The Last Gift

My heart sank, and for a second, I thought I had misheard.

"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."

I pursed my lips. In my heart, I already knew the truth—we were over.

Then, I heard him sigh and add, "Viola, you've become more composed now—not as reckless and unreasonable as before. Back when we used to argue, I wasn't always right either. I owe you an apology.

"Once Jane is better, I'll take care of you. I won't upset you anymore."

"Mommy, I won't make you angry again either! You've been so generous and selfless to Aunt Jane. I'm really proud of you!"

Their words hit me like a wave of cold water. Their words contained gratitude and care, and all of it started only after the bond was broken.

How ironic.

Before, I had hoped for something. Maybe even expected it. But now, as I headed upstairs, I felt nothing but numbness.

It didn't matter anymore.

I was dying anyway.

I tried to hurry up the stairs, but before I could reach the top, everything went black.

I woke up to the shock of cold water splashing across my face. I shivered, gasping as I blinked up at the ceiling.

Leo and Mark were standing over me, their faces tight with frustration. They didn't seem worried.

Just… disappointed.

"Mommy, are you pretending again?" Mark asked, his voice flat. "You've used this fainting trick so many times. Can you try something new? Daddy and I are supposed to deliver Aunt Jane her mushroom soup. You've wasted our time, and now the soup's cold!"

Mark was clearly angry.

Leo looked disappointed, and he was holding a glass of ice water in his hand.

"Viola, stop it. Even though we've dissolved our mate bond, I still love you. Don't try to test my feelings for you with tricks like pretending to faint."

I slowly came to my senses, realizing what had just happened.

I had passed out. But instead of rushing me to the hospital or getting me medical help, they had thrown a glass of ice water in my face to wake me up.

It was laughable.

If they had just unblocked their link to me, they would know I wasn't pretending. I was really dying. But they hadn't. Everyone had cut off their connection with me.

No one cared enough to check.

"Mommy, you look fine. You're all rosy and healthy. You don't look sick at all. Next time, try a new trick if you're going to pretend."

Mark's words cut through me like a knife.

I forced myself to stand up, ignoring the weakness that nearly made my legs buckle beneath me.

The doctor's potent painkiller was working, making me look healthier than I was. But I knew, deep down, my body was already fading.

"I'm not pretending. I might have skipped a meal, that's all. If you want to go to the hospital, I'll go with you. The transfer agreement still needs a few more signatures."

Leo clearly wanted to say more, but when he saw me pick up the agreement, he simply nodded and followed me to the hospital.

So—he already knew about the agreement.