Vanessa was right.
That's the first thought that came to my head at Jason's words. He's looking at me with pitiful puppy eyes, but all I felt towards him was disgust and anger.
The Pack elders rejected the marriage registration five years ago, and he somehow decided that such important information should be kept from me?
He knew this whole time that I thought we were married, and he planned every anniversary like we were married.
All of a sudden, I remembered the small smile that was on Rhys Carter's face when I mentioned being married to Jason.
He must have thought I was delusional.
I think I am too. How did I never suspect? Now it made sense why nobody seemed to treat me with any bit of respect these past few years.
Up until a few minutes ago, I had thought that my husband made another woman his Luna. But really, there was no need to worry about the dynamics.
She was his legally married wife, while I was the woman who just spent the last five years slaving for him.
She was going to move into his house, and I would have to move out with our daughter.
I cleared my throat and forced myself to meet his gaze. "Does she know about Daisy?"
Jason stayed silent, but there was something that flashed past his eyes that I can't quite place.
"Okay, I guess I would help you keep that secret. I would take Daisy with me, and you can also forget about the research. Consider it my compensation."
Jason's lips parted, and I suspected he wanted to argue, but the main door to the Supplies building opened, and a figure dressed in white rushed over.
From afar, the only thing I had seen earlier was her holding the mantle, but now that she's closer. I can see her much better, and goddess, she's stunning.
Her white dress clung to all her curves while leaving her shoulder blades exposed. I wanted to avoid meeting her gaze, but when I looked up at her face, I realized she didn't even notice that there was someone else in the room.
She had walked up to Jason and goddess, the way she was staring at him, as though he held the moon up in the sky.
I remember that look. I must have looked like that five years ago, too, when I thought Jason was my Prince Charming who was going to save me and give me a different life.
How delusional.
I watched as Jason brushed her blonde, perfectly styled hair away from her face, and then they began to whisper to each other.
After a minute, she stepped back, and her red lips formed into a small pout. "What, Daddy is the one who made me find you. He was getting annoyed that you left me all alone on such an important day."
I held back a scoff. Jason hasn't even spent thirty minutes away.
Jason scratched the back of his neck sheepishly and then pulled her into his arms. "The lead researcher I told you about came over with news on the collaboration."
I felt a tightness in my chest. I'm still not numb to this, and I can't tell what is making me more furious. That he had told her I was just a lead researcher or that he was already telling her everything.
Jason never told me anything important. Like our marriage registration.
Lucy's baby blue eyes widened, and then for the first time since she came in, she looked around and finally noticed me standing there. I saw as she took in my appearance, and a part of me wondered what she thought of me.
After some seconds, she gave me a shy nod and then buried her head in Jason's arms like she was embarrassed.
Perfect.
How could I have expected my husband to reject such a frail damsel in distress?
Oh, scratch that. He's not my husband.
I can't believe that an hour ago, I had thought that today would be the happiest day of my life.
"Serena was just telling me that Carter Group has confirmed the investment, so I just have to sign some papers and we can head back inside," Jason explained as he gently raised Lucy's head up and closed the gap between us.
I hadn't realized that I was still holding on to the folder until Jason took it from my hands. But I'm even more surprised that Lucy didn't have a reaction to his words.
Weren't the Sullivans and Rhys Carter enemies anymore? Just how many things had changed in the six months that I buried myself in research?
Jason flipped through the papers while both of them remained linked at the elbows. After a minute, he looked at Lucy and then looked at me.
"Ten billion dollars."
I was about to reply, but Lucy beat me to it. "How about this, I would leave you guys to talk, and I would tell Dad about this huge deal."
Lucy stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on Jason's lips, then rushed out.
Jason turned to me the moment the door closed and then pointed at the document. "How did you get that Devil Alpha to offer ten billion dollars?"
I shrugged, "Nothing, just presented everything we had."
Jason nodded after a while. "Seeing that he asked for proof of you being tied to us, it must mean that what he really wants is to build a connection with our pack."
I laughed but held back my words. Wanted to build a connection with their Pack? But asked if I could come work with them.
Thinking about it now, I should have said yes.
I clapped my hands together as I walked towards him. "Since what he wants is the connection to you, then both of you can rediscuss this project once I tell them that I'm no longer involved."
I yanked the folder from his hands and was about to walk away, but Jason was faster. He grabbed me by the elbow and forced me to face him.
"Why would you be off the project?"
My heart skipped a beat twice because, for a second there, it seemed like I had just seen a version of Jason that I had never met before. His eyes looked so cold and… I don't think I can place it because it had disappeared so quickly.
Or maybe I imagined it.
I pulled away from him while still clutching the document. "Jason, you have a wife, and she's now your Luna. If I stay here, do you think she will never find out about our relationship? I'm doing you a favor by walking away with Daisy."
Jason shook his head. "Lucy wouldn't mind. Besides, she knows that every Alpha needs to have a woman to satisfy his needs."
There's that buzzing sound again, but I shook my head to wave it off.
"Okay, great if she understands, I'm leaving anyway. I don't belong here."
I don't know why my legs wouldn't move and just leave instead of waiting to hear him say something.
To say something that I would like to hear.
"Rena, nothing is going to change. We will still be together and you can…"
I don't know what I was thinking, but I raised my hand and gave him a slap. Jason looked furious, which is good. That's not even half of the way I'm feeling right now.
"Why are you mad? I took you from being a mere stray, protected you, and gave you a research institute that cost millions. You don't even have your wolf, what makes you dream that you could become my Luna?"
Nothing he said is funny, but I'm suddenly laughing. I guess I'm about to lose my mind.
"Jason," I started, then paused when I saw that my handprint was becoming more visible on his cheeks.
"You know very well that the reason why I don't have a wolf anymore is that you guys never let me do the initiation process. Didn't you promise that she would make a full recovery once I became Luna?"
Jason looked away, unable to meet my gaze, and I rolled my eyes.
"That's why the best decision is for me to leave with Daisy."
I took a deep breath and then walked away. This was it. It wasn't the ending I wanted, but this would do. As long as I have Daisy, I will be okay.
As I opened the door, I was surprised to see Vanessa standing there, and from the look in her eyes, I suddenly felt a deep sense of dread.
This isn't the end.
Vanessa laughed coldly and then leaned forward to snatch the document from me. I somehow managed to dodge, and I met her furious eyes.
"Serena, it's alright if you want to leave here alone, but don't even dream about taking anything with you."
I held the contract close to my chest.
"I'm leaving with Daisy. She's my daughter, too!"
Vanessa scoffed and then made an attempt to snatch the document from me again.
"I'm talking about the contract, silly. If you are so eager to leave with a ghost, why would I stop you?"