I stared at him in shock. “Dad, how can you say that about him?
Because I don’t want to see you hurt anymore. His grip on my hands tightened. In our world, powerful men like Caelan have many options. The thrill of the chase can feel like love, but when it’s over…
You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you? The words came out sharper than I intended. This is about what you did to Mom. And
Ditoria
Dad went very still “What?
Victoria told me everything I watched his face carefully. About your engagement to her before Mom came along. About how you were caught between two women and ended up hurting everyone-Mom, Victoria, me, and Daisy.”
His face went ashen. “Sable… how long have you known?
“Does it matter?” I studied his expression, seeing guilt and shame there. I’m not trying to judge you, Dad. I understand that life is complicated. But don’t project your choices onto Caelan. He’s not you.
Dad was quiet for a long moment, his head bowed.
Your mother once said something, he said finally, looking up at me. She believed that if two people were truly meant to be together, even if they got separated, they’d find their way back to each other eventually.”
He pulled me close again, holding me tight. “Time will help heal this pain, baby girl. You’re young, you’re strong. You’ll meet someone who will treasure you the way you deserve.”
He paused, and I sensed him preparing me for something.
There’s something else you need to know. Something that might be announced soon.”
My blood turned cold. “What announcement?”
“Tomorrow,” he said gently, “Caelan is planning to release an official statement dissolving your engagement.”
The next morning, I discharged myself from the hospital against medical advice, I couldn’t stand lying in that sterile room for another minute, surrounded by white walls and the smell of antiseptic. I needed to be home, in my own space, surrounded by memories of happier times.
By the time I reached my apartment, tears were streaming down my face again.
I fumbled with my keys, my hands shaking. The lock finally clicked open, and I stepped inside.
The silence was deafening.
I walked through the living room, then the bedroom, checking everywhere. My heart sank with each empty drawer, each vacant closet space. All of Caelan’s things were gone. His clothes, his books, the coffee mug he always used in the mornings-everything had been cleared out as if he d never been here at all.
I sank to my knees in the middle of the bedroom floor, staring at the empty space where his side of the dresser used to be cluttered with his belongings.
My phone buzzed. With trembling fingers, I opened the news app.
The headline was there, stark and official:
“OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Lycan King Caelan Announces Dissolution of Engagement”
I read the formal language, each word carving deeper into my heart. After careful consideration… mutual decision… no longer compatible… wish each other well in future endeavors…
The clinical phrasing made it somehow worse. As if our entire relationship could be reduced to a corporate press release.
I tried calling him. The phone rang once, twice, three times. Then it went to voicemail.
His recorded voice, warm and familiar, asking me to leave a message.
I hung up and immediately called again. Voicemail.
Again. Voicemail.
On the fourth try, my call was declined immediately.
I collapsed onto the bed, pulled a pillow to my chest, and cried until I fell into an exhausted sleep.
The ringing of my phone jolted me awake. The afternoon sun was slanting through the bedroom windows. I grabbed the device without looking at the caller ID.
“Hello?
“Sable? Thank God you answered. I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”
Scarlett’s voice was tight with concern.
“Sorry, I was sleeping.”
“Are you okay? I saw the announcement about the engagement. What the hell happened?”
I closed my eyes, not wanting to relive it all again. “We broke up. It’s over.”
“Wait, what? You broke up?” Scarlett’s voice was filled with shock. “But you two were so happy! What happened? Did something go wrong?
I rubbed my temples, not wanting to explain everything again. ‘I’ll explain later.”
“Sable, you don’t just end an engagement overnight without a reason. Did he…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. ‘Did that bastard cheat on you?”
The word made my stomach lurch. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because there’s something all over social media. That’s why I’ve been calling you nonstop.”
My heart started pounding. What scandal?
“You haven’t seen it? Scarlett’s voice was incredulous Sable, you need to check the trending topics right now. There are photos everywhere.
‘Photos of what?”
“Of Caelan. With another woman. That’s why he ended the engagement, isn’t it? Because he was cheating?”
:::
The word ‘cheating’ made my heart sink like a stone. “What are you talking about?”
“Check your phone. Look at the trending topics. I’ll wait.”
With shaking hands, I opened social media. The top trending topic made my blood freeze:
#LycanKingScandal – “Caelan Spotted with Elena Rosewood at Luxury Hotel
My heart started hammering against my ribs. I clicked on the hashtag with trembling fingers.
The photos loaded one by one. Caelan’s unmistakable profile as he walked into an upscale hotel. Beside him, a stunning brunette with her arm linked through his. Elena Rosewood, according to the caption. The daughter of the Rosewood pack’s Alpha.
In one photo, she was laughing at something he’d said, her hand resting on his arm. In another, he was holding the hotel door open for her, his expression relaxed and intimate.
“Elena Rosewood, I whispered into the phone.
“You know her?”
“Caelan never mentioned knowing her.” My voice sounded strange, disconnected.
My eyes kept returning to the photos.
“The hotel…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. The implications were too painful.
“Sable, I’m so sorry. What a bastard.”
My whole body started shaking. The phone slipped in my sweaty palm.
“I have to go.”
“Sable, wait-
I hung up and immediately dialed Caelan’s number.
This time, it rang. Once, twice, three times.
“Please pick up,” I whispered. “Please.”
On the fourth ring, someone answered.
“Caelan?” I said quickly. “The photos-theyre not real, are they? Tell me it’s not what it looks like.”
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