21
When Simon returned home,
the house was silent, empty.
A chill hung in the air, mixed with Emily’s faint perfume.
But there was no trace of her familiar scent.
Simon realized that without Emily, the house was just empty.
From the bedroom to the study to the bathroom.
Everything was decorated by Emily.
She had asked him to choose the furniture together, but he had daimed he didn’t have time.
When he returned home, the room was already furnished.
Emily knew every corner of the room intimately.
But now, everything was there, except for the person who had arranged it.
He had already searched once, but Simon felt she might have left something behind.
His hands trembled uncontrollably, and he started searching frantically.
In the closet, behind the desk, even in the doorjamb, he searched everywhere.
The entire house was in disarray, yet there was no sign of her.
Finally, he placed his hope on the messy bed, but still nothing.
He felt as if thousands of needles were piercing his heart simultaneously, causing him excruciating pain.
He was acutely, desolately aware of her determination to leave.
Simon had imagined Emily’s sadness upon hearing about the bonding severance-she might cry, scream, or even commit suicide.
None of that happened.
From beginning to end, she had only done one thing.
Severed the mate bond and left his Pack.
Simon didn’t sleep well that night.
The next day, at the office, he saw his assistant waiting at the door.”Mr. Smith, the 3 PM meeting…
“Cancel it.”
He interrupted, rubbing his temples. He caught sight of the secretary’s hesitant expression.”Speak up.”
“I just think… Mr. Smith seems very concerned about Mrs. Smith’s whereabouts recently, but before…”
The assistant didn’t continue.
Simon looked out the large floor-to-ceiling window, his brows slightly furrowed.
“Did I really treat her badly before?”
‘Don’t worry, just tell the truth.”
The assistant took a deep breath.”You rarely paid attention to Mrs. Smith’s feelings, and you never let us mention her.”
“But she always remembered that you had a bad stomach and prepared stomach-soothing tea in advance. Even things you casually mentioned, she kept in mind.”
Memories surged.
One late night while working overtime, he had angrily pushed away the hot milk Emily offered, spilling it on her hand.
She had quickly wiped it off and immediately brought another cup.
On their third bonding anniversary, he had spent Clara’s birthday until dawn and only discovered upon returning home that she was still
207
681
< 21
Menu
waiting. A custom-made cake was on the table.
Simon abruptly stood up, the chair scraping against the carpet with a harsh sound.
He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the flowing traffic below, his throat tightening.
She had always been so patient with him.
While he seemed to only see Clara.
His phone rang. The private investigator sent a message.
The last clue indicated that Emily took flight HM1234 to Moonland Pack, but her specific location was unknown.
Simon’s hand holding the phone trembled slightly. He finally understood the dull ache in his chest when he saw the bonding severance notification in the garage.
It was the panic of realizing something’s value only after losing it.
“Mr. Smith?”
The secretary’s voice came from behind.
“Notify everyone, suspend all projects, I’m going to Moonland Pack.”
When Simon turned around, the look behind his glasses startled the secretary.
He grabbed his suit jacket and strode towards the elevator.”Book the earliest flight to Moonland Pack, immediately.”
The elevator doors slowly closed at the end of the corridor.
Simon stared at his haggard reflection in the mirror.
He had once thought Emily’s love would keep her waiting forever. Now he understood that even the most fervent love could be consumed by his indifference.
As the elevator number reached the basement level, he remembered Emily’s last unread message, a pang of pain in his heart. This time, he would go find her.
