The Breaking Point of Mate: Giving Up on My Alpha novel Chapter 16

pter 16

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Chapter 16

Third Person’s POV

Moira looked a little helpless. She felt Melanie was not assertive enough and too submissive to Archer, missing many opportunities.

She thought since they were mated, if Melanie just took the initiative, Archer wouldn’t be able to resist the mating bond’s pull and would quickly fall for her.

But after so many years, their relationship hadn’t progressed.

Since Melanie had said so, she didn’t push it.

Once dinner officially started, everyone chatted and ate. The atmosphere was pleasant.

Melanie rarely spoke, eating quietly with her head down.

It had been over ten minutes since Archer walked in. The two of them hadn’t said a single word to each other, with zero interaction throughout.

This was normal for their mating, and everyone was long used to it, finding nothing unusual.

In the past, Melanie was the one to take care of Trista’s food needs. Now, Trista was used to asking Archer for help.

But when she wanted shrimp, she looked at Melanie.

Because in the past, whenever they ate shrimp, Melanie always automatically peeled the shells for both her and Archer.

“Mom, I want shrimp.”

Even though Melanie planned to divorce and wasn’t fighting for custody, Trista was still her daughter. She had an obligation and responsibility to be good to her daughter.

So, when Trista asked, Melanie immediately replied, “Okay.”

She started peeling shrimp. Moira looked at her hands and suddenly paused. “Melanie, where is your ring?”

At that question, everyone–including Archer–looked at Melanie’s hand.

Despite the icy coldness of her mating to Archer, Melanie had always worn the wedding ring Moira had given them after they mated.

Archer, in contrast, had never worn his.

That wedding ring was long gone, God knows where he’d thrown it.

Over the years, Melanie had worn her ring everywhere, unwilling to take it off.

Skye had often used this fact to mock her.

No one had noticed she wasn’t wearing it today–after all, no one was deliberately staring at her hand.

So, if Moira hadn’t brought it up, no one else would have noticed.

Melanie’s shrimp–peeling paused imperceptibly. Then she said calmly, “I was rushing this morning and left it at home.”

In truth, she had taken off the ring when she was preparing the divorce papers, placing it in the same envelope. 2)

But she and Archer hadn’t officially divorced yet. If she brought up the divorce now, Moira would definitely object.

So, Melanie hadn’t told Moira the truth.

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Chapter 16

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Moira heard her and smiled. “I see.”

After that, everyone resumed eating as usual.

After dinner, everyone moved to the living room to eat fruit and dessert and chat.

Moira was still trying to bring Melanie and Archer together and had them sit next to each other again.

Archer still didn’t spare Melanie a glance. Melanie initially didn’t want to sit there, but she couldn’t keep refusing Moira, so she reluctantly sat next to Archer.

This was the first time they had sat so close in months. Melanie could clearly smell Archer’s familiar patchouli pheromones- his unique scent.

In the past, this proximity would send warm ripples through their mating bond.

But now, that scent only stirred a negligible itch at the bond’s frayed edge. Even Frost merely rubbed lazily against the edge of her consciousness, lacking any of its former agitation.

This bond, which should have been tightly intertwined, had been torn too thin by repeated distance and favoritism. Even the most primal attraction between mates had faded.

Her heart was still. She quietly ate the fruit pudding in front of her, with no intention of starting a conversation with Archer.

Moira, however, was delighted. She looked at them and smiled. “What a couple.”

One was handsome and imposing, the other quiet, gentle, and exceptionally beautiful. They certainly looked good together.

But they were only a visual match. In terms of other criteria, Melanie fell far short.

Still, seeing Moira so happy, Skye and Rebecca, though disagreeing, didn’t make Moira upset in front of her.

That night, following Moira’s wishes, they stayed overnight.

Around eight o’clock, Archer and Moira went to the study to discuss business. Trista took Melanie’s hand and said she wanted to bathe and go to bed.

Melanie went upstairs to bathe her.

Trista sat in the small tub, looking at Melanie. She tentatively asked, “Mom, are you… busy tomorrow morning?”

She could let her mom take her to school, but she really preferred Camille to go with her.

So, she was secretly hoping her mom would be busy tomorrow morning.

Melanie shook her head. “No, I’m not. Why?”

Trista pouted in disappointment. “Nothing.”

Since she didn’t say anything, Melanie didn’t press her.

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