Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 199

But to me, everyone is a stranger. No one's really my mom or dad, so somehow, everyone becomes them. I get so attached to every adult that walks into my life, looking to make them proud. Looking for that attention. Looking for that confirmation that someone wants me, and I never get it. How could I when that's not their job. Because I'm not their kid.

Suddenly, Suzie puts her hand on my shoulder and squeezes. Ethel nudges me with his shoulder, whispering that he'll eat my salty food for me if it makes me feel better. I can't help but laugh. I nudge both of them back, smiling, even if I don't fully want to. I affirm to myself that this is enough. It's not everything I've ever hoped for, but it doesn't have to be.

When the luna comes, Carson crosses his arms and refuses to look at her. She furrows her brow and looks at the alpha. He shakes his head, going to say hi to Aiden, but the boy gives him a similar cold shoulder. The parents look at each other again and sigh.

"I guess I'll just have to give Aiden all that food," she says wistfully. "The chicken and rice..." she says wistfully. "...The dessert."

That gets Asher's attention. "Not my half though."

"No, of course not," she says. "I'll eat all of your dessert myself."

Axel chuckles. Asher gasps. "No."

She doesn't pay him any mind. She turns away, holding her heart "What choice do I have? My Ashy doesn't love me anymore."

"I didn't say all that," Asher says quickly.

"Oh yeah?" she asks bending down. "So you're done being a grumpypants?"

"I'm not being a grumpypants, Mom," he grumbles. "And I'm not Ashy anymore. I'm too old for that."

"So what should I call you?" she asks.

He stands square, puffing his chest out. "I'm Carson. No A initial."

She gives her husband a look, but he's currently trying to force a hug out of Aiden. She shakes her head, smiling to herself. "Alright, Carson, no A initial. Are you done being a grumpypants?"

I learn that her name is Krys the same time I learn that she's afraid to sleep in a room alone. It's convenient then that we'll be sharing a bunk bed in the children's home. When Mrs. Simone, the head lady, starts yelling out all the rules on her first day, Krys flinches. Mrs. Simone does something she's never done before. She gives her a day to adjust. But then she's right back at it tomorrow.

The doctor says Krys just needs food, water, and rest. Mrs. Simone and the other caretakers help me give her those things, but the doctor's wrong. She doesn't get better.

She doesn't talk.

She won't talk.

Can she talk? I've seen her do it before, but now it's like it's physically impossible. I don't know what to do. The doctor says to give her time. I give him a flat look. I thought all she needed was rest?

It's been weeks. She still won't talk to me, and I'm getting tired of trying to talk to her. I want to be around my friends. I want it to be like old times, but every time I leave her, I feel like I'm going to vomit. I hate it. One time I felt like I hated her, and I almost didn't feel sorry about it.