughed so hard I doubled over.
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That was when Ethan found us. His steps faltered when he saw Theo’s confidence and the bright smile on my face. He didn’t even dare to come any closer.
It was I who noticed him first and walked over.
He wanted to speak, but I beat him to it. “Are you here to deliver the breaking mate bond papers?
Ethan looked pale. His hair was a mess, and the dark circles under his eyes were heavy.
He sniffled, but the tears still slipped out. “I’m sorry.”
I nodded calmly. “I accept your apology. So, how much child support are you offering for Theo?”
I could live simply, but my pup deserved better.
Ethan didn’t hesitate. “Take everything I have. It’s all yours if you want it.”
However, none of it mattered anymore. I’d already survived all those bitter years—his
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belated remorse couldn’t erase the pain we’d been through.
I shook my head. “I only want what I deserve. And I hope you remember to sign the
papers.”
My voice was calm, but Ethan suddenly broke down.
His voice trembled as he asked, “Cheryl, can we not break the mate bond?”
I replied indifferently, “No.”
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Panic washed over his face–he’d imagined countless scenarios, but he never thought I’d
be this calm.
“Cheryl, hit me,” he suddenly said.
I gave him a puzzled look. “Why would I hit you?”
He didn’t answer. He simply grabbed my hand and pulled it toward his own face.
As he hit himself with my hand, he started to whisper his confessions.
“It’s my fault. You and Theo had to live such a hard life. I broke every promise I made to him. I didn’t help you when your boss harassed you. Hit me. Why won’t you hit me?”
He completely broke down in the end, tears streaming down his face.
I quietly listened to his confessions, completely unmoved. All the suffering Theo and I endured couldn’t be washed away by a few tears.
From a short distance away, Theo noticed the shift in my expression. He hopped off his
skateboard and ran over.
He shoved Ethan away. Even at his age, the strength of his Alpha bloodline was already
emerging.
“Who are you? Don’t you dare bully my mom!” he shouted.
The moment he said that, Ethan lifted his head.
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Theo’s eyes instantly reddened. His anger gave way to confusion, leaving him frozen in place.
Ethan’s heart ached as he pulled Theo into his arms. “I’m your dad, Theo. Why won’t you greet me?”
He ran to his car and took out the toy car he’d bought too late. He then shoved it into Theo’s hands.
“This is the one you always wanted, right? Whatever you want, I will buy it for you. Theo, please talk to me. Your mom won’t talk to me. Are you going to ignore me too?”
Theo didn’t take the toy. It slipped from his hands and fell to the ground.
He looked at Ethan with a cool gaze and said, “I don’t need it, Dad. Mom already bought it for me. You can return it. I don’t need anything from you.”
Ethan was caught off guard. He cupped Theo’s face in his hands.
“I earn money just for you to spend. Don’t you want me anymore?”
Theo tilted his head, puzzled. “Why would you say that? Wasn’t it you who took another pup to an award–winning restaurant? Didn’t you give my dream toy to someone else?”
There was a flash of sadness in Theo’s eyes when he recalled the scene. However, he quickly smiled as if letting it all go.
“It’s okay, Dad. If you like those other pups, go take care of them. I’m fine. I have Mom.”
With that, Theo took my hand in one and the puppy’s leash in the other. We slowly walked
home.
Ethan stood frozen, his face contorted in regret. He tried to follow, but the puppy bared its
teeth and snarled.
A strong, towering Alpha was blocked by a tiny dog.
I looked at the puppy and smiled with pride. Every penny spent raising it was definitely
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worth it.
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After that day, Ethan started wiring me money from time to time. The first transfer was
one million dollars, followed by three million dollars and five million dollars.
I didn’t reject it–after all, this was what he owed us. I saw no reason to turn it down.
At the same time, I noticed Ethan had also been secretly feeding the puppy imported steak, lamb, and fresh rabbit legs.
At first, the puppy resisted, but it gave in over time. Eventually, it drooled and wagged its tail every time it saw him. I could only shake my head.
As for Theo, he remained distant from Ethan.
I understood him. After all, he was truly hurt. That was why I never pushed him to reconcile -whatever he chose to do was up to him.
Ethan knew the wounds he’d caused would not heal overnight, so he started making
amends with actions, not words.
He bought a house in our small pack and traveled back and forth whenever he could. He made time for Theo and took him out to play sports.
Whenever the teachers assigned arts and crafts, he’d be the first to step in and help Theo
with them.
As for me, my life became much easier. I worked out, traveled, and read design books.
Eventually, I launched my own brand.
Life was full of possibilities, and I no longer limited myself.
A year later, Theo started warming up to Ethan a little. However, I still hadn’t given him
any response.
I knew he could be Theo’s father, but he could never be my mate again.
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