As a healer, I keep taking in emergency patients around the clock just so I can save up enough money for a luxurious family trip. But after transferring the money into the family account, my mate, Leonard Cross, announces that he will be taking the entire family on the trip, whereas I'm required to stay at home. Everyone supports his decision. "Don't you always take overtime shifts on your day off? That's why I never considered the fact that you can go on this trip with us." I'm pissed, to say the least. "So, the four of you will be going, eh?" My sister-in-law, Rita Cross, pipes up, "Cassandra and Hannah will be joining us too." Cassandra Davis is Leonard's childhood sweetheart, whereas Hannah is the family's pet dog. It seems that everyone has received an invitation but me. After staying quiet for another beat, I nod. "Fine." Soon, I accept the three-year dispatch request to another place that's offered to me by my workplace. I also take the liberty to put the house—which I own the deed to—on sale. Since my family supports my career this much, I'm sure they will do the same when I decide to buy myself a new place to live for the sake of my business trip, right? Chapter 1 Bridget's POV I calmly accepted it. My tone was so flat that it didn't carry a single ripple of emotion. My in-laws, Edmond Cross and Miranda Burgess, froze, their expressions unreadable. Both of them had thought I would humble myself and beg them to let me come along. But I didn't. I was far too tired. I had done everything I could to fit into this family, pouring my heart and soul out for them, working late nights and overtime to save up my hard-earned money just to make their lavish family trip possible. Yet, in the end, I was still an outsider. The Crosses could take my mate, Leonard Cross' childhood sweetheart, Cassandra Davis, on the trip. They could even take the dog, Hannah. However, they didn't have room for me, his actual mate. Miranda was the first to snap back to reality. She immediately assumed the role of a peacemaker and stepped forward, gently taking my wrist. "Don't overthink it. We're not leaving you behind on purpose; we know how busy you are with work and didn't want to get in the way of your hustle. This is just an ordinary trip anyway. If there's anything you want, I'll buy it for you." I lowered my gaze, broke free from her grasp, and responded apathetically, "That won't be necessary." Miranda's expression stiffened, and her smile faded a little. Edmond's expression darkened in an instant, filled with displeasure. In his eyes, I was supposed to work myself to the bone and obediently accommodate his whole family. "A family vacation is supposed to be a joyous occasion. We were considerate enough to let you stay home and rest because you work so hard, yet you're giving us attitude?" His tone was stern and patronizing. I lifted my clear and cold gaze to meet his eyes. "I'm not giving anyone attitude. It just so happens that my schedule is completely full and I don't have time to go. So, go ahead and enjoy yourselves." Edmond's brows relaxed. Obedience was the rule in this house. "That's more like it." He nodded in approval and didn't spare me another glance. Miranda let out a sigh of relief when she saw that. She raised her hand to adjust her elegant shawl. It was the latest designer piece that she had specifically dug out this morning. She was busy counting the suitcases and checking her travel outfits. The whole time, she never once asked me what I wanted for dinner, let alone if I would be lonely staying at home all by myself. In her eyes, I was supposed to stay behind and guard the empty house. I was expected to be quiet, obedient, and always on standby. My sister-in-law, Rita Cross, had no intention of letting me off the hook. As she held her brand new sun hat, a smug smile hung on the corners of her lips. "Don't feel too sad, Bridget. Family is supposed to accommodate one another." Then, she edged a bit closer, whispering words that pierced right through my heart. "But what can you do? You're destined to slave away for this family. Honestly, it's a relief you aren't going. It saves you from ruining everyone else's fun." I looked up at her, my gaze sweeping over her new travel bag and custom hiking boots. Those were all gifts I had once given her. Rita snickered before mocking me. "Besides, Cassandra is sweet and attentive. She can help my brother take care of all the little things during the trip—unlike you. You just bury yourself in work all day and refuse to spend even a little time with him. Taking her along is much more fun than taking you!" I listened in silence. I didn't argue or explain myself, but my chest already felt painfully tight. Only the rustling sounds of packing luggage remained in the room. Miranda dug out the best imported cured meat in the house. She muttered to herself, worried that Cassandra and Rita might get hungry on the road. Yet, she had forgotten that I loved it too. Edmond carefully packed the best sunscreen and reminded everyone to protect themselves from the sun. Yet, in the past, when I rushed about to make money and got sunburned, he never asked if I was okay. Both of them remembered every single preference of everyone else in the family to a tee. Only my needs were always ignored. Rita's face was full of anticipation for the trip. Then, in a scornful tone, she said, "You just stay home and focus on the grind. We're going to have a great time!" Before I could respond, a flurry of footsteps came from the entryway. Leonard pushed the door open and walked in with the sunglasses and casual travel clothes he had just bought. Clearly, he had also prepared for this trip. I walked straight up to him and asked softly, "Why aren't you taking me?" Leonard's steps faltered, and a troubled look appeared on his face. He raised his hand and stroked my head out of habit. "Why are you throwing a tantrum all of a sudden? You're a healer; you have patients who might need you at any moment. It's a long journey, and I'm afraid something will come up, and you won't be able to make it back in time." His tone was gentle and sincere. He made it sound as though he was looking out for me. "My heart aches for you, and I don't want you running back and forth. That would be too exhausting. Wait for us at home like a good mate until we get back, okay?" As I looked at him, my heart was heavy with disappointment. He wasn't afraid I would be tired. I had simply never been in his travel plans to begin with. I didn't expose him, nor did I argue. After drinking in the lively scene in the living room, I turned around and walked back to my room alone. Just then, my phone's screen lit up, and a notification from the bank popped up. "Dear customer, your family joint card has been charged 10,150 dollars for five round-trip business-class tickets to an island resort." I stared blankly at the transaction record, completely dumbstruck. The Crosses were going on an island vacation, and they had charged it to my card. Chapter 2 Bridget's POV I suppressed the emotions churning inside me, walked up to Leonard, and looked him straight in the eye. "You're the ones going on vacation. Why are you swiping my card?" Leonard's expression froze slightly. Before he could respond, Edmond's expression hardened, and he stated matter-of-factly, "We're going on a family vacation, so of course we're putting it on your card. "Miranda and I are old; we don't have much spare cash to begin with. Leonard needs to save his money for serious family business and keeping up with relations. How could we just blow through that?" My gaze landed on Rita. "What about Rita? Does she not have a single penny saved?" The moment those words rolled off my tongue, Rita blew a fuse. She immediately raised her voice, looking offended yet entitled. "What the hell is that supposed to mean, Bridget? My daily expenses are high enough as it is! Where on earth am I supposed to get that kind of spare cash?" Miranda instantly chimed in, playing the peacemaker with a soothing voice. "That's right. She's still young. How could she possibly afford such a massive travel expense? We still have to rely on you, Bridget." My expression was stoic as I swept my gaze across the family standing before me. "None of you have money, so you're just entitled to spend mine? You leave me home alone to hold down the fort while the whole lot of you jet off to an island to enjoy yourselves and squander my hard-earned money? Who do you think you are?" As soon as my words fell, Leonard frowned and chided, "That's enough, Bridget! I won't allow you to speak to your elders like that." Edmond's face hardened into a severe scowl as he chastised me, "It's merely a small portion of your savings. Do you really have to be so petty? We're family. "Why are you splitting hairs over what's yours and what's ours? Are you really so stingy that you can't even bear to spend money on your own family?" I clenched my fists tightly and gritted out, "I won't stop you from going on this trip, but I'm not paying for these insanely expensive plane tickets. For years, I've shouldered the vast majority of our family's daily expenses. I'll have to work for a long time and treat countless patients to earn that money back. I won't let it be squandered so carelessly!" My words left Edmond completely enraged. His face instantly fell as he flew off the handle. "How can you be so miserly toward your own family? Have we ever mistreated you?" Rita added fuel to the fire from the side. "That's right, Bridget. It's just the expenses for a single trip. Why do you have to be so incredibly stingy?" Every single one of her words accused me of being narrow-minded. Edmond's demeanor was aggressive and overbearing, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "You will cover the expenses for this trip! What's more, these savings were originally meant for a family vacation anyway, so it only makes sense to use them now." Miranda comforted me softly from the side. "Calm down. We're family. Let's not let money drive a wedge between us." Leonard looked at me and half-heartedly placated me. "Stop throwing a tantrum." I silently watched them play off each other, and the last bit of warmth in my heart died out completely. It hit me that in their eyes, I had never been Edward's mate, nor had I ever been family. I was merely a tool, a cash cow for them to freely bleed dry. My eyes misted over, and my nose stung. Edmond reined in his anger and softened his tone. "Look, I know you're feeling bitter about being left behind. Don't worry, we'll definitely take you along next time and make it up to you." Rita was uncharacteristically amiable. "Exactly, Bridget. What are you so mad about? If I could make money like you, I'd gladly stay behind and watch the house, too!" Miranda seized the opportunity to chime in, her words dripping with favoritism. "At the end of the day, Leonard's lucky to have a mate who is so resilient and great at bringing home the bacon. Rita, you should learn a thing or two from your sister-in-law, rather than wasting money left and right without a single clue on how to run a household." Rita immediately pretended to accept the lesson humbly, though every single one of her words was laced with venom. "How could I ever compare myself to Bridget? She only knows how to slave away for money. I certainly wasn't born to be a slave for money. I just need to stay by my family's side and live comfortably." The Crosses chimed in one after another, laughing and joking in sync. I was the only one left out. As I took in the harmonious scene before me, my heart remained deathly still. All these years, I had lived frugally and poured my heart into this family, yet I had never truly become one of them. After a long while, I tugged at the corner of my lips and said flatly, "Go ahead and use my card. I never said you couldn't." This was the last time I would ever foot the bill for them. Chapter 3 Bridget's POV My submission and compromise instantly caused the tense looks on their faces to vanish. Edmond's tone became relaxed. "By the way, remember to transfer more funds into the family account. We'll be spending a lot while we're away, so don't let it run short and mess up our plans." I listened silently. Deep down, I was well aware that the Crosses didn't give a damn about the money I worked myself to the bone to earn. All they cared about was their own pleasure. In their minds, any objection I raised would automatically be labeled as stinginess and a refusal to share my wealth. In the days that followed, the Crosses began a bustling shopping spree for the trip. They hadn't even set off yet, but they kept relentlessly bleeding my bank account dry. Notification after notification popped up on my phone, each spending alert piercing my heart like a needle. A seven-night, all-inclusive stay at a high-end luxury overwater pool villa, reservations for an exclusive, private beach venue, private yacht excursions, complete sets of luxury island resort gear... One massive expense after another was deducted from my account. Combined, the expenses quickly stacked up to tens of thousands of dollars. I had worked day and night, pinched pennies, and slaved away for an entire year just to save that money. Meanwhile, the Crosses lounged in the living room, cheerfully choosing room layouts, comparing activities, and browsing vacation outfits. With hearts full of joy, they were planning a lavish tropical getaway that belonged entirely to them. For the past few days, Leonard had come to placate me. Since he knew I was upset, his tone was even gentler than usual. Evidently, it was a calculated attempt to soothe my ruffled feathers. In the afternoon, while he was browsing a luxury boutique, he bought an exquisite moonstone necklace from the display window. He sent me a message and promised softly, "This piece really complements your elegance. I paid for it out of my own pocket. I can't wait to give it to you when I get home!" I stared down at my phone and ignored him. I had never cared about expensive jewelry, and I was insulted by this attempt to smooth things over with it. All I desired was genuine companionship, being a priority in his life, and feeling like I actually mattered to the people I called family. He'd known that all along. He just couldn't be bothered to give it to me. He actually thought a few sweet words and a necklace would be enough to erase my pain. It was utterly laughable. If he genuinely loved me, how could he, in good conscience, blow through my money, abandon me at home, and jet off on a carefree vacation with his entire family and his childhood sweetheart? My heart turned cold, bit by bit, until it was entirely numb. Just then, the family group chat, which had been silent for days, received a message from Rita. She had sent a group photo. In it, Cassandra was wearing a bikini that showed off her alluring figure, and she stood right by Leonard's side, snuggling incredibly close to him. Rita openly tagged Cassandra's parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Davis, look! What do you think of the swimsuit my brother picked out for Cassandra? Don't the two of them look perfect together?" My fingertips stiffened in an instant, and the color drained from my face. My gaze landed on Cassandra's neck, and I noticed that she was wearing the exact same necklace Leonard had promised to buy for me. The moonstone shimmered brilliantly, making her look all the more radiant and breathtaking. It turned out that the gift that was supposedly meant just for me, the grand gesture he paid for out of his own pocket, was nothing but a secondhand prop, used first to please someone else. The very last trace of warmth in my heart completely vanished. Without a moment's hesitation, I lightly tapped on the screen and said, "They do look perfect together." The moment my message was sent, my phone rang. Leonard's name flashed across the screen. It was the first time he had called me on his own accord since they had started preparing for the trip. I answered silently. Leonard's slightly panicky voice immediately came through the receiver. "Babe, don't read into it too much. Rita's just messing around and spouting nonsense! I only see Cassandra as my younger sister. She was just trying it on for me to see how it looked. I've already put it away, so please don't take it to heart." I responded flatly, "I didn't read into anything. If anything, the fact that you're so eager to explain makes you seem guilty." Leonard froze for a second before firing back, his tone laced with annoyance and impatience. "Look, I know you're still sulking about being left behind. "I'm busy all year, and I rarely have time to take my parents out to unwind. I had no choice but to ask you to take one for the team by staying home, but you shouldn't weaponize this situation! Cassandra and I are innocent. Don't make wild guesses and ruin her reputation!" Even at a moment like this, he was still looking out for Cassandra. I let out a low, cynical chuckle. "I'm not weaponizing anything. Your relationship with Cassandra is none of my business. From now on, your matters have absolutely nothing to do with me!" With that, I hung up on him. The instant my phone screen dimmed, a sudden, sharp ache gripped my chest, and a dense, suffocating bitterness spread through me. It left a lump in my throat and weighed heavily on my heart. When all was said and done, I was all on my own, unwanted by my family and unloved by my mate. This mate bond and the family ties that I had painstakingly maintained were nothing more than a fragile bubble, bursting at the simplest touch. Chapter 4 Bridget's POV Edmond and Miranda had naturally seen the messages in the group chat as well. Both of them immediately stood in my way with hardened expressions and cold gazes. "What the hell did you mean by sending that message in the group chat? Did you do that just to embarrass Cassandra? "Only a useless she-wolf fails to hold onto her husband's heart. Just because you can't hold onto your mate doesn't give you the right to point fingers and make things up. You are making a total laughingstock out of us!" I walked around them and turned to leave. All the sarcastic remarks and accusations were shut behind the door. … While I was at work, my phone kept vibrating. Calls came in one after another from Leonard, Edmond, Miranda, and Rita. I didn't even spare my phone a glance and muted it with a single click. By the time I got off work, I realized it had started raining. The ice-cold droplets beat down on my shoulders, biting and bone-chillingly cold. In the past, whenever it rained, Leonard would always show up right on time, holding an umbrella to pick me up. Today, however, he was nowhere to be seen. Drenched and disheveled, I made my way back home in the rain. The moment I pushed the door open, a wave of warmth and laughter washed over me, making me feel utterly out of place. The Crosses sat in a circle in the living room, sorting through their vacation clothes and double-checking their travel itinerary. The excitement in their eyes was impossible to hide. Tomorrow, they would be boarding a flight to a tropical island. None of them turned around to look at me. I stood in the entryway, soaked to the bone and starving. I walked into the kitchen, only to find the refrigerator completely empty. Right then, Miranda turned her head casually and dismissively said, "We already ate out. If you're hungry, make yourself something." I couldn't believe that they hadn't even thought to bring home any takeout for me. All of a sudden, a strong wave of vertigo took hold of me. My head felt incredibly heavy, and I had to lean against the wall just to stay on my feet. I staggered back to my bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar. The hushed voices from the living room drifted in with agonizing clarity, every single word piercing straight to my heart. "Let's be real. Bridget's just a country wolf who doesn't belong in polite society. Goddess knows what Leonard saw in her. "Cassandra, on the other hand, is a huge influencer who makes just as much money as Bridget. Plus, she's stunning and sophisticated. She's nothing like Bridget, who's rigid, stingy, and always reeks like that rehabilitation center she works at!" Miranda chimed in as well, her voice dripping with regret. "Don't I know it. I'd give anything to have Cassandra as my daughter-in-law. She's sensible, sweet, and knows how to treat her elders. She's a hundred times better than Bridget!" So, this was how they truly felt all along. All my years of tenderness, patience, and sacrifice were nothing but a joke. My heart felt as though it was being clenched in someone's fist. It hurt so much that I could barely catch my breath. I was an orphan with no one to rely on, and I had worked my way up to becoming a healer through sheer grit and hard work. When I met Leonard, I thought I had finally found my light. He brought me home, and Edmond and Miranda were warm and kind to me. I thought I finally had a home and a place where I belonged. They said they would treat me like their own daughter. Like a fool, I believed them for years. I had given everything I had for the illusion of a loving family. On top of my job as a healer, I took on exhausting part-time gigs, running myself ragged day and night just to make money. Whenever Miranda and Rita wanted designer clothes, jewelry, or bags, I bought them. Meanwhile, I wore clothes that had faded from too many washes, unable to bring myself to throw them away. Edmond liked seafood, and despite being severely allergic to it, I still forced myself to learn how to cook it. I had tried so hard to hold on to a little bit of warmth and keep this family whole. But it finally dawned on me that I had never been family to them. I was just a walking ATM, a useful tool that cost them nothing. My heart went completely cold. Since the lot of them had shown me nothing but callous disregard, they no longer had the right to enjoy the fruits of my devotion. I wiped away the tears that slipped down my face and, without a moment's hesitation, booted up my mobile banking app to execute a series of actions. Before long, a call from the bank's customer service came through. "Hello, we've detected unusually high spending on your account. Some transactions are currently in a pre-authorized state and have not yet officially settled. May I confirm if these were made by you?" My tone was apathetic. "No. Freeze all accounts under my name immediately." … Early the next morning, the Crosses slipped away without so much as a goodbye, avoiding me as if they were dodging trouble. Even though I had been unwell and suffering from dizziness the night before, not a single wolf bothered to check on me. I slept fitfully the entire day, and when I finally woke up, my whole body still felt incredibly weak. My phone kept buzzing with notifications as Rita kept posting updates on Instagram. There was a selfie of her sitting in business class, her smile bright and jarring. There were breathtaking views of the tropical island, complete with turquoise waters, clear skies, and sandy beaches lined with coconut trees. And there was a lavish seafood feast overlooking the ocean, beautifully plated and looking exorbitantly expensive. Rita even went out of her way to tag me, her tone dripping with fake sympathy and blatant bragging. "It's such a shame you can't see these beautiful views in person, Bridget. Guess you'll just have to live vicariously through our pictures!" Cassandra was pressed close against Leonard's side in the group photo. It looked as though she was Leonard's mate, as if she were the one who belonged with his family. Meanwhile, I was nothing but an irrelevant stranger. I stared at it silently for a moment before giving it a like. … Third-Person POV The Crosses were inside the island's ocean-view restaurant, leisurely enjoying a sumptuous dinner. Rita snatched the menu from the waiter. "Let's order the most expensive one," she said without a moment's hesitation, pointing at a luxury seafood tower. "No, let's make it two. Order as much as you can! Don't worry about the price! Bridget is footing the bill for all our expenses anyway. It would be a waste not to splurge!" Edmond and Miranda were all smiles, nodding in total agreement with an air of entitlement. Miranda even turned to Cassandra warmly. "Don't be shy, sweetheart," she encouraged. "Order whatever you want to try!" Cassandra smiled bashfully. "I feel awful about blowing through Bridget's money." Rita rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Bridget literally lives at that rehabilitation center. Besides work, what else can she even spend her money on?" The table immediately erupted into laughter. Leonard sat on the side, frowning slightly but keeping his mouth shut. By the time the dinner ended, the table was a complete mess. The waiter walked over politely with the bill folder in hand. Without taking a look at it, Edmond casually pushed the supplementary family card over. "Put it on this card." The waiter nodded and turned to leave. A moment later, he returned with an awkward look on his face. "I'm terribly sorry, sir. The transaction was unsuccessful." Leonard frowned. "Please swipe it again." The waiter did as he was told. The transaction was declined. Leonard handed over another card. Then another. Every single payment failed. In an instant, the relaxed and carefree holiday atmosphere completely vanished. The blood drained from Rita's face. "What do you mean, the transaction was declined?" she snapped. "There's plenty of money on those cards!" Leonard immediately realized what was going on. He strode away from the dining table and pulled out his phone to call Bridget. "Why aren't the cards working?" His voice was urgent and trembling. "Did you freeze your accounts, babe?"
