Lahat ng Kabanata ng Shattered Mate Bond: Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

I let my gaze drift toward Dad's still form in the hospital bed, using the movement to mask the fact that I was conscious. He looked smaller than I remembered, diminished by the medical equipment and the stillness that had replaced his usual commanding presence. The sight made my chest tighten with

The touch of her palm against my cheek was warm, grounding, achingly familiar. For just a moment, I let myself lean into that contact, drawing strength from the woman who'd once been my everything and might—maybe—be willing to be something to me again. "I can't lose him," I whispered, the admissio

The fear in his voice was so raw, so completely stripped of the arrogant confidence I remembered, that something inside my chest cracked. This wasn't the Jace who'd once stood in a cabin and told me I was worthless. This was someone who'd learned the true cost of losing people you love, who understo

"Nothing yet," Mia replied gently. "But no news is generally good news in these situations. Dr. Martinez said he'd update us as soon as they know anything." She distributed plates and utensils, and for a few minutes we ate in relative silence. The food was excellent—rich and warming in the way tha

"Was," I said, emphasizing the past tense. "People can change, Jace. I'm living proof of that." He looked at me then, really looked at me, and I saw the moment he understood what I was saying. Not just that people could change, but that I was beginning to believe he had changed. That maybe, just m