:.
+25 Points
16
Kaida
When I got back inside the apartment, the familiar warmth of the place wrapped around me like a protective shield. I closed the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment to collect my thoughts. The conversation with Bastian had gone better than I expected, but it still left me feeling a little unsteady. He had been so calm, so understanding, and yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that letting him into my life would complicate things more than I could afford right now.
Dahlia’s voice drifted from the kitchen. “Kaida? How did it go?”
pushed off the door and walked toward her, finding her perched on one of the bar stools, a mug of coffee in hand. Her hair was damp, probably from a quick shower, and she was dressed for work in her usual smart outfit, though her eyes were focused on me, full of
concern.
“I apologized,” I said, sitting down across from her at the kitchen island. “He understood. We talked, and I told him the pregnancy is my business and not something I’m ready to share.”
Dahlia nodded slowly, taking a sip of her coffee before setting it down. “I’m glad you did. Bastian’s a good guy, Kaida. I know it’s hard for you to trust anyone right now, but he’s not someone who would betray your confidence. He cares-about you, about the people in this pack.”
I sighed, rubbing my hands over my face. “I know. He’s been kind to me, more than I expected. I just… it’s hard to let my guard down. I’m trying to keep everything under control, and any disruption feels like it could unravel everything.”
Dahlia reached across the island and squeezed my hand gently. “You don’t have to keep everything bottled up, you know. You’ve been through a lot, and it’s okay to lean on people. Ben and I are here for you, and even if you don’t want to admit it, I think Bastian’s starting to be there for you
too.”
I met her gaze, conflicted. Part of me wanted to believe her, to trust that Bastian could be a source of support, but another part of me-the part that had been hurt and betrayed-wanted to keep everyone at arm’s length. Trust had been shattered with Kaelen, and I wasn’t sure I could handle that kind of heartache again.
“I’m just not ready for that,” I admitted quietly. “I need to figure things out on my own.”
Dahlia smiled softly, understanding in her eyes. “That’s okay. You can take all the time you need. Just don’t shut yourself off completely. Sometimes, the people who can help the most
1/3
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316
are the ones we least expect.”
+25 Points
I nodded, appreciating her words even if I wasn’t sure I was ready to fully embrace them. Dahlia had always been the one to see the good in people, to give chances where others. might not. It was a quality I admired in her, but I wasn’t sure I could adopt that same open-heartedness, not after everything I’d been through.
As I mulled over our conversation, Dahlia stood up and grabbed her purse from the counter. “I have to head to work,” she said, glancing at the clock. “But I’m here if you need to talk more, okay?”
“Thanks,” I replied, offering her a small smile. “I appreciate it, really.”
She came around the island and gave me a quick hug before heading toward the door. “Try not to overthink things while I’m gone,” she called over her shoulder, her voice teasing but with a note of seriousness. “And don’t hide away in the apartment all day. Get some fresh air.
I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. “I’ll try.”
With a final wave, Dahlia disappeared out the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. The apartment felt quieter without her, the hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the building the only sounds to fill the space.
I let out a long breath, feeling the weight of everything settle on my shoulders again. It wasn’t just the conversation with Bastian or the looming presence of my pregnancy-it was the uncertainty of my future, the fear of what was to come. I had fled to Crestwood to find peace, to carve out a new life for myself and my children, but even here, I couldn’t escape the shadows of my past.
Kaelen’s betrayal, the divorce, the pressure of being pregnant and alone-it all weighed on me more than I cared to admit. And now Bastian was a new variable in the equation, one I hadn’t accounted for. His kindness and attention were unexpected, and it was starting to make me question things I wasn’t ready to question.
Why did he care so much? Was it just because I was Ben’s sister-in-law? Or was there something more? And why did I feel so conflicted about him? Part of me was drawn to his strength, his quiet confidence, but another part of me recoiled, terrified of letting anyone close enough to hurt me again.
I stood up from the kitchen stool and wandered over to the living room window, looking out at the city below. Crestwood was so different from Silverclaw Ridge, quieter in its own way, more peaceful. I had hoped it would be a fresh start, and maybe it still could be, but I had to figure out how to navigate this new chapter of my life without falling apart.
2/3
The twins were the priority-Luca and Ana I had to be strong for them, no matter what they didn’t deserve to be brought into a world full of uncertainty and fear I needed to gue the stability, and that meant keeping my head clear and my heart guarded.
(税込)
I wrapped my arms around myself, the coolness of the apartment pressing engang my sho Maybe Dahlia was right-maybe I did need to get some fresh air, to clear my head wh outside of this emotional bubble I had trapped myself in.
With a determined nod, I grabbed my jacket from the coat rack and slipped it on, besten to the door. A walk might help me shake off the lingering tension from last night, and it would give me some time to think, to breathe.
As I stepped out of the apartment and into the crisp morning air, I felt a sense of re settle over me, I didn’t know what the future held, and I wasn’t sure how things with Bastan or anyone else would unfold, but I did know one thing I had survived worse than this, and would keep surviving. For me, for my children, and for the life I was determined to build
The streets of Crestwood were quiet this early in the morning, the sun just beginning to de above the buildings. I walked slowly, letting the cool breeze wash over me, dearg any some of the heaviness in my chest.
I didn’t know where I was going or what I was searching for, but I knew I needed this monet -this chance to just exist without the weight of the world pressing down on me. Maybe, in time, I would find the peace I was looking for. Maybe, in time, I would learn to test again
But for now, I would take it one step at a time. One day at a time.
And that would have to be enough.
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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.
