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.

be less hard for them to live without me.

to suppress the storm building inside me. But the ache refused

moment I let go of the phone, the tears came. Hot, relentless, and unyielding, they slipped past the defenses I'd tried so

sank to the floor, pressing my hands to my face as the sobs overtook me, my body wracked with

regret, every fear, every longing poured

be with them. To savor whatever time

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

from the floor, collecting myself together through the strength

but hope

yet unyielding, blossomed

were slim, even if the path ahead was riddled with uncertainty and hardship, I had to

only solution then I could face the end knowing I had done everything I

would be no regrets and in this short life I am

the truth, for

meeting Ryker life, and knowing who my

was.

QUMS

if I succeeded - if

I

this