Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 241: A Chance to Give

Astrid's POV

"How long has this been? How long have you known?" I demanded, feeling a mix of betrayal and confusion. She had known about Drystan's hidden attraction toward me, yet she never mentioned it.

Nova's gaze fell, the weight of my words hanging in the air. "I only found out years ago, before you lost your son."

My eyes widened in shock at her confession. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Drystan trusts me, and that's why he confided in me. I can't betray his trust by telling you his secret," Nova explained, "Besides, wasn't it obvious that he likes you? Drystan had never shown that kind of affection to anyone but you."

I blinked my eyes as her words pierced through the fog in my mind, and I started to see things I had overlooked. I had never considered that Drystan's kindness would stem out of love.

I thought he was concerned about me because I used to be his student. I thought he was kind towards me because he felt guilty and partially responsible for what his nephew had done to me.

"Drystan used to be my teacher, and he's my ex-husband's uncle," I murmured, grappling with this new perspective. "I thought he was just helping me out of pity, out of concern for me as his student. It never crossed my mind that he might be in love with me all this time." If Drystan hadn't confessed his feelings to me, until now, I wouldn't think that he was secretly in love with me.

I thought his feelings for me only blossomed recently because of our frequent interaction. If Nova hadn't told me the truth, I would have never known that Drystan already had feelings for me even while I was still pregnant.

I felt a wave of guilt wash over me for having been so blind to Drystan's affection. How could I have missed the signs? His kindness, his concern - I brushed it all aside, convinced that it stemmed from obligation or pity. The realization stung as I thought how much I had hurt Drystan because of my selfishness. I had been so focused on my own pain and struggles, and I took advantage of his feelings and his kindness.

I thought the only time I had hurt Drystan was when I chose this path of revenge rather than the path he had offered. Little did I know that I'd hurt him many times before without even realizing it.

a step back. "Now I feel like a bad person who

not a bad person, Astrid. You never took advantage of anyone. It's Drystan who willingly helped you. He did those things because he

"I would have acted more carefully. I never wanted to hurt him, especially when I knew would never be able to return his feelings because I was

said, wrapping her arms around me tightly to comfort me. "You were in a

remained silent as I rested my chin on her shoulder, grateful for her warmth. Nova stepped back,

breath, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. "What should I do, Nova? I caused this. How am I supposed to fix

me with compassion, her eyes steady. "This isn't your fault, Astrid. It's not something you can just fix with a

of his feelings. "He loves me, and I feel like I've played with

took a deep breath,

love someone who never

trembling. "Someone who never

my efforts

my

I know how that

hurt deeply."

listened intently, her expression sympathetic. "I felt bad that I made someone feel the same way, too," I added, the guilt pressing down

"Love isn't something we can control. Who could ever dictate what the heart wants? Drystan's feelings are

I could

gave me a small