All Chapters of Picking Up the Pieces of My Life: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

When I turned around, Brandon had already finished washing the dishes and was drying his hands. His gaze landed on the phone in my hand."Liz, what are you doing with my phone?""I think someone messaged you." I handed it back to him without missing a beat."It kept buzzing while you were busy, so I grabbed it for you."He took it, glanced at the screen, then looked back up at me. It looked like he was trying to figure out whether I was telling the truth.Finally, the suspicion in his eyes faded. "I'm going to shower."The bathroom door closed, and the sound of running water started up quickly. I sat on the edge of the bed, listening to that steady stream of water, my mind filled with those photos I'd just seen.A few minutes later, the water stopped. Brandon walked out with only a towel loosely wrapped around his waist, his black hair still damp, water droplets sliding down his neck and collarbone.The air was thick with his scent—cedar, cold mist, and a faint trace of sweetne

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

When I got home, I pulled out my suitcase and started packing. There really wasn't much that was truly mine, only a few outfits, some everyday medications, a photo album, and a handful of little things Brandon had casually given me over the years.I folded my clothes into the suitcase, then walked over to the fireplace and tossed some of the old gifts in. They were things like dried moonflowers, a dusty scarf, and a hair clip I'd never wear again. The flames caught them and quickly turned them black.The door opened just as I threw the last small box into the fire. Brandon stopped in his tracks, his gaze landing on the fireplace. For once, his expression looked unsettled."Liz, what are you burning?"I turned around and saw he was holding a new gift box."Nothing important." I dusted the ash off my fingertips."They've been sitting around too long. They've picked up smells and gotten dusty. I couldn't get them clean, so I'm getting rid of them."He looked at me like he was tryin

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

In the main hall of the Blackstone pack, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the night before a blizzard.By the time Brandon returned, the full moon banquet had long since ended. His parents sat in their chairs, clearly waiting for him. Liana was there too.She'd been sitting properly, but when she heard the door open, she immediately looked up. She quickly realized that Brandon's expression was terrifyingly dark.He clutched the document he'd brought back from the pack registry in one hand, and the moonstone ring in the other.Jacob glanced at the document, his voice cold and heavy. "So, you really did sign that agreement."Brandon's knuckles turned white from the pressure. "She tricked me into signing it.""Tricked? You're the Alpha heir, and you were abandoned by your own mate without even realizing it. How can I trust the Blackstone pack to you?"Those words hit him like a slap across the face. Brandon's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue back. He knew the Alpha was right.

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

Three days later, it was the night of the full moon. The mate bond between Brandon and me was about to break completely.I went to the lighthouse by the sea. It was right by the water, and moonlight covered the stones in silvery patterns."Can you still hold on?" Vera steadied me.I nodded.Over the past few days, the physical toll of the breaking bond had gotten worse. My chest would tighten from time to time, and occasionally even breathing felt like something was pulling at me.But compared to all those nights I'd spent waiting in the Blackstone pack, this pain actually made me feel clearheaded.I wasn't surprised to see Brandon there.The sea wind whipped through his black hair and stripped away much of the cold, sharp edge he usually carried. Right now, he didn't look as out of control as when he'd first chased after me, and he didn't look as untouchable as he had in the Blackstone pack.He looked tired in a way I couldn't quite describe."Liz." He spoke first. "I'll hav

Chapter 9

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

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP