His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

I imagined his concerned face, the way he would listen intently, ready to offer guidance, and I couldn't shake the feeling that my hesitation might push him

further from me.

Perhaps it was safer to keep my struggles hidden, to play the part of the composed person I wanted everyone to believe I was.

But that thought only deepened the chasm of isolation I felt, and I knew I had to make a decision soon, before the weight of my secrets became too heavy to bear.

Instead, I made my way to the kindergarten, hoping to find some comfort in talking to Vesta. The walk there was usually a pleasant one, filled with the sounds of children playing and the rustle of leaves. But today, every step felt heavy with the weight of my decisions. As I entered the kindergarten, the familiar sounds of laughter welcomed me, but I still felt heavy with uncertainty. I found Vesta in the kitchen, humming softly to herself as she tidied up.

Her presence was soothing, like a warm blanket on a cold day. Watching her, I felt a flicker of hope that maybe she could help me untangle my thoughts.

"Vesta, I..." I began, but the words stuck in my throat. How could I tell her what I was feeling? The thought of confessing my inner turmoil felt daunting, like opening a floodgate of emotions I wasn't sure I was ready to face.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with understanding. "You seem troubled," she said gently. "What's on your mind?"

After a moment's hesitation, I took a deep breath. "I'm about to do something bad," Ladmitted. It felt like a weight had been lifted just by voicing my fears, but I still struggled to articulate what I meant.

Vesta nodded, her expression one of quiet reassurance. "I'm sure you do everything for a reason," she replied softly

Her belief in my intentions wrapped around me like a warm embrace, but it didn't completely dispel my doubts. What reason could possibly justify what I was planning?

Just then, a group of kindergartners wandered into the kitchen, their eyes wide with curiosity. They had overheard our conversation and quickly picked up on

Vesta's tone.

In unison, they began to mimic her, chanting, "We will always support Doris!" Their innocent words pierced through my cloud of doubt, and I felt a rush of emotion. How could I let them down? They believed in me, and I was determined not to disappoint them. That moment of clarity was short-lived, though. Just as I began to gather my resolve, Carlos walked through the door.

Relief washed over his face when he saw me safe in the kindergarten, but it quickly transformed into something darker. He looked at me with a cold expression, his eyes narrowing as he processed the situation.

I could see the anger

in his

posture as he turned and walked away without saying

a word. My heart sank. Had I misjudged his feelings? Did he think I was in danger? I wanted to call out to him, to explain that I was okay, that I needed him more than ever.

Just as I opened my mouth to call out to him, the words caught in my throat, heavy with unspoken fears. The sight of Carlos walking away, his back rigid and unyielding, felt like a physical blow.

Doubt crept in, wrapping around me like a vice. Had I truly misread everything between us? The moments we had shared, the laughter and the late-night conversations-were they just figments of my imagination? Chapter 81

My pulse quickened as I wrestled with the reality of his silence, the way it echoed in the space between us. I felt vulnerable and exposed, as if my internal struggle was laid bare for him to see, yet he was choosing to distance himself instead of reaching out.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I knew I had to act quickly, to bridge the gap that had formed in an instant, before this misunderstanding spiraled out of control and left me completely alone.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself against the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I couldn't let fear dictate my actions any longer.

I took a step forward, feeling a surge of determination wash over me. "Carlos, wait!" I called out, my voice trembling but resolute. I needed him to understand that I wasn't in danger; I was simply lost in my own thoughts, trapped in the web of decisions I had spun. I took a moment to collect my thoughts, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. The silence between us felt heavy, and I knew I had to act quickly.

Tina, my wolf, surged to the forefront of my thoughts, her tone loud and urgent. Carlos is angry! she exclaimed. Go after him!

Doubts raced through my mind as I considered the gravity of the situation. I couldn't let Carlos walk away without explaining myself.