Chapter 7%
The weight of my steps echoed through the house as I walked inside. It had always been cold here, but tonight, it felt emptier. The air was thick with something unsettling %
“I’ll fix this, Mom. You know Hestia. This is just one of our petty fights,” I had said earlier, trying to sound confident on the phone.”
But she hadn’t agreed. “I don’t think so, Lucian. She’s your luna. She knows everything. The rules, the history of the pack. She wouldn’t make a big deal out of something this small if it didn’t mean something more.”
Her words stuck with me. Was I kidding myself, thinking Hestia was only upset over something trivial? Could it be that I had been wrong all along, thinking she would never walk away from us?
I didn’t go to my office as usual. Instead, I walked toward our bedroom. Hestia and I had shared this bed countless times, but only out of routine, mating, quick sleep, then I’d leave her to return to my work. We’d never truly rested together, except when we were too drunk or too tired to notice the distance between us.
When I opened the door, her scent filled the air. It was faint now, but it still lingered, as if she had never left. The warmth that had once filled this room with her presence was gone, replaced by cold emptiness.
I sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up my phone, scrolling through the messages she’d sent. They were always so simple, requests, reminders for me or questions. What I wanted for dinner, when I’d need my clothes ready, whether she should wait up. Nothing meaningful. Nothing personal. Nothing too romantic.
Which among this is too much and demanding for her? Had I pushed her to the point where she felt like she had no choice but to leave?? Frustrated, I threw the phone down onto the bed and headed to the closet to change. But something caught my eye. A new suit, neatly hung on the rod, with a note attached.!!
I picked it up and read the note: “Happy sixth anniversary to us, Lucian!”
My heart sank. Our anniversary was last night. I had completely forgotten about it!
She had been in the hospital, and I had been focused on her health, but was that really an excuse? Could I justify forgetting something as important as our anniversary?!
Before I could even process it, I noticed another box beside the suit. Curiosity piqued, I opened it. Inside was the new gaming equipment that Lorde had wanted. I had meant to buy it for him, but I never had the time. Now here it was, waiting for him.”
The card inside read, “I got you a present, baby. Hope you’re happy with this. From Mommy…”
I stared at the items, custom–made, with our initials. She had gone to the trouble of having them designed. Hestia didn’t like talking on the phone. She had to have met with the designer in person.”
She always bought gifts ahead of time. For me and Lorde. A week before. But she hadn’t just bought gifts this time. She had left a clear
message.
She loved us. I knew that. But this? This was different. It wasn’t just a simple anniversary gift or a gesture for Lorde. This was her trying to make a point.”
I left the room with the gift and went to Lorde’s room. When he saw what I was holding, his eyes widened, his sleepiness momentarily forgotten.”
“You bought me a present?” he asked, grinning.”
“I didn’t,” I said.
“Then it must be Aunt Beverly?” he asked, taking the box from me.”
“No. Your mother bought that for you,” I told him.”
His face lit up, and then a mischievous smirk appeared. “I knew it. She can’t stay mad at me. Maybe she’s using this as a way to come back.”
I smiled despite myself.”
Hestia had bought that for him long before she ever brought up the idea of divorce. That told me one thing: she wasn’t serious about leaving. This was a game. A way to make me see how serious she was, since I didn’t believe she could go through with it. She wouldn’t leave us. Not after all these years.”
“When she comes back,” Lorde said, “I’m going to ask for more presents. I’ll make her realize this little stunt won’t work on me.”!
I ruffled his hair, smiling. “I like the way you think, son.”
But deep down, something didn’t sit right. Because even if she wasn’t leaving for good, she still left. And no matter what she meant by it, the message was loud and clear: she was done waiting. She had tried. And now, she was tired.
Still, I’d play her game. Let her act stubborn. Let’s see how far she’ll go before she comes back.”
I went back on our bedroom to finally rest when I was greeted by the strong smell and pieces of clothes laid on the bed. Hestia’s clothes. I smirked when I heard the shower. “She came back…”
I took off my clothes and decided to come inside but anger boiled inside me, making me fumed in madness when I saw who’s inside.”
No, it’s not my stubborn wife.
“What the heck are you doing here, Beverly?!”
She smiled sweetly at me.
“I have no room to sleep. Can I sleep with you?“}
