On the night of the birthday party, the venue glittered with elegant guests and brilliant lights.

I stood at the entrance in a light blue gown weing guests, watching as Ferris entered slowly with Ashley on his arm.

Ashley wore a pink tulle dress, following Ferris like a delicate bird.

In that moment, I understoodpletely.

It seemed he had sessfullyforted her.

Throughout the evening, Ferris’s gaze remained fixed on Ashley.

When her wine ss emptied, he immediately had it reced with juice.

When wind disheveled her dress, he personally bent down to straighten it.

When she tasted a delicious dessert, she would feed Ferris a bite, and even though it was a vor he disliked, he would smile

and eat it.

Yet from beginning ito /iend, he never looked at me once.

I stood quietly in the corner greeting guests, like a dutiful housekeeper.

When it came time for gift–opening, the guests presented priceless treasures–daggers forged from precious minerals, perfumes distilled from shadow flowers…

My prepared gift was a silver shadow ring–a legendary soul–binding ring that could only be exchanged between truly connected mates.

I had spent years preparing for this ring.

It was presented ceremoniously on a velvet tray by the butler.

“The Luna is truly thoughtful. This ring isn’t just decoration–it’s a symbol of vows between mates.”

“I heard that only when minds arepletely in harmony will the ring glow silver and strengthen the mental connection.”

“Truly a married couple who understand each other’s preferences best!”

Ferris nced at me with apparent satisfaction and said simply, “Thank you.”

But when Ashley’s gift was unwrapped, the entire room fell silent for a moment.

It was a hand–knitted beige scarf with crookedb, /buneven stitches–clearly the work of a beginner.

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Alpha’s bRegret/b: bFalse /bMateb. /bTrue Luna

“This…” someone couldn’t help butugh. “What era are we in to still give hand knitted scarves?”

“This cheap yarn would probably make the Alpha allergic.”

“Who iis /ithis woman? How did someone so shabby get in here?”

Ashley’s face went deathly pale as she unconsciously stepped backward.

Ferris’s expression instantly darkened.

He picked up the scarf and publicly wrapped it around his neck.

“I love this gift very much.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it silenced the entire room. “Compared to expensivemodities, I treasure handmade sincerity more.”

Then he picked up the ring I’d given him and said coldly, “As for this, though expensive, it’spletely without heart.”

The sound of the ring being thrown into the trash was particrly jarring.

The entire banquet hall fell into eerie silence.

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