The first ceremony—canceled after Myrielle’s moon-beast attacked me, I was taken to the healing chamber.
The second—after Draven insisted on guiding me through an enchanted lake and I nearly drowned.
The third—after a supposed “enemy” stabbed me during a nighttime ambush.
But now I knew the truth.
Each tragedy… each “accident”… orchestrated by him.
Because he never wanted to bond with me.
And this time, to escape the binding, he let Myrielle’s treatment fail—leaving my grandmother trapped in a silent body.
Tears blurred my vision. My heart felt carved open, but one truth rose sharp as a fang: I would never remain in this false engagement.
With shaking hands, I called Draven’s mother, Carmina—the Blackspire Matriarch.
My voice trembled, but my will did not.
“I accept your offer. One hundred million moon-credits. I’ll leave Draven and disappear from his life forever.”
——
There was a cold pause, then her elegant voice drifted through the receiver.
“Seven days. You have seven days to pack and vanish from Draven’s territory.”
“I’ll transfer one million now. The remaining ninety-nine will be released the moment you leave.”
She hung up without another word.