Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 263: Real Mother

Astrid's

POV

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the playground. Giselle sat on the edge of a park bench, her posture stiff, watching her son, Ryker, who stood a few feet away, transfixed by the swing's rhythmic motion.

He didn't climb onto it; instead, he observed the world around him fading into the background. Giselle didn't bother to approach her son or to keep him company.

Vanessa, sitting next to her, laughed softly as her daughter, Hazel, darted around the playground, introducing herself to other children with ease and grace that came naturally to her.

"That girl," Vanessa mused, smiling fondly, "She could make friends with anyone."

Giselle nodded her smile tight. She watched Hazel charm another group of children, their laughter

reaching her ears like an echo that she wished she could hear from Ryker.

I watched as Giselle's fingers tensed on the edge of the bench as she glanced at her son. He wasn't interacting, wasn't joining in, leaving her nothing to boast about him.

"Ryker is just shy," Giselle replied after a moment, her voice distant as if she felt embarrassed to give that answer. "He's not good with people."

Vanessa waved her hand dismissively. "Oh please, He's just fine. We all have our pace." Her smile was bright; it was so easy to see how delighted she was to rub it on Giselle's face that her daughter was better than hers.

Giselle's shoulders tensed. If they hadn't been at the public playground and no people were watching, she would have responded negatively to Vanessa's words. It's clear what she's doing here.

talented child," Vanessa spoke boastfully. "She could play both the piano and the violin, and she also knows a little ballet from her recent

different reaction on her face, a hint of sadness and happiness

is he good at?" Vanessa questioned,

keep him focused on something," Giselle replied. "Killian tried hiring tutors to teach him something and

sigh, though it came off more as a mockery than genuine concern. "As the future

don't have to worry, Ryker's health is improving with his therapy sessions. The Crimsonbane Pack won't raise up in the ranks

in surprise, her composure faltering, not expecting that Giselle would respond negatively to her in

an open confrontation, Giselle's defenses softened, her expression shifting

violin," she said, her voice taking on a more genuine tone. "I'd really like to

with

long on Hazel, her face softening for a moment - until she caught sight of Ryker again,

tension growing like

silence

angled away from Max as

at her daughter while Giselle's face remained taut, her

looking at her so intently? Then, a sudden cry split through the air. Hazel had tumbled

could even

hands trembling as she gently examined the

later, chuckling

Giselle lingered, running her hands over Hazel's hair, her breath coming fast. "You have to be more careful,

was thick with concern when she