The Broken Luna, Now His Regret novel Chapter 29

29 Chapter 29 THE SPACE BETWEEN

**Mira’s POV – Thursday Afternoon***

Thursday’s visit went differently than usual.

Kieran arrived at 4 PM precisely – no longer early, no longer lingering. Just on time. Reliable. Brielle was waiting by the window, stuffed wolf in hand.

“Daddy’s here!” She didn’t run out immediately. Instead she looked back at Mira. “Are you staying too?”

“Not today, baby. Today is your daddy time. Tomorrow is when we’re all together.”

–

Brielle’s face fell slightly, but she nodded. The therapy was working – she was learning to hold disappointment without it destroying her.

Kieran came to the door. Mira opened it. They stood in the threshold, autumn air cold

between them.

“She’s been talking about tomorrow all day,” Mira said.

“So have I.” Kieran’s voice was quiet. “Thank you. For agreeing to this.”

“I’m doing it for her.”

“I know. That’s the only reason I asked.”

Something in his tone made Mira look at him properly. The shadows under his eyes. The way he held himself – not with an Alpha’s certainty, but tentatively. The posture of a man who’d learned he could lose things.

“She wants to show you the garden,” Mira said. “Ronan planted winter pansies. She helped.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

Brielle appeared between them. Kieran crouched, letting her crash into his arms. Over Brielle’s head, his eyes met Mira’s. A flash of something raw.

Then he stood, took Brielle’s hand, and walked toward the garden.

Mira closed the door and leaned against it. The mate bond hummed. Present. Complicated. No longer drowning her, but still there.

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**Kieran’s POV**

The garden was dormant for winter, but Brielle didn’t care. She dragged Kieran to the flower bed where purple and yellow pansies bloomed.

“Uncle Ronan says they’re brave,” she explained seriously. “Because they grow even when it’s freezing.”

“They are brave,” Kieran agreed, kneeling. “Just like you.”

“Am I brave, Daddy?”

“The bravest person I know.”

“Braver than you?”

The question hit hard. “Yeah. Braver than me.”

“Mommy says brave people can be scared and still do things. Is that true?”

“Your mommy’s right.”

“Are you scared, Daddy?”

“Yes. I’m scared of a lot of things.”

“Like what?”

“Like tomorrow. I’m scared about tomorrow.”

“The dinner? Why?”

“Because it matters. And when things matter, they’re scary.”

She thought about this. “But you’re coming anyway?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re being brave.” She said it like it was simple.

Kieran pulled her close. “When did you get so smart?”

“I was always smart. You just didn’t notice.”

The words were so matter–of–fact, so devoid of accusation, that they broke something in him. She was right.

“I’m noticing now,” he whispered.

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“Good,” Brielle said. “Now watch me do a cartwheel.”

She couldn’t actually do a cartwheel. What she did was more of a sideways collapse into the grass, giggling. Kieran laughed – really laughed.

Inside, through the kitchen window, Mira watched. Estelle appeared beside her with

tea.

“He’s trying,” Estelle said quietly.

“I know. That’s what makes it so hard.”

“Why hard?”

“Because trying doesn’t undo five years. It doesn’t change what he did. And it doesn’t

mean…” She trailed off.

“Doesn’t mean you have to take him back,” Estelle finished.

“No. It doesn’t.”

They stood in silence, watching Kieran and Brielle in the garden.

“But it means something,” Estelle said. “Even if it doesn’t mean that.”

**Friday Evening – 5:45 PM**

The table was set for six.

Garrett had insisted on the good china, cloth napkins, candles. Estelle had made roast chicken with rosemary potatoes, the kind that made the whole house smell like home.

Mira stood in her room, staring at her closet. What did you wear to have dinner with your almost–ex–husband, your parents, and your daughter who desperately wanted you all to be a family again?

She chose a simple cream sweater and dark jeans. Nothing that said “trying.” Nothing that said “given up.” Just present.

Brielle knocked and entered. She was wearing her favorite dress – blue with stars.

“Mommy, is Daddy really coming?”

“Yes, baby. He’ll be here at six.”

“What if he’s late?”

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“He won’t be late.”

“Baby,” Mira said carefully, “you know this doesn’t mean Daddy and I are getting back together, right? This is just dinner.”

“I know.” But the way Brielle said it meant she didn’t really know.

The doorbell rang.

“That’s him!”

Brielle was down the stairs before Mira could stop her. Mira followed slowly.

for Estelle.

Garrett was already opening the door. Kieran stood holding white roses

“Mrs. Whitmore,” he said with quiet deference. “Thank you for having me.”

Estelle took the flowers with grace. “Come in, Kieran. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Brielle attached herself to his leg. He picked her up, and his eyes found Mira over Brielle’s shoulder.

“Hi,” he said quietly.

“Hi,” Mira replied.

The moment stretched. Awkward. Tender. Impossible.

Garrett cleared his throat. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Dinner was painfully polite.

Garrett asked about pack business. Kieran answered carefully. Estelle served food. Brielle chattered about school, therapy, the pansies.

Mira said almost nothing.

She watched Kieran cut Brielle’s chicken into small pieces without being asked. Watched him exist in her parents‘ house like a guest who knew he didn’t belong but was grateful anyway.

“Mommy, aren’t you happy?” Brielle asked suddenly.

Everyone looked at Mira.

“Of course I am, baby.”

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“Then why aren’t you smiling?”

“I am smiling,” Mira said, forcing it.

Brielle studied her, then turned to Kieran. “Daddy, will you come to my school thing

next week?”

Kieran glanced at Mira. A silent question.

“The Thanksgiving program,” Mira explained. “Next Wednesday.”

“I’ll be there,” Kieran said. Then to Mira: “If that’s okay.”

“It’s fine.”

“Can Mommy come too?” Brielle pressed.

“I’m already planning to,” Mira said.

“Together? You’ll both be there? At the same time?”

Mira’s throat tightened. “Yes, baby. We’ll both be there.”

Brielle’s face lit up with such pure joy that Mira had to look away.

Across the table, Kieran’s jaw was tight. He knew what Mira knew that every time they gave Brielle this, they were feeding a hope that couldn’t be sustained.

The meal continued. Careful. Fragile. A family that wasn’t quite a family anymore, pretending the broken pieces could fit if everyone just held very still.

**Mira’s POV – 8 PM**

Kieran left at eight, after helping clear the table and thanking Garrett and Estelle repeatedly. Brielle hugged him goodbye, making him promise about the school

program.

“I promise,” Kieran said. He looked at Mira over Brielle’s head. “Thank you. For tonight.”

“It was for her.”

“I know.” He hesitated. “You were amazing. At the symposium. I don’t think I said that.”

The mate bond pulsed. “You didn’t need to say it.”

“Maybe not. But I wanted you to know I saw you. Really saw you.” He stopped. “I should

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