Maria.

Aidan was serious, there was no doubt about it.

The way he knelt before me, the desperation in his voice, the way his usual pride had completely vanished, it was all real. He wasn’t pretending. He wasn’t playing some twisted game.

He truly wanted me to stay but no matter how real it felt...no matter how much I wanted to reason it...There was no way I was staying.

My mind was already made up.

The quadruplets were far too unpredictable. One moment, they acted like they had changed, like they finally understood, like they were ready to do better, and the next, they snapped right back into the same cold, controlling, suffocating versions of themselves.

It was exhausting, and even more confusing.

And I refused to let myself be deceived again, not after everything—The torture, the lack of trust, accusations, pains, humiliations, just name it...

So when Aidan asked for a second chance...My answer had already been decided, long before he even thought of asking.

There would be no second chance, not now, not ever, not in any lifetime to come.

Still, he kept insisting, his voice laced with desperation, as if saying the words enough times would somehow change my mind.

It wouldn’t and just as I was about to shut him down again...The door burst open.

The sudden sound cut through the tension in the room, drawing both our attention instantly.

Three figures stood by the doorway.

Adrien.

Damien.

Davian.

Their eyes were fixed on Aidan, on their eldest brother, whose knees were still on the ground, before the very woman they mostly saw as a rogue.

How hilarious right?

I made sure to take in every bit of their reactions, and I saw it happen.

The shift.

The way embarrassment washed over Aidan so quickly, so visibly, like he had just been stripped of everything that made him who he was.

The great Alpha, reduced to this—a man on his knees begging a woman to stay.

And I couldn’t help it.

A small sense of satisfaction rose within me, subtle but undeniable, as I lifted my chin slightly.

For once, he knew how it felt but that moment didn’t last long because what happened next...I hadn’t expected it, not at all.

And I really meant it when I say I really didn’t.

Because, without hesitation...without a single word exchanged between them...All three of them stepped forward.

And then, simultaneously, just like their eldest brother, they dropped down on their knees, right beside Aidan.

The sight alone was enough to make my breath hitch.

Four Alphas.

Kneeling.

For me.

"Maria... Please don’t leave us!" Their voices echoed together, perfectly in sync, filled with a desperation that mirrored Aidan’s.

For a moment...I was completely caught off guard.

Frozen.

Because this...this wasn’t something I had prepared for, not even close and deep down within me, I felt it.

Vernia.

She stirred, her excitement rising, reacting to them, to the bond, to their plea, to the undeniable connection that tied us together.

It pulled at me hard and undeniable but I clenched my fists slightly, forcing myself to stay grounded.

Forcing her down.

Suppressing her.

Because no matter what she felt...no matter what they were to me...i didn’t care...I just wanted to leave.

Adrien shifted forward on his knees, closing the small distance between us before I could react. His hands reached out and wrapped around mine, holding them firmly, almost desperately.

I looked down at him.

Really looked this time.

And what I saw in his eyes made me pause for just a second.

His emotions were raw and unfiltered, and somehow, I wasn’t used to seeing him like this and he nearly pulled a string in my heart.

"Maria..." he began, his voice softer than I had ever heard it. "I don’t care if you don’t want my brothers anymore... but at least for me..."

He trailed off, and that was when I noticed it—the redness in his eyes, he was holding back tears.

Adrien.

Trying not to cry and again, for me.

And for some reason, instead of softening me... I found it almost amusing.

"...considering the fact that I’m a changed person..." he continued, his grip tightening slightly around my hands. "Please... stay."

The word lingered but it didn’t move me, not anymore, not after everything.

Without hesitation, I yanked my hands away from his, shoving him back slightly. My face hardened instantly, every trace of softness gone as memories flooded my mind.

Every painful moment.

Every humiliation.

Every time they had made my life unbearable.

All of it came rushing back, building a wall stronger than anything they could break.

"I will urge you all to leave this room immediately," I said coldly, my voice firm, leaving no room for argument. "I need to pack my things." I paused deliberately, letting the silence stretch before delivering the next blow. "My fiancé is waiting for me."

And just like that, their expressions changed and the shift was too immediate and clearly visible.

And honestly...

Priceless.

I held their gazes, one after the other, taking in every flicker of shock, disbelief, and anger that crossed their faces.

Then I continued, my tone even sharper now.

"And I hope you can oblige," I added calmly. "It won’t be a pleasant encounter when your Luna-to-be also steps into my room." I inhaled slowly, steadying myself before finishing. "I would love to save my head... and still look beautiful for my wedding."

I made sure to emphasize the word.

Wedding.

Even though it wasn’t real, even though there was no such thing planned, they didn’t need to know that because I just needed it to sound convincing enough.

And it worked.

"Wedding?!" all four of them echoed at once, their voices filled with shock.

For a brief moment, silence fell again, heavy and tense this time. And then...the door opened, the sound cutting through everything.

"Yes... our wedding." The voice came from the door, firm with all certainty.

And instantly... I froze.