All Chapters of Unbound Desires: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

STEPHENMorning crept in, slow and unforgiving.I stood in the doorway, watching her groan and bury her face deeper into the pillow like the sun had personally betrayed her.Her hair was a mess, makeup smudged around her eyes, but none of it dulled her presence. Even half-dead with a hangover, she radiated that same stubborn fire.“Are you okay?” I asked, keeping my voice low.She flinched. “Keep it down,” she muttered, each word laced with pain.I grabbed the aspirin and a glass of water Sofie had set aside last night, then offered them without a word.She didn’t thank me, just squinted up at me like I was part of the problem.Still, she took them. Small win.“You want breakfast?” I asked, still keeping my voice low.Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Did Sofie cook?”“No.”She groaned. “Good. If she does, don’t eat it.”I huffed a laugh. “Noted. I can make toast.”She hesitated, then gave the faintest nod. “Fine. Toast.”She didn’t remember anything or if she did, she wasn’t ready to

CLAIREThe hospital cafeteria hummed with soft conversation and the clinking of cutlery. A quiet background to the tension still lingering in my chest.Sofie and I sat at a corner table, wrapping up the final interview for Grandpa’s new caretaker. The stack of resumes between us had thinned to one obvious choice.As the last candidate walked away, Sofie turned to me.“I think Janine is our best option,” she said, her shoulders dipping with relief.I nodded. “I liked her too. She seemed genuinely caring and experienced. Plus, she can start right away.”Sofie smiled. “I’m so relieved. It’s going to be such a help for Grandpa.”Then she broke out in a sudden, soaking sweat.At first, I thought it was just warm in the room. But when she pressed a napkin to her forehead, dabbing over and over, my stomach twisted.Sofie didn’t usually sweat like this. Something felt off.“Sofie, are you okay?”She shook her head, slow and shaky. “I don’t feel well,” she said softly.She pushed back from the

CLAIREOnce everything was settled, Sofie was given the all-clear to be discharged.She refused the wheelchair. Naturally. Stubborn as ever.He helped her gather her things, and they walked out to the lobby where Stephen and I were waiting.The moment I saw her, I rushed forward and pulled her into a hug.“Are you okay? I was so scared. You’re all I have.”He stepped in, his voice calm.“No, you also have Old Man Sam, me, and Stephen. We’re all your family.”He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.I didn’t answer. My guard stayed up, even though I wanted to believe him.“Sofie’s fine now. I’ll take good care of her,” he added.I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Okay. I’m glad you’re alright, Sofie.”I squeezed her hand, anchoring myself in the comfort of knowing she was safe.Together, we walked out of the hospital. The cool evening air wrapped around us like a soft blanket.Her stomach gave a quiet growl, and she wasn’t the only one. The day had been long. Heavy. None of us had eat

CLAIREThe click of billiard balls and classic rock echoed through the pub, settling over me like armor.I tossed back another sip of vodka cranberry, just strong enough to numb the ache but sweet enough to trick myself into thinking it was fun.I laughed as the guy I’d been flirting with made a ridiculous trick shot. He missed, badly. We both laughed harder.Laughter feels better than silence. Especially the kind that crawls into your chest and doesn’t leave.I grabbed my phone, aimed the front camera, and snapped a picture, me draped across this stranger’s shoulders, a drink in one hand, the other tossed lazily around his neck. I looked like chaos in a cocktail dress. Pretty from a distance. A disaster up close.I sent it to Sofie with no caption. Let them think what they want. Let Stephen see it.The guy wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer.“One night with you,” he said, voice low and cocky, “and I’d burn down my whole damn life. Worth it.”I forced another laugh an

OLD MAN SAMLaughter was already bubbling by the time I shuffled back to the table, knees barking, mesquite smoke curling warmly through the air. The sun was low, casting long shadows over the porch, but my girls... God, they glowed like always.Sofie. Claire. Stephen sitting beside her. And Alex, Sofie’s husband, now. Good man. Solid.Still getting used to the idea that my little Sofie was married. Pregnant. Damn if I didn’t still see her in pigtails, running barefoot through the yard, always trying to keep up with her sister.I eased onto the bench, cradling my lemonade like it held more than citrus. Let the wood groan beneath me and the moment settle."You know," I said, pointing my fork like a preacher, "I’ve got a few stories about these two troublemakers sitting right here. Starting with the Great Glitter Disaster."Alex leaned in, curious already. Stephen chuckled low. And Sofie, bless her, tried to hide behind her hands.Claire groaned, already turning pink. "Grandpa, don’t you