Leland didn't show any compassion or concern on his face, even though everyone around them was looking at him and Sophie with shock, and his mate was falling apart right before his eyes. He kept his composure.
He had seen his babies' condition and knew they were dying. If he didn't do what Eloise demanded of him, he would have to bury more children. He couldn't do it.
He would just die than lose little Jack and Anne. After what happened to their unborn babies, he and Sophie had waited for many years until they could conceive and get the little ones. It would not only break him but also break Sophie to lose their babies now.
What Leland needed was time. As long as he could make sure Jack and Anne were safe, for now, he could always find ways to free them and kill Eloise in the future. Even though he was filled with rage and hatred for Eloise, his logic won. He must prioritize life over revenge.
If he was stubborn, Eloise might go crazy and just kill Anne and Jack mercilessly. She didn't even bat an eye when she killed her own mother. Of course, she would have no problem killing Leland's children to achieve her target.
She was just like Isolde. If she was unhappy, then nobody deserved to be happy. She would make sure of it.
"I, Leland Salazar, announce that you, Sophia Hansley, are no longer my mate. The bond between us is ended because I don't want to be with you anymore. From now on, you and I will go our separate ways."
His words were uttered calmly, without a hint of emotion. His eyes that stared at her looked empty and devoid of emotion.
Leland gave her an affirmation like he was giving an affirmation to Lucas.
"Lies..." Sophie's voice broke.
She clenched her fists to the sides and looked at Leland firmly. Leland was silent after he announced their separation. His heart ached for hurting Sophie by saying that, but he really had no choice.
Sophie continued speaking through her gritted teeth, "I don't believe you."
"Are you kidding me, Leland? This isn't funny…." Sophie's eyes were filled with tears. She stepped forward to touch Leland but the man dodged her coldly. This truly broke Sophie's heart.
"You know I don't like to joke," Leland said dryly.
"I can't believe it. I am sure you're lying. Tell me what actually happened?" Sophie refused to believe it. "Are you forced to do this? Did Eloise make you??? What did she do to make you do this??? Answer me!!"
"Whatever you say." Leland's expression did not change.
Sophie was silent, looking closely at Leland's eyes. She had several guesses on the reason why Leland acted as strangely as he did now.
One, something might happen in Armeria and Eloise blackmailed her husband to ditch her and their family. Leland was doing this to protect them.
Or...
Two, he was under a spell.
Eloise was a witch, wasn't she? Did she put a spell on him and change him?
No... Sophie did wonder about this in the past and on the rare occasion that she and Leland talked about Eloise, he confirmed that he was too strong for Eloise's magic. Since he knew her since they were teenagers, Leland knew what she was capable of.
That made total sense, because, if Eloise truly had the power to put a spell on Leland and control him, she would have done it years ago. Why would she wait for seven years to do it?
It didn't make sense.
So, Leland was not enchanted by magic. The man she saw before her was the real person.
So, what changed him?
Was it... the third reason?
Being with Eloise for one whole month, spending so much time together, and being taken care of by her gave Leland an opportunity to get closer to Eloise and perhaps... rekindled their good relationship in the past and now that they were both much older.... romantic feelings suddenly emerged?
Did Leland fall in love with Eloise... and thus he wanted to leave behind everything that he used to value: his pack, his mate, and his children... for Eloise?
Sophie refused to believe this.
"What's the reason for all this...? Leland... Did I do something wrong to you?"
Sophie tried to hold back her tears from streaming down harder. She wanted to be strong in front of the man who had been her true love and her rock for all these years. The man who had shared a life, a childhood together, and children with her.
This was a man who loved her parents like his own. The man who loved her sons like his own. The man who had loved her unconditionally no matter what other people thought about her. They had buried two children together and shared two new ones.
She couldn't imagine a life without him.
Why did it have to happen right at this moment...? When everything in her life was starting to get good... with the older children having a relationship with Nicholas and his side of the family, the younger ones growing well and healthy, and there was peace between humans and lycans in Riga....?
Why must her happiness end so abruptly?
What sin did she do in her past life that she was punished this severely? Which god did she offend to have her life falling apart like this, so suddenly and so bitterly?
Leland didn't answer and wanted to leave immediately but Sophie quickly grabbed his hand and led him into a room. Leland couldn't control his body, it just followed her.
Once inside, Sophie closed the door and locked it from the inside. She looked at Leland pleadingly.
"Now tell me what really happened there? We were fine when you left and you suddenly cut ties when you got home." She grabbed both of Leland's hands and shook him. "Tell me the real reason you are behaving this way. Leland, I beg you to tell me, the REAL reason."
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From Missrealitybites:
I have to admit that THIS PART is what made me stop writing this book for several months. I had burnout, yes, it made me unable to write a lot, but I could still write a little bit every day.
However, I couldn't write the parts where it got so sad and heartbreaking. That's why I paused writing The King's Wife Is The Alpha's Mate" and "The Cursed Prince". I instead write "The Mafia's Secret Wife" because it is easier and more fun with what little energy I have left.
It was so hard to put these scenes into writing because it broke my heart when I think about what will happen to Sophie, Leland, and their children.
So, I understand if you feel bothered and pained when you are reading it.
I promise that THIS STORY HAS A HAPPY ENDING, like ALL MY OTHER STORIES.
Your palpitations and tears would not go to waste. There is a silver lining and a happy ending at the end of the tunnel. If you want to pause the reading until you think the darkness is over, feel free to do so. I totally understand.
Btw, as consolation, I uploaded in the comment, a semi-NSFW picture of Leland and Sophie together (it's low res because this app doesn't allow HD images uploaded). I will publish more pictures of them and my other books on my P a t r e o n starting this Sunday, every week.
You can get those pictures in high resolution by supporting me directly by becoming my patron on P a t r e o n.
And.... if you want the spoiler of this book, to convince yourself that it does have a happy ending, you can scroll down and read it. If you don't want to know, just skip it and read as the story progresses.
- much love, MRB
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STOP SCROLLING AND DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILER
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ARE YOU SURE?
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VERY WELL... BELOW IS THE SPOILER.
Please calm down your palpitating hearts. XD
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SPOILER:
Leland will return when Sophie was already the queen of Riga. Yes, he would leave her, and yes Sophie will get back together with Nic.
During Leland's long absence, Nic who was always there for Sophie and the children finally popped the question and asked Sophie to become his wife again. After very, very long consideration, she said yes.
Leland returned after he solved all the problems, but he knew he had no right to claim his mate again. He just wanted her to be happy even without him. However, when he returned and the secrets were unveiled, Sophie and Nicholas realized how much Leland had sacrificed for them and especially the children.
In the end, both men asked Sophie to choose which man she would want to be with, without any pressure from society and their statuses.
She decided to live with Leland for 6 months of the year in their quiet place in the countryside, and in the capital of Riga with Nicholas for the other six months.
Both men learned to share because they loved her and were just so happy she decided to choose them both.
HAPPY ENDING FOR EVERYONE.
The most uptodat𝓮 n𝒐vels are published on (f)reew𝒆(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦