I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came. My hand moved to my stomach on its own.
I thought of Sven.
His bright smile… his small hands holding mine… the way he called me mother… the happiness he gave me…
Tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t end this life.
“I… I have changed my mind,” I whispered. “I cannot do it.”
The healer nodded softly. “That is alright. Take your time. You may leave when you are ready.”
My pup deserved to live. No matter how dark my world had become, this pup was still a part of me. A part of Sven. I would not let anyone take that away.
As I walked down the hallway, lost in my thoughts, I heard a familiar laugh. I looked up and froze.
Razen and Navielle.
They were leaving the moon ward together, smiling at each other like nothing else existed. Razen’s hand rested on her lower back as he leaned close, whispering something that made her laugh softly.
My blood turned cold. Navielle’s hand rested on her stomach, and my eyes widened.
She was carrying a pup.
They saw me before I could turn away. Navielle’s face lost its color.
“Nivella,” she hurried toward me, her eyes wide with false worry. “I… I was just… Razen came to accompany me for my check.”
“Don’t apologize, Navielle,” Razen cut in gently, placing his hand on her shoulder. His eyes were warm as he looked at her. “You didn’thing wrong.”
I smiled at them. “Yes, you are right, Razen. She didn’thing wrong.”
I stood there, empty, watching them. The way he looked at her… the way he shielded her… it was everything he once promised me.
They both looked surprised. In the past, I would have reacted, would have shown my jealousy or complained. But every time, Razen would scold me for doubting my own sister.
“We were together before, but she’s married now, and so am I. We are only close, nothing more.” He always told me that.
Razen turned to me. “We will talk at home, Nivella. Let me take Navielle back first.”
I didn’t hesitate. “Please, take your time,” I said as I walked past them.
“And congratulations on your pup, Navielle,” I added coldly without turning back.
I left them standing there, both caught off guard.
***
Razen must have sensed something was wrong, because he returned early that night.
“You are back early,” I said, not lifting my eyes from the book in my hands as I lay on the bed.