Seventeen
A
“You think doing all this will make me stay?” I asked, turning to face him as he stopped a few steps away.”
“No,” he said, jaw clenched. “I’m doing this because of you. Because of what they did. Especially Monica. She lied to us, Elira–and because of that lie, our son died!“}
I shook my head. “No, Lucas. You killed that unborn child.”
His face twisted. “If it wasn’t for Monica being such a damn fool, I never would’ve done it. Elira, please… I know I messed up. I know it’s
my fault. But don’t you see? You can make her pay for what she did to you. I should’ve protected you. I should’ve known. But I was consumed by her lies. I thought she was the good one, and you were…“}
“The villain?” I cut him off, taking a step back as he moved closer. “That’s what you believed, right?”
“It won’t change everything, I know that. But–“>
“We’re done, Lucas.” My voice was sharp, final. “I’m not coming back.“}
His eyes flickered with something–pain, regret. He swallowed hard. “I buried our son… Do you want to see his grave?“}}
His words punched me in the gut. It dragged up the memory I tried so hard to bury. The tiny life I lost because of him. Because I ran. Because I didn’t fight harder. He would’ve been five now.”
I hated myself too for that.
Still, I let Lucas take me to the grave. Back to the Blackthorn Pack. He didn’t say a word the whole way. Just drove, clinging to some desperate hope that I’d change my mind.”
The grave was small. Simple. But it hit harder than anything else ever could. My wolf whimpered inside me, mourning what could’ve been. I placed a flower on the stone. Didn’t stay long.
“I’m leaving now,” I said quietly.
Lucas looked at me, panic rising in his eyes. “Elira, can’t we just… forget the past? Start over? I’ll make it up to you, I swear. I meant it when I said I wanted you.“}
“I don’t want you, Lucas.” I met his gaze. “I don’t love you. Whatever I felt before–it died with your lies. The day you faked your death, everything ended. I’m done.“}
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm.
“Please. If you walk away–I’ll punish the Nightshade Pack.”
So that’s it. The real reason. He wanted me to be afraid. To guilt me into staying.
I yanked my arm free. “Do whatever you want to them. But I’m not staying. I will never come back to you. Face it, Lucas–what we had was never real. It was built on lies. Lies you created. There was no love–only me, loving a man who never existed. But now? I don’t love you anymore.“[
I walked away, leaving him frozen in place.
I grabbed my suitcase and climbed into the car. He stood there, eyes full of pain, watching me leave.”
“Elira…” he called softly.
I didn’t look back. Didn’t say a word.}
The car pulled away. This time, I was done for good.}
No more second chances, No more lies.
Everything–the memories, the truth, the pain–would stay buried here.
My phone rang.2
Lucas.
1 blocked him without hesitation.}
Let him watch me leave.
Let him feel what it’s like to lose everything.”
Just like I did.
o He Doesn’t DesARD
