Ashley’s POV

After leaving the Alpha Manor, I headed straight to my apartment—the one I’d bought before marrying Brian. Brian knew about the place but had never set foot in it.

There were no gardens here, no crystal chandeliers, and no swarms of servants. Just two simple rooms, a living area, and a kitchen, featuring a window that overlooked the city’s neon lights. But it was mine. I no longer had to worry about what Brian wanted for dinner.

I threw myself into the soft sofa, finally able to breathe freely.

After a quick tidy-up, I began preparing dinner for myself. As the pan heated over the flame, I placed a steak inside. Subconsciously, I began timing it, preparing to sear it to medium-well—Brian’s favorite. But the moment I realized what I was doing, I froze.

This time, I was going to have it my way: medium-rare, the way I actually liked it.

Just as I was about to enjoy the dinner I cooked for myself, there was a knock at the door.

“Ashley! Open up! It’s me!”

Vicki burst in, the sharp smell of disinfectant following her. She hadn’t even taken off her white coat.

“Vicki?” I stared at her, surprised. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be on shift?”

“That lying bitch!” She threw her Prada bag onto the coffee table with a loud thud. “And Brian—that brainless idiot thinking with his dick!”

She flopped onto the couch, still catching her breath. Seeing my puzzled expression, she quickly explained, “I was worried about you. All afternoon, I kept thinking—how are you holding up all alone? So I jumped in my car as soon as I got off. I was scared you’d… you’d do something stupid… or just suffer quietly by yourself.”

Her words made my eyes sting. In this entire world, aside from the child inside me, maybe Vicki was the only person who truly cared about me.

“You idiot,” I said softly, “skipping work just for me? What if someone notices?”

“I don’t care about that!” Vicki gripped my hand tightly, her voice full of determination. “Ashley, you’re my best friend. I can’t just sit back and do nothing while you’re hurting. Those jerks stomped all over your life! God, I swear, I wouldn’t hesitate to take a scalpel to Silvia’s two-faced, fake smile!”

Her concern brought a rush of warmth to my heart. “I’m fine.” I pointed toward the kitchen. “I just made dinner. Want to join? I can cook another steak for you.”

Vicki studied me closely, as if trying to see if I was really okay. “You… seem calmer than I expected.”

I shook my head and replied honestly, “I made the logical choice, but you know how it is… emotionally, it’s still hard. But time heals everything.”

“You deserve so much better, Ashley. A thousand times better than that jerk.”

We sat down together at the small dining table, and I cooked her another medium-rare steak. She complimented the simple meal, but I could tell her mind was more on me than the food.

“I know. Once the divorce with Brian is finalized, I’m leaving.” I tried my best to stay composed and keep my emotions in check.

Vicki’s face was full of worry. “But what’s your plan after that? You’re alone, and… you’ve got the baby too. I mean, you can’t go back to your uncle’s pack right now.”

“I’m not alone, Vicki,” I interrupted her, looking her straight in the eye. “And I’m not starting from nothing.”

Her confused expression told me it was time to come clean. “Do you remember the Rose Gallery?”

Vicki’s eyes widened instantly. “Of course! That’s the most prestigious art space in the wolf community! They hold the ‘Moonlight Salon’ every six months, and even Alphas from the farthest territories compete for an invitation. Wait… what does that have to do with you?”

“That gallery belongs to me.”

Vicki’s mouth dropped open in shock, almost as if she could fit an egg in there. “What? But… Brian never allowed you to—”

“Yeah, he hated it when I put myself out there,” I cut her off with a sharp laugh. “He wanted his Luna to be this obedient, flower-arranging, smiling little trophy. So, I used a fake name. All these years, I’ve been secretly using the gallery’s profits to cover up for the pack’s financial mess—a result of his ridiculous decisions. But now? I don’t have to sacrifice for his outdated, macho nonsense anymore.”

I stood up and walked over to the window, looking down at the busy city streets below. “Moonlight Salon, protected under the ancient Truce Accord, is the only place where wolf pack elites can safely exchange information, negotiate in secret, and even forge alliances. And I’m the one running the whole show. Leaving Brian? The only thing I lost was that meaningless title of being his Luna.”

Vicki rushed over and threw her arms around me from behind, practically bouncing with excitement. “Oh my god, Ashley! You absolute genius! I knew it! I knew you weren’t some helpless little damsel. This is… incredible!”

“Vicki.” I placed a hand on my belly, my voice steady and full of resolve. “I’m going to make so much money, enough to make sure my pup grows up in a safe, comfortable, and abundant environment. He’ll have nothing but the best. I swear it.”

“You will.” Vicki rested her chin on my shoulder, her voice soft but full of conviction. “You’re going to be an amazing mom.”

Just then, her phone rang—it was an emergency call from the hospital. She had to leave right away.

“Don’t forget your checkups!” She gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “You’re eating for two now, so take care of yourself! And hey, if anything comes up, call me anytime, no matter how late it is!”

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