Chapter 7 % The weight of my steps echoed through the house as I walked inside .
It had always been cold here , but tonight , it felt emptier .
The air was thick with something unsettling % Ill fix this , Mom .
You know Hestia .
This is just one of our petty fights , I had said earlier , trying to sound confident on the phone .
But she hadnt agreed .
I dont think so , Lucian .
Shes your luna .
She knows everything .
The rules , the history of the pack .
She wouldnt make a big deal out of something this small if it didnt mean something more .
Her words stuck with me .
Was I kidding myself , thinking Hestia was only upset over something trivial ? Could it be that I had been wrong all along , thinking she would never walk away from us ? I didnt go to my office as usual .
Instead , I walked toward our bedroom .
Hestia and I had shared this bed countless times , but only out of routine , mating , quick sleep , then Id leave her to return to my work .
Wed never truly rested together , except when we were too drunk or too tired to notice the distance between us .
When I opened the door , her scent filled the air .
It was faint now , but it still lingered , as if she had never left .
The warmth that had once filled this room with her presence was gone , replaced by cold emptiness .
I sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up my phone , scrolling through the messages shed sent .
They were always so simple , requests , reminders for me or questions .
What I wanted for dinner , when Id need my clothes ready , whether she should wait up .

Nothing meaningful .
Nothing personal .
Nothing too romantic .
Which among this is too much and demanding for her ? Had I pushed her to the point where she felt like she had no choice but to leave ?? Frustrated , I threw the phone down onto the bed and headed to the closet to change .
But something caught my eye .
A new suit , neatly hung on the rod , with a note attached .
!! I picked it up and read the note : Happy sixth anniversary to us , Lucian ! My heart sank .
Our anniversary was last night .
I had completely forgotten about it ! She had been in the hospital , and I had been focused on her health , but was that really an excuse ? Could I justify forgetting something as important as our anniversary ?! Before I could even process it , I noticed another box beside the suit .
Curiosity piqued , I opened it .
Inside was the new gaming equipment that Lorde had wanted .
I had meant to buy it for him , but I never had the time .
Now here it was , waiting for him .
The card inside read , I got you a present , baby .
Hope youre happy with this .
From Mommy … I stared at the items , custom made , with our initials .
She had gone to the trouble of having them designed .
Hestia didnt like talking on the phone .
She had to have met with the designer in person .
She always bought gifts ahead of time .
For me and Lorde .
A week before .

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But she hadnt just bought gifts this time .
She had left a clear message .
She loved us .
I knew that .
But this? This was different .
It wasnt just a simple anniversary gift or a gesture for Lorde .
This was her trying to make a point .
I left the room with the gift and went to Lordes room .
When he saw what I was holding , his eyes widened , his sleepiness momentarily forgotten .
You bought me a present ? he asked , grinning .
I didnt , I said .
Then it must be Aunt Beverly ? he asked , taking the box from me .
No.
Your mother bought that for you , I told him .
His face lit up , and then a mischievous smirk appeared .
I knew it .
She cant stay mad at me .
Maybe shes using this as a way to come back .
I smiled despite myself .
Hestia had bought that for him long before she ever brought up the idea of divorce .
That told me one thing : she wasnt serious about leaving .
This was a game .

A way to make me see how serious she was , since I didnt believe she could go through with it .
She wouldnt leave us .
Not after all these years .
When she comes back , Lorde said , Im going to ask for more presents .
Ill make her realize this little stunt wont work on me .
! I ruffled his hair, smiling .
I like the way you think , son .
But deep down , something didnt sit right .
Because even if she wasnt leaving for good , she still left .
And no matter what she meant by it , the message was loud and clear : she was done waiting .
She had tried .
And now , she was tired .
Still , Id play her game .
Let her act stubborn .
Lets see how far shell go before she comes back .
I went back on our bedroom to finally rest when I was greeted by the strong smell and pieces of clothes laid on the bed .
Hestias clothes .
I smirked when I heard the shower .
She came back … I took off my clothes and decided to come inside but anger boiled inside me , making me fumed in madness when I saw whos inside .
No , its not my stubborn wife .
What the heck are you doing here , Beverly ?! She smiled sweetly at me .
I have no room to sleep .
Can I sleep with you ? }