Chapter 313: Farewell

Chapter 313: Farewell
I flipped through the pages, taking in images of snow-capped mountains and peaceful lakes. "You want us to run away."

"I want you to heal." His voice carried no judgment. "Sometimes distance provides perspective that proximity can't."

The idea of leaving felt like abandonment. But staying meant watching my children fade a little more each day.

"The cost—"

"Is irrelevant." Alaric's tone brooked no argument. "You're my sister. Those are my nephew and niece. Money is just numbers on a screen."

Through the thin walls, I could hear muffled sobbing from Lyra's room next door. The sound shattered what remained of my resolve.



The next morning, I found both children in the kitchen, picking at breakfast with mechanical precision. Orion moved his cereal around the bowl without actually eating. Lyra had built a small fortress from her toast crusts.

"I want to talk to you both about something." I settled into the chair across from them, keeping my voice gentle.

They looked up simultaneously, hope and wariness warring in their young faces.

"Uncle Alaric found a special place in Switzerland where families go to feel better when they're sad." I smoothed the brochure across the table between us. "There are mountains and hot springs and people who help children work through difficult feelings."

Orion studied the images with solemn intensity. "Is this because Daddy doesn't remember us?"

The directness of his question stole my breath. "This is because we all need time to heal."

"But what if we leave and Daddy forgets we ever existed?" His eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "What if when we come back, there's nothing left?"

Before I could answer, Lyra spoke up in a voice smaller than a whisper. "Maybe if we go away and get stronger, Daddy will be proud of us when we come back."

She clutched her teddy bear tighter. "Maybe then he'll remember how much he loves us."

The heartbreaking hope in her words made my throat close. These babies were trying so hard to make sense of an impossible situation.

Orion reached across the table to take his sister's hand. "We could become the best kids ever. Then when Daddy's brain gets better, he'll want to remember us."

"You're already the best kids ever." I pulled them both into my lap, breathing in their sweet scent. "This isn't about earning love. This is about giving everyone time to heal."

The night before our departure, I sat alone in my childhood bedroom, packing the last of our belongings. The suitcase lay open on my bed, filled with practical clothes and the children's favorite toys.

I paused, then moved to my dresser and pulled open the bottom drawer. Hidden beneath old sweaters, my fingers found a small wooden box I hadn't touched in years.

Inside lay photographs I'd kept secret even from myself. 

After a long moment, I placed the box carefully in the suitcase's hidden compartment. "Maybe someday these will matter again."

Morning came too quickly. At the airport, our entire family had gathered to see us off.

Fenris and Isolde waited near the departure gates, their faces drawn with exhaustion and worry. Kieran lingered close to my side, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

The memory of our conversation from two days ago still warmed my heart. I'd been sitting in the garden, staring at travel brochures, when he'd approached with that gentle determination I knew so well.

"I'm coming with you."

I'd looked up, startled. "Kieran, you can't just abandon your responsibilities—"

"Alaric can handle pack business for a few months. You and the children need support, and I'm not letting you face this alone."

His kindness had nearly broken me. "You don't have to sacrifice your life for us."

"It's not a sacrifice." He'd settled beside me on the garden bench. "Besides, I could use some time away myself."

Something in his tone had caught my attention. "Is everything alright? You seem... different lately. Happier, somehow."

A smile had tugged at his lips—the kind of private smile that spoke of secrets. "Actually, there's been a development. Remember when I mentioned finding my mate?"

My heart had skipped, equal parts joy and concern. "You found her? Kieran, that's wonderful! Who is she? When do I get to meet her?"

He'd laughed, shaking his head. "We're still in the early stages. Taking things slow, getting to know each other properly." His eyes had held a softness I'd rarely seen. "When the time is right, I'll tell you everything. For now, let me keep this one thing private."

"You deserve happiness," I'd whispered, meaning every word. "After everything you've done for me, for this family... you deserve someone who sees how amazing you are."

"And you deserve healing," he'd replied quietly. "That's why I'm coming with you."

Now, watching him chat easily with my parents, I felt overwhelmed by gratitude. How had I been blessed with such a loyal friend? Someone who would drop everything to support me through the darkest period of my life?

"We wanted to see you off properly." Fenris lifted Lyra into his arms, spinning her once to coax a giggle.

Alaric stepped forward, pulling his friend into a brief embrace. "Take care of my sister. Both of them."

"Always." Kieran's response carried the weight of years of friendship and loyalty.

Isolde approached me, a small velvet box clutched in her hands.

"This belongs to you." She pressed the box into my palm. "Whatever happened between you and my son, this was chosen with love."

I recognized the box immediately. My eyes burned with unshed tears as I accepted it. "Isolde, I can't—"

"You can. You must." Her voice carried quiet authority. "Because love doesn't disappear just because memory fails."

Dad cleared his throat, stepping closer to wrap his arms around both Isolde and me. "Family takes care of family. Always."



The announcement echoed through the terminal as our expanded group gathered near the gate. Fenris knelt to eye level with the children.

"Grandpa promises that everything will be better when you return." He pulled both twins into his arms.

Orion stepped back first. "You have to take care of Daddy, even if he doesn't remember us."

"I will, little warrior. That's a promise."

Lyra leaned close to Fenris's ear, whispering words meant only for him. Whatever she said made his eyes well with tears, but he nodded solemnly.

"I'll tell him you went on an adventure. And that you're coming back."

Alaric knelt beside his friend, ruffling Orion's hair. "Be good for your mom and Uncle Kieran. Learn everything you can, get strong, and come back to us."

Mom gathered Lyra into her arms, tears flowing freely. "Grandma will miss you every single day, my precious moonbeam."

Dad's goodbye was quieter, more reserved, but his hands shook as he smoothed Orion's jacket. "Take care of your sister and your mother. You're the man of this little family now."

The boarding agent called for final passengers. Kieran shouldered both our carry-on bags, giving me a reassuring nod. "Ready?"

I gathered the children's hands, checking tickets one last time. The reality of leaving hit me fully—not just leaving Tristan, but leaving everyone who loved us.

As we moved toward the gate, I turned for one final look at my family gathered behind the security barrier. Alaric stood with one arm around Mom, the other around Dad. Fenris held Isolde against his side as she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.