Prologue Five years had passed, and while Della struggled to rebuild her life, the specter of Xavier loomed, a shadow she could never quite shake. Felix was now a joyful, rambunctious boy, so full of life and innocence that it made Della’s heart swell with pride and joy, even as memories of the past occasionally clawed at her resolve. In their new home, a cozy cottage surrounded by the lush woods of a nearby reserve, Della worked tirelessly to create a sense of normalcy. The walls were painted soft colors, and sunlight streamed through windows adorned with cheerful curtains. Michael had dedicated himself to making their sanctuary a safe haven, but Della often felt like the weight of the world settled heavily upon her shoulders. “Mama! Look! I can catch a butterfly!” Felix shouted one sunny afternoon, darting across the grass like a streak of light. Della’s heart swelled at his unquenchable curiosity and explorative spirit. She watched warmly as he pranced around the vibrant
Della woke up with a start. Sweat ran down her face as she struggled to regain her breath, and her heart was thumping like crazy in her chest. She turned her head and saw that Michael was still fast asleep. It was dark outside, and the bedside clock on the cabinet told Della that it was a few minutes after five a.m. She sunk back into her pillow and looked up at the ceiling. She couldn’t shake the image of her ex from her mind, the fire and wondering if he had died in it. Xavier had been the love of her life for so long, or so she had thought. She guessed she should be grateful since if it weren’t for him; then she would never have met the man who was indeed for her. Reaching over to take a sip of water from her glass, she quenched her thirst and sat up. Sleep wouldn’t come for her anytime soon, and she knew it. With a sigh of frustration, she swung her legs over the bed and felt for her fluffy pink slippers; they were so comfortable, especially when it was as cold as it was.
Della watched as Michael tossed Felix into the air, the boy’s laughter filling the kitchen like sunshine. It was a captivating sound that melted away the shadows of her dream and the specter of a past that seemed to linger. Yet, despite the warmth around her, a slight unease dimmed the glow. She stood and poured herself a cup of coffee, hoping the familiar aroma would steady her nerves. “Are you all packed for the fishing trip?” she called over her shoulder, trying to focus on the present. As she stirred in a splash of cream, she caught Michael's gaze. He was beaming at their son, but his eyes flickered to Della's for just an instant—an unspoken understanding passing between them. Felix was busy bouncing around the table, recounting his most recent fishing adventures, his vivid imagination transforming every catch into legendary tales. “And then, Mummy, the fish was as big as a whale!” he declared, eyes wide. “That sounds impressive, buddy,” Della replied, enjoying the innoc
Michael’s brow furrowed in surprise at Della’s abruptness. “Already? We just got here,” he said, glancing at Felix, who looked equally bewildered. “Yeah, Mummy!” Felix chimed in, his face falling. “I haven’t even caught a fish yet!” “I know, sweetie, but I just… I feel like we should head back. It’s getting late.” Della offered a weak smile, but she felt the mounting pressure of her unease gripping her again. Michael studied her closely, searching for signs of her discomfort. “Are you sure? We can stay for just a little while longer. I promise it’ll be worth it.” His tone wavered between concern and disappointment, looking between the two most important people in his life. Della hesitated, torn between wanting to appease Felix’s enthusiasm and the unsettling feeling that had returned, creeping in like tendrils of mist. “I… I really think we should go. Something just doesn’t feel right.” Felix huffed, crossing his arms. “But Mummy, what if we miss catching the biggest
As they stepped up to the counter, Della’s heart lightened further, drawn in by the kaleidoscope of colors and flavors that decorated the ice cream shop. The vibe was familial; patrons filled the tables, laughter and animated chatter ringing through the air. It was the kind of normalcy she craved, a temporary reprieve from the unease swirling inside her. Michael glanced over at Della while Felix pointed out various flavors, his small finger tapping excitedly against the glass case. “What are you thinking?” he asked, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “Maybe just something simple,” she replied, trying to dismiss the heavy remnants of anxiety that lingered at the back of her mind. “A scoop of vanilla could do.” Michael nodded, subtly encouraging her, and Della felt grateful for his unwavering support. Felix continued debating flavors, oblivious to the delicate dance of emotions unfolding between his parents. “Can I get sprinkles, Daddy?” Felix asked, his gaze wide
Michael’s gaze shifted from the road to the porch, his previous lightheartedness vanishing in an instant. "Della, stay in the car," he whispered, but his voice was steady, grounded. His protective instincts kicked in as he surveyed the scene. Felix, oblivious to the tension gripping the adult hearts beside him, continued to chatter, "He looks funny! Is he a clown? Can I see him?" Della felt like she might drown in the chaos inside her mind. That face—she knew it. The storm of emotions crashing over her threatened to pull her under. The world outside, once decorated in hues of vanilla and strawberry, faded into worry-laden grays. “It’s… it’s nobody, sweetheart,” she said, her voice trembling despite her best effort to sound calm. Those two words echoed hollowly in her chest, the truth of the situation crashing against her like waves. “Della? What do you want to do?” Michael’s voice was a low rumble, a rock amidst the encroaching tide of unease. As fear clawed its way up
The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a golden hue across Della's bedroom. As she stirred awake, the comforting warmth of the blankets wrapped around her, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace. But as she turned to discover the space beside her empty, a wave of unease washed over her. "Felix?" she called, her voice muffled by the sheets. There was no reply. Just the chirping of birds outside and the quiet hum of the world waking up. Della swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the wooden floor cool beneath her feet. Panic began to bloom in her chest. She quickly pulled on a sweatshirt and rushed out of the room, the hallway stretching quiet. "Felix, come on!" she called again, a sense of urgency creeping into her tone. She dashed to his bedroom, flinging open the door, but the room was empty. The bed was unmade, toys scattered across the floor—a trail of evidence marking his previous presence—but he was nowhere to be found. Della's heart raced, each be
Della wrapped her arms around Felix, pulling him close, feeling the warmth of his small body against her as relief washed over her like a tide. "I was so scared, Felix. You have to promise me you won’t do that again. You have to let me know where you’re going, okay?” Felix nodded, his cheek pressed against her shoulder. “I just wanted to see the bunnies,” he mumbled, a slight tremor in his voice. “I thought I could find them by myself.” Della's heart ached at his childlike innocence, but she couldn’t shake the undercurrent of fear that still clung to her. “I know, sweetheart, but you can’t go out on your own. It’s dangerous. What if you got lost?” “Mommy, I didn’t get lost,” he protested, pulling back slightly to meet her gaze, his eyes wide and earnest. “I just went to look for them.” Michael appeared behind them, his face a mix of relief and anger. “Felix,” he said, kneeling down to the boy’s level, “You scared us half to death! You can’t go off like that. You don’t know
Della wrapped her arms around Felix, pulling him close, feeling the warmth of his small body against her as relief washed over her like a tide. "I was so scared, Felix. You have to promise me you won’t do that again. You have to let me know where you’re going, okay?” Felix nodded, his cheek pressed against her shoulder. “I just wanted to see the bunnies,” he mumbled, a slight tremor in his voice. “I thought I could find them by myself.” Della's heart ached at his childlike innocence, but she couldn’t shake the undercurrent of fear that still clung to her. “I know, sweetheart, but you can’t go out on your own. It’s dangerous. What if you got lost?” “Mommy, I didn’t get lost,” he protested, pulling back slightly to meet her gaze, his eyes wide and earnest. “I just went to look for them.” Michael appeared behind them, his face a mix of relief and anger. “Felix,” he said, kneeling down to the boy’s level, “You scared us half to death! You can’t go off like that. You don’t know
The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a golden hue across Della's bedroom. As she stirred awake, the comforting warmth of the blankets wrapped around her, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace. But as she turned to discover the space beside her empty, a wave of unease washed over her. "Felix?" she called, her voice muffled by the sheets. There was no reply. Just the chirping of birds outside and the quiet hum of the world waking up. Della swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the wooden floor cool beneath her feet. Panic began to bloom in her chest. She quickly pulled on a sweatshirt and rushed out of the room, the hallway stretching quiet. "Felix, come on!" she called again, a sense of urgency creeping into her tone. She dashed to his bedroom, flinging open the door, but the room was empty. The bed was unmade, toys scattered across the floor—a trail of evidence marking his previous presence—but he was nowhere to be found. Della's heart raced, each be
Michael’s gaze shifted from the road to the porch, his previous lightheartedness vanishing in an instant. "Della, stay in the car," he whispered, but his voice was steady, grounded. His protective instincts kicked in as he surveyed the scene. Felix, oblivious to the tension gripping the adult hearts beside him, continued to chatter, "He looks funny! Is he a clown? Can I see him?" Della felt like she might drown in the chaos inside her mind. That face—she knew it. The storm of emotions crashing over her threatened to pull her under. The world outside, once decorated in hues of vanilla and strawberry, faded into worry-laden grays. “It’s… it’s nobody, sweetheart,” she said, her voice trembling despite her best effort to sound calm. Those two words echoed hollowly in her chest, the truth of the situation crashing against her like waves. “Della? What do you want to do?” Michael’s voice was a low rumble, a rock amidst the encroaching tide of unease. As fear clawed its way up
As they stepped up to the counter, Della’s heart lightened further, drawn in by the kaleidoscope of colors and flavors that decorated the ice cream shop. The vibe was familial; patrons filled the tables, laughter and animated chatter ringing through the air. It was the kind of normalcy she craved, a temporary reprieve from the unease swirling inside her. Michael glanced over at Della while Felix pointed out various flavors, his small finger tapping excitedly against the glass case. “What are you thinking?” he asked, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “Maybe just something simple,” she replied, trying to dismiss the heavy remnants of anxiety that lingered at the back of her mind. “A scoop of vanilla could do.” Michael nodded, subtly encouraging her, and Della felt grateful for his unwavering support. Felix continued debating flavors, oblivious to the delicate dance of emotions unfolding between his parents. “Can I get sprinkles, Daddy?” Felix asked, his gaze wide
Michael’s brow furrowed in surprise at Della’s abruptness. “Already? We just got here,” he said, glancing at Felix, who looked equally bewildered. “Yeah, Mummy!” Felix chimed in, his face falling. “I haven’t even caught a fish yet!” “I know, sweetie, but I just… I feel like we should head back. It’s getting late.” Della offered a weak smile, but she felt the mounting pressure of her unease gripping her again. Michael studied her closely, searching for signs of her discomfort. “Are you sure? We can stay for just a little while longer. I promise it’ll be worth it.” His tone wavered between concern and disappointment, looking between the two most important people in his life. Della hesitated, torn between wanting to appease Felix’s enthusiasm and the unsettling feeling that had returned, creeping in like tendrils of mist. “I… I really think we should go. Something just doesn’t feel right.” Felix huffed, crossing his arms. “But Mummy, what if we miss catching the biggest
Della watched as Michael tossed Felix into the air, the boy’s laughter filling the kitchen like sunshine. It was a captivating sound that melted away the shadows of her dream and the specter of a past that seemed to linger. Yet, despite the warmth around her, a slight unease dimmed the glow. She stood and poured herself a cup of coffee, hoping the familiar aroma would steady her nerves. “Are you all packed for the fishing trip?” she called over her shoulder, trying to focus on the present. As she stirred in a splash of cream, she caught Michael's gaze. He was beaming at their son, but his eyes flickered to Della's for just an instant—an unspoken understanding passing between them. Felix was busy bouncing around the table, recounting his most recent fishing adventures, his vivid imagination transforming every catch into legendary tales. “And then, Mummy, the fish was as big as a whale!” he declared, eyes wide. “That sounds impressive, buddy,” Della replied, enjoying the innoc
Della woke up with a start. Sweat ran down her face as she struggled to regain her breath, and her heart was thumping like crazy in her chest. She turned her head and saw that Michael was still fast asleep. It was dark outside, and the bedside clock on the cabinet told Della that it was a few minutes after five a.m. She sunk back into her pillow and looked up at the ceiling. She couldn’t shake the image of her ex from her mind, the fire and wondering if he had died in it. Xavier had been the love of her life for so long, or so she had thought. She guessed she should be grateful since if it weren’t for him; then she would never have met the man who was indeed for her. Reaching over to take a sip of water from her glass, she quenched her thirst and sat up. Sleep wouldn’t come for her anytime soon, and she knew it. With a sigh of frustration, she swung her legs over the bed and felt for her fluffy pink slippers; they were so comfortable, especially when it was as cold as it was.
Prologue Five years had passed, and while Della struggled to rebuild her life, the specter of Xavier loomed, a shadow she could never quite shake. Felix was now a joyful, rambunctious boy, so full of life and innocence that it made Della’s heart swell with pride and joy, even as memories of the past occasionally clawed at her resolve. In their new home, a cozy cottage surrounded by the lush woods of a nearby reserve, Della worked tirelessly to create a sense of normalcy. The walls were painted soft colors, and sunlight streamed through windows adorned with cheerful curtains. Michael had dedicated himself to making their sanctuary a safe haven, but Della often felt like the weight of the world settled heavily upon her shoulders. “Mama! Look! I can catch a butterfly!” Felix shouted one sunny afternoon, darting across the grass like a streak of light. Della’s heart swelled at his unquenchable curiosity and explorative spirit. She watched warmly as he pranced around the vibrant
One week later Della lingered in the doorway, a smile creeping onto her face as she watched her son sprawled on his playmat, gurgling happily to himself. He was a radiant beacon in her life, embodying her hopes for a joyful, healthy future. Yet, like shadows creeping across her mind, the scars of her past began to resurface. It had been a week since she'd stood on the grounds of the pack she once led alongside Xavier.“Is everything okay, my love?” Michael whispered as he slipped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. She nodded, though her gaze remained fixed on their child. Felix had inherited his father's smile and eyes—a striking resemblance that filled her with warmth and uncertainty. A nagging thought worried her: Would Xavier, if he had survived the fire, ever return for their son, his true heir? Would vengeance be his motive?“I was just thinking about how quickly Felix is growing up and what his future might hold,” Della said, a sigh escaping her lips as Mich