**The Heart I Buried for You by Serene Lockwood**
**224 Come And Get Your Stuff**
**Deanna’s POV:**
As the sun dipped below the horizon, surrendering the day to the encroaching night, the city outside my window transformed into a mesmerizing tapestry of light and color. The vibrant hues danced across the skyline, each flicker of neon a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within my heart. I sat huddled on my familiar, well-worn sofa, my arms wrapped tightly around myself as if trying to shield my vulnerable soul from the biting chill of uncertainty that had taken root in my chest. The view from my balcony was nothing short of breathtaking—a kaleidoscope of colors painting the evening sky—but all I could feel was a profound disconnection, my mind a cacophony of chaotic thoughts as I stared blankly into the distance.
My gaze fell to the crumpled ultrasound report clutched tightly in my hand, its edges frayed from my anxious grip. The memory of that fateful day in the hospital crashed over me like a relentless tidal wave, the news of my unexpected pregnancy hitting me with the force of a freight train. I had been left reeling, numb to the world, as if I were merely an observer, trapped in a haze of confusion and noise, watching life unfold from a distance.
Yet, amid the chaos, a flicker of calm emerged, allowing me to confront the reality of that report—the tiny dot on the image symbolizing a life, a child of an Alpha, quietly developing within me. My heart raced, a wild drumbeat echoing through my chest as I bit my lip, wrestling with the clashing emotions that surged through me. Finally, I summoned the courage to reach for my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I dialed Violet’s number, my steadfast anchor in this storm of uncertainty.
“Deanna, what’s going on?” she answered almost immediately, her voice bright yet tinged with concern.
Taking a deep breath, I felt the weight of my decision pressing down on me like a heavy shroud. “Violet, I’ve made my choice. I… don’t want the baby. Can you come with me for the abortion in the next few days?”
A pause hung in the air between us, a silence that felt like an eternity. “I’m in the middle of filming a crucial scene, and the director won’t let me leave. The earliest I can get away is next week.”
“Okay, I’ll make the appointment first,” I replied, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.
“Deanna, are you sure about this? Maybe you should think it through a bit more…”
Bitterness crept into my voice, uninvited but persistent. “Violet, Luis and I are moving on. This baby would only hold us back.”
I wasn’t naive.
Ruth had pushed me to make a decision, and I had hesitated, clinging to the hope that things could somehow change. I had genuinely fallen for Luis, that strong yet gentle Alpha who had swept into my life like a whirlwind, igniting feelings I had never expected to experience.
But if I brought this child into the world, I knew I would only complicate everything. I’d find myself demanding answers from him, spiraling into a state of irrationality, and ultimately, I would ruin him.
This baby couldn’t stay.
I refused to become a pitiful Omega, someone who had to cling to an Alpha just to survive.
Luis and I were never meant to be. Our lives were destined to remain separate, like parallel lines that would never meet.
Violet sighed softly, her empathy palpable even through the distance. “When I return from filming next week, if you still want to go through with it, I’ll be there for you.”
My eyes stung with unshed tears, the weight of her support a bittersweet comfort. “Thank you, Violet.”
With that, I ended the call, the silence of the room amplifying my sorrow. Tears slipped down my cheeks, each drop a testament to the heartache I felt.
I gently placed my hand on my still-flat stomach, whispering softly, “I’m sorry, little one. Next time… please don’t choose me to be your mom.”
Not long after, my phone buzzed again, and I barely gathered the energy to answer.
“Hello?”
The voice on the other end was deep, magnetic, unmistakably Luis.
“Deanna.”
My grip on the phone tightened instinctively, a mix of anger and longing surging through me. After a moment’s hesitation, I forced myself to respond, “What do you want?”
I almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. “I never realized you were such a neat freak.”
“Of course. The best exes disappear from each other’s lives. Your stuff is just a reminder I don’t need.”
Frustration bubbled within me, and I raised my voice, unable to contain my emotions. “Mr. Eaton, you bought all those things!”
“Oh.” His laughter was short and slightly amused, the sound infuriating. “They cost a lot, so remember to pay me back.”
“Luis!” I snapped, rising to my feet, my heart racing with a mix of anger and hurt.
“Fine, I’ll come pick everything up and pay you back!” I shot back, my voice trembling with emotion.
**Conclusion**
In the quiet aftermath of my decision, an unexpected surge of clarity washed over me, mingling with the bittersweet taste of grief. The weight of my choice hung heavily in the air, yet it was also liberating—a final act of agency in a life that had spiraled beyond my control. I had buried the heart that once beat for the future I envisioned with Luis, and now, as I faced the reality of my solitude, I understood that this was not merely a rejection of motherhood, but a reclamation of my identity. The neon lights outside flickered like fragments of my past, illuminating the path I had chosen—one that would lead me away from the shadows of dependency and into the uncertain embrace of independence.
As I prepared to confront Luis one last time, the remnants of our relationship lay scattered like the belongings he insisted I retrieve. Each item represented a memory, a moment frozen in time, yet I recognized that clinging to those pieces would only anchor me to a life I no longer wanted. The anger I felt towards Luis was a reflection of the turmoil within me, a manifestation of the hurt that came from love unreciprocated and dreams unfulfilled. Yet, in that anger, there was also a flicker of hope—a chance to redefine myself, to step into a future where I was not merely an extension of another’s life. With each tear shed, I released a part of my past, ready to embrace the unknown, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, I felt the first stirrings of a new beginning.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the next chapter of *The Heart I Buried for You*, readers can expect the tension between Deanna and Luis to escalate as they confront the remnants of their past relationship. With the emotional weight of her decision hanging heavily on her, Deanna’s visit to Crestwood Park promises to be a pivotal moment. Will she find closure, or will old feelings resurface amidst the chaos of their unresolved history? As she gathers her belongings, the atmosphere will be charged with unspoken words and lingering emotions, setting the stage for a confrontation that neither of them is fully prepared for.
Moreover, the chapter will delve deeper into Deanna’s internal struggle as she grapples with her choice regarding the pregnancy. The presence of Luis, coupled with the physical reminders of their time together, will force her to confront not only her feelings for him but also her fears about motherhood and independence. Anticipate a whirlwind of emotions, as Deanna must navigate the complexities of her heart while trying to maintain her resolve. Will she stand firm in her decision, or will the pull of what could have been lead her to reconsider? The stakes are high, and the outcome remains uncertain, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see what happens next.

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