Elena Quinn’s words felt like poison in Clara’s ears.

She blew cigarette smoke towards Clara. “If you want to live a good life, stick with my son. Kiss his feet if needed, because that’s the place where you can live.”

Clara’s jaw tightened. The audacity of Elena Quinn never ceased to amaze her.

“… Even if he is a cheating bastard who ignores his family?” Clara asked, her voice trembling with rage.

She didn’t think Elena knew about Victor’s years-long adultery; Clara had kept it to herself.

Elena paused, taking a slow drag of her cigarette. She looked away, avoiding Clara’s piercing gaze.

“A powerful man like Victor needs to unwind sometimes, even from his responsibilities as an Alpha and your mate. One woman—especially an uninteresting one like you—won’t be enough for him. That is life. Men like him can’t be caged by ordinary expectations. You understand?”

Clara’s hands clenched into fists. “So, he sees other women, that’s his business? That’s regular behavior for men, especially a successful one like him? You think it’s okay?”

She couldn’t fathom how Elena could condone Victor’s years of adultery, the years he had cheated relentlessly while pretending to maintain a façade of family devotion. Clara had never breathed a word of his infidelity to anyone, not even to her closest friends, and certainly not to Elena. She had thought secrecy would spare her some dignity, but clearly, the Quinn matriarch had never cared for such trivial matters.

Elena turned her gaze to the family portrait hanging on the wall: her late husband, Roman Quinn, Victor, and her brother, their uncle, Gabriel, and herself.

“You know, even my husband cheated countless times in his life—maybe more than Victor. Loyalty didn’t matter as long as I got the luxury and money I needed. Isn’t that what matters for women? Money is survival.”

Clara gritted her teeth. “Even if he’s the type who ignores his family and betrays me and our daughter?”

Elena exhaled another slow stream of smoke, her lips curling into a faint smile.

“Ah, Clara… you think like a child. You believe love alone is enough to bind a man like Victor? My dear, you misunderstand the way the world works. Power, influence, money… These are what keep men like him anchored. A woman like you, lovely though you may be, cannot satisfy his ambition and desire. You cannot cage a storm in a teacup.”

“So what you’re saying is… he can do whatever he wants, and I’m just supposed to endure it?”

Elena chuckled softly, taking another long drag of her cigarette before exhaling deliberately.

“Yes, in a sense. But it’s not just about enduring. It’s about understanding, adapting, and surviving. Men like Victor, and even my late husband—they have appetites and ambitions that are… insatiable. Loyalty alone is meaningless unless you understand their nature. You must accept it and learn to live within it.”

“Hahahahaha,” Clara laughed so hard in a way that startled Elena.

“I will never accept it! I won’t endure such humiliation. Do you even hear yourself?”

Elena shrugged, indifferent.

“Whatever, Clara. You’re being immature. Victor gave you money and a luxury life, and now you whine about love. I won’t let my birthday be tarnished by this. Leave, now.”

Clara didn’t need a second invitation. She turned around, storming toward the door.

“You don’t need to tell me. I already know my way out of this hellish mansion.”

Clara ran down the empty corridor, wiping the tears that flowed down her cheeks. She felt helpless, powerless, and utterly alone.

The Quinn's were no different from Victor.

‘This family pack…. They’re all bastards!’ Clara cursed under her breath. ‘I need to find Amelia and leave. This will be the last time I’ll get entangled with these monsters.’

Thud!

“AH!” Clara stumbled forward, hitting something solid.

She looked up and froze. Standing before her was a man with perfect features, sculpted like a statue, his jet-black pupils locking onto hers with a depth that could drown anyone in fascination.

“Sister-in-law! Are you alright?” the man asked in a deep, husky voice. He reached down and lifted her to her feet.

Clara flinched as his warm hand brushed her back, fingers inadvertently sliding between the strings of her dress. The man smiled and withdrew, as if testing that she could regain her balance on her heels.

“Be careful. You’re wearing high heels.”

Recognition struck Clara. She had seen him on television and media outlets, a man known for his charm and success.

He was Gabriel Kane, Victor’s uncle.

“Gabriel? Gabriel Kane?” she stammered.

“Yes, it’s me,” he nodded, smiling. “You still remember my full name. It’s been a while, Sister-in-law.”

Indeed, it had been a long while. Gabriel had left for abroad soon after Clara's mating ceremony with Victor and had not returned until recently, quietly starting a business in the state.

“Why are you here?” Clara asked cautiously.

“It’s my cousin's birthday. I wanted to say hello and leave. Business matters,” Gabriel said lightly, his gaze lingering on her. “But… I saw you crying after leaving Elena’s room. Did something happen?”

Clara wiped her eyes quickly.

“It’s… nothing. Just a little argument. You should go see her—your cousin is probably waiting for you. I have… things to do.”

She tried to sidestep him, but Gabriel caught her wrist. “Sister-in-law, wait!”

“Yes?” Clara asked, turning.

Gabriel handed her a sleek business card. “We’ve never properly spoken since my return. I’d like to catch up. You can call me anytime if you need help, even a job.”

Clara frowned. ‘A job? Why would he offer that? Did Victor tell him about the divorce, or is he just offering help because he could see the humiliation written all over my face?’

“Call my office if you need anything. I’ll see my sister now,” he added. With a confident, almost arrogant stride, Gabriel released her wrist and disappeared down the corridor, entering Elena’s room and closing the door behind him.

Clara stared at the card in her hand, confused but intrigued.

Gabriel Kane.

President & CEO of Lumen Corporation