Chapter 193

Chapter 193
Lance’s expression shifted. “She’s not wrong.”
“I know.” I exhaled, the sound rough. “Lance, I want to be better. For her. For the boys. But I don’t even know where to start.”
“Well,” Lance said, “you can start by not pretending you don’t care.”
My eyes flicked up. “What are you talking about? I’m not.”
“Ellie,” Lance said simply. “She told me once that she wanted to tell you about the pregnancy before she left. Tried a few times, actually. But she said you were always angry, or too busy, or too cold. You shut her down before she could say the words.”
The words hit like a blow to the chest. I leaned back, closing my eyes. “She told you that?”
“She did.”
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“Of course she did,” I said bitterly. “Because I didn’t make it easy for her. I didn’t make anything easy for her.”
Lance hesitated before continuing. “She wasn’t hiding them from you to punish you, you know. She was scared. She thought you’d be angry, that you’d see them as a mistake instead of a blessing. Or worse, you’d see them as a tool.”
My heart ached at his words. “What else would she think?”
Lance frowned, his eyes searching my face for something.
He nodded slowly. “It’s not too late, you know.”
“For what?”
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“To learn a different way.
I huffed a laugh, low and humorless. “You sound like Alaric.”
“I’ve been spending time with him,” Lance said. “He’s got a good head on his
shoulders. You should listen to him sometimes.”
I turned to the window. “You think Ellie will ever forgive me?”
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“I think she already has, in her way,” Lance said. “But forgiveness, and trust aren’t the same thing. You’ll have to earn that.”
I nodded, my jaw tightening. “And the boys?”
“They’re still young,” Lance said. “They won’t remember this part. You still have a chance to be the kind of father they deserve.”.
For a long time, neither of us spoke. The rain softened outside, fading to a mist.
Finally, I said, “You ever think about what would’ve happened if I’d done things differently?”
“All the time,” Lance said. “But thinking about it doesn’t change it. Acting does.”
I met my brother’s gaze. For once, there was no defensiveness there. No anger. Just quiet resolve.
“I want to be a part of their lives,” I said. “But I don’t want to force my way back in. I want Ellie to want me there.
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Chapter 193
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To trust me enough to let me stay.”
Lance nodded slowly. “Then show her. Not with grand gestures. With consistency.
Be steady, even when she’s not ready to meet you halfway. Make sure she knows that you’re right here waiting.”
I gave a faint smile. “Since when did you become the wise one?”
Lance shrugged. “Someone had to be.”
I laughed quietly – a sound that felt foreign but good. “You’re right. About all of it.”
“I usually am,” Lance said, smirking.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t ruin the moment.”
Lance chuckled, standing. “Well, I didn’t come here to play therapist.”
“What do you need?” I asked, standing as well.
“I wanted to talk to you about Kieran. I talked to Cassian today. He told me that Kieran has been lurking around Moonstone a lot lately. He’s been visiting Ellie a lot, but that’s not the only thing he’s been up to. Cassian doesn’t trust it.”
“He shouldn’t. That creep is up to something, and I don’t know if Ellie is his only motivation.”
“What else would he be doing in Moonstone?” Lance asked with a frown.
“Campaigning, maybe? He’s been doing campaign events all over the place. He even had a speech here in Silver Fang. Maybe he’s identified Moonstone as a key demographic for some reason,” I said thoughtfully.
“I nearly forgot about the campaign,” Lance said with a scoff.
“It hasn’t exactly been a top priority for any of us. But it is for Kieran. Remind Cassian of that. His interest in Ellie isn’t just to hurt me. The rumors about her connection to the goddess can’t be overlooked. People are drawn to her, curious about her. Kieran wants that attention to be redirected to him. No matter how charming he seems, don’t forget that he’s using her.”
“Shit,” Lance muttered. “We just can’t catch a break, can we?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the comment. It seemed like our lives had been one emergency after another for years.
“No, it seems like we can’t.”
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