“Dear Aria, you are cordially invited to attend the acquisition ceremony of Black Rose Group by Thorn Group.”
The card was handwritten, and I recognized my stepfather’s handwriting.
“You’re going to acquire Black Rose Group?” I asked my stepfather, my eyes widened.
“How will they agree to this?”
“They have no other choice. If they don’t agree, they’ll go bankrupt,” my stepfather said with a confident smile.
I remember my stepfather telling Theo that he would make his family pay, but I never expected him to achieve this in just six months. Moreover, the price they were paying was quite huge.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy? Are you still feeling sorry for that jerk?”
“Of course not,” I shook my head, feeling slightly lost. “It’s just that even if I’ve gotten my revenge, my child will never come back.”
“You’ll meet someone who truly loves and cherishes you!” My mother gently patted my head with sympathy.
“By the way, the acquisition signing ceremony for Black Rose Group is next week. I’ll take you with me. This dress was custom–made for you by your mother. Go try it on and see if it fits well.”
“Yes, I should go back there once,” I said.
Six months ago, when I left the Black Rose pack, I was too weak, and my stepfather refused to let me immediately break the mate bond with Theo.
But now it was the time. I should go personally to bring closure to our story.
***
The signing ceremony took place at Black Rose Pack.
My stepfather accompanied me as we got off the helicopter.
As I set foot on this land once again, I didn’t feel nostalgic. I felt completely detached from this place.
Once, I loved my mate and dreamed about us…
But now I wanted nothing.
Sometimes I wondered was Elena the only obstacle between Theo and me?
I guessed no.
If not Elena, there would have been Catherine, Lily… in the future.
The best lesson my mother and stepfather taught me was that love should be unconditional, not something exchanged for “waiting” and “endless compromise.”
Just as my stepfather and I arrived downstairs at Theo’s company, Elena rushed over.
I thought she was coming to argue, but to my surprise, she grabbed my hand and started crying.
“Aria, please, I know I was wrong, and I apologize. You can punish me, but please, spare Theo. Black Rose Group is everything to him, you can’t destroy it!”
The bodyguards quickly pulled Elena away. She continued to plead in a humble tone,
”
