26
Kaida
That evening, as Dahlia and I sat across from each other at our usual dinner spot, I tried to push the lingering unease out of my mind. The candlelight flickered between us, casting soft shadows across the table, but I couldn’t quite focus. My thoughts kept drifting back to the sharp, cold edge in Helena’s voice and the way her smile had barely concealed the venom beneath.
“So,” Dahlia began, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she leaned forward. “Let me tell you about my date with Ben. It was so perfect, Kaida! He took me to this little place by the waterfront, and the food was amazing.”
I forced a smile, trying to stay present in the conversation. Dahlia had been gushing about Ben all week, and I didn’t want to take away from her happiness, even though my mind was still spinning from the events of the day.
“That sounds wonderful,” I said, taking a sip of my drink. “He’s always been so thoughtful.”
Dahlia beamed, her cheeks flushing with happiness. “He really is. We talked for hours, and he was so sweet. I just feel like everything’s finally falling into place with him, you know?”
I nodded, though my thoughts were elsewhere. I didn’t want to dampen her joy, but I knew I needed to talk to her about what had happened at Bastian’s.
“You deserve it, Dahlia,” I said, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. “Ben’s lucky to have
you.”
Dahlia grinned, squeezing my hand back. “Thanks, Kaida. But enough about me. How was your day with Bastian?”
I hesitated, the smile faltering on my lips as I thought about how to explain. Dahlia’s expression shifted as she noticed the change in my mood, and she leaned forward, her brow furrowing with
concern.
“What happened?”
I took a deep breath and set my glass down, the weight of the day pressing heavily on me. “I met Bastian’s mother today.”
Dahlia raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Oh? How did that go?”
“At first, it was fine,” I said, my fingers playing with the edge of my napkin. “She was polite while Bastian was around, but the moment he stepped out of the room… she turned on me.”
1/3
О
< 26
Dahlia’s eyes widened in surprise. “Turned on you? What did she say?”
+25 Points
I recounted the conversation, telling Dahlia about the way Helena had spoken to me, her thinly veiled contempt, and the harsh words she’d used about me and my pregnancy. As I spoke, Dahlia’s expression grew darker, her lips pressing into a thin line.
“That’s awful, Kaida,” she said softly, reaching across the table again to take my hand in hers. “I’m
so sorry. You don’t deserve that.”
“I know,” I said, feeling the sting of Helena’s words all over again. “I just… I don’t know what to do. I
really like Bastian. He’s been so kind to me, and he makes me feel… safe, you know? But his mother clearly doesn’t approve, and I don’t want to cause any trouble between them.“.
D
Dahlia squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with sympathy. “You’ve been through a lot, Kaida. More than anyone should have to deal with. It’s not fair for her to treat you like that, especially when she doesn’t know what you’ve been through.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. I had been through a lot–my failed marriage, the pregnancy, and the constant feeling that I was never good enough. Bastian had been a breath of fresh air, a chance at something new, but now I wasn’t sure if I was walking
into another storm.
“I don’t want to ruin things with Bastian,” I admitted quietly. “I like him… a lot. He’s been so caring, and he’s promised to be there for me and the twins. But I’m worried his mother will make this
difficult.”
Dahlia’s expression softened, and she gave me a reassuring smile. “Bastian cares about you, Kaida. That much is obvious. He’s not going to let his mother get in the way of that. Besides, you’ve never let anyone push you around before. Why start now?”
I smiled weakly, appreciating her support but still feeling the knot of uncertainty in my chest. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this, Dahlia. I’ve already been through one relationship that left me broken. I don’t know if I can handle more drama.”
Dahlia shook her head. “Kaida, you’re one of the strongest people I know. You’ve already come this far. And Bastian… he’s not like Kaelen. He’s shown you that he’s willing to support you, even knowing about your past. That says a lot about the kind of man he is.”
I thought about that for a moment, letting her words sink in. Bastian had been nothing but supportive since the day we met, and he hadn’t once made me feel like I was a burden. But still… Helena’s words lingered in my mind, reminding me that things might not be as simple as I hoped.
“Maybe you’re right,” I said after a moment, leaning back in my chair. “But his mother… She could make things really complicated. I could see it in her eyes, Dahlia. She doesn’t think I’m good
2/3
(26
enough for him.”
+25 Points
“Who cares what she thinks?” Dahlia said, her voice firm. “It’s not about her. It’s about you and Bastian. If he’s serious about you, he’ll stand by your side no matter what his mother says.”
I nodded, though a part of me still couldn’t shake the feeling that Helena would be a big problem. I had been through enough, and I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to fight another battle, especially one that involved someone’s family. But Dahlia was right–I couldn’t let fear hold me back from
moving forward with my life.
“I just need to take things slow,” I said, more to myself than to Dahlia. “See where things go.”
Dahlia smiled softly, her eyes filled with understanding. “That’s a good plan. And remember, I’m
here for you, no matter what happens.”
“I know,” I said, my heart warming at her words. “Thank you.”
The rest of the evening passed in a more relaxed atmosphere, with Dahlia telling me more about
her date with Ben and me trying to push my worries about Helena aside. I couldn’t help but think
about Bastian. He had shown me so much care and consideration, more than I ever expected, but
now there was this new hurdle to overcome–his mother.
I liked him. A lot. Maybe more than I wanted to admit. But I couldn’t help but wonder if Helena would always be in the background, casting her disapproving shadow over us. Could I handle that?
Could we make it work despite her?
I didn’t have the answers yet, but I knew one thing for sure–I wasn’t ready to give up on the possibility of something real with Bastian.
3
Comments
31
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.
