After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back

Chapter 351: Farewell

The eastern sky gradually lightened, pale silver spreading across the horizon as dawn approached. The sun rose slowly, painting the world in soft shades of gold.

When the first ray of sunlight slipped through the window, Setan finally closed his eyes.

No matter how much he wished otherwise, the moment he dreaded had arrived.

After a brief pause, he rose from his seat and entered the washroom. He took his time cleaning himself thoroughly, paying attention to every detail.

Once finished, he dressed in his finest clothes and carefully groomed himself. Every strand of hair was arranged perfectly, every crease smoothed away.

Only then did he head for the kitchen.

Using everything he had learned about Nina’s tastes, he prepared an elaborate breakfast with painstaking care. Dish after dish filled the table, each one chosen specifically because he knew she enjoyed it.

When everything was ready, he waited quietly for her to wake.

The moment Nina stepped outside, she spotted him.

Setan looked unusually refined today, every detail of his appearance carefully arranged.

"Good morning, Nina."

His smile was gentle, though his eyes carried an emotion he could not quite hide.

"Good morning."

Nina returned the greeting and carried the cubs toward the dining hall.

The moment she entered, she stopped.

The entire table was covered with food, and nearly every dish happened to be one of her favorites.

Turning to Mino, she asked, "Why did you prepare so much today?"

Mino glanced toward Setan.

"Most of it wasn’t made by me. He handled almost everything."

Setan instinctively tightened his grip on his sleeve.

"Nina... I just wanted to make breakfast for you. Since..."

His voice faltered.

"If you can’t finish it all, that’s fine. The rest can be shared with us males. Nothing will go to waste."

Nina looked at him for a moment before taking her seat.

"Then I’ll give it a try."

The tension immediately eased from his shoulders.

"All right."

He nodded, unable to suppress his happiness.

After tasting several dishes, Nina smiled.

"You’ve improved a lot. Everything is delicious."

A genuine smile spread across Setan’s face.

"I’m glad you don’t dislike it."

Her approval made every late night and every failed attempt worthwhile.

Around the table, the mates settled the cubs into their seats before beginning the familiar morning routine of preparing milk and breakfast.

Setan walked toward Sunny and glanced at Sal.

"Would it be all right if I prepared his milk today?"

Sal studied him briefly before handing over the bottle.

"Go ahead."

Since this lion would no longer be following Nina everywhere after today, Sal decided to grant him this small privilege.

Besides, if Setan handled Sunny’s feeding, Sal could focus entirely on feeding Nina.

"Thank you."

Setan accepted the bottle and carefully prepared the milk.

Although it was technically his first time, every movement was surprisingly practiced.

Sal raised an eyebrow.

"Make his supplementary meal afterward too. He likes meatballs. Add some vegetable puree. Nina says balanced nutrition is important."

"I understand."

Setan nodded.

Watching the way Nina raised her cubs filled him with admiration.

His own parents had loved him deeply, but even they had never shown this level of attentiveness.

Every detail of the cubs’ lives was considered.

Every need was anticipated.

His gaze drifted toward Sunny.

The little lion truly was fortunate.

To have Nina as a mother was a blessing beyond measure.

Once Sal finished speaking, he moved to Nina’s side and immediately began placing food onto her plate, caring for her with practiced devotion.

Nearby, Setan copied the other males and began feeding Sunny.

The cub accepted each bite obediently.

One bite offered.

One bite eaten.

Not a single complaint.

Watching him, Setan felt an overwhelming sense of pride and tenderness.

Sunny resembled him greatly as a cub.

At least Nina would not have to worry too much about him in the future.

While feeding the cub, Setan’s attention continually drifted back toward Nina.

He wanted to memorize everything.

The curve of her smile. The sound of her laughter. The warmth in her eyes.

Anything that might remain with him after she was gone.

Breakfast ended all too quickly.

Under Odian’s direction, everyone packed their belongings and prepared for departure.

Setan accompanied them all the way to the city gates.

The morning breeze stirred gently around them.

"Nina." His voice was soft. "Travel safely. I hope you gather all the sacred artifacts soon."

Nina nodded.

"Thank you for everything you’ve done during our stay."

Setan swallowed the ache in his chest and forced a smile. Then he produced several storage stones.

"These are for you and Sunny."

He hesitated before adding quietly, "Mostly for you. If Sunny needs anything, you can give him a little from them."

Inside were countless items he had spent days preparing.

Beautiful clothing. Jewelry. Fine pelts. Beast crystals. Everything he could think of that might make her journey easier. Enough supplies to last a very long time.

He knew Nina’s mates were more than capable of providing for her. Still, he wanted to contribute something of his own.

Even if it was only this much. Even if it was the last thing he could give her.

Nina shook her head and pushed the storage stones back toward him.

"You don’t need to give me these. You’ve already done more than enough for me."

There were several storage stones in his hands. The amount of resources inside them had to be enormous.

Setan gently pressed them back into her palms.

"I couldn’t find you when you needed help the most. When you were alone and struggling, I wasn’t there to take care of you. That was my failure."

A deep ache surfaced in his eyes.

"I’ve blamed myself for it ever since. Please accept these, even if only as a small way for me to make up for what I couldn’t do back then."

His voice softened into a plea.

"Nina, please don’t refuse me."

Every time he imagined her carrying cubs alone in the wilderness, enduring hardship without anyone by her side, guilt twisted relentlessly inside him.

If he had known sooner, he would have crossed mountains and oceans to find her.

Perhaps she would not have suffered so much.

Perhaps she would not have had to shoulder everything alone.

The cruelest part was that he had found her far too late.

Nina looked at him quietly.

In the end, she could not bring herself to reject him.

"You don’t need to blame yourself. None of that was your fault."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"All right."

A brief silence followed.

Then Nina spoke softly.

"I’m leaving now. I hope everything goes well for you in the future."

A strange heaviness settled in her chest.

Perhaps this truly was goodbye. Perhaps their paths would never cross again.

Setan nodded. The effort it took to maintain his composure was almost painful.

"Mm."

Nina lifted a hand in farewell.

"Goodbye."

Turning, she walked toward Mino, who was already waiting nearby in his beast form. The cubs had climbed onto his broad back and were watching quietly.

The moment she started toward him, Setan’s eyes reddened.

His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles whitened.

Just as Nina was about to climb onto Mino’s back, he finally broke.

"Nina!"

She turned instinctively.

Before she could react, a gust of wind swept past.

The next second, strong arms wrapped around her.

Setan pulled her tightly against his chest. So tightly it felt as though he wanted to fuse her into his very soul.

Nina froze.

"Setan..."

His voice trembled. "Nina... can you let me hold you just once?"

The raw vulnerability in his tone struck her speechless.

She remained still. His arms tightened further.

He buried his face against her neck and inhaled deeply, desperately committing her scent to memory.

A moment later, Nina felt warmth brush across her skin.

One tear. It slid silently down his cheek and onto her neck.

A quiet sigh escaped her chest. Slowly, she lifted her arms and returned the embrace.

The instant her hands settled around his waist, something inside Setan shattered completely.

The love he had restrained for so long surged through him like a flood breaking through a dam.

He wanted to hold her forever. To remain in this moment until the end of time.

But he knew he couldn’t.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, he forced himself to let go.

The effort seemed to drain every ounce of strength from his body.

"I’m sorry, Nina." His voice was rough. "I lost control."

"It’s okay."

Seeing him like this tugged unexpectedly at her heart.

"Setan..."

Before she could finish, he had already gathered himself.

Carefully, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to Mino’s back. Then he set her down gently.

"Nina." His voice was calm once more. "It’s time for you to go."

He could not keep her here any longer.

No matter how much he wished he could.

Nina nodded.

"Thank you for everything."

Setan reached out and took her hand.

His gaze lingered on her face, full of affection and reluctant devotion.

"In the future, don’t worry so much about the cubs. Let your mates help carry the burden."

The corners of his lips curved faintly.

"And stop secretly asking Mino to make cold treats for you all the time. Females shouldn’t eat too many chilled foods."

His voice faltered. He paused for several seconds before continuing.

"And... travel safely."

A faint blush touched Nina’s cheeks.

"Thank you."

For a moment, he sounded less like a suitor and more like an overprotective parent fussing over every detail.

The sadness returned to his eyes.

Slowly, he released her hand.

For a long moment, he simply looked at her. The grief in his gaze was so profound that it almost hurt to witness.

"Nina..." His voice barely rose above a whisper. "Goodbye."

Farewell, Nina.

Nina smiled gently. "Goodbye."

Yet something about that final look unsettled her.

It felt wrong. Far too final. Almost as if he were saying farewell forever.

The thought sent a strange chill through her. She shook her head, dismissing it. Surely she was imagining things.

She glanced back at him one last time.

Then she patted Mino’s shoulder.

"Let’s go."

Mino nodded.

With a powerful leap, he carried Nina and the cubs away.

Setan remained where he stood.

His eyes followed her retreating figure until she disappeared completely from sight.

Only then did he turn around.

Without looking back again, he walked toward Blaze City.

The time had come to face the consequences that awaited him.

The debt he owed.

The responsibility he had chosen.

The price he had always known he would eventually have to pay.