Novel Wave 22

Posted by Adminh, ? Views, Released on March 7, 2025

22

REBECCA

A smile grew on my lips as I approached the door leading to my apartment: the hallway was filled with a delightful smell of homemade pizza, and I could hear the joyful laughter of Reiner and the kids. I paused for a moment before walking in and revealing my presence: for a moment, I stood behind the door, closed my eyes, and imagined what was happening on the

other side.

I could clearly see Reiner, Violet, and James in the kitchen, laughing and having fun, covered in

flour and tomato sauce, smiling like never before… and as they always, always should have

been.

In those last few weeks, the kids had truly blossomed: it was as if, with finally knowing their

dad and having him around as a parent, a side of them I’d never seen had emerged. They were

still the same, and yet… they were different. They were much happier. I saw them watching

and imitating Reiner in everything–from the way he talked to the way he walked, and even his

hobbies and passions: ever since he’d started renovating his house, the kids hadn’t left his

side, fascinated by drills, hammers, and all of those toys of his (which gave me a certain

amount of anxiety).

For the past two months… I’d been happy too. I was happy to have my mate around again, happy to see him finally being a dad, and happy to see how our children were growing, also thanks to him. Seeing them finally have Reiner as their dad was like seeing how they would have been from the start if Sheila hadn’t decided to separate us: and inevitably, the thought of

it broke my heart and made me furious.

The fact that, most likely, her horrible and disgusting scheme wasn’t just due to her hatred and classism toward me, but was part of a larger plan to weaken Reiner and put that useless jerk

of Garrett on the throne made my blood boil even more.

I felt my canines lengthen–and it took every drop of self–control to prevent my nails from turning into claws.

Goddess, I really needed to shift.

Tomorrow, I reminded myself. Tomorrow.

I took another moment – this time to calm down and push away all thoughts about Sheila and Garrett, and when I was sure I had everything under control, I opened the door to the house.

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+3 Point

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“MOMMY!”

Two seconds later, I was attacked by my two little devils: and who cared if my rather

expensive jacket was now covered in flour, oil, and tomato sauce.

Nothing was more precious than that hug.

“Hey, you two!” I smiled, hugging them tightly. Then I dramatically sniffed the air, making a surprised face. “What is this absolutely delicious smell? Pizza?”

Two huge smiles spread across their mischievous faces. “We’re making it with Daddy!” Jim nodded. “We made some for you too because you took so long!”

—

“I know, sweetie, I’m sorry I got stuck in traffic,” I sighed.

As Reiner had suggested, I’d reminded that crazy bride I was working with that it was she who needed me, not the other way around, which had considerably calmed her down: when I left the venue, though, I found myself stuck in traffic.

“Twaffic’s a pain in the ass,” Vi commented: at that word, both Reiner and I turned towards her,

shocked.

“Excuse me?” he said, stunned.

“Where did

you

hear that word?” I asked. “You know it’s not a nice thing to say!”

“But you always say it,” our little girl argued.

“Yes, because

because your mother has a sailor’s mouth,” Reiner huffed with a half–smile, joining us. One day we’ll wash it out with soap. We don’t want to hear that word again, understood,

sweetheart?”

–

“Okay, Daddy,” Violet smiled, running over to him and hugging him – knowing exactly how to

win him over.

“Go cut the mozzarella with your brother,” he said. “I can’t do everything myself.”

“It’s not twue you did evewything,” James objected. “I got the to… toma… tomatoes from the fwidge.”

“Yes, and you did great. Now go, or we’ll never eat.”

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The kids ran to the kitchen to play cooking, and as was now his habit, Reiner quickly wrapped an arm around my waist to greet me. I never pulled away from that touch – I knew it was selfish, and that it didn’t mean the same to him as it did to me, but… I missed feeling him close, smelling his scent, his body brushing against mine.

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* Points

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In those brief moments when he hugged me, it was as if nothing had ever happened. As if the

hatred and anger I had felt in his mind that day had never existed.

That evening, strangely, his hug lasted not just a moment longer–but he surprised me with a

kiss on the cheek.

Oh–oh. Okay.

It took basically every drop of my self–control to stop myself from rubbing my face against his

chest–to melt into that hug like I would have four years ago. My body knew exactly how it’d

go – I would cling to him, and he would tighten his grip, then lower his face to mine and capture my lips with his…

Control yourself, damn it!

1

It wasn’t easy at all not when the bond between us seemed stronger than ever, and growing

stronger every time he touched me.

“The crazy bride?”

I swallowed, trying to calm my heart, which was doing several somersaults.

“Brought back to mental peace,” I forced myself to chuckle.

Reiner smiled. “Good. Go relax for a bit, I’ll send one of the devils to tell you when it’s ready.”

Well, that sounded absolutely terrific. I really needed a shower–not just because I was dead

tired, but because I felt a certain… warmth growing in my core, and it was absolutely not the

case for him to notice.

Slut, Sheila’s voice slipped into my ear, thin and malicious.

It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it in the last few weeks – and my good mood dimmed a bit.

Reiner and I had never talked about what had happened–or what he believed had happened: if

I made myself… available… what would he think?

It wouldn’t be like that, my conscience insisted. You know he’d never think that. You know him.

Just look at his face.

Though it took an immense effort, I decided to believe reality: my conscience, what I saw,

what I knew of Reiner.

Don’t let that b***h ruin you anymore, I ordered myself. You’re home, with your kids and Reiner.

Everything’s fine. She’s no longer here to ruin your life.

“You know what? I’ll take your word for it,” I nodded, stifling a yawn. After all the screaming

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and complaining of the day, I really just needed a shower and a moment for myself.

I really needed to rest–especially because I had a lot of driving to do the next day.

Just the thought of it made me smile: finally, we’d be going to the mountains, to nature – I

could finally shift again. I loved New York for what it had offered me, but… it wasn’t the right place for my nature, nor for the kids‘.

“Your usual?” Reiner asked. “Spicy pepperoni?”

I nodded. “You guys have fun.”

I headed down the hallway to my bedroom: and as I left my heels at the entrance of the room

and heard the laughter of the kids and Reiner… I felt happy.

At home, like never before.

REINER

It was late when I left Becks and the kids and went back to my apartment upstairs: dinner had

been amazing, filled with laughter, jokes, and mutual teasing. Once it was over, Becky had

cleaned up the kitchen while I helped the kids with their bath and put them to bed – and after

what had become our nightly ritual of a glass of wine, where we updated each other on the

kids and strengthened our co–parenting bond, I bid her goodnight.

It had been extremely hard, during the evening, to keep a normal facade: not only was it impossible not to remember, every second, that the letter Violet had found, which I had tucked

into my pocket after telling her it was just a bill, was there–and that most likely, given the first

three words, it contained unimaginable secrets… but I couldn’t get the way Becky’s scent had

changed when I’d hugged her out of my mind – a scent that had brought me back to wonderful

times, to delicious memories of pleasure and love.

She wanted me–it was undeniable. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

Needless to say, my shower had been quite cold–and long.

I collapsed onto the inflatable mattress that was my bed, undressed, and retrieved the

crumpled piece of paper from my jeans, looking at it–trying to find the courage to open it.

The paper was a bit yellowed, which meant it wasn’t a new letter: she must have written it a

few

years ago.

Whether before or after our separation, I didn’t know.

Come on, I told myself. You’ve never been a coward. Open it.

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I swallowed, and before I could rethink it, I opened it and began to read.

My dearest Reiner,

love of my life. I’m scared and I don’t know what’s happening. I’m writing this on a soft mattress and in a warm room, but without you, everything feels so cold and lifeless.

–

It’s the one on the 55th, you know the hotel I’m in right now. The one we stopped at 3 years ago, during that storm. The fact that I was given the room next to ours doesn’t really make me

feel better. It’s like having you at arm’s reach – too close, and yet too far.

I’m not alone, though – our babies are with me, and the thought of it brings me both joy and

pain. Joy, because we wanted a child so bad and, in the most unexpected time, we’ve been

blessed with two. Pain, and sorrow, because I know chances are you’ll never know about

them.

I just want you to know I’m not angry at you. I don’t hate you, even if, right now, you do hate

me. If only, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry for not fighting for you, for us, for our family. I know I should have – I just don’t know how. You wouldn’t believe a word coming out of my mouth – I believe I know you well enough

to say that. It’s also the reason why you’ll never read this letter.

It’s okay.

I’ll carry the pain and the truth, how heavy they might be.

And I’ll carry our love too.

I hope a day will come when we’ll reunite, when we’ll all be a family again.

In the meantime, I wish you all the very best and all the happiness this world has to offer. There’s no one, apart from this pups in me, more deserving of it than you.