24
Kaida
gone
Returning from Silverclaw Ridge had left me feeling strangely content. My checkup had well-Doctor Cooper reassured me that the twins were developing healthily, despite the complications of my condition. The relief was immense, and even though I knew there was still a long road ahead, I allowed myself a moment to breathe.
But something else had shifted in me over the past few days, something I hadn’t expected. It
was Bastian.
I had never thought I would feel this way toward him. After everything that had happened with Kaelen-how my world had crumbled at his feet, how I had been left shattered and pregnant-I hadn’t thought it possible to feel any kind of affection toward another man. Yet Bastian had surprised me.
He was nothing like Kaelen.
Where Kaelen had been cold and distant, Bastian was warm and attentive. He made sure I had everything I needed without asking, taking care of details I didn’t even realize were important until he mentioned them. From organizing Doctor Cooper’s visits to Crestwood to ensuring I had enough rest, he was there, anticipating my needs. It was a strange feeling, being cared for like that-being seen.
I tried to tell myself that it was just gratitude. That I was simply relieved to have someone looking out for me and the twins. But it was more than that, and deep down, I knew it. I could feel it whenever he was around, that soft tug in my chest, the flutter of something dangerous blooming inside me.
Bastian wasn’t Kaelen. He didn’t look at me like I was broken, like I was a burden he was forced to carry. He looked at me as though I mattered. He even said it-he promised to take responsibility for me and my twins, without hesitation, without caring about the past. It was… overwhelming.
But there was still a part of me that hesitated. A part of me that didn’t trust it, didn’t trust him. How could I? Bastian was a man of power, of authority, and men like him always had ulterior motives. There was something mysterious about him, something I couldn’t quite place. No matter how much he seemed to care, I knew there had to be more beneath the surface, some hidden agenda. I couldn’t afford to be naive again-not after Kaelen.
When I got home from one of the checkups, Dahlia was already waiting for me. She was always so supportive, and I knew I could count on her to help me sort through the whirlwind
1/3
C.24
of emotions running through me.
“How did the checkup go?” she asked, her eyes filled with concern.
I smiled softly. “It went well. Doctor Cooper said everything’s stable.”
$25 Points
“That’s great news!” she said, pulling me into a quick hug. “And what about Bastian? He’s been spending a lot of time with you lately.”
I shifted awkwardly, unsure how to explain the confusion inside me. “He’s…different,” I admitted. “He’s been there for me, taking care of things. I didn’t expect that.”
Dahlia raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more. “Do you….feel something for him?”
I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. “I don’t know. Maybe. He’s been so kind, Dahlia. I don’t know how to feel about it. It’s just…after everything with Kaelen, it’s hard to trust someone again.”
Dahlia nodded thoughtfully, sitting down next to me. “I get it. But, Kaida, you deserve to be happy. You deserve someone who actually cares about you and your babies. Bastian might be different from Kaelen, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Sometimes, different is exactly what you need.”
“I don’t know if I can do this again,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s hard to trust anyone, especially when it feels like everything could fall apart at any moment.”
Dahlia took my hand in hers, her expression soft and reassuring. “I get it, Kaida. After what you’ve been through, it’s normal to be cautious. But you can’t shut yourself off from the possibility of something good just because you’re afraid. Bastian’s a good man. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, how he takes care of you. He’s not doing this because he has to; he’s doing it because he wants to.”
I looked down at our hands, my heart feeling heavy with the weight of it all. “But what if I’m wrong? What if he has some hidden motive, some agenda that I can’t see yet?”
Dahlia shook her head. “You can’t think like that. Not every man is Kaelen. Bastian’s different. If you give him the chance, I think he’ll prove that to you. Besides, you deserve someone who’s going to be there for you and the twins. Someone who won’t run at the first sign of
trouble.”
She was right. Deep down, I knew she was right. But it was hard to let go of the fear, the constant suspicion. I had been hurt before, and the wounds Kaelen had left behind were still fresh. But Bastian had been nothing but patient and kind. He hadn’t pressured me, hadn’t demanded anything in return. All he’d done was offer to be there-for me, for my babies.
2/3
< 24
“I don’t want to get hurt again,” I whispered, my voice trembling with vulnerability.
+25 Points
“You won’t,” Dahlia said firmly. “But you have to take the first step. You have to be willing to try. Give Bastian a chance to prove himself. If he’s not the right one, you’ll know. But you won’t know unless you let yourself open up to the possibility.”
I exhaled slowly, nodding. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I do need to give him a chance.”
Dahlia smiled, squeezing my hand gently. “I know I’m right. And trust me, Kaida-if Bastian’s serious about you, he’s not going to let you down. He’ll take care of you in ways Kaelen never
could.”
Her words resonated with me, sinking deep into my heart. I had been so focused on keeping my guard up, on protecting myself from getting hurt again, that I hadn’t allowed myself to see what was right in front of me. Bastian was different, yes-but maybe that was exactly what I
needed.
“I’ll give him a chance,” I finally said, my voice soft but determined. “But I’m still cautious. There’s something about him that feels mysterious, like he’s hiding something.”
Dahlia chuckled. “All men have their mysteries. But trust me, Bastian is a good man. He’s not out to hurt you. If anything, he’s trying to protect you.”
I nodded, letting her words sink in. Maybe she was right. Maybe Bastian was exactly what I needed a fresh start, a new beginning. I just had to be brave enough to take that first step.
As I lay in bed that night, my thoughts drifted to Bastian, to the way he looked at me with such tenderness, such care. Perhaps it was time to let go of the past, to open myself to the possibility of something new.
I wasn’t sure where things with Bastian would lead, but for the first time in a long time, I felt hope stirring inside me.
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
4
H
Vote
3/3
+25 Points
25
Kaida
The next morning, my phone rang, vibrating softly on the nightstand. I groggily reached for it, seeing Bastian’s name flashing across the screen. I swiped to answer, propping myself up on the pillows.
“Good morning,” his deep voice greeted me, filled with warmth that immediately made me smile.
“Morning,” I replied, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “What’s up?”
“I wanted to invite you over today,” he said, a hint of mystery in his tone. “Someone wants to meet you.”
“Meet me?” I echoed, my curiosity piqued. “Who?”
“You’ll find out,” he teased lightly. “I promise it’ll be a pleasant surprise. I’ll come pick you up in an hour?”
“Sure,” I said, though a flutter of nerves stirred in my stomach. Someone wanted to meet me? Who could it be?
After hanging up, I got out of bed and started to get ready. My mind was still buzzing with possibilities about who this mysterious person could be. Bastian wasn’t the type to introduce just anyone into his life, especially after how private he’d been about his own. Whoever it was, they had to be important to him.
As I pulled on my shoes, Dahlia appeared in the doorway, a knowing smirk on her face.
“You seem excited,” she teased, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed.
I shrugged, though I couldn’t help the small smile creeping onto my lips. “Bastian invited me over. He says someone wants to meet me, but he won’t tell me who.”
Dahlia raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Sounds like he’s trying to introduce you to someone special.”
“I guess we’ll find out,” I said, smoothing down my top. “What about you? What’s your plan for the day?”
Her face lit up. “Ben and I are going out on a date. He said he wanted to take me somewhere nice, so I’m pretty excited.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
