Chapter 194
Evelyn’s POV
The week after our lake retreat had been different. I’d cut back my lab hours and spent more evenings at home, watching movies with the children or helping with homework. Tonight, as I flipped through my calendar, a date circled in red caught my eye.
My parents’ death anniversary was approaching.
I ran my fingers over the marking, guilt washing over me. Since divorcing Calvin and building my business, I’d been so consumed with proving I could make it on my own that I’d neglected visiting their graves.
“What are you looking at, Mom?” Alexis asked, climbing onto my lap.
I kissed her forehead. “Just realizing it’s time I visit Grandma and Grandpa p>
“Can we come too?” Rowan asked from across the room.
I shook my head. “Not this time. I need to go alone p>
The truth was, I needed space to think. My life had changed dramatically these past weeks. Calvin was back in our lives, the children were bonding with him, and my carefully built walls were crumbling.
Piece by piece.
“I’ll go this weekend,” I decided, closing my calendar.
The drive to Norse Pack territory took longer than I remembered. As I pulled up to the pack house memories flooded back. The large stone building with its wraparound porch hadn’t changed much.
A woman emerged from the side entrance, shielding her eyes against the sun. When she recognized me, her face lit up.
“Miss Evelyn!” Martha exclaimed, rushing toward my car. “I can’t believe my eyes p>
Martha had been our housekeeper for as long as I could remember. She’d helped raise me after my mother died.
I stepped out of the car and was immediately wrapped in her embrace. She smelled of baking bread and lavender. Exactly as I remembered.
“It’s been too long,” I admitted.
She held me at arm’s length, studying me. “You look wonderful. Your parents would be proud p>
“Your room is just as you left it,” she said. “Would you like to stay the night p>
I nodded. “I’m here to visit their graves tomorrow morning p>
My childhood bedroom felt smaller than I remembered. The lavender walls, the window seat, the canopy bed—all exactly as I’d left them. I set my overnight bag on the bed and pulled out my laptop to video call the children.
We chatted until Gary called them for dinner. After ending the call, I noticed the sky had darkened. Rain clouds gathered on the horizon.
I stood to pull the curtains closed when something caught my eye—a sleek black car parked at the edge of the property. My heart skipped. The car looked exactly like Calvin’s.
“It can’t be,” I muttered, squinting through the rain.
I moved to the master bedroom which had a better view of the driveway. From there, I could clearly see the license plate.
It was definitely Calvin’s car. And there he was, sitting in the driver’s seat, head bent as if reading something.
What was he doing here? Had he followed me?
I considered confronting him but decided against it. Tomorrow was about my parents, not our complicated relationship. Whatever his reason for being here, it could wait.
Morning brought clear skies after the night’s rain. I walked the familiar path through the woods to the small clearing where my parents were buried. Their headstones stood side by side beneath an ancient oak tree.
I knelt before them, placing fresh flowers on each grave.
“Dad, Mom,” I whispered. “I’m sorry it’s been so long p>
The forest was quiet around me. I traced the etched letters of their names with my fingertips.
“I’ve made peace with the boys,” I said, my voice stronger now. “For a long time, I couldn’t forget how they chose Clara. It hurt for years p>
I remembered those painful days after learning my sons had been spending time with Clara behind my back. Rhys’s innocent declaration that he liked Aunt Clara had cut deeper than any knife.
“I kept wondering what I’d done wrong,” I continued. “Why weren’t they happy with just me p>
My pregnancy with Alexis had been difficult, made worse by stress and heartbreak. The hospital staff had been concerned about my weight loss, the dark circles under my eyes.
“It took me years to make peace with myself,” I admitted. “To understand that I did my best. If things didn’t work out as I hoped, it wasn’t because I failed p>
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead.
“Time helped heal those wounds. My work helped. And then Alexis came p>
Her birth had been transformative. While the boys reminded me of what I’d lost, Alexis represented a fresh start.
I brushed away the morning dew from their headstones. “I tried to move forward, but I couldn’t give up my boys. So I’ve accepted that Calvin will always be part of my life p>
Resting my forehead against the cool stone of my father’s headstone, I felt a familiar comfort.
“The wounds are still there,” I continued. “Even though I tried to forget what happened between Calvin and me, they never fully healed. That’s why I still react so strongly to him p>
I paused, gathering my thoughts.
“But I’m starting to think some wounds need to be reopened completely before they can truly heal p>
A soft laugh escaped me. “Remember how I used to describe my fated mate? Someone who would put me first. Always. Who would love me unconditionally p>
The wind picked up slightly, brushing against my cheek.
“You always said I’d find him someday,” I smiled sadly. “But I’m trying to accept what life has given me p>
I sat in silence for a while, watching sunlight filter through the branches above. My life wasn’t what I’d planned, but it was full in ways I never expected.
“I’m learning to appreciate what I have,” I said softly. “To live in the present p>
Standing, I brushed the leaves from my knees and took one last look at their graves.
“I have to get back to Ravenshade. I promise I’ll bring the children next time p>
As I turned to leave, I felt lighter somehow, ready to face whatever waited for me back home. Including Calvin and the complicated feelings he stirred within me.
In letting go of past hurts, I was making room for what might come next. It wasn’t forgiveness, not completely.
But it was a start.
Calvin’s POV
Since the children promised to help me win Evelyn back, they’ve been reporting every detail about her. All three kids are like double agents.
Alexis has grown close to me, but she still loves Evelyn most. I can tell she feels conflicted about this plan we’re keeping from her mother. So I try not to push Evelyn too hard.
I know using the children is wrong, but I desperately want to make amends.
When the kids told me she’d gone back to her old pack to visit graves, I remembered I’d never properly paid respects to my in-laws. Perhaps I should.
I stood at a distance from the headstones, downwind where Evelyn couldn’t catch my scent.
Listening to her sorrowful voice at the graves made my chest ache.
Especially when she spoke about her expectations for a fated mate, I realized she’d been hoping for one all along. I’m not her fated mate. I couldn’t even fulfill basic mate responsibilities.
Regret, guilt, and grief made Cyra whimper in my mind.
After Evelyn left, I approached her parents’ headstones and placed a bouquet of flowers. I made a solemn promise. “I will take good care of Evelyn and the children. I’ll learn to be a worthy partner. Not just worthy—perfect p>