Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

IVY POV

Early morning, I limped into the kitchen. It was quiet. Cold. The scent of coffee lingered in the air. I stood barefoot on the tiles, wearing a loose shirt that hung heavier on my body now that my belly was flat again.

I slept. Not deeply, but enough. It felt… strange.

I cracked two eggs into a bowl, slow and careful. My mind was calm and that scared me.

I’m a monster.

My baby is gone, and I slept peacefully.

And the father? Nowhere.

I stood by the sink, lost in thought. Mornings used to be rushed. I cooked for Noah. Packed his breakfast. Made his tea. Planned dinners with love.

Today, I cooked for myself.

The kitchen felt empty.

My phone vibrated on the counter. I glanced at it. A group chat notification.

FAMILY.

I almost laughed and opened it.

Amy’s message sat at the top:

“I feel so weak today… I think I need brown porridge. No nuts, no onions, no garlic. Only citric. And a light soup later. No salt. A little pepper.”

More messages followed.

Ingredients.

Instructions.

Preferences.

Like an order.

“Who does this bitch think she is?” I muttered.

My grip tightened around the phone as memories surfaced. I used to run that group. It was lively. I used to smile whenever it lit up gossip, laughter, chaos.

Now? Just her.

“Noah… what should I do… Ivy must hate me…” Amy sobbed against his chest. “I shouldn’t have eaten it… I’m not worthy… I’m going to die…”

“You’re not worthless,” Noah said softly, holding her close. “Ivy is just jealous you’re getting attention.”

Amy looked up, eyes red. “What if she does something to me?”

“Nothing will happen,” he said. “I’ll handle it.”

He called me to his office.

I went. I had to. He was my Alpha… and my husband.

When I walked in, the tension was thick. Noah stood behind his desk. Amy sat on the sofa, looking fragile.

Something was wrong.

Noah stepped forward and grabbed my chin. “You dared talk to Amy like that? Explain yourself.”

I pushed his hand away. “What are you talking about?”

He circled me, then gripped my shoulder hard. “Apologize. Now.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I said. “I swear.”

He shoved me toward her. “No excuses.”

Amy sniffed softly. “It’s okay… I’ll just starve…”

“No,” Noah snapped. “You won’t. Ivy will cook for you.”

I stood there, hurt and silent. Then I walked out.

From that day on, I cooked for her. Every day.

If I was late, she cried.

If I refused, she fainted.

My work suffered. My position weakened.

And Noah believed every lie.

I looked at my phone again and typed:

“You were right back then.”

I paused, then added:

“You’re not worthy of eating my food.”

I exited the group chat.

The silence felt… peaceful.

My phone rang. Noah.

I answered.

“How dare you upset Amy?” he shouted.

I said nothing.

“You know she’s sick! She fainted. Are you happy now? You’re selfish. Heartless.”

“I’m done, Noah.”

I hung up. Then I blocked him.

I didn’t feel like eating anymore.

I went to the bedroom, pulled out a suitcase, and started packing. The room felt empty. I had so much, but I only took what I needed.

I opened a drawer. Jewelry. Dresses. Gifts from Noah.

I threw them aside.

Every necklace.

Every dress.

Every apology disguised as love.

Dizziness hit me. I sat down.

The doctor had warned me. My body wasn’t fully healed.

I ignored it.

I had to leave.

The smell of disinfectant made me sick. My bandages were changed, and I went to pay.

I handed over my card.

The nurse hesitated. “I’m sorry… your card is frozen.”

Frozen?

My phone buzzed. Private number.

Noah.

“You blocked me?” he texted. “You ungrateful bitch.”

Another message followed:

“Stop acting out. Until you apologize to Amy, you won’t get a single cent. Learn your place.”

Money.

The card he gave me.

Years of work. No salary. No contract. Just obedience.

I leaned against the wall, breathing slowly as anger burned inside me. I opened my contract.

A lawyer.

That was my only option.

“I need help drafting a labor case,” I texted him.

“Were you ever paid?” he asked.

“No.”

“Then it’s difficult. Alpha and Luna are considered one entity. You’d need to give up your Luna status first.”

I closed my phone.

So that was it.

To escape…

I needed him.

I looked at my ring, slid it off, and walked into a luxury resale shop. The clerk barely looked up.

I placed the ring on the counter.

He inspected it. “This is valuable. Are you sure?”

“Yes. Sell it.”

He handed me the cash.

I left, took a taxi, my suitcase beside me.

“Liam’s manor,” I said.

At the pack border, a guard stopped me. “Luna Ivy, you need the Alpha’s permission to leave.”

I raised my phone and showed him the access key.

Liam’s emblem flashed.

The guard stepped aside immediately.

I walked forward.

And didn’t look back.