“Want to sleep in my bed tonight? I can tell you stories about the princess who saved the dragon instead of the other way around!”
The offer nearly shattered what little composure I had left. “Maybe next time, Daisy. Thank you, though.”
I was heading for the stairs when Mary emerged from the kitchen, flour-dusted apron tied around her waist and a dish towel in her hands.
Her weathered face lit up the moment she saw me. My sweet girl, you’re finally home!”
She crossed the foyer quickly, reaching up to cup my face in calloused palms.
“Mary…”
“Shh. Her thumb brushed across my cheekbone. “I know, child. I can see it all over your face.”
She took my hand, leading me toward the kitchen. “I just finished making mushroom soup-the kind you loved when you were small. And there are fresh cookies cooling on the rack.”
Im not really hungry-
“Nonsense.” Mary’s tone brooked no argument. “You go wash up and change into something comfortable. I’ll bring everything up to your room in a little while.”
Her hand patted mine with maternal firmness. “I know you stop eating when your heart hurts, but that won’t do. Your body needs strength even when your spirit feels broken.”
I made warm milk with honey too.” Her eyes crinkled with gentle concern. Now go on. Home is your safe harbor, always.”
I nodded, throat too tight for words.
The hot shower helped wash away the last few days worth of grief that had clung to my skin. I changed into soft pajamas and crawled under covers that smelled like the lavender fabric softener Mary had used since I was a child.
At least ending the engagement has some benefits. Lucian Ross won’t be able to threaten my family anymore because of my relationship with Carlan
The soup Mary brought was perfect-rich and warming. The milk and honey made my whole body feel drowsy and content. Surrounded by familiar scents and textures. I finally felt my muscles relax
Sleep took me gently this time
Two days of rest worked a little I stood at my bedroom mirror carefully shaking sunsvaler under my eyes to hide the purple shadows
A touch of pink lipstick brought some color back to my pale tips
At least on the outside, nobody will know my heart is in pieces.
Returning to work turned out to be exactly what I needed. The constant demands of patient care left no room for dwelling on Caelan. Every emergency, every consultation, every chart review pulled my focus away from my own pain.
I was organizing the day’s patient files when my phone buzzed.
“Scarlett’ appeared on the screen. I hesitated before answering.
“Hi, Scarlett.”
“Sable! Honey, how are you holding up?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m managing. Just taking things one day at a time.”
“Managing?” Scarlett’s voice sharpened with concern. “Your voice sounds awful! Where are you right now?”
“At the hospital, about to head home.”
“Perfect. Then you’re free tonight.” Her tone turned decisive. “I’ve planned a little gathering for our group. Just close friends.”
My stomach clenched. “Scarlett, I really don’t think I’m up for-
“No, no, no!” She cut me off. “You absolutely cannot sit alone feeling sorry for yourself. That only makes everything worse.”
“I rented a cozy cabin by the lake. We’ll have a fire, some wine, just easy conversation. Peter and Leon are coming too-it II be very low-key.”
I don’t know if I’m good company right now. I might ruin everyone’s mood.”
“Listen, darling.” Scarlett’s voice softened. “I know you’re hurting. But hiding in dark corners will only make the pain worse.”
“Sometimes friends are better medicine than solitude. We won’t ask anything you don’t want to share-we ll just be there.”
She paused. Seeing you sad makes me sad. Do this as a favor to me, okay?”
“It’s decided! Before I could protest, she steamrolled ahead. “Seven PM at the little cabin by Moonlight Lake. Wear something comfortable were sitting by the fireplace and talking
If you really feel uncomfortable, you can leave anytime. But give yourself a chance, alright?”
I was quiet for several seconds, then whispered, ‘Okay Ill be there.”
Third Person POV
The cozy cabin by Moonlight Lake glowed with warmth against the evening darkness. Orange flames danced in the stone fireplace, casting flickering shadows across the rustic wooden walls.
Scarlett curled up on the plush sofa, wine glass cradled in her hands as she regaled her audience with tales of romantic disaster.
So this genius actually showed up wearing a tuxedo t-shirt,” she said, gesturing wildly with her free hand. “To a coffee date! I asked him if he was planning to attend a wedding after, and he said no-apparently this was his formal casual look.”
Peter lounged in the leather armchair across from her, his long legs stretched out comfortably. His rich laughter filled the space between them.
Please tell me you didn’t actually go through with the entire date,” he chuckled.
Leon sat cross-legged on the carpet, his back against the sofa near Scarlett’s feet. He tossed another log into the fireplace, sending sparks dancing up the chimney.
“Let me guess,” Leon said, poking at the flames with an iron rod. “He also had strong opinions about pineapple on pizza.”
“Worse! He spent twenty minutes explaining why cryptocurrency was going to replace traditional dating.” Scarlett took a sip of wine. “Apparently, relationships should be based on ‘blockchain trust protocols.””
Peter nearly choked on his beer. “You’re making that up.”
“I swear on my grandmother’s grave!” Scarlett raised her right hand solemnly. “He had charts, Peter. Actual charts about emotional transactions.”
The coffee table between them overflowed with carefully arranged snacks-artisanal cheeses, fresh bread, chocolate-covered strawberries, and an impressive selection of wines. Scarlett had clearly put thought into creating the perfect comfort food spread.
Leon shook his head in amazement. “And your mother wonders why you’re still single.”
“My mother thinks any man with a pulse and a steady job is marriage material,” Scarlett replied dryly. “She’d probably approve of cryptocurrency guy.”
“Already seven fifteen, where’s Sable?’ Scarlett glanced at her watch, concern creeping into her voice.
She d been gripping her wine glass for the past hour, fingers already sliding toward Sable’s contact on her phone when footsteps echoed outside the cabin door.
“Finally!” Relief flooded her face as she dropped the phone and stood from the cozy sofa.
But instead of Sable’s familiar silhouette, a tall figure in black casual wear filled the doorway. Caelan stepped inside, his expression cold. Elena followed closely behind, her arm threaded through his, wearing a perfectly coordinated cream-colored dress.
Scarlett’s smile froze mid-formation like someone had pressed pause on her face. Her features twisted from joy to confusion to pure rage in the span of three seconds.
“Who the fuck invited them?!” She slammed her wine glass down on the coffee table hard enough to rattle the carefully arranged snacks.
Her eyes swept between Peter and Leon like a prosecutor interrogating suspects. “Which one of you did this? Talk!”
Leon shrugged, settling back against the sofa with an expression that screamed ‘not my circus, not my monkeys. His gaze slid toward Peter with unmistakable meaning.
Peter’s face flushed red. His hand scraped nervously at the back of his neck as he avoided Scarlett’s laser focus.
“It was… it was me who invited Caelan,” he admitted, voice shrinking with each word. “I thought-
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?!” Scarlett’s voice pitched up to near-shriek level.
She jabbed a finger toward Caelan. “Don’t you know he betrayed Sable?
Her chest rose and fell rapidly. “I organized this gathering to comfort Sable!”
Peter shot to his feet, palms spread in a placating gesture. “Scarlett, calm down…”
“Breakups happen all the time, but we’re all in the same werewolf social circle.” His gaze flicked between Caelan and Elena. “Everyone here is friends. No need to make things awkward.”
Scarlett’s laugh was sharp. “Friends?”
“Caelan’s breakup with Sable means he’s cut from our social circle too.”
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