Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 165

"Aunt Sarah!" Abby squealed, running straight into her arms.

Sarah chuckled and lifted her, spinning her around slightly. "You're going to take off if you keep waving that wand so fast!"

Abby giggled. "Maybe I'll fly like a fairy!"

The warmth in Sarah's chest deepened as she held the little girl close.

Cole stood a few steps away, his expression calm but observant. "I thought you were busy with family plans," he commented.

Sarah hesitated, adjusting Abby in her arms. "Elisa wanted to come here. I just came along to drop her off."

Cole hummed, as if he didn't entirely believe her. "Well, since you're here, why don't you join us?"

Before Sarah could answer, Abby pulled back slightly and pointed toward the sky. "The fireworks are starting!"

A loud boom echoed, followed by an explosion of gold and red across the night sky.

The crowd gasped in awe, and for a moment, Sarah was caught in the magic of it. The colors reflected in Abby's wide, delighted eyes as she clapped her hands together.

"This is the best night ever!" Abby declared.

Sarah felt her tension ease, her lips curving into a genuine smile.

As the festival wound down, Elisa returned to Sarah's side, bidding her friends goodbye.

wasn't too late. "Why are we heading home

we visiting aunt Laura at the Jaria

lips before she realized Cole was

she clamped her mouth shut, eyes darting to

around them

tensed, though outwardly,

*Jaria Sanitarium...*

was well-known a secluded facility on the outskirts of

type

would Sarah's

fixed on the night sky, feigning indifference. The fireworks continued to explode

reaction carefully. But when she saw no change in his expression, no flicker of acknowledgment, she assumed the noise had drowned

*Thank goodness.*

finding out about her mother. And for

and turned to Abby, ruffling

pouted. "Can't you stay

at her. "Let her go, Abby. We'll see her

dramatically but nodded. "Okay... but promise we'll see each other again

and nodded.

bidding Cole and

was crisp, the sky a dull gray as if reflecting the somber

car, staring out the window as the trees blurred past. Elisa sat beside her, uncharacteristically quiet, while Alexander focused on driving.

lump in her throat. The building loomed before them-a sterile white structure surrounded by an iron fence, its garden carefully maintained