Once My Only, Now Just a Memory Chapter 16

Once My Only, Now Just a Memory Chapter 16

I fell into a long, dark dream.

I dreamed of Lumi when she was four. She was wearing her oversized hospital gown, her cheeks hollow from

the sickness, but her smile was still bright.

“Mommy, Daddy told me my name means light. We will always be together, right?”

I had been so tired back then, but I had forced myself to smile as I held her.

“Of course, sweetie. You will get better soon.”

Lumi had looked at me with an old, knowing expression. “Mommy, if… just if… if Lumi can’t stay with you, you mustn’t be too sad.”

“You must be happy with Daddy.”

“And even if Daddy isn’t here, you have to be happy by yourself.”

I had been surprised by her words back then. Now, I realized she had known she was dying.

She had always been a smart girl.

When I woke up, my cheeks were wet with tears.

I looked up to see a calm, handsome face.

The man wore a white doctor’s coat. He had sharp, refined features and a quiet, steady presence.

“Soren…” my voice was barely a whisper.

Dr. Soren Ellery, the Beta heir of the Ellery Pack, was looking over my chart.

“Your stress levels are too high. I will adjust your medication.”

I felt a pang of embarrassment.

Five years ago, when I was at my lowest point, Soren had found me.

I had lost my wolf, my daughter, and my will to live.

I had collapsed on the street, and Soren had brought me to his private clinic.

When I told him I couldn’t pay, he had simply said, “You can pay me back by attending therapy every month.

You have to stay alive to clear your debt.”

He had supported me ever since.

Even my job at the bakery was likely his doing, though he always denied it.

I looked down, feeling guilty for landing back in the hospital.

Soren let out a quiet sigh, his tone softening. “Don’t worry. I am here You will get through this.”

I nodded. “Who brought me here?”

“Your former Alpha. He was out of his mind when he carried you in. I happened to be at the entrance.”

Soren’s voice was neutral, but I could detect a hint of concern. “After everything he did to you.”

“You aren’t planning on going back to him, are you?”

“Never,” I said instantly.

Soren didn’t reply, but the coldness in his eyes melted away, replaced by a gentle warmth.

Soren knew every detail of my past.

One night, when I had drink too much, he had come to check on me. I had held onto his shirt and cried until

dawn.

The next morning, I had been too embarrassed to look at him.

But Soren had simply said, “So you are the Mate Cillian Wrenford kept hidden from the world.”

I had burst into tears again, leaving him completely flustered.

Later, I had warned him, “Don’t help me find a better job. Cillian will destroy your career.”

Soren had only offered a quiet, confident response. “He won’t.” N

I had assumed he didn’t understand the power of the Wrenford Pack.

Now, I realized I was the one who hadn’t understood Soren’s own standing as a Beta heir.

Soren handed me a glass of warm water.

“Cillian is outside. Do you want to see him?”

I knew Cillian wouldn’t leave until he spoke to me, so I nodded.

Cillian walked in, his eyes bloodshot and raw.

“The cemetery is fine. I stopped her men before they could touch the grave.”

I let out a long breath of relief.

“Thank you. Now keep your Luna away from my daughter.”

Cillian stood in silence for a moment. “Brielle is not my registered Luna.”

I stared at him, confused.

“Milo is still young. I didn’t want him to carry the stigma of being unregistered, so I let the public believe she was my Luna.”

A bitter smile touched my lips.

“You are a protective father to your son. I only wish you had shown a fraction of that care to your daughter.”

Cillian flinched as if struck.

“How did Lumi die?”