Chapter 291: Chapter 291 Hearts Learn To Trust
Phoebe’s POV
I watched Jude struggle for words, seeing myself reflected in her pain. She appeared completely exposed. I had voiced what she couldn’t express herself. I understood the crushing weight of powerlessness. I knew the shame that comes when a woman is violated against her will.
It had never occurred to me before that someone else might have walked through the same nightmare I had endured. She had survived the identical torment.
Eventually, she returned my embrace, sobbing against my shoulder as I stroked her back soothingly, though finding calm seemed impossible for Jude.
A fierce tempest raged within her soul.
"How—" Jude attempted to speak but the words caught in her throat. Her breathing became shallow. "How... how did you manage to..." She shook her head in frustration at her inability to articulate clearly.
"How did I learn to trust again? How did I allow Perry close and open my heart to him?" I asked, sensing what she was trying to express.
I had guessed correctly, as Jude gave a confirming nod.
"The path was treacherous, Jude. Nothing about it was easy. It was filled with torment and suspicion. I nearly surrendered completely. I came so close to walking away." I held Jude more securely. "But Perry wouldn’t let me fall.... He rescued me. We rescued each other..."
"I’m terrified..." Jude finally confessed.
"I understand. Fear consumed me too... our first intimate moments weren’t simple. Opening myself to vulnerability proved incredibly difficult and we faced countless misunderstandings. He wounded me deeply and I inflicted the same pain on him, but... I chose to believe in miracles and the sacred mate bond the moon goddess granted us."
"I don’t believe I’m capable of it, my queen..." Jude whispered, her voice barely audible, shattered and aching.
She desperately wanted to believe Timothy wouldn’t abandon or harm her, but trust felt impossible. Her heart knew he would never betray her, yet this terror devoured her from within, leaving her breathless. The harder she tried to trust, the more intense her fear became.
Timothy wasn’t the issue—she simply didn’t know how to accept compassion and affection. She was the source of the problem and Jude worried the mate bond wouldn’t be powerful enough for Timothy to endure her brokenness.
"People in this kingdom reject the mate bond. What if... what if Timothy grows weary of me? What if he stops wanting me?" Jude’s tears flowed freely. "What happens when he leaves? I won’t survive it. If... if... I end things now... perhaps it won’t devastate me as much... perhaps I could bear it."
Jude dreaded opening herself to Timothy and surrendering completely, only to have him lose interest and walk away... then what? How could she make him stay when she knew he deserved far better?
"Timothy deserves someone worthier, someone who isn’t shattered." Jude bit down on her lip, the thought of Timothy with another woman destroying her internally. She refused to consider it. She couldn’t even picture it, yet the images invaded her mind relentlessly. "I’m not worthy of him."
I shook my head firmly. "No, Jude. If it isn’t you, he won’t desire anyone else. You’re the one he wants."
Jude wanted desperately to believe that truth.
"Give him an opportunity. Let him demonstrate that he deserves you." I continued rubbing Jude’s back as she wept uncontrollably. "Give yourself permission to accept love, safety and tranquility. Allow yourself the chance to heal, Jude. I know this feels overwhelming. It’s incredibly difficult, I nearly quit several times, but you must have faith that you’ll succeed. I survived that journey and reached the other side—you’ll make it through too and emerge whole."
"Will I ever feel complete?"
"Absolutely." I responded with genuine enthusiasm. Jude was asking the right questions—a promising sign I couldn’t waste. "In five or ten years, you’ll look back and marvel at how far you’ve traveled. You’ll thank yourself for persevering through all of it." I pressed a gentle kiss to Jude’s forehead. "The destination will justify every step of the journey. Trust me."
——
Timothy felt his skull might split from the pressure, unable to discern their conversation through the closed door. He couldn’t move closer to eavesdrop since they sat too far away, but he didn’t dare interrupt their discussion, fearing he might sabotage whatever strategy Phoebe was using to convince Jude to accompany him to the Valerium Kingdom’s capital.
Those two agonizing hours of uncertainty felt like slow torture. He crouched beside the door.
Thanks to the healer’s remedy, Timothy’s condition had improved significantly—the pain had vanished, though he remained somewhat lethargic.
"What are you doing here?"
"Ah!" Timothy nearly leaped from his crouched position when Harlow’s voice startled him. He’d been so lost in thought that he’d lost awareness of his surroundings. "You startled me!"
Harlow pressed her lips together. "You startled me first," she replied.
Timothy noticed the young girl’s eyes welling up with tears, so he quickly tried to comfort her. "Sorry, sorry, that’s my fault." Timothy rose to his feet. "Come here, would you like some chocolate?"
