All Chapters of Leaving the Past Behind: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

"It's so good to have you back, Molly."I had just hung up when Jerry Shaw stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. Steam still clung to his skin, his toned eight-pack sharply defined, his broad chest impossible to ignore.He used to never keep me waiting. But lately, his showers had gotten longer, and he'd started bringing his phone in with him.Eyes still fixed on his screen, Jerry asked absently, "Who was that?""Jimmy Norwood from the Warwolf pack. He needed me for something."He let out a vague hum, barely registering my answer.This time, I didn't even bother calling him out on it.I tapped out my resignation letter on my phone."Why didn't you light the calming incense? You know how stressed I've been at work. I can't sleep without it."He finally looked at me, and I could see the blame in his eyes."I was busy. I forgot."I didn't bother reacting to his tone."Molly, I showed your test results to the doctor, and he said you just scraped your sk

Chapter 2

The thought made my hand shake, and the cake fork slipped from my fingers, clattering to the floor. I was about to pick it up, but Jerry was already on his way out."Pack business came up. I'll drive you another time," he said, then he was gone.Alone, I headed to the clinic on crutches. Somehow, I felt all those eyes on me, heavy with pity.On my way to the medication room to grab some medication, I overheard whispers from inside."Wait, is Alpha Jerry really seeing Monica, the newcomer?""Definitely. Monica twisted her ankle this morning because her heels were too high. And right in the middle of the government office lobby, Jerry put his arm around her waist, hoisted her onto his shoulder, and carried her all the way back to the office.""Seriously? That's straight out of a romance movie—possessive but sweet!"The tray slipped from my hands and crashed to the floor with a loud metallic clang. All the hushed conversations in the medication room stopped at once.Broken glass c

Chapter 3

From the day Jerry and I moved in together, he was constantly buried in work. The stress was so bad that it kept him up at night.So I gathered some herbs, mixed them in the softest down and fur I could find, and sewed him a sleep aid pillow.I spotted the totem pendant on his phone. Monica had a matching set of earrings. But I kept quiet.When Jerry seemed to realize his request was a bit much, I nodded and said, "Send me the design, and I'll take care of the materials."I wouldn't have made it out unharmed if he hadn't stepped in during the riot five years ago, especially without a weapon to defend myself. We were even once I finished that pillow for him.Jerry studied my downcast face, hesitating to speak."Do you need anything else?" I asked."The money for the materials is by the door," he said.I turned and walked outside, pulling up our message thread. A bitter laugh slipped out. I'd sent Jerry 4,310 messages, but he'd only replied 35 times.…Jerry showed up at the go

Chapter 4

I was about to take back the papers when Jerry suddenly grabbed my hand."You came all this way just for this?" he asked.I nodded.His face twisted in disgust, and he flung my hand away. He must've felt the blisters on my fingers—the ones from sewing the sleep aid pillow—and been grossed out.Monica leaned in, her eyes lighting up like she'd just found something juicy. "Molly, that bracelet looks awfully familiar. Oh, right. I saw one just like it in Jerry's office trash."I ignored Jerry tugging at my sleeve and kept my tone steady. "It's an old design. You can have it if you want."Monica waved a hand dismissively. "No, thanks. I'm not big on dumpster treasures."I walked out of the villa and tossed the bracelet I'd worn for five years into the trash.By the time I got home, Mom was calling. "Did you get your travel pass to return home yet?""They said it'll be ready in days."Suddenly, Jerry's voice cut in from behind me. "Where are you going?"I hung up and didn't miss

Chapter 5

I got to the Warwolf pack's border checkpoint in the middle of the night.As soon as I handed over my travel pass, I spotted Dad smiling and waving me over. I got into his car, noticing a big bag on the seat, stuffed with all my favorite candies and pastries.Mom was sitting beside me, unwrapping a piece of candy before popping it into my mouth with a happy smile.When I noticed the faint lines at the corners of Mom's eyes, everything I'd been holding back just came pouring out. "I never want to leave again. I just want to stay with you and Dad forever."A sob tore out of me as I buried my face in her arms, tears running down my cheeks."Oh, sweetheart. No matter where you go, you'll always be our dearest Molly."Dad didn't press me. He could tell I was upset, so he just let it be.After reaching home, I found the dining table laden with all my favorite dishes.Later that night, I got into bed and opened a video app, ready to unwind with a movie. But before I could start watchi

Chapter 6

"I already told you we're done," I said. "How could you even show up here after that? Let me say it to your face—it's over! Listen, we're finished."Jerry's face darkened, his expression twisting in disbelief. "It doesn't count unless I agree. What the hell did I even do? You're just being dramatic!"I couldn't believe his nerve. Before I could fire back, Mom's voice cut in. "Molly, who are you talking to? Why aren't you inside yet?""It's nothing, Mom. It's just the delivery guy dropping off my clothes. Actually, I'm craving donuts. I'm going to get to the dessert shop. Don't worry."Without thinking, I pushed Jerry out the door. Keeping a straight face, I said, "Don't bother my parents. Let's talk outside."We ended up at a dessert shop."You dyed your hair?" he asked softly.Jerry was usually distant, but when he saw my sullen face, he actually gave me his first-ever compliment, his tone almost sweet. "The blonde suits you. It makes you glow."He had always loved women with

Chapter 7

Jerry stayed silent. The sky darkened, and my patience was running out."If you're not going to say anything, I'll take that as agreement," I said.Jerry's face fell when I got up to leave, a flicker of panic in his eyes. He sounded genuinely sorry for the first time in our five years together."Molly, I know I've been buried in work and haven't been there for you. I get it if you want to walk away over this. We can pretend nothing happened if you just come home with me. I really miss your cooking."I got so annoyed when he brought up my cooking that I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes.Two months earlier, Jerry sent me a message out of nowhere. He told me to go to the borderland hunting grounds, buy fresh venison, and make him a stew.But I was sick that day, burning up with fever and shivering from the cold. Still, I dragged myself through pouring rain to get there anyway.The weather was so awful that none of the hunters had even bothered to go out, so I had to hunt m

Chapter 8

Jerry spoke earnestly, but I barely heard a word. My attention kept slipping toward the window, restless and impatient."What you think about Monica doesn't matter. Even if she weren't involved, I'd still break up with you," I said.The conversation was over, and I rose to go.Before I could reach the door, Jerry grabbed me from behind, his arms tightening around me. "We've been in love for five years. How can you just forget? Your eyes were so bright that first night."You held me and told me how much you loved me. You said you'd be happy just being there for me, that all you wanted was to stay by my side."I pulled free and gave him a cold look. "Jerry, you should know better than to trust a woman's promises when she's in love. Five years or fifty—it wouldn't make a difference. I'd walk away just as easily then as I am now!"I'd never been so harsh with him.He hesitated for a moment before finally letting go. "Alright, Molly. Just remember—you're not as important as you think

Chapter 9

"Jerry, what are you doing here?" I asked.He should've been back at our old place, hugging Monica, soaking in their sweet love story.Jerry ignored my question and hit me with a cold stare. "Molly, it's been a month. I gave you all this time, and you're still throwing a tantrum? Even if you're pissed, you should've gotten over it by now!"He shot Jimmy a sideways look and snorted, like he had any right to act possessive.I was about to tell Jerry he was crazy for spouting nonsense when a sickly-sweet voice came. "Jerry's had people watching over you all month, Molly. He just can't stand to be without you."First, Monica shot me a glare. Then she plastered on a smile so fake it looked painful."Here, eat this buttercream cake, then go home with Jerry, okay? Can you forgive us for not considering how you felt?"Her fake concern made me sick."Fine. Jerry, let me go first. Then we'll figure this out," I said.Thinking I'd given in, Jerry loosened his grip.The second he did, I

Chapter 10

Jerry stared at me in disbelief, touching the bleeding bite mark on the scruff of his neck. He didn't move, as if he couldn't believe I was really walking away from five years together.Did I never love him? That was ridiculous. Anyone who knew us could see how much I cared.I never said no to Jerry. No matter what he asked, I always gave in. So he assumed I'd never walk away as long as he stayed. He took love for granted, never imagining it could just end.Worried, I reached out to check Jimmy's injuries, but he grabbed my shoulders instead. He spun me around and asked if I was hurt.Nearby, Jerry watched us, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes blazing."Molly!" he shouted, his voice rough. "We loved each other for five years. How could you throw that away for some stranger?"I let out a sharp laugh. "Jerry, are you deaf? Fine, I'll say it again—I'm done with you. I don't feel anything for you anymore!"Without another word, I looped my arm through Jimmy's and walked away.

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP