Chapter 213

Chapter 213
Eleanor's POV

I opened my mouth to stop him, but he held up his palm gently, asking me to let him continue. I looked into his eyes and saw the pleading there, so I relaxed back into the sofa. He lowered his hand slowly.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, more firmly this time. "I messed up. That day on the balcony... I threw away everything we had." His voice cracked. "I should have stood by you. I should have chosen you, but I was weak and stupid."

I swallowed hard, memories of that day flooding back, the day he'd chosen Claire over me, the day our marriage had effectively ended.

"I thought you would stay no matter what," he continued. "I thought I could handle it all. But then I saw the pain in your eyes when you learned Claire was pregnant, and I knew I'd failed. I'd thrown away love and life and peace."

Edward's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "We were together for so long, Eleanor. You were all I knew, and I threw it away."

His words cut deep, reopening wounds I thought had healed. I remained silent, letting him speak.

"You were there for me before my wolf even emerged. When I was nobody, when Forestvale was just a small pack." He shook his head. "I cry every day. I've cried more this year than in my entire life, and it's still not enough. It still hurts just as much."

A tear slipped down his cheek, and he wiped it away roughly. "When Sebastian rejected Cassandra, I felt relieved and ashamed at the same time. Because I didn't pass that test. I failed us."

My heart ached for him, for what we'd lost, for the pain we'd both endured. Seraphine stirred within me, a mixture of sadness and acceptance.

"I still love you," he admitted, "I know I shouldn't. I know I have no right to feel this way anymore, but I can't stop."

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "None of this was your fault. It wasn't Claire's fault either. It was mine. I was greedy and mean. I made you share me with her."

"I slept with her in the house we bought together. I left our bedroom. I was disgusting, and I deserved to lose you."

More tears fell, and he wiped them away with the back of his hand. The raw pain in his expression made my own eyes well with tears.

"Sebastian is a good man," Edward said after collecting himself. "I'm glad you ended up with him. I was afraid he would treat you like a trophy, but he did the right thing. He loves you better than I ever could."

I felt a tear slip down my cheek at his words. There was no bitterness in them, only genuine acceptance, and I knew how much it must hurt him to say these things.

"I support you both. You have my blessing, for whatever it's worth."

As he spoke, I saw his wolf, Zephyx, flash in his eyes. I felt Seraphine stir within me in return. We were once bonded to them, she whispered in my mind.

"Please don't take your friendship from me," Edward pleaded. "I've learned to love you from a distance. I've accepted my life. I won't betray you again, and I won't make things difficult. I'll always support you."

His voice broke again. "I wish you and Sebastian the best in your marriage. I hope you have the best life. Just please don't shut me out."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I moved to hug him, and we both cried as his arms slowly wrapped around my waist. He breathed in my scent deeply, as if memorizing it one last time, as if finally letting go. I caught the familiar scent that had once been my home, now tinged with the bitter notes of grief.

The hug lasted longer than it should have, but eventually, I pulled back, ending the embrace. We both wiped our tears, trying to compose ourselves.

I took a deep breath. It was time to talk about Claire. I didn't want to force the issue, but I needed to say my piece.

"Edward," I said.

He looked at me attentively, giving me his full focus.

"Claire," I began, and immediately his expression darkened, anger flashing across his features as he shook his head.

"Please, hear me out," I said quickly, holding up a hand. He struggled visibly to calm himself, his jaw clenching and unclenching.

"Maybe you and Claire could start over," I suggested carefully.

"No," he said firmly, the word sharp and final.

"Listen to me," I pressed. "Claire never really helped those people. She lied until her father put a bounty on her head. She's manipulative, yes, but she does love you. She went to extremes for you."

Edward's expression remained stony, unconvinced.

"She shouldn't have lied to you," I acknowledged, "but try to understand her position. With a father like Charles, she'd do anything to survive, to escape."

I leaned forward slightly. "Now that Charles isn't a problem anymore, maybe give her another chance. I've forgiven her, Edward."

His eyes widened slightly at that, surprise breaking through his anger.

"I believe Sebastian and I were meant to be together," I continued. "So all of this was meant to happen. You were meant to find Claire, and I was meant to find Sebastian. It was ugly and painful, but I'm happy where I am now."

I watched his face carefully. "Claire loved you in her own way when you were together. Give her a chance, for the children if nothing else."

At the mention of children, his expression softened slightly, but then hardened again. "I'll test the children first," he said. "I won't be fooled like Quinn was by Calla."

I nodded, understanding his caution. "That's fair. But if they are yours, will you try with her? She risked her life for you, Edward."

"She should have told me the truth," he countered.

I sighed. "You probably ignored her most of the time," I pointed out. "She was grabbing onto you as a lifeline while trying to survive. Give each other a fresh start."

I could see my words weren't really reaching him, but I continued anyway. "I've forgiven both of you. Maybe you can both forgive yourselves and move forward. Her father wanted to kill her because of you. Don't punish her more."

In my heart, I knew my words weren't having the impact I'd hoped for, but maybe he'd think about them later. I just didn't want him to miss his chance with his fated mate, especially now that I'd experienced what it was like to be with mine. The connection was different.

We sat in silence for a moment before I changed the subject. "So, Quinn and Maddox, huh? Those two fools."

Edward smiled a little, and we laughed about their antics for a while. It felt like old times, back when we were young and carefree, before love had complicated our lives. I noticed some of the heaviness had lifted from his eyes, as if he'd put down a burden he'd been carrying.

I silently prayed our plan would work, that we'd draw out this "Sovereign" and end this once and for all. Then maybe we could all move forward with our lives.

Eventually, I stood up. "I need to go. I have to speak with Eliza."

Edward nodded, rising as well. "Good luck."