Approved for Her Rejected for Me novel Chapter 62

Chapter 4

Julian’s voice brushed against my mind through the mind link.

[Go. It’s just for appearances. Dinner will be over soon. I promised Tyla we’d set off fireworks. You can join

us after.]

I did not answer.

I stepped outside into the freezing night.

Before Julian regained his memory, he once stepped in to save Serena from a rogue who had cornered her

near the border.

That same rogue followed him back to my den.

I fought that night like an animal possessed. I told Julian to run while I held the rogue off. My legs were

shattered before he threw me into the river and left me there to drown.

Ever since, winter sank straight into my bones. Cold weather made my knees feel like they were splitting

apart.

Julian used to sit beside me and rub warmth back into them, his hands gentle, his expression full of concern.

Now I knelt alone outside the pack house in the snow.

Through the tall glass windows, I could see them laughing.

Tyla grabbed Serena’s wineglass with exaggerated seriousness. “Mommy can’t drink. There’s a baby in her

belly.”

Julian crouched and pressed his ear lightly to Serena’s stomach.

“Happy New Year,” he whispered.

Snow gathered on my shoulders. Melted ice slid down my spine. My fingers went numb.

By the time darkness started creeping into my vision, the door finally opened.

Serena stepped out, her fingers intertwined with Julian’s.

“Go help carry the fireworks.”

I stood too fast. My leg buckled when I walked past Julian.

I pitched forward.

He reached out automatically.

Agnes cleared her throat.

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His hand dropped.

I hit the stone steps hard. The impact split my brow. Blood poured into my eyes, blinding and hot.

Tyla wrinkled her nose and stepped back. “That’s gross. She’s filthy. Grandma, just throw her out already.”

Her voice dragged me into the past.

When she was born, she was tiny. Too early. Too fragile. She fit in my arms like a kitten.

The healer had warned me not to expect miracles.

I had gone to the Temple of the Moon Goddess and prayed until my knees bled. Three days. Three nights.

Begging the Moon Goddess to spare her.

When we brought her home, I barely slept. I did everything myself. I would not let anyone else hold her for

long.

And now that same child looked at me like I was dirt.

I wiped the blood away and followed the servants to move the fireworks into the yard.

Julian noticed my face. Something wavered in his expression. He took a step toward me.

“Julian!” Serena called. “Come light them.”

He turned away.

The fireworks exploded into the night sky, bright and dazzling, laughter echoing across the lawn.

He had promised me that this year, he would sneak Tyla away so we could set them off together.

I stood in the shadows, fingers tightening around the necklace in my pocket.

Then Tyla ran toward me holding a small decorative box.

“I got you a present.”

Her smile was sweet. Innocent. For a moment, I believed it.

My heart melted anyway.

I took out the necklace and held it toward her. “Thank you. This is for you.”

She grabbed it eagerly and pushed the box toward me. “Open it.”

I lifted the lid.

A firework detonated in my face.

The blast was deafening. Light exploded behind my eyes. Pain tore through my skull.

Chapter 4

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Someone kicked my legs out from under me and I hit the ground.

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