Chapter 67: Terrible memories

Flora's POV

I stared at Lucy as if she had just said something I couldn't possibly understand.

“Don't confront Maverick, Flora.”

Her words echoed in my head.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks and shook my head. “Why shouldn't I ask him?”

“Because there is nothing good that can come from it.”

“There is something I need to know.” My voice trembled. “Why did Maverick get Lyra pregnant?”

Lucy went quiet.

I could see the hesitation in her eyes, and somehow, that silence hurt more than any answer could have.

“Why does it matter to you?” she finally asked.

I frowned. “What kind of question is that?”

“The kind you need to answer before you go to him.” She stepped closer. “Why do you want to talk to Maverick, Flora?”

I looked away.

Because I wanted answers.

Because I was angry.

Because every time I saw Lyra, I remembered the child I had lost and because a part of me, no matter how desperately I tried to bury it, still cared about Maverick.

“I just want to know the truth,” I whispered.

Lucy studied me carefully. “Do you still have feelings for him?”

My heart stopped.

“Lucy…”

“Do you?”

I swallowed hard.

For months, I had convinced myself that those feelings were gone. I had told myself that Maverick's rejection had destroyed whatever foolish hope I had once carried for him. He had chosen Lyra, my own stepsister.

He had looked at me and made his choice and I had been left to pick up the pieces.

“I haven't forgotten him,” I admitted.

Lucy sighed.

“But that doesn't mean I want him back,” I quickly added. “I just want to understand why he got Lyra pregnant.”

“Flora, they're together.”

“I know.”

“They are a couple.”

“I know!”

My voice cracked, and Lucy flinched.

I pressed my hands against my face.

“I know they're together,” I whispered. “I know he chose her. I know she's carrying his child. I know all of it.”

“Then leave them alone.”

I looked at her.

“How can you say that?”

“Because getting involved will only hurt you more.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

“Hurt me more?”

Lucy didn't answer.

I shook my head as tears filled my eyes again.

“Lyra already took everything from me.”

“Flora…”

“She poisoned my child.”

The words came out louder than I intended.

Lucy immediately reached for me but I stepped back.

“She poisoned my baby, Lucy.” My voice broke. “Do you understand that? She didn't just hurt me. She took my unborn child away from me.”

I pressed a trembling hand against my stomach.

Even though there was nothing there anymore, I could still remember the feeling.

“She poisoned my child,” I repeated, tears streaming down my face. “And now she's pregnant.”

Lucy wrapped her arms around me.

I broke.

A sob tore through my chest as I clung to her.

“How is that fair?” I cried. “How is it fair that she gets to keep her baby after taking mine from me?”

Lucy rubbed my back.

“It's not about fairness right now.”

“It should be!”

“I know.”

“She gets everything.” I pulled away, wiping my face. “She got Maverick. She got his love. And now she has a child too.”

“Flora, listen to me.”

I looked at her through blurred vision.

“You're back,” Lucy said softly. “That's what matters.”

I shook my head.

“What if nothing changes?”

“It will.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I'm here now.” She squeezed my hands. “And you're not alone anymore.”

I wanted to believe her.

I really did.

But deep inside me, there was a terrible fear that coming back had only opened wounds I had barely managed to close.

Before I could respond, a knock sounded at the door. Both of us froze.

Lucy looked toward the door.

“Who could that be?”

I didn't answer.

Another knock came.

This one was louder.

Lucy walked toward the door while I remained where I was, trying to steady my breathing.

The door opened.

And then I heard a familiar voice.

“Lucy?”

My entire body stiffened. It was Alpha Malcolm. He stepped into the room, his eyes immediately finding me. His expression changed. He had barely taken two steps before his gaze settled on my tear-streaked face.

“Why is Flora crying?”

I quickly wiped my cheeks.

“I'm fine.”

Alpha Malcolm frowned.

“You don't look fine.”

“I said I'm fine.”

“Flora,” he said gently.

I looked up.

There was something different in his eyes, real concern.

“I don't want to talk about it,” I whispered.

“You don't have to.”

He stopped in front of me.

“But you don't have to pretend you're fine either.”

Something inside me broke.

I looked away, fighting another wave of tears.

He opened his arms.

For a moment, I hesitated.Then I stepped into his embrace.

His arms closed around me firmly.

And I cried.

I cried harder than I had before.

I didn't care if Lucy was watching.

I didn't care if Alpha Malcolm thought I was weak.

I had spent too long pretending that losing my child hadn't destroyed something inside me.

Alpha Malcolm didn't ask questions.

He simply held me.

“You're safe,” he murmured.

I closed my eyes as I thought about being safe. The word felt unfamiliar. For the first time since I had returned, I allowed myself to believe that perhaps I didn't have to fight every battle alone.

But even as I rested against him, my mind returned to Maverick.

To Lyra.

To the child growing inside her.

And to the child I had lost.

My tears slowed, but the ache remained.

Then Alpha Malcolm's voice came again.

“Who hurt you?”

I opened my eyes. Lucy looked at me. Neither of us answered.

Alpha Malcolm pulled back slightly and studied my face.

“I asked who hurt you.”

I swallowed. I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted to tell him about Lyra but something stopped me.

Because if Alpha Malcolm learned the truth, I wasn't sure what he would do. And suddenly, I was afraid that the moment I spoke, everything would change.

“I just remembered my baby,” I whispered.

His expression softened.

“I understand.”