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

aunt Laura at the Jaria sanitarium

left her lips before she realized Cole

late, she clamped her mouth shut, eyes

air around

tensed, though outwardly,

*Jaria Sanitarium...*

well-known a secluded facility on the outskirts of the city, designed

long-term mental health patients. It was not the type of place someone would

Sarah's

on the night sky, feigning indifference. The fireworks continued to explode in dazzling patterns-brilliant reds, blues, and golds illuminating the

when she saw no change in his expression, no flicker of acknowledgment, she

*Thank goodness.*

about her mother. And for now, at least, it

to Abby, ruffling her

"Can't you stay a little

"Let her go, Abby. We'll

"Okay... but promise we'll see each other

smiled and

she took Elisa's hand, bidding Cole and Abby goodnight

the sky a dull gray as if

uncharacteristically quiet, while Alexander focused on driving. Their grandmother sat in the front seat,

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