Picking Up the Pieces of My Life のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 9

I quietly tucked the photos away, then sat in the driver's seat for a long time without moving. Until my phone screen lit up and Brandon's name appeared."Did you find a necklace you liked at the market? If you did, show me when you get home."I texted back "On my way," then started the car.When I got home, the house was stiflingly hot. The fireplace crackled, and the air was thick with the smell of stew and baking bread. Brandon had already changed his clothes and was standing at the dining table, setting out plates.Hearing the door open, he came over to take my bag and set out my slippers.When he noticed my bare neck, he produced a diamond necklace from inside his jacket like a magic trick."Looks like nothing at the market caught my sweetheart's eye, but that's alright. I've already prepared one for you. Do you like it?"I looked at the sparkling diamonds, my voice so steady it surprised even me."I love it."If I hadn't found those photos, I might've still believed Bran

People occasionally passed by the entrance, but they didn't care at all. I sat in my car, watching the two of them kiss, and heard something crack inside me. It was like something had quietly shattered.Over the next few hours, I watched my mate dote on Liana. Brandon fastened her seatbelt for her, smoothed her hair when the wind messed it up, and wiped the water droplets off her heels.Whatever caught Liana's eye, Brandon bought it. Even though he didn't like flower shops, he lingered in one for a long time because Liana loved flowers.I didn't care about the money Brandon spent on her. Over these three years, he'd never deprived me of material things. Every time he went out, he brought me exquisite gifts—necklaces, earrings, fur shawls for winter.But the tenderness in Brandon's eyes when he looked at Liana was so much deeper than when he looked at me.His eyes didn't lie. Brandon loved Liana. That much was obvious.I pulled my thoughts back just in time to see Brandon sliding

Third Person Point-of-ViewThe Blackstone pack's full moon banquets were always as lively as a fire that never went out.The main hall's long table was piled high with roasted meat, fruit platters, and berry wine. The statue of the Moon Goddess stood at the far end, and silvery moonlight streamed through the high windows, illuminating every smiling face.Liana wore that blue gown and stood beside Brandon, accepting the subtle scrutiny of everyone around them. Some complimented her beauty, others called her "future Luna," but Brandon only held his wine glass with a distant expression and didn't respond.From the moment he'd stepped into the main hall, he'd felt something was off. It wasn't that the hall wasn't lively enough. It was that some corner of his heart was eerily quiet.Over the past three years, Elizabeth had always waited for him on every full moon night. Sometimes it was a photo of warm milk, sometimes a text saying "Don't drink too much." Most of the time, she didn't s

Elizabeth's Point-of-ViewDeniro bordered the sea.The air didn't carry the lingering scent of cedar that clung to the Blackstone pack year-round, and there was no cold, metallic tang of mountain wind. Here, there was only damp salt, sun-warmed wood, and the sound of waves rolling against the shore.When I got off the plane, dawn had just broken. My old friend Vera Fenris was there to pick me up.Vera took my suitcase and looked me over from head to toe. Her brow furrowed immediately."You look terrible.""I'm fine.""No, you look awful." Vera shoved me into the car without ceremony."I'm taking you to the healing center."I didn't argue. After the healer examined me, she prescribed two remedies. One to ease the tightness in my chest, and one to help me sleep."The dissolution period is going to be rough for a few days," the healer warned me. "But as long as you don't waver, you'll be fine."I accepted the remedies and thanked her quietly. When we walked out of the healing c

Three months later, spring came to Deniro. The seaside market came alive again, with new flower stalls and craft shops lining both sides of the long street.I rented a small house with a terrace near the harbor and found a clerical job at the healing center in town. It wasn't glamorous, but it was stable, clean, and free.My days suddenly had shape to them.I'd wake up at 7:00 am, make myself coffee and fried eggs, and untangle the wind chimes on the terrace before leaving. During the day, I'd organize medical records at the healing center, log herbal supplies, and sometimes hand out herbal candies to the new pups.After work in the evening, I'd walk along the beach or bring home a bouquet of fresh flowers. No one demanded I wait anymore. And no one would promise to come back only to leave me alone on a full moon night.Vera said I looked so much more relaxed than when I'd first arrived in Deniro. I just smiled when she said that.I didn't tell anyone that during the first month