Chapter 214: Chapter 214
Kyra’s POV
The good news from my doctor was exactly what I needed to hear. Even though Nathan had already told me our baby was fine, I needed that professional confirmation. The obstetrician gave me prenatal vitamins and recommended light exercise to keep both me and the baby healthy.
After my heart to heart talk with Nathan, I fell into a peaceful sleep. When I woke up, the smell of delicious food filled the hospital room. Nathan stood by the bedside table, setting up what looked like a real meal instead of typical hospital food.
He looked up, his minty scent wrapping around me like a warm blanket. "You’re hungry?" he asked with a gentle smile.
"Yes," I nodded, feeling my stomach rumble.
Nathan finished preparing the food and sat beside me on the bed. He helped me sit up before offering me the first spoonful. We shared the same utensil, and I couldn’t help but watch him. This powerful Alpha was now feeding me with such tenderness.
"Mom called," he said between bites. "Snow’s enjoying her school. I think we should let her finish the school year there and just bring her here for summer breaks."
I smiled, relieved to hear our daughter was doing well. "That’s a good idea. The environment there is better for her right now. News about everything that happened is still going around. I don’t want her affected by all this mess."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Nathan agreed.
After finishing our meal, I asked him to lie beside me. He wrapped his arm around me, and I fell asleep with my head against his chest. When I woke again, Nathan was still sleeping peacefully, but we weren’t alone. Someone was sitting in the chair by my side of the bed.
"Sara..." I whispered, recognizing my mother’s sister.
She seemed to be dozing while sitting, but my voice woke her up. She looked at me with calm eyes that somehow brought me comfort despite our complicated history.
"You look just like your mother when she was your age," she said softly.
A smile formed on my lips. "Dad used to say that too."
She smiled back, though hers quickly turned sad. "I’m sorry..."
I took a deep breath. "You didn’t do anything wrong."
"That’s why I’m sorry. I’m sorry because I didn’t do anything when I should have."
"She smells like real regret," Sylvia observed. "Not lies."
Forgiveness. Is it always this hard to give to people who might not deserve it? Sara didn’t actively hurt me. She was a victim too. Manipulated by her own brother and fooled by her husband, who only wanted her money. I could see in her eyes that she’d finally learned the truth.
Sara sniffed and looked down at her hands. "I was blinded by love for my husband. I even tried to cover up for him. If not for Mason, I wouldn’t be here asking for your forgiveness."
"We were all hurt and manipulated by the same person," I said gently. "You’re not at fault."
She lifted her face to meet my eyes. "You’re brave and smart like your mother. I envy her for having a daughter like you."
I smiled warmly. "You can be a mother to my children, Sara. I’m not pushing you out of my life. Actually, I want you to meet my family. I want you to feel my daughter’s hugs and experience her love."
Tears filled her eyes. "I’d love that!" she sobbed.
I reached out my hand, and after hesitating for a moment, she took it. Her warm, soft touch reminded me so much of my mother that tears came to my eyes. Her fingers tightened around mine as if afraid I might pull away.
"Thank you for saving me and for accepting me, Kyra," she said. "I promise to stay by your side. You won’t be alone anymore. I’ll do what the family failed to do to protect you. You’ll be loved more than you can imagine."
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. She stood and hugged me, and I buried my face against her, letting out years of longing for a mother’s comfort.
I felt movement beside me and realized Nathan was awake. He sat up, watching us with a gentle smile that told me he supported whatever decision I made. And I wanted to forgive Sara. I wanted to forget the past and build a new life with my growing family.
Sara pulled back and wiped my tears before wiping her own wet cheeks. "I should check on Mason and Matt."
I nodded. "Thank you... Auntie."
She froze, staring at me with her mouth open as several emotions crossed her face. Then she smiled again and hugged me once more before leaving.
I turned to Nathan, feeling lighter than I had in months. Forgiveness might be hard, but offering it to those who truly deserve a second chance frees you from pain and suffering. It brings peace.
My hospital stay lasted less than a week. True to my word, I visited Kieran’s memorial after I was discharged. I spoke to his ashes, telling him about all the pain he’d caused, how I’d once loved him as family, and how deeply he had disappointed me. And finally, I told him I forgave him.
It wasn’t easy forgiving someone who had hurt me so deeply, who had scarred my heart and soul. I thought about it for days before making my decision. But forgiveness, I realized, wasn’t just for him. It was for me too, freeing me from the chains of hatred.
"You don’t need to worry about me," I whispered, looking at Kieran’s picture beside his mother’s. "I’m happy now."
I made a mental note to arrange for my parents’ ashes to be moved here as well. I wanted them together, so I could visit them all in one place.
Nathan stood beside me, his warm hand holding mine. We were about to leave when I spotted someone else visiting the memorial garden.
My lips parted in surprise when our eyes met. Her eyes were blank, showing no recognition.
Emily had been discharged before me, but her memories hadn’t returned. The doctors said it might take time, but also warned they might never come back. I didn’t know if that was good or bad. She had already lost one child. Learning she’d lost another would destroy her. Yet without her memories, her life remained tied to a painful past she couldn’t even remember.
A familiar figure appeared behind her. Emily lowered her sunglasses and glared at Matt, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"What are you doing here, stalker?" she snapped.
Matt’s smile only got wider. "Stalking you. What else?"
I watched their interaction with mixed feelings. Matt refused to give up on Emily despite her memory loss. He never told her about their previous relationship, but his patience and persistence were clear in every interaction.
Another man appeared. Mason, looking like a rebel in his black leather jacket, the complete opposite of Matt in his crisp white shirt and black slacks.
Mason still carried the guilt of what happened to Emily. He now shadowed her, keeping her safe and watching over her. I didn’t fully understand the dynamic between the three of them, but I was grateful that even though Emily didn’t remember me, she had two devoted protectors.
Nathan’s arm wrapped around my waist, drawing my attention back to him. I looked up into his eyes and smiled. "Ready to go?"
He nodded and kissed my temple. "I made reservations at that restaurant you’ve been wanting to try."
Before leaving, I looked back at Emily, Mason, and Matt. They were arguing, but there was something oddly comforting about the scene. My cousins would protect my friend and keep her safe. I just hoped that if her memories ever returned, she would find it in her heart to forgive herself and embrace the happiness she deserved.
