The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter
Chapter 277: Fractures of the Forgotten

Chapter 277: Fractures of the Forgotten

Easter~

I sat there for what felt like hours, curled up on Jacob’s couch, hugging Donut to my chest as silent tears slid down my cheeks. His scent lingered in the cushions—sweet and very intoxicating—and it only made the hollow ache inside me feel worse.

Why did he leave me like that?

I sniffled and buried my face in Donut’s plush fur. The orange tabby rumbled with a deep, comforting purr, nudging me like he understood every broken piece inside me. My chest twisted with a raw, aching pain. Was it because of the baby? Did he pull away mid-kiss because he suddenly saw me for what I am – an unmarried pregnant woman – and felt disgusted? Shame burned through me, searing hot, and I pressed my face deeper into Donut’s warmth, wishing I could disappear completely.

How could I have been so stupid?

I shook with silent sobs, my tears soaking into Donut’s back. "I’m such an idiot," I whispered brokenly. "How could I let myself think that someone like Jacob...someone like him...would ever want someone like me?"

Donut meowed, pawing at my cheeks with the gentlest little taps, almost as if he was trying to wipe away my tears. I couldn’t help a watery chuckle. "You’re too sweet for this world," I murmured, scratching his chin. He leaned into my touch with a loud purr that vibrated through my chest.

I pulled myself together with great effort. Sitting here, crying in his living room like some abandoned pet myself, wasn’t helping anything. He was gone, and I had to go too. I rose shakily to my feet, clutching the couch for balance as I tried to calm the swirl of nausea and dizziness that always came with sudden movements these days. My hand drifted down to my belly, rubbing the baby bump protectively.

"Come on, Donut," I whispered. "Let’s go home."

I scanned the living room, my heart sinking when I realized I didn’t know where to leave his keys. Would it be rude to put them on the counter? What if someone came in and stole something before he returned? I hesitated for a moment longer, then slipped the warm metal into my pocket.

"He’ll come to my house for you and them," I told Donut, my voice trembling. "He...he knows where to find me."

Donut meowed in agreement as if giving his blessing to my awkward theft. I picked him up, tucking him securely against my chest as I walked out, locking the door behind me. The keys jingled in my pocket with every step across the gravel driveway, echoing the inharmonious rhythm of my thoughts. When I reached my porch, Donut jumped down from my arms and pawed eagerly at my door.

Inside, the house felt quiet and heavy without Rose’s chatter echoing off the walls. I placed Donut gently on the floor. He immediately padded around, inspecting every corner with regal authority. Watching him explore made my chest tighten. I didn’t know why the name Donut just fit him so perfectly, or why saying it aloud made something deep inside me tremble like a plucked string.

But I forced myself not to dwell on it.

Not today.

I checked the clock. It was nearly time to pick Rose up from preschool. Grabbing my cardigan, I cast one last glance at Donut, who had found a patch of sunlight by the window and sprawled out like a tiny, smug lion.

"Stay here and don’t destroy anything, okay?" I said with a weak smile. He blinked at me lazily, tail flicking once in acknowledgement.

The afternoon sun was harsh on my skin as I walked to Rose’s school, my mind still trapped in a loop of Jacob’s kiss and the way his eyes had burned into mine before he fled like a frightened animal. "Because I can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching you." His words repeated in my head, making my heart clench painfully. Why say that if he didn’t mean it?

"Mommy!" Rose’s excited squeal broke through my fog as she ran toward me, her tiny backpack bouncing on her shoulders. I crouched down just in time to catch her in my arms, her weight knocking me back a little as I hugged her tightly.

"Hey, bunny," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Did you have fun today?"

She nodded vigorously, her brown curls bouncing around her sweet round face. "Yes! Miss Ella taught us about sunflowers! Mommy, did you know sunflowers always follow the sun, like this?" She spun in a slow circle, arms outstretched like petals, giggling when she stumbled against me.

I smiled despite the heaviness inside. "That’s beautiful, baby."

We walked home together, her little hand gripping mine tightly. When we reached the porch, my eyes wandered to Jacob’s house, hoping—stupidly—that he’d be back. The driveway was empty, the curtains still drawn tight. I sighed softly.

"Come on, bunny. Let’s go inside."

The moment I opened the door, Rose let out a delighted squeal. "DONUT!" she shrieked, dropping her backpack and bolting across the living room.

My mouth dropped open in shock. Donut, who had been sprawled lazily on the windowsill, perked up and leaped down to greet her. He weaved between her legs, purring like a motorboat as she knelt and hugged him tightly around the middle.

"You know his name?" I asked, my voice strangled with confusion.

Rose looked up at me with wide innocent eyes, as if I’d asked the silliest question in the world. "Of course, Mommy. That’s Donut! He’s our cat!"

My heart skipped painfully. "Our...our cat? Rose, we don’t have a cat."

"Yes we do," she insisted stubbornly, still stroking Donut’s fluffy back. "Uncle Tiger gave him to you as a present, remember? You brought him home from the big forest. You said he’d make Rose happy."

My legs felt weak. I sank onto the couch, clutching the cushions as the room spun around me. "Uncle Tiger...? Rose, baby, who is Uncle Tiger?"

She rolled her eyes at me like I was the clueless child here. "Mommy, he’s Uncle Tiger. Duh. He always lets Alex and me ride on his back when he turns into a tiger. And he gives me sweets at the big house where we used to live with Daddy Jacob. You know him, mommy."

Big house. Uncle Tiger. Donut.

My head throbbed violently as memories threatened to rise and drown me in their depths. I pressed my hands to my temples, willing the pain away. This can’t be real. She’s just imagining things...right?

But as I watched her hug Donut, who clearly adored her, something inside me cracked a little.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Rose’s sweet voice brought me back. She was watching me with concern, her little eyebrows scrunched up in worry.

I forced a shaky smile. "I’m fine, bunny. Let’s get you out of that uniform, okay?"

She stood patiently as I unbuttoned her blue checked dress and pulled it over her head, leaving her in her white vest and socks. She giggled when my cold fingers brushed her sides. I laughed softly too, feeling the darkness recede just a little at the sound of her joy.

But as I bent to peel off her socks, something unexpected happened.

Donut, who had been lounging nearby, suddenly sprang to his feet. He darted forward and snatched one of Rose’s tiny socks in his mouth before bolting down the hallway.

"Donut!" Rose squealed with laughter. "Come back here!"

I stared after him, a strange cold dread settling in my stomach. The sight of that chubby orange tabby running away with Rose’s sock triggered something deep and hidden in me.

A flash—me chasing Donut down a hallway. Rose laughing behind me. A grand marble staircase. The smell of cookies in the air. A familiar male voice whispering "Leave him be, sunshine. He’s just playing with you."

Pain exploded in my head so violently I screamed, clutching my temples as white-hot agony seared behind my eyes. The world tilted and darkened around me. I vaguely heard Rose’s frightened cry—"Mommy! Mommy!"—before everything went black.

I was falling.

Falling into darkness laced with broken shards of memories I couldn’t catch. Voices whispered around me, voices I knew and didn’t know. Images flickered: Jacob’s eyes burning with possession, Donut curled up in my lap, Rose giggling as she clutched a fistful of Tiger’s mane—

Wait... Tiger’s mane?

And then there was nothing but silence.