Free Web NovelChapter 82: Chapter 82 Unwelcome Shadows
Sylvia’s POV
I straightened my shoulders and looked up, coming face-to-face with Zane’s thunderous expression, his features twisted with barely contained rage.
"Well, this is new. Changed careers lately?" I couldn’t help the sarcasm that dripped from my voice.
Zane’s expression faltered momentarily, confusion replacing anger. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing much. Just noticing a particularly entertaining clown lurking outside my building." I shrugged with deliberate casualness. "Move aside. Where I come from, we say good wolves don’t block the path."
His face transformed instantly, all pretense of civility crumbling away.
The carefully styled hair and designer clothes couldn’t mask the ugly expression taking over his features.
"What the hell is your problem?" he snarled. "I come here in good faith, and you insult me to my face?"
I didn’t bother hiding my eye roll. "That’s generally how I respond to people who’ve thrown away their dignity."
"A decent ex should be like the dead—silent and permanently absent. That would be the ideal scenario."
I had zero patience left for Zane.
Every second spent talking to him felt like precious minutes of my life I’d never get back.
Seeing my resolute expression, something shifted in his demeanor.
His face softened as he forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Sylvia, we were together for over three years. How can you just throw all that away so easily?"
"When there’s no feeling left, cutting ties becomes remarkably simple," I replied without hesitation, the words flowing naturally.
Zane’s expression fractured slightly at my response.
His hands at his sides slowly clenched into fists.
When he remained silent, just staring at me with that murky, unreadable expression, I instantly recognized what was happening behind those eyes.
Three years together had taught me to read him all too well. He was calculating, plotting his next move like the manipulative Alpha he’d always been.
A cold shiver of disgust ran through me.
Whatever feelings I’d once harbored had been completely eroded.
To me now, Zane was less than a stranger. frёewebnoѵēl.com
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving. Get out of my way." I picked up my phone again, ready to request another ride.
Zane moved with surprising speed, snatching my phone from my hand.
"What are you doing?" His voice carried a note of frustration. "Sylvia, can’t we just sit down and talk like adults?"
"I have nothing to say to someone like you." My eyes hardened as I fixed him with an icy stare. "I suggest you return my phone immediately. We’re still in front of my company building, and I won’t hesitate to call security."
Zane glanced at the Frostline Enterprises building behind me, clearly calculating that causing a scene wouldn’t work in his favor.
He held my phone in front of me, not quite returning it. "I’ll give this back if you agree to have dinner with me. We need to talk properly."
I had no interest in humoring this lunatic; I just wanted my phone back.
Sensing my intention, Zane grabbed my wrist, his grip bruising. "I’m talking to you," he growled, voice turning vicious. "Why aren’t you answering? Thought you always had so much to say."
My wolf surged beneath my skin, fury igniting like wildfire through my veins.
Without hesitation, I slapped him hard across the face, my voice dropping to a dangerous chill. "What exactly do you want?"
"This is still Frostline territory. You dare act like this here? Whether I speak or not is none of your damn business. Control yourself!"
The slap left Zane momentarily stunned, giving me the opportunity to snatch my phone back.
He stood there, hand pressed against his reddening cheek, eyes darting around as if he couldn’t decide where to look.
"You bitch," he finally spat, rage contorting his features. "You actually hit me!"
I lifted my chin defiantly. "You brought it on yourself."
Zane couldn’t stand seeing me so confident, so unafraid. His teeth clenched as he hissed, "You think cutting ties with me is that simple? It’s not happening."
"Sylvia, we were together for three years. Do you really think there’s nothing I could share? Aren’t you afraid of what I might release?"
Hearing his threat, I narrowed my eyes at him, finding his face utterly repulsive.
Nothing remained of the refined, handsome man I’d once thought I knew.
He was a complete stranger now.
"As you just pointed out, we were together three years," I replied, my voice eerily calm. "Which means I know exactly what you do and don’t have. Keep harassing me, and I will call the police."
Zane met my cold gaze, and I could almost see clarity returning to his mind as he realized his threats wouldn’t work.
Changing tactics, he tugged at my sleeve and began reminiscing about our supposed "good times."
"Sylvia, I still remember when I was sick in the hospital, and you made homemade soup, staying by my side, taking care of me," he said, his expression shifting to one of nostalgic longing. "I remember thinking, how did I find such an amazing woman? I promised myself I’d cherish you forever, treat you right always."
A wave of revulsion washed over me.
"Can we please not talk about the past?" I felt my stomach turn at his pathetic attempt to manipulate me.
Remembering only made me realize how blind I’d been, how much time I’d wasted chasing a false dream.
But of course, he didn’t notice the disgust practically radiating off me like bad cologne.
"Those were our beautiful memories together," he said, voice syrupy and fake. "I remember the first time we met... how you blushed. God, you looked so stunning in that white dress. You were so gentle, so peaceful with me. Everything was perfect back then..."
Perfect? Oh honey, if by “perfect” you mean me pretending to be a docile little omega while he played tortured genius with control issues, then sure. Picture perfect.
He was watching me closely, eyes scanning my face like he was waiting for the old me to magically reappear.
Sorry, Zane. She died.
I picked up my phone, thumb hovering over the Uber app.
My patience had already left the chat, and every second I stayed here, I could feel my IQ hemorrhaging.
He finally noticed the not-so-subtle “get me the hell out of here” energy I was radiating.
"You’re really ignoring me right now?" he said, stepping closer.
His tone shifted—darker, sharper, like a warning growl wrapped in male ego. "Sylvia, I’m pouring my heart out, and you’re still acting like I’m invisible? What would it take for you to give me one damn chance?"
He stepped closer, his wolf energy pushing against mine threateningly. "Keep this up, and I might lose control of myself. If that happens, I can’t guarantee what I might do to you."
That did it. I let out a cold laugh—clean, sharp, and entirely unamused.
I took two steps back, widening the distance like I should’ve done years ago.
“Well, I’m thrilled you said that,” I said, my voice calm, almost cheerful.
Because my finger? Already pressing record.
“You’re being recorded,” I told him, holding up my phone like a mic drop. “And if you keep acting like a Lifetime movie villain, I’ll be happy to forward this to every law enforcement agency and dating app within a hundred-mile radius.”
He blinked, his smug expression flickering into something less certain. “You’re bluffing. You didn’t record anything.”
Wrong move, buddy.
I immediately sent the recording to Chloe—let her hear what kind of man she’d chosen.
Then I calmly dialed the police.
I backed up toward the Frostline Enterprises entrance and called for security.
Zane stood frozen in shock, unable to process how quickly the situation had turned against him. By the time he regained his composure, security had already surrounded him, and police were arriving at the scene.
"Yes, this is all recorded," I told the officers as they approached. "This man is my ex-boyfriend who threatened me when I refused his advances."
"We understand the situation, Ms. Frost," one of the officers assured me, his expression professional and serious. "Don’t worry, we’ll ensure your personal safety."
I thanked them gratefully, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. "Thank you, officers. I appreciate your quick response."
"I’ll be leaving now. I’ll trust you to handle him appropriately," I said, turning away without a second glance at Zane.
As I walked away, I heard him calling my name, his voice growing more desperate with each repetition.
But I didn’t look back.
