Chapter 5: The Truth Finally Came Out

Alexander stood frozen outside the small wooden clinic long after Scarlett walked away.

The woman he had expected to welcome him home hadn't even looked back.

For the first time in his life, he understood what true regret felt like.

Not the regret of losing an argument.

Not the regret of making a poor decision.

But the regret of losing the one person who had loved him without asking for anything in return.

That night, he rented a small cabin near Moon Lake Sanctuary.

He refused to leave.

Every morning, he watched Scarlett from a distance.

She smiled while treating patients.

She laughed with the other healers.

Children followed her around the gardens because they adored her gentle nature.

She looked... free.

Alexander realized something that hurt more than rejection.

Scarlett wasn't pretending to be happy.

She truly was.

Meanwhile, back at Silver Moon Pack, life continued falling apart.

James received another notice from the bank.

Their household expenses had gone unpaid for two months.

"How is that possible?" Sarah asked nervously.

James looked embarrassed.

"Scarlett handled every payment."

"I don't even know which accounts she used."

Emma quietly stared at the kitchen table.

"There isn't even breakfast anymore..."

"Scarlett always woke up early to cook before work."

Silence filled the house.

Only now did they realize how invisible Scarlett's love had been.

They had accepted everything she did as though it were simply her duty.

A week later, another painful truth surfaced.

Alexander's financial advisor arrived unexpectedly.

"Alpha Alexander, there's something you need to see."

He placed several documents on the table.

"Your household has been operating almost entirely on Dr. Scarlett's income."

"Including the villa."

"The vehicles."

"Emma's education."

"Your parents' retirement expenses."

"Even your warrior equipment was purchased using her earnings."

Alexander stared at the paperwork.

"That's impossible."

"I contribute every month."

"Three thousand dollars," the advisor answered carefully.

"Monthly household expenses exceed thirty thousand."

"Dr. Scarlett quietly paid the difference every single month."

James slowly sat down.

His hands trembled.

"She... never told us."

"She never wanted anyone to feel guilty," the advisor replied.

"She specifically instructed us to keep her financial records private."

Sarah covered her mouth.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"All these years..."

"She was taking care of all of us."

"And we treated her like she was the outsider."

Emma began crying openly.

"I told her Victoria was more important..."

"How could I say something so cruel?"

No one had an answer.

At the same time, another investigation quietly reached Alexander.

One of his warriors entered his office carrying several photographs.

"Alpha... we discovered something about Victoria."

"What is it?"

"She never requested to join the vacation."

Alexander frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"According to witnesses, she simply mentioned online that she'd always wanted to visit the Northern Territories."

"After that..."

"Your mother personally invited her."

"Your sister encouraged her to come."

"And your father promised she'd receive the safest convoy seat."

"She never asked Scarlett to give up her place."

Alexander's expression darkened.

"Bring Victoria here."

An hour later, Victoria entered the room confidently.

"Alexander, you wanted to see me?"

He placed the investigation file in front of her.

"Tell me the truth."

"Did you ask Scarlett to give up her convoy reservation?"

Victoria's smile faded.

"I... I assumed she'd understand."

"Answer the question."

"No..." she admitted softly.

"Your mother said she'd convince Scarlett."

"I never expected things to become this serious."

"You never stopped them either," Alexander replied coldly.

"You watched while they forced my mate onto a death route."

"I thought..."

"You thought I'd always choose you over Scarlett?"

Victoria lowered her head.

Her silence answered everything.

Alexander closed his eyes.

Every painful memory suddenly became clear.

Scarlett had never lost because Victoria was stronger.

She had lost because the people she loved had never chosen her.

That evening, James, Sarah, and Emma arrived at Moon Lake Sanctuary together.

They stood outside Scarlett's clinic, uncertain whether they even deserved to knock.

Emma wiped away her tears.

"Do you think... she'll forgive us?"

Sarah shook her head slowly.

"After everything we've done..."

"I don't think we have the right to ask."

Inside the clinic, Scarlett looked through the window.

She saw every one of them standing outside.

The family she had once sacrificed everything for.

Her expression remained calm.

She quietly placed her patient files on the desk.

Then she walked toward the door.

Not because she wanted to go back...

But because some goodbyes deserved to be spoken face to face.