Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 337: The Solution Astrid's POV

The silence after the call ended was heavier than the words I hadn't spoken.

I remained frozen, clutching the phone as though its weight could tether me to the choices I had made.

Each unspoken truth tightened like a vice around my chest, each lie stealing the air I so desperately needed.

I wanted nothing more than to turn back, to run to Ryker and finally tell him who I really was.

But how could I? How could I be so selfish, so reckless? I knew the truth about my condition - how dangerous and uncertain everything is. How could I let him get close to me, knowing how it will all end?

The thought of Ryker loving me, only to lose me, was unbearable. I couldn't let him go through that pain, the kind of pain that had already hollowed me out.

I knew it too well - the ache of losing someone you'd give anything to keep. The searing, unrelenting agony of losing my husband, the devastation of outliving my child.

I wouldn't wish that torment on anyone, least of all Ryker.

A shiver coursed through me as I stared at my trembling hand, willing it to stay steady. But my composure wavered, the cracks too wide to mend.

Every word I'd said on that call was a lie. There was no urgent matter to attend to. It was all an excuse in my desperate attempt to protect them, to keep distance between us.

It was better this way. Better for them.

them to live without me. They wouldn't have to endure the pain of losing

closed my eyes and drew a shaky breath, trying to suppress the storm building inside me. But the ache

phone, the tears came. Hot, relentless,

sank to the floor, pressing my hands to my face as the sobs

Every regret, every fear, every longing

with them. To savor

I couldn't be selfish-not with their happiness at stake. I

rose from the floor, collecting myself together through the strength of

weight of my grief is still there, but hope burned brighter

fragile yet unyielding, blossomed

odds were slim, even if the path ahead was riddled with uncertainty and

death was the only solution then I could face

would be no regrets and in this short life I am given, I would still

truth, for

meeting Ryker life, and knowing

was.

QUMS

succeeded - if

I

this