Chapter 10: Regret Came Too Late

Hailey was dragged away by the guards despite her desperate cries.

"August! Save me! Please! You promised you'd always protect me!"

August stood motionless, his mind completely blank.

He no longer had the authority to save anyone.

The Alpha looked at him with disappointment.

"For years, I believed you were capable of leading the next generation of the Aurelis Pack. Instead, you abused your position to bully innocent people."

"From today onward, all your privileges are revoked."

August lowered his head, unable to utter a single word.

He finally realized that everything he had worked so hard to achieve had disappeared within minutes.

Ryder gently took my injured hand and examined the wound.

His brows furrowed with concern.

"Does it hurt?"

I smiled softly and shook my head.

"Not anymore."

Darren puffed out his little chest and glared at August.

"Daddy always says anyone who bullies Mommy is a bad person."

The innocent remark made several guests lower their heads in embarrassment.

August slowly walked toward me.

His eyes were bloodshot, and the arrogance that once filled them had completely vanished.

"Sophia... I'm sorry."

"I finally understand everything now."

"Three years ago... you never betrayed me."

"You were the one I betrayed."

He laughed bitterly at himself.

"I kept thinking you'd wait for me forever."

"I thought no matter how badly I treated you, you'd always come back."

"I was wrong."

I looked at him quietly before answering.

"You're right about one thing."

"The Sophia who loved you disappeared three years ago outside the Pack Affairs Department."

"The moment you chose someone else, you also chose to lose me forever."

August's eyes gradually filled with tears.

He wanted to say something else, but no words came out.

Some regrets could never be repaired.

Ryder wrapped an arm around my shoulders before looking calmly at August.

"Remember this feeling well."

"Because this is what happens when someone mistakes sincere love for something that will always be there."

Without another glance, Ryder held my hand while Darren happily skipped beside us.

Together, our family walked toward the exit under everyone's respectful gaze.

Behind us, August remained standing alone in the brightly lit banquet hall.

He had once been given the chance to spend his life with the woman he loved.

He threw it away with his own hands.

Now, all he could do was watch as she walked toward a future that no longer had a place for him.

Some people only realize what they have lost after it is gone forever.

Unfortunately for August Cadwell, his realization had come far too late.

**THE END**