Chapter 3Alpha’s Regret After Choosing His Sister-in-Law

"Ethan, is this what you want too?" I asked, noticing the fresh love bite exposed on Victoria's neck as she lifted her chin.

My heart ached with fine, needle-like pains, persistent and sharp.

This amethyst had been our bonding token.

We first met at a charity auction where we both set our eyes on this crystal. The amethyst possessed exceptional healing properties, valued at 10 million dollars.

On the night Ethan marked me, he hand-wove a cord and tied the amethyst around my neck.

He promised me forever that night.

I knew Victoria coveted it. She had asked Ethan for it numerous times, but he always refused.

But this time, he averted his gaze, his eyes filled with hesitation and guilt.

"Maybe you should—"

"Fine."

I laughed bitterly, yanking the amethyst from my neck and placing it in Victoria's outstretched hand.

As Victoria gleefully put it on, I remarked, "It suits you perfectly. But remember to transfer the 10 million dollars to my account."

Then I left with my daughter, leaving Ethan staring after us in shock.

Back at the villa, Lily was still sobbing uncontrollably.

Fighting back my own heartache, I took her small hands in mine and asked:

"Lily, if Mommy wanted to take you away from here, would you come with me?"

Lily's tears fell even harder. "Mommy, can't we stay?"

"But Lily, Daddy and Grandma don't want us here. Do you want to call him Uncle forever?"

I held back my tears, looking tenderly at my daughter.

Selfishly, I wished she was only my child, someone who would always love me unconditionally.

But that wasn't realistic.

Lily clutched the Lego set in her arms—last year's birthday gift from Ethan.

"Mommy, can I have one more birthday with Daddy... please?"

The child stubbornly refused to change how she addressed him.

I closed my eyes briefly, pulled her into my arms, and nodded.

"Okay."

...

February 12th was Lily's birthday.

I had deliberately reminded Ethan two days in advance so he could prepare.

This would likely be the last birthday his daughter would celebrate with him.

I wanted Lily to have her wish.

On her birthday morning, Lily woke up early and put on a pretty little dress, asking nervously:

"Mommy, Daddy will come to Lily's birthday party, right?"

"Of course he will."

I reassured my daughter while sending Ethan a text:

"It's your daughter's birthday today. Where are you?"

The message went out like a stone dropping into the sea, no response returning.

My daughter lowered her head, clutching the ribbon on the cake box.

"Daddy's not coming, is he?"

After a moment, as if trying to comfort herself, she said:

"It's okay. Uncle is busy. We shouldn't bother him."

"Mommy, let's eat cake."

This was the first time my daughter called Ethan "Uncle."

She seemed to be gradually accepting that she wasn't important to her father.

But her downturned mouth and reddened eyes betrayed her sadness.

Seeing my daughter trying to be strong made something ignite inside me.

The pain burned through my chest and lungs.

I picked up my phone and opened my chat with Ethan:

"Too busy even for your daughter's birthday?"

"Do you love Victoria so much that you need to be by her side every minute?"

My finger hovered over the send button, unable to press it.

Just then, a new message appeared in the chat:

"Come to the pack house."