- 1 week ago
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CreativityTranscript
00:02I'm a descendant of the moon goddess, and I can smell emotions.
00:06Love smells sweet.
00:08Sadness smells bitter.
00:09Disgust and anger smell spicy.
00:11My boyfriend of 10 years, Alpha Ethan, always smells sweet.
00:15But the day my sister met her fated mate, his scent suddenly turned overwhelmingly bitter.
00:20I never knew why.
00:21At my sister's marking ceremony, his scent turned bitter and spicy again.
00:25I got worried and followed him out when he walked off, only to hear him say in pain outside the
00:30door.
00:31You're the only one I love.
00:33How could you really form a mate bond with another wolf just to make me give up?
00:38I had no choice.
00:40Mia is your fated mate, and she's my only sister.
00:43We can't keep doing this wrong.
00:45A notification popped up on my phone.
00:47My chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe.
00:50Then I canceled the ceremony.
00:51Through the gap in the door, I saw my boyfriend, Ethan, kissing my sister, Chloe.
00:56A heavy, bitter scent filled the air.
00:58Chloe shoved Ethan away and covered her face with her hands as she cried.
01:03No, Ethan.
01:06We have to end this.
01:07We can't keep getting tangled up like this.
01:10I have my mate now, and you and Mia will have your ceremony next week.
01:14After Mom and Dad died, we were the only family to each other.
01:18Please don't hurt her.
01:19I'm begging you.
01:20I leaned against the wall, a sharp pain tearing through my chest.
01:24This was insane.
01:25I had never once imagined the two of them together.
01:27They had always seemed like strangers.
01:29But all the little details I had ignored came rushing back.
01:32Ethan always brought gifts to our house on holidays.
01:35Chloe got luxury gifts.
01:37I only got flowers or toys.
01:38Ethan would only explain,
01:40I always saw Chloe posting that kind of stuff on social media.
01:43I just wanted me as family to accept me.
01:45I believed him.
01:46After all, they were always polite and distant in front of me.
01:49But every time Chloe saw Ethan, she would say sadly,
01:52Mia, you have to be happy.
01:54Back then, I didn't understand where that bitter scent on her came from.
01:57At that moment, I finally understood.
02:00Flashback.
02:00Ethan shook his head and reached for Chloe in a panic.
02:03Please, Chloe.
02:05Don't do this to me.
02:06Chloe shut her eyes and forcefully shook him off.
02:09Ethan, a fated mate is the one destined to be your perfect match.
02:14We should both follow the moon goddess' guidance.
02:16Ethan slammed his fist into the wall, scraping his knuckles bloody.
02:20I don't believe it.
02:22Mia could never compare to you.
02:24She's just a replacement.
02:26Chloe, let's leave this place.
02:28We'll only be happy if we're together.
02:30Chloe's gaze turned resolute.
02:32No.
02:32If you dare hurt Mia, I'll never see you again.
02:35Ethan's whole body went stiff.
02:38Fine.
02:39You win.
02:40I'll stay with Mia for the rest of my life.
02:42Just so I can stay by your side.
02:44I closed my eyes and let out a bitter laugh at myself.
02:47So my ten years with him had only happened because someone else stepped aside.
02:52I left in tears.
02:53Before I left, I saw the two people who had just said it was over
02:56start messing around again inside the room.
02:59Chloe barely resisted as Ethan pressed his lips to her neck.
03:02One last time.
03:04Just one last time.
03:07Ethan came back and sat down beside me.
03:09Have you been crying?
03:10He gently touched the corner of my red eyes like the perfect, caring boyfriend.
03:14But then I noticed a faint lipstick stain on his collar.
03:17A reminder that what happened between him and Chloe wasn't just my imagination.
03:21A wave of nausea rose.
03:23I instinctively pulled a little farther away from him.
03:26I'm fine.
03:26He was just about to say more.
03:28But the moment Chloe walked in under the moonlight in her gown,
03:31all his attention shifted to her.
03:32As she passed us, Chloe looked at me first, then turned a wistful look toward Ethan.
03:37Ethan clenched both hands into tight fists.
03:40I let out a sigh.
03:41The bitter and spicy scents coming off the three of us made me feel so sick I could barely breathe.
03:46On stage, Chloe swore her vows to the moon goddess and officially became someone else's mate.
03:51Then she smiled at me and said,
03:53Now, I'd like to invite my only sister to say a few words.
03:56The microphone was handed to me.
03:59I was just about to take it.
04:00But Ethan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly stood up and snatched the microphone away.
04:05I froze.
04:06The same shock spread across everyone's faces and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
04:10What's going on?
04:11Is he trying to steal someone else's mate?
04:13But isn't he Mia's boyfriend?
04:15The one she's been with for ten years?
04:17Chloe's body stiffened and she gave a slight shake of her head.
04:20What she feared most was ruining the perfect image she had built for herself.
04:24But Ethan, who was always calm and self-controlled, only looked at me and said,
04:28Let me do it, okay?
04:30If you cry too hard, it'll hurt me to see it.
04:33It sounded gentle, but before I could even answer, he had already started speaking.
04:38Mia wants to say that you look beautiful today.
04:41She hopes you'll always be happy and always get to be yourself.
04:46If one day you're unhappy out there, you can come home anytime.
04:49I...
04:49He paused for a moment, and the calm, almost formal tone he had just been using cracked.
04:54We'll all be here.
04:56Chloe gave a soft laugh.
04:57I know.
04:58Across the crowd, they held each other's gaze for a second, before quickly looking away.
05:03Everyone believed Ethan had only stepped in to help me out, and the cheerful mood returned.
05:07Only I knew the bitter scent in the air was getting stronger and stronger.
05:11Tears slipped down my face again before I could stop them.
05:17Looking at Ethan, still lost in his sadness, I couldn't help saying,
05:21You saw my speech?
05:23I didn't write any of that.
05:25And who gives you the right to speak for me and wish my sister well?
05:29Only then did Ethan notice my mood, gently touched my face.
05:32Then, smiling, he reached out and pulled me tightly into his arms.
05:37The ceremony hasn't even started yet, and your eyes are already red.
05:40Mia must really hate seeing Chloe start a family of her own so soon.
05:43The one who couldn't let go was you.
05:46I could no longer smell that sweet scent of love on Ethan, so I couldn't believe he loved me anymore.
05:51I forced a faint smile.
05:53You really seemed to know me.
05:54Ethan didn't catch the sarcasm in my voice.
05:56Chloe walked over with a glass of champagne, and once again, she easily drew all of his attention.
06:01Mia, your mate bond ceremony is next week.
06:04I lowered my eyes, pain spreading through my chest, and with it came a wave of nausea I couldn't hold
06:10back.
06:11She turned to Ethan.
06:11Remember your promise.
06:13Be good to Mia for the rest of your life.
06:16Ethan had a weak stomach and got drunk easily, so he rarely drank.
06:20But now he raised his glass and drained it in one swallow.
06:23I will.
06:24Chloe turned and started talking with the other guests.
06:27Laughter and toast kept ringing out around us, but Ethan kept drinking, one glass after another, until he was completely
06:34wasted.
06:34I saw it all, but I wasn't going to patiently talk him out of it like I used to.
06:39I had someone lay the unconscious Ethan on the couch.
06:42But just as I turned to leave, Ethan grabbed my wrist.
06:45He pulled me into his arms.
06:46Soft, scattered kisses fell on my neck, while his hand lingered over my waist and hips.
06:51But the name on his lips was...
06:53Chloe.
06:55Don't leave me.
06:56I won't let this be how we end.
06:58I fought him hard, even shifting into my wolf form just to break free from his arms.
07:04I cancelled the ceremony without hesitation.
07:06In a single night, I cancelled every order for the ceremony supplies I had spent so long preparing.
07:12Then I bought a one-way ticket to Iceland.
07:14I lay awake in bed, and more forgotten details came back to me.
07:18After Ethan graduated and took over the Blackwood pack, Chloe had just started building her social media account.
07:24Ethan used the pack's influence to get Chloe a lot of collabs, and her account took off fast because of
07:30it.
07:30As for me, he placed me in a sideline department, doing random work anyone could replace.
07:36And in Ethan's office, the photo he always kept on display was a picture of the three of us.
07:41And in that photo, both his body and his gaze were angled toward Chloe.
07:45Mia is a naive, silly girl.
07:48That was how Ethan always used to describe me.
07:50Yeah, I was foolish, but I still had the courage to end all of this.
07:54The next morning, when I got up, Ethan had breakfast set out on the table.
07:59Morning.
07:59He really was thoughtful.
08:01Even as the one in charge of a pack, he always cooked for me himself.
08:05He asked casually,
08:07I drank too much last night.
08:09I didn't say anything I shouldn't have, did I?
08:11My eyes fell on the jar of strawberry jam on the table, and my gaze dimmed.
08:15No.
08:16He quietly let out a breath of relief, then frowned.
08:19Why didn't you even give me a blanket last night?
08:21You didn't even make me hot lemon honey tea.
08:23I feel awful this morning.
08:25I didn't touch the food in front of me.
08:28It's not my job to take care of you.
08:30Ethan froze for a second when he saw the cold look in my eyes.
08:33A strange irritation rose in him.
08:35Who upset you?
08:36Or is there something about next week's marketing ceremony that you're unsatisfied with?
08:40I didn't answer.
08:41I just threw the slice of toast with strawberry jam into the trash.
08:44I hate strawberry jam.
08:46You only remember what Chloe likes.
08:48She's the one who likes strawberries.
08:50With that, I slammed the door behind me and left.
08:55This is the high school the three of us went to.
08:57Ethan was a standout alpha.
08:59Good looking, from a powerful family, and the hottest guy at school.
09:03I had a secret crush on him, too.
09:05His scent and his whole vibe made me inexplicably obsessed with him.
09:09What if he's your fated mate?
09:11And to my surprise, on prom night, Ethan came over to us first.
09:15Do neither of you have a date yet?
09:17Chloe pushed me toward him, and after one dance, he became part of our lives.
09:21I could clearly feel the natural pull between Ethan and me.
09:24It turned out we really were fated mates.
09:26So I told him,
09:28Ethan, I always thought an alpha as dazzling as you would never be mine.
09:32But even the moon goddess seems to be on my side.
09:35Would you be willing to try being my boyfriend?
09:38He froze, hesitated for a long time, but in the end he still said,
09:42Okay.
09:43That's how we ended up together for ten years.
09:45I kept walking, my steps growing heavier and heavier.
09:48I couldn't stop wondering if Chloe was the only one Ethan had wanted to get close to from the very
09:54beginning.
09:54Then were all those sweet emotions I smelled from him over the years.
09:58Just an act?
09:59Once those thoughts started growing, they were enough to drive me insane.
10:03I got into a taxi.
10:04Just as I was about to give my home ad gown, I saw Ethan's car drive past.
10:09Follow that car.
10:10The taxi sped after it, heading in a direction I didn't recognize at all.
10:14In the end, the car drove out of the city and stopped in front of a private villa I had
10:19never seen before.
10:20Dreadful suspicion rose in me, one I didn't want to believe.
10:23But the second I got out, the fierce argument inside confirmed it.
10:28What exactly did Mia mean by that?
10:31Ethan!
10:32You promised me she'd never find out!
10:35Ethan didn't look any better either.
10:37Maybe she's just in a bad mood.
10:38I don't think I said anything I shouldn't have last night.
10:40Chloe trembled as tears kept falling.
10:42Either way, this is the last time I'm coming here.
10:47We're really over.
10:48Can you really let go?
10:50This place holds five years of memories for us.
10:53The Valentine's Day surprises, the birthdays we spent together.
10:57Can you really forget all of that?
11:00Chloe, don't lie to yourself.
11:02Crying, Chloe threw herself into his arms and my memories became clear again.
11:09Over the years, I spent every Valentine's Day alone.
11:13Ethan always told me he had to work late.
11:16The dinners I carefully prepared always ended up in the trash.
11:19And when their birthdays came around, they always had to go on business trips together.
11:23And while they were away, I could never reach them by phone.
11:26My ears were ringing.
11:27Leaning against the door, I finally saw that the archway was wrapped in Chloe's favorite white jasmine.
11:33And the truth wrapped around me like a thorny vine, suffocating me.
11:37I went home and quietly packed my things.
11:40Ethan came home too, smiling.
11:41But there wasn't a hint of sweetness in his scent.
11:44Mia, I'm sorry.
11:45About the strawberry thing, I wasn't careful enough.
11:48I drank too much last night.
11:49My head wasn't clear.
11:51Are you upset with me?
11:52I looked at him quietly.
11:54Of course not.
11:55He visibly relaxed and turned and went into the bathroom.
11:58The smile on my face faded.
11:59The next day, Chloe and her mate came over to our apartment for a meal.
12:03At your marking ceremony next week, I'll finally be handing you over to Ethan myself.
12:08I lowered my eyes.
12:09Doesn't that make you sad?
12:10She froze for a second, then quickly smiled again.
12:13Of course.
12:14My little sister is about to belong to someone else.
12:16That makes me sad.
12:17But you'll have to grow up.
12:19I gave a soft hum and pulled my hand back.
12:21Chloe didn't seem to notice my mood.
12:24Time to eat.
12:25What did Chef Ethan make today?
12:26Ethan had canceled an extremely important meeting today just to cook this meal for Chloe himself.
12:32At the table, they sat diagonally across from each other, the most distant, safest seats.
12:37Mia told me you like seafood, so everything I made today is seafood.
12:41Ethan's words hit me like a slap across the face.
12:44I had never seriously told him what Chloe liked, yet he remembered it so clearly.
12:48Chloe only gave a cold little response.
12:50Then she turned and put a shrimp on her mate's plate.
12:53I could see Ethan's disappointment, but by then, I was already numb.
12:57When that tense lunch was over, Chloe and Ethan went with me to try on my gown.
13:01I stared at myself in the mirror, gowned in white, a little dazed.
13:05Ethan had designed this gown himself.
13:07When I looked closer, I saw white jasmine all along the hem and waistline.
13:13Half a year ago, when Ethan showed me the design sketches, his expression was sincere and full of hope.
13:19Mia, I want you by my side for every year to come.
13:22When we're old, I still want to hold your hand and take you to all the places you love.
13:26But now, Ethan would no longer be part of my future.
13:29Why was it that every time, all I could do was watch the people who mattered most walk away from
13:35me?
13:35When I was eight, I lost my parents.
13:37And now, I was about to lose both my sister and my faded mate at the same time.
13:41The staff member beside me adjusted my gown and said with a smile,
13:45This gown is called white jasmine.
13:46When he placed the order, that alpha said it was his future Luna's favorite flower.
13:50My whole body went stiff.
13:52It wasn't me.
13:53I had never been the one Ethan truly wanted.
13:55In that moment, all I felt was how ridiculous it was and how pathetic I was.
14:00I reached up and yanked the veil off in one motion.
14:02The staff member startled.
14:04Mrs. Vail, is there something you're unhappy with?
14:06I looked at the veil on the floor and fought back my tears.
14:10No.
14:12I'm very satisfied.
14:13After that, I took off the gown and turned to walk out.
14:16Outside the fitting room, Ethan and Chloe were standing far apart.
14:20Why didn't you come out wearing it so we could see?
14:23If you see it now, what surprise will be left for the ceremony?
14:26Ethan let out a soft laugh.
14:28Chloe reached over and gently patted my head too, acting as if nothing had happened.
14:32But all I felt was sick to my stomach.
14:34My werewolf custom.
14:36Intended mates aren't supposed to see each other on the last night before the marking ceremony.
14:40Ethan had to stay at a hotel that night.
14:43Before he left, he held me tightly, his heart racing hard.
14:46Tomorrow, you'll really be mine and I'm happy.
14:49I only nodded coldly.
14:50Late that night, I went straight to the airport.
14:53Before takeoff, I opened the group chat for the three of us.
14:56I sent the photo of them kissing in the villa.
14:59At the same time, I posted the photo on social media with the caption,
15:02My sister and my boyfriend.
15:04After that, I turned my phone off.
15:06Twelve hours later, the plane landed.
15:08The scheduled time for the marking ceremony had long since passed.
15:11I turned my phone back on.
15:13The next second, missed calls, voice messages, and notifications came flooding in like mad.
15:20My phone kept vibrating, almost non-stop.
15:23I knew everyone had seen that photo by now.
15:25The first person to message me was Ethan.
15:28Mia, where are you?
15:29What the hell was that photo supposed to mean?
15:31Just answer the phone and let me explain, okay?
15:33He'd been calling too, non-stop, since a little after six in the morning.
15:38Chloe had sent even more messages and missed calls than Ethan.
15:41In the end, they all turned into the same words.
15:44Mia, come home first.
15:46I'm begging you, don't make this bigger than it already is.
15:49And the post I made on social media blew up exactly as expected.
15:53I didn't reply to any of it.
15:54I deleted the apps, the messages, and their contact info too.
15:58There was no room left in my world for people who said they cared about me while hurting me all
16:02along.
16:03When I finished, I happened to look up.
16:04In the distant night sky, the first aurora of the month lit up over Iceland.
16:09It was beautiful.
16:10I smiled and pulled my suitcase forward.
16:15Twelve hours earlier, Ethan left the apartment and went to the hotel where he was staying the night before the
16:20ceremony.
16:21The thought of completing the mate bond with Mia the next day made his heart race.
16:25Even he was surprised by it.
16:27He had always thought that his feelings for Mia had started only because she was Chloe's sister.
16:32But at that moment, he finally couldn't lie to himself anymore.
16:36He was both nervous and looking forward to tomorrow.
16:39Ethan made up his mind, opened his old messages and photos with Chloe, and deleted them all.
16:44From now on, he would build a real life with Mia.
16:47But in the end, he still called Chloe.
16:50He told himself it would be one last goodbye.
16:53I'm at the hotel.
16:55I'll pick me up first thing tomorrow morning.
16:57There was silence on the other end for two seconds.
17:00Then Chloe answered softly.
17:02Be good to each other, Ethan.
17:04Forget me.
17:05Even though I love you.
17:08Ethan's grip on his phone tightened all at once.
17:11I'll be good to her.
17:12Then he hung up.
17:13The words, I love you, sat on his chest like a stone.
17:18If this had been yesterday, Ethan really might have taken Chloe and left because of those words.
17:23I love you.
17:24But today, he had already realized that his feelings for Mia had changed a long time ago.
17:28Some realizations just come too late.
17:31Thinking of that, Ethan sent Mia a message.
17:33I love you.
17:34Then he lay down and closed his eyes.
17:36His alarm was set for six in the morning.
17:38At eight, the cars would head out to pick Mia up.
17:41But while he was drifting in and out of sleep, a new message popped up in the three-person group
17:46chat.
17:46It was from Mia.
17:47What the...
17:48He muttered, his tone still carrying that instinctive indulgence.
17:52Why are you still up in the middle of the night?
17:54But before he could finish, he had already opened the message.
17:57The next second, every sound around him disappeared.
18:00His eyes locked on the photo, and even his breathing seemed to stop.
18:04His fingers shaking, he opened the photo.
18:06His phone nearly slipped out of his hand.
18:09It was a photo of him and Chloe together.
18:11Only two words were left in Ethan's mind.
18:14He was screwed.
18:15He shut his eyes and took a hard breath, trying to force down the fear rising in his chest.
18:20It didn't help at all.
18:21He started calling and texting Mia like a madman.
18:24But there was no response at all.
18:26He couldn't wait another second.
18:28He grabbed his coat and ran out.
18:34Ethan rushed back to the apartment.
18:35But before he even got inside, he saw Chloe at the apartment door.
18:39Her face covered in tears.
18:41The moment she saw him, Chloe cried out,
18:43Mia knows everything.
18:46Ethan, what do we do now?
18:48She was practically crouching on the ground, trembling all over.
18:51Normally, Ethan would have pulled her into his arms and said,
18:54I'm here.
18:54But right now, he couldn't say a single word to comfort her.
18:57Because he was panicking too.
18:58Yeah, what were they supposed to do now?
19:00Ethan shoved the door open.
19:02The two of them rushed inside.
19:04Mia?
19:05But there was no one in the apartment.
19:07Chloe collapsed onto the couch in the living room, completely panicked.
19:10She knew this time it was really over.
19:12If other people knew, her career, her own mate bond,
19:15the image she had worked so hard to build, all of it would be ruined.
19:19Chloe's mind was a mess, and she couldn't even steady her breathing.
19:22Meanwhile, Ethan ran into the bedroom.
19:25He saw that everything that belonged to Mia was gone.
19:27Even the documents she kept in the drawer were gone.
19:30Only then did he finally understand.
19:32Mia had really left.
19:36Ethan slammed into the wall, his eyes terrifyingly red.
19:39But there was nothing he could do except grab his phone
19:42and dial the number he had long memorized over and over again.
19:46Only at that moment did Ethan suddenly realize
19:48that he could recite Mia's phone number perfectly from memory.
19:51But he had never truly remembered Chloe's.
19:54His breathing stopped for a second.
19:56So he had fallen in love with Mia a long time ago.
19:59Not out of responsibility.
20:01Not out of habit.
20:01And not because she was Chloe's sister.
20:04It was love.
20:05But why did he only understand it now?
20:07Mia, where did you go?
20:08But none of his calls or messages got any response.
20:11He gripped his phone so tightly,
20:13and the last bit of light in his eyes slowly faded.
20:16Mia used to reply to his messages so quickly.
20:18Maybe she just didn't want to reply anymore.
20:21Ethan locked himself in the bedroom, nearly losing control.
20:24Meanwhile, Chloe stood in the living room, making call after call.
20:27Even now, she still couldn't figure it out.
20:29What had gone wrong?
20:30How did Mia find out about her and Ethan?
20:32And how did she know about that villa?
20:37The guests were already arriving at the ceremony site,
20:40and the scheduled time was getting close.
20:42Only then did Ethan come out of the bedroom.
20:43He didn't even look at Chloe.
20:45He just went downstairs.
20:46Chloe followed after him without thinking.
20:48She wanted some comfort from him, but she didn't know how to ask for it.
20:51The whole way there, neither of them said much.
20:53In the end, Chloe spoke first.
20:55What do we do now?
20:56Ethan tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
20:58His voice strained.
20:59First, we cancel the ceremony.
21:01We say something came up, apologize, whatever it takes.
21:04Chloe nodded.
21:04She knew very well that if this got out, it would destroy everything she had now.
21:09But they had still thought it would be that simple.
21:11By the time they got there, most of the guests had already arrived.
21:14But everyone had already been told that the ceremony that had been planned was canceled.
21:18Ethan's father said,
21:19Cancelled?
21:20How could it be canceled?
21:22Wasn't today Ethan and Mia's marking ceremony?
21:24The receptionist stayed calm.
21:26It was supposed to be their ceremony.
21:28But a week ago, Miss Mia Vallée
21:32personally called to cancel all of today's arrangements.
21:36The crowd fell silent all at once.
21:38Then whispers started spreading through the crowd.
21:41And those words landed right in Ethan and Chloe's ears.
21:44Both of them froze at the same time.
21:46A week ago?
21:46Wasn't that the day Chloe got married?
21:48The two of them exchanged a look.
21:50Ethan understood almost immediately.
21:52That day in the dressing room,
21:54Mia had found out everything.
21:55His chest tightened, and even breathing started to feel hard.
21:58He had always thought he had hidden it well enough.
22:01But it turned out Mia had known for a long time.
22:03By then, the guests had already spotted them and started crowding around.
22:07Ethan's father looked furious.
22:08Ethan, what the hell is going on?
22:11And where is Mia?
22:12Ethan's mother turned to Chloe.
22:14Chloe, what happened?
22:15Weren't you the one closest to Mia?
22:17Chloe bit down hard on her lip,
22:18her face so pale she could barely stay on her feet.
22:21She couldn't get a single word out.
22:22Ethan lowered his head and bowed to him.
22:24I'm sorry.
22:26Something unexpected came up today.
22:28We'll cover all the costs.
22:29I'm sorry for the trouble this has caused everyone.
22:31The crowd exploded at once, so it was true.
22:34The ceremony really had been canceled.
22:37Just then, a younger guest in the crowd suddenly held up her phone and shouted,
22:41Look at the photo Mia posted!
22:42Everyone turned to look.
22:44On her screen was a photo that Ethan and Chloe were kissing.
22:47Ethan and Chloe both went pale.
22:49Everyone's eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
22:52Ethan's father was so furious, his voice shook.
22:55Ethan.
22:56Chloe.
22:57The next second, he rushed over and slapped Ethan hard across the face.
23:03Do you even know what you've done?
23:07You've brought shame on the entire pack!
23:10Chloe was shaking all over.
23:12Every gaze on her felt like a knife.
23:14She had never looked this pathetic in her life.
23:16And even in that moment, the first thought that flashed through her mind was,
23:20Why would Mia post that photo?
23:22But Ethan stayed calm.
23:24I'm sorry.
23:25But I'll find Mia.
23:28Because I finally understand that she's the one I love.
23:32Chloe's pupils shrank sharply.
23:34But before she could react, an angry roar came from the distance.
23:38It was Chloe's mate.
23:40The next second, another merciless slap landed across her face.
23:43You bitch!
23:44Chloe fell straight to the ground, tears spilling down her face.
23:48But not a single person stepped forward to help her.
23:50All around her were hushed, but still cutting whispers, disgust, and contempt.
23:55Chloe, who had lived off her perfect image, was completely finished.
24:00Ethan wandered the streets with no destination in mind.
24:03When he passed their old high school, he stopped.
24:06Back then, the one he had feelings for really was Chloe.
24:09But Mia was his fated mate, and she was the one who confessed to him.
24:13At the time, he had wanted to turn her down.
24:16But if he rejected her, he would have no reason to stay by Chloe's side anymore.
24:20So he said yes.
24:21But as they spent time together, Mia slowly took Chloe's place in his heart.
24:25Confusion and regret hit him all at once.
24:28Ethan had realized it far too late.
24:30The person he had truly fallen in love with was Mia.
24:33As for Chloe, she had only ever been an obsession.
24:37After returning to the apartment,
24:38Ethan sat on the couch for a long time, looking lost.
24:41Then he noticed a postcard of Iceland pinned to the wall.
24:47Ethan shot to his feet.
24:48That was the place Mia had always wanted to visit most.
24:52He bought a ticket almost immediately and rushed straight to the airport.
24:56Mia, wait for me.
24:58Please, at least let me explain everything.
25:00At the same time, Iceland was seeing two nights of auroras in a row for the first time in ten
25:05years.
25:06I stood outside the hotel, quietly looking up at the night sky.
25:09Ever since I blocked them both and deleted everything, I had felt lighter.
25:13The ones who didn't love me.
25:15The ones who pretended they did.
25:16I wanted none of them anymore.
25:21Besides the two of them, I also got messages from some other family members.
25:25Ethan's mother wrote,
25:26Mia, we failed to raise Ethan right.
25:28That's why he ended up doing something this shameless.
25:31You could still be our daughter from now on.
25:33If you need anything, you can always tell us.
25:35I'm sorry, child.
25:36I didn't reply.
25:37There was no point anymore.
25:38From now on, we wouldn't have any relationship at all.
25:40Some people also told me they had always thought Chloe was fake.
25:43And now it turned out they were right.
25:45They both got slapped.
25:46Especially Chloe.
25:47Chloe's mate slapped her in public and already broke their mate bond.
25:51Don't be sad.
25:52I replied with one line.
25:53Don't worry.
25:54I'm doing fine.
25:59Someone like Chloe, who trampled on everyone's sincerity,
26:01never deserved a happy ending.
26:03And she didn't deserve anyone's love either.
26:05As for Ethan, he had nothing to do with me anymore.
26:07Just as I was thinking that, a car suddenly sped toward me from a distance.
26:11The moment it stopped, I looked up instinctively.
26:14The next second, I was pulled into a tight hug that was warm and trembling at the same time.
26:21Ethan's hoarse voice suddenly sounded in my ear.
26:23Mia, I found you.
26:25I knew you'd come to Iceland.
26:27This is the place we always said we'd go together.
26:30His arms tightened around me.
26:32You still can't let me go, can you?
26:34I can explain everything.
26:35But the embrace I used to crave now only made me sick.
26:38Even if I could smell that thick, cloying sweetness on him, all I felt was that it was fake.
26:43How could someone who had loved Chloe for so many years suddenly love me more?
26:47All I felt was disgust.
26:49I struggled free and shoved him away hard.
26:51Don't touch me.
26:56Ethan, just because you found me here, do you really think that means you know me?
26:59The way you are right now just makes me sick.
27:02His pupils shrank sharply.
27:04But he didn't argue back.
27:05He only lowered his head like he was barely holding himself together.
27:08He quietly said...
27:09I'm sorry.
27:10Sorry.
27:10I admit it.
27:11In the beginning, I was with you because of Chloe.
27:14I also admit that over the years, I never completely cut things off with her.
27:18He looked up, his eyes badly red.
27:20But people change, Mia.
27:22Ethan looked at me with deep emotion.
27:25Over the years, I already fell in love with you.
27:26Now you're truly the only one in my heart.
27:29I swear.
27:30I froze for a second.
27:31Then all I felt was how ridiculous it was.
27:33Love?
27:34I let out a short laugh.
27:36Do you know how I found out about you and Chloe?
27:39You don't.
27:40But ever since I was little, I've been able to smell people's emotions.
27:43He was clearly stunned.
27:45But I didn't stop.
27:45Every time you were around Chloe, you smelled like affection.
27:48On the day she got married, you smelled especially bitter with sadness.
27:52I always knew.
27:53So I really don't know what you think.
27:55You're still pretending for in front of me.
28:00He lowered his eyes, his expression complicated and downcast.
28:03Back then, I couldn't have her, so I couldn't let go.
28:06But after you left, that obsession finally broke.
28:09I turned and walked away.
28:10I didn't want to hear another word, but Ethan still grabbed me.
28:14He wrapped his arms around me from behind, his whole body shaking, his voice shaking too.
28:19Don't go.
28:19Mia, I'm begging you.
28:20Don't leave me.
28:21You can hate me, curse me, hit me, whatever you want.
28:24I used to love it when he held me like this.
28:26But now, all it gave me was intense discomfort and disgust.
28:29I closed my eyes for a second, turned around, and slapped him hard across the face.
28:34He stood there, his whole body frozen.
28:35I looked at him.
28:36My voice was cold and hard.
28:38Don't touch me.
28:39Your touch and your words both make me sick.
28:44I went straight back to the hotel.
28:47I was shaking all over with anger.
28:49Around then, someone forwarded me a video of Chloe crying online and begging for forgiveness.
28:54But not a single person felt sorry for her.
28:56Everyone was calling her shameless.
28:58I looked at Chloe's tear-streaked face and felt absolutely nothing.
29:02She knew perfectly well that Ethan was my boyfriend, and she still kept getting involved with him.
29:07In the end, she even pretended to care about me and act in my best interest, pretending she had cut
29:13things off with him.
29:14But in the end, she was only afraid the truth would come out.
29:17I let out a cold laugh and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window.
29:21Ethan had never left.
29:23I watched him collapse into the blizzard right in front of my eyes.
29:26The hotel staff sent him to the hospital.
29:31I didn't do anything.
29:32The next day, a hotel staff member gave me the letter Ethan had left for me.
29:36It said,
29:37Mia, I'm sorry.
29:38Please, give me one more chance.
29:40I wrote back on a note.
29:41Then I packed my things and left for my next stop.
29:44And in the hospital, Ethan finally got that note, too.
29:47His hands were shaking when he opened it, but there was only one word on it.
29:51No.
29:51His whole body seemed to lose strength as he fell back onto the hospital bed.
29:57Tears fell onto the note, one drop after another.
30:00I'm sorry.
30:02I'm the one who lost you.
30:04I'm the one who lost you.
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