“Rachel! Look at this necklace! Selena called, pointing to a silver infinity pendant in the accessories display.
touched it gently. “It’s beautiful… and meaningful.”
“It would be perfect with the dress,” she suggested.
I agreed, purchasing both the dress and the necklace with part of the money from selling Nathan’s pendant.
Back at my cottage, I settled into my favorite chair and began crocheting.
Occasionally, my fingers would pause to touch the new infinity necklace around my neck. It felt different–lighter, somehow, both in weight and significance.
Around six, my phone buzzed with a text from Carter: [I’ll pick you up in about an hour. Is that enough time to get ready?]
I texted back: [Plenty of time.] Then added: [How was your day?]
His response came almost immediately: [It will be perfect once I see you.]
I smiled, feeling a flutter of anticipation as I set the phone down and headed to prepare for dinner. I slipped into my new red dress, paired with silver flats that were both elegant and pregnancy–appropriate.
I fastened the silver earrings Carter had given me weeks ago and clasped the infinity necklace around my neck.
Looking in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. My copper hair fell in soft waves over my shoulders, my green eyes seemed brighter, and despite my pregnancy, or perhaps because of it, I looked… vibrant.
I carefully wrapped Carter’s gift–a deep gray scarf I’d been secretly working on–with a silver ribbon.
The doorbell rang precisely at seven. When I opened it, Carter stood there with a bouquet of red tulips, his tie perfectly matching
the color of my dress.
“How did you know I’d be wearing red?” I asked, genuinely surprised
Carter’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “My guards are good for something. And red suits you perfectly.”
He leaned forward to kiss my cheek, his touch gentle and respectful, stared at him blankly, a bit surprised by the gesture, accepted it nonetheless. Perhaps it was time I tried to forget Nathan and move forward.
I invited him in, placing the flowers in a vase. “This time, I have a gift for you,” I said, offering him the wrapped package.
but
“A gift? For me? Really?” His surprise seemed genuine as he carefully unwrapped it. His eyes lit up when he saw the scarf. “You made this yourself?… It’s perfect! I travel often, sometimes to cold places, and no one has ever made me something like this. You’re amazing, Rose!”
He wrapped it around his neck despite the tropical heat, admiring it with childlike enthusiasm.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t mind going to the island’s best restaurant tonight,” he said. “Seeing you looking so beautiful, I don’t want to keep you hidden at home. I want everyone to see how stunning you are.”
“Sounds wonderful,” I smiled, genuinely touched by his words.
He offered his arm, and we stepped into the evening air. The moon cast silver light across the sea as we walked along the path to
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Chapter 110.
the restaurant.
I found myself touching the infinity pendant at my throat, feeling it unfamiliar weight and shape.
Nathan had given Madison his ring–the one thing he cherished most. And now, I had replaced his necklace with one that symbolized endlessness, cycles, and new beginnings.
As Carter squeezed my hand gently, I realized that for the first time since leaving the Ironjaw pack, I felt truly seen–not as a breeder, not as a possession, but as a woman worthy of respect and appreciation.
Life, like the infinity symbol around my neck, would continue its cycle.
And I was ready for whatevel came next.
