A cold ache spread in my chest, but I didn’t have time to drown in my heartbreak. Cale was home sooner than I expected, his presence filling the doorway as he looked me over, a crease forming between his brows.
“What’s wrong?” he asked softly and kneeled in front of me and held my hands.
I forced a soft smile, though my voice was barely holding together. “I… I just wanted some dumplings,” I whispered, hoping for some hint of the old Cale. “The kind from that place an hour away.” I stared at him, desperately hoping he’d take my hand and say yes, that he’d make the effort, that he’d see my longing and reach back to me. Maybe… just maybe, I could look past everything else if he could show me a shred of love.
But instead, his face twisted in irritation. “Can it wait until tomorrow?” he snapped, waving a dismissive hand. “I’ve had a long day, Jasmine. Can’t you see that?”
My heart shattered a little more. I managed a nod, even though tears prickled my eyes, and my voice was nothing more than a whisper. “Sure… tomorrow.”
He turned away without another word, leaving me in the quiet ache of our broken bond. I felt the soft kicks within me, and I placed a hand on my belly, feeling the strength of my baby pressing against my palm. We’re going to be okay, I murmured, feeling the tiny heartbeat steadying my own. We’ll fight this together.
I wiped my tears, determination settling in the hollowness left by Cale’s betrayal. The road ahead would be brutal, but I wouldn’t let myself drown in the sorrow he’d left me with. My child and I would survive this. Because while Cale may have chosen another, I would choose us—again and again.
Dinner was quiet tonight, almost painfully so. Cale was caught up recounting the latest pack news, every small detail of his work and the burden it had become since I stepped back. I nodded along, my mind drifting, replaying all the pieces of what I’d discovered over the last few days. Each word he spoke felt hollow, like he was just going through the motions.
"I'm going to take a bath," He said and went to the bathroom. I felt my pulse quicken, waiting until I heard the water running before I dared to move.