All Chapters of Chains of Gratitude: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Scarlett POVLucien came home late that night. I pretended to be asleep, my back to him, but my mind was a storm of images, each one tearing at my heart. My pillow was already damp with tears.The mattress dipped behind me. He leaned in, careful not to wake me, and placed a soft kiss on my ear. The familiar scent of his shower gel wafted over me. It was so comforting, so much like home, but I couldn't relax. My spine was rigid. I was too scared to open my eyes. I didn't know how to face him.For five years, he had been almost endlessly accommodating. Every time I had been unreasonable, he would simply smile and indulge me, then, with time, gently guide me to see things his way. The only exception was Anika. On that one thing, he never gave an inch. It was a thorn that had been festering in my heart for years.The next morning, my phone screen flashed with a countdown I had set: [ 6 days left.] Lucien glanced at it. "Six days? What for?"My heart hammered against my ribs. I qu

Scarlett POVMaybe it was a side effect of my heartache, but in the days that followed, I felt utterly exhausted, too tired to eat, and found myself throwing up again and again. Lucien, his face full of concern, begged me to go to the hospital. But I refused. A trip to the emergency room would immediately expose the pup's existence, and I couldn't let that happen."It's probably just the shock from the champagne tower," I offered as an excuse. "It really scared me. All I see when I close my eyes are glass shards."He looked at me for a long moment, then pulled me into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry, Scarlett. I didn't take care of you that night."I managed a faint smile. I fixed his tie and buttoned his jacket, then gently nudged him out the door. "You should go to the office. I can take care of myself."He shook his head, a look of helplessness on his face, and pulled me into another hug, refusing to let go. "You have to eat something, you're getting so thin. If you don't fee

Scarlett POVI sat on a park bench, soaking in the late afternoon sun, watching children play in the distance. My pup had grown so big. I was just two months from welcoming him into the world. I stroked my rounded stomach, feeling the little pup tumble inside, and enjoyed the quiet peace of this new town.A tall figure came into view, walking slowly, as if unsure of himself, or perhaps afraid of startling me. My first thought was, Oh no, he found me. But then I realized there was no reason to be afraid. I had to face him sooner or later. So, I just watched him, unafraid.When Lucien was close enough, I saw the wave of emotion on his face. His eyes were red-rimmed and brimming with tears. "Scarlett... I've been looking for you for so long." His voice was hoarse. "How could you leave me? We promised we'd be together, always. Have you forgotten?"He looked gaunt, his handsome face thin and drawn. His powerful Alpha aura, usually so overwhelming, was now so faint it was barely a w

Scarlett POVLucien left in a blur. I didn't know whether to feel happy or not. The fact that he had spent months looking for me meant he cared, but his failure to grasp the true nature of the thorn in our relationship was a crushing disappointment. And now, my fragile peace had shattered again.After a sleepless night and a day filled with gnawing anxiety, I decided to move. A small regret gnawed at me: I had bought too many things these past months. Tiny clothes, little toys for the pup...all too adorable to leave behind. I packed a few boxes and, despite my huge, cumbersome belly, managed to haul them out to the car one by one. I was exhausted and out of breath. Just as I was dragging a particularly large box to the car, the screech of tires sliced through the air.In the next heartbeat, strong arms yanked me against a body I knew too well."Scarlett, what the hell are you doing? Running again?!" Lucien's voice was hoarse with panic, as if terrified of losing something pre