83 Strategy and Support 1

83 Strategy and Support 1
I sat at the foot of my bed, the phone still clutched in my hand. My mind raced, replaying the exchange and the deeper truth of my situation. What was Theo doing right now? My heart clenched with worry. The bond between us began to burn again—a sharp, searing pain that I’d felt before. It was unbearable, like a fiery brand pressing against my soul. It wasn’t just a kiss this time. No, this was different. This was worse. My suspicions were confirmed—he was with her, and they were intimate. Not because he wanted to, but because he thought he had to.

The pain overwhelmed me, and I crumpled under the weight of it, burying my face in my hands. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks as I wept, the anguish tearing through me. I wasn’t just mourning the act itself—I was mourning the man I loved, who was enduring this torment for a cause bigger than both of us. The mental and emotional trauma he must have been experiencing weighed heavily on my heart.

I cursed myself for the times I’d accused him unfairly. I’d been so quick to anger before, believing the smaller burns meant he’d been unfaithful. A friend had once told me that a kiss could cause a faint burn but wouldn’t compare to the fire that accompanied true betrayal. At the time, I’d thought she was just trying to console me. Now I understood. This was a burn like no other. The pain had a clarity to it, a finality that left no room for doubt. He hadn’t wanted this. He was doing what he thought was necessary, even if it broke both of our hearts.

I cried until the burning subsided, the agony giving way to an empty exhaustion. When I finally lay back on the bed, my body felt like lead, but my mind was still racing. I longed to hold him, to tell him everything would be okay, even though I didn’t know if it would be.

When I’d pulled myself together, I opened my bedroom door and wandered into the living room. There they were—Emma, Katya, Catalina, Tatiana, and Heather—sitting on the rug, eating ice cream, and singing along to the songs on the television. Their laughter and off-key singing filled the room, a stark contrast to the turmoil in my heart. For a moment, I just watched them, letting their joy wash over me like a balm for my soul.

I sank quietly onto the rug next to Katya. Her little face lit up when she saw me, her bright eyes beaming with love and excitement. It was all for me. That innocent, unfiltered joy was a gift I didn’t deserve but cherished all the same. I smiled at her and put my index finger to my lips, signaling her to keep watching the show. She nodded, snuggling into me, and I gently wrapped my arms around her. Her small body against mine was a grounding force, and I held her close, grateful for the fleeting peace she brought.

The chaos of my life faded into the background, muffled for just a moment. I pressed my lips to Katya’s hair, inhaling the sweet scent of her innocence, and silently prayed to the goddess. ‘Please, bring Theo back to me safely. Protect him in this darkness, and reward him for the sacrifices he has made.’ My heart whispered these words over and over, a mantra that steadied me as I held on to the hope that someday soon, I would have my mate back.