Caleb stared at her silently.

“I was mated to a selfish Alpha who only cares about power and control,” she continued.

“That was my mistake.”

His chest tightened painfully.

“Remember this, Caleb,” Aria said quietly, meeting his gaze without fear.

“One day you will regret everything you’ve done.”

“You’ll crave comfort. You’ll long for real love.”

Her voice dropped into a whisper.

“But when that day comes… you’ll be completely alone.”

She held his gaze steadily.

“You will suffer more from regret than from any punishment the pack could give you.”

“What you did to my brother will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

“And the worst part is…”

Her voice softened.

“You won’t even be able to forgive yourself.”

Her words struck him like blades.

Without another word, Aria turned and walked out.

---

Caleb remained standing there long after she left.

His gaze slowly dropped to the scattered gold on the floor.

He bent down and picked up the payment slip, crushing it tightly in his fist.

His eyes burned red as unshed tears gathered.

Every word she had spoken echoed painfully in his mind.

He tried to ignore them.

But something about her warning unsettled him deeply.

What if…

She was right?

He shook his head sharply.

No.