Chapter 5
Kathryn’s Point of View
A few moments later, as the tension began to fade, Tiana rose from her seat and leaned into Ashton, wrapping him in a delicate embrace.
“I have to go,” She said softly, her tone
sweet.
Then she turned to me, giving a slight, humble bow. “It’s okay if you don’t want to apologize, my sister. But let me do it instead. I’m truly sorry for how things escalated. It was never my intention to cause chaos between you two.”
But as soon as she finished, she shot me a quick glare, a smirk creeping onto her face. There it was–her usual act, playing the innocent one to earn Ashton’s sympathy.
I simply rolled my eyes.
“I’ll go now. Ashton, talk to my sister and
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settle things with her, alright?” Tiana said in her most mature, composed voice.
The irony was insane, especially when she punctuated her words by kissing Ashton right in front of me.
Once Tiana had finally left for her pack warrior duty, Ashton turned to me, his demeanor unusually calm. He cleared his throat, and when I met his gaze, he finally spoke. “Fine, you win. I’ll do whatever you want–proclaim you as my fated mate to everyone, go with you and Bryan to Golden Land Amusement Park. Just… don’t sever our mating bond.”
For so long, I had wished he would stop hiding me, stop denying to the world that I was his mate. But now, I don’t want it
anymore.
I faced him silently, letting him say whatever else he had to say.
“I’ll clear my schedule for you and Bryan, and we can spend the entire day at the
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amusement park. Are you free this
Saturday? What about Sunday? Come on, tell me.” His voice held an unusual urgency as he pressed me for an answer.
“You don’t have to do that, Ashton. We’re done, and there’s nothing you can do to change my mind.” My tone was resolute.
I couldn’t understand it.
For so long, he’s pushed me to sever our mating bond, repeatedly telling me to let him go. He’s always shown me that he didn’t want me as his mate, always choosing my sister over me and even over our son. But now that I’m openly, freely giving him that freedom, he’s suddenly unwilling to let me go.
Why?
Is he afraid of his father’s reaction?
Or maybe he’s just so used to having me always–devoted to him, serving him.
Perhaps it’s not love or regret. It’s simply
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his comfort in knowing I’m his constant, the one person who would never leave… until now.
“Stop being so stubborn, Kathryn. I’m already willing to give you everything you asked for,” He argued, his calm demeanor slipping.
“No, you’re not. The only thing I want from you is to end our mating bond.” My tone was cold.
He took a deep breath, visibly struggling to keep his composure. “I can’t do that.”
I couldn’t help but smirk. “Why? Wouldn’t ending our bond exactly what you’ve wanted all along? It would finally give you and Tiana the freedom to parade your relationship without any guilt.”
At that, Ashton’s composure shattered.
“I’m so sick of all your drama, Kathryn!” He shouted. “If you don’t want to go to the Golden Land Amusement Park, then I’ll just take Bryan there myself!” His gaze
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darted around the mansion, as if searching for something–or someone.
He sighed heavily and called over the first maid he saw. “Where is Bryan?”
The maid bowed her head and replied, “I don’t know, Young Master,” before quickly walking away.
At that, Ashton turned to me again. “Where is Bryan, Kathryn? Was he taken back to the infirmary? I thought he was already under house treatment.”
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips as I realized it had been more than a year since he last visited Bryan.
“See how irresponsible you are as a father? You don’t even know where your son is or what’s happening to him. It’s funny how we’ve been here for so long, and only now do you realize Bryan isn’t around.”
“You’re still not done with your drama? Really? If Bryan’s really sick, why the hell are you leaving his side? Where is he,
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Kathryn? Why are you hiding him from me?” He demanded, raising his voice.
I didn’t say another word. I simply looked him in the eye, though a single tear betrayed me, slipping down my cheek.
“Fuck it, you’re crying again!” He snapped.
Ignoring me, Ashton began his frantic search for Bryan, tearing through each room in the mansion and shouting his name. I watched, helpless and bitter, as he stormed from one room to the next.
What an idiot.
An utter bastard.
Why couldn’t it have been him who died?
Why did it have to be Bryan?
Dark thoughts clouded my mind as I watched him. After several minutes,
Ashton finally returned, out of breath, hist
frustration clearly growing.
“Where is he, Kathryn? Don’t test my
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patience,” He warned, his voice edged with
a threat.
Another tear slipped down my cheek.
I was becoming weaker, especially when Bryan crossed my mind.
“Stop crying and just tell me where my son is!” Ashton demanded.
Silently, I wiped my tears and turned, leading him up to the second floor where Bryan’s room was.
“He’s not here, Kathryn. I already searched this room!” Ashton insisted, his voice tight.
Ignoring him, I opened the wooden door and stepped inside. Without a word, I moved to Bryan’s closet, pulling out a large, ornate chest. I placed it carefully on the table, right in front of Ashton before meeting his gaze.
I saw the color drain from his face.
“What the hell, Kathryn? You’re acting weird again. What is that?” Ashton asked,
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confused.
I held his gaze steadily as I slowly lifted the lid of the chest. Inside was a delicate vase, lovingly encircled by an arrangement of dried flowers.
The shock on Ashton’s face was obvious.
After a long, painful silence, I said it, my voice filled with bitter sarcasm. “Go on, Ashton. Take Bryan’s ashes to the Golden Land Amusement Park, just like you promised.”
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