The Crippled Wife They Tried to Erase - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Ignoring the pull of Zephyr's pack wasn't easy—not when he looked at me like that, like he actually saw me. But I hesitated. After everything with Xavier, trust didn't come cheap. My heart was still raw, and I wasn't about to dive headfirst into another mess.
For the first few days in town, I kept to myself. Sorting through the wreckage of my old life took enough energy, and starting over felt… safe. The quiet rhythm of the town suited me. No expectations. No lies. Just simple, predictable days.
But Zephyr? Impossible to ignore. He didn't push, didn't rush—just this steady, grounding presence. And his eyes… there was a kindness in them I hadn't seen in years. It chipped away at my walls, whether I wanted it to or not.
Then there was Lilith.
She started showing up at the library with fruit baskets and little trinkets. At first, it was just a visit here and there, but soon, it became every day. She'd hand me books or wildflowers she'd picked, her dark eyes sparkling as she waited for me to tell her stories. Quiet for a kid, but sharp as a tack. She reminded me of her dad.
One day, she came in with a scraped arm. It wasn't bad, but her lip trembled like it was the end of the world. Without thinking, I touched the bruise, letting my healing power do its thing. The second it disappeared, her face lit up.
"Thank you, Mommy," she said.
Mommy.
I froze. The word hit me like a punch. I hadn't seen it coming. But as I looked at her, something inside me shifted. She'd slipped into my heart without me even noticing. I missed my unborn child every day, but Lilith… she made me feel like I could be a mother again. Like I could belong somewhere.
"I'm not your mommy, sweetie," I said softly, forcing a smile.
She shook her head stubbornly. "You are. You help me. You're nice. You make me feel better." Her tiny hand pressed against my cheek, and the weight of her words settled deep in my chest.
She was Zephyr's daughter, and the thought of getting that close terrified me. But I couldn't stop myself from caring about her.
Then, one afternoon, she burst into the library, waving an envelope.
"Mommy! Look! Daddy says I'm having a party!"
She shoved the invitation into my hands, practically vibrating with excitement.
You're invited to Lilith's 6th birthday party.
The simple words hit me hard. A child's birthday—a celebration of life. Beautiful and bittersweet all at once.
"You want me to come?"
She nodded, bouncing on her toes. "Please, Mommy! Daddy says you have to!"
I laughed, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I'll be there, sweetie."
I didn't know what my future held. But in that moment, holding Lilith's invitation and seeing her grin, I realized maybe I didn't need to. Maybe I just needed to be part of something good—one step at a time.
The day of the party arrived, and I found myself clutching the small gift I'd bought her—a beautifully illustrated storybook. I wasn't sure what to expect from the pack, but one thing was certain: I couldn't let Lilith down.
When I arrived at the pack's grounds, I was met with a warmth I hadn't felt in years. Members smiled, some even waving like I was an old friend. A few kids ran up, giggling as they draped flower garlands around my neck.
"You're so pretty!" one little girl beamed.
I laughed softly. "Thank you, sweetheart."
Lilith spotted me and bolted over, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the other kids. "Everyone, this is my mommy!" she announced proudly.
My breath caught. I glanced around, half-expecting confusion, but the kids just nodded like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Your mommy is so nice!" one chirped, handing me another flower.
I didn't have the heart to correct her—not when she looked so happy. And honestly? A part of me didn't want to. If this little girl saw me as her mother, who was I to take that from her?
The pack seemed to agree. No whispers, no sideways glances—just open arms, like I'd always been part of them. The warmth in their eyes was almost overwhelming.
As the party kicked off, laughter filled the air. Lilith clung to my hand, making sure I was part of every game, every moment. Her joy was contagious, and for the first time in forever, I felt… happy.
Zephyr found me later, holding out a plate of food and a drink. "For you."
I hesitated before taking them, offering a small smile. "Thanks."
He sat beside me, his presence steady rather than suffocating. "It means a lot to Lilith that you're here," he said quietly. "And to me."
I glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "She's an amazing kid. It's easy to see why everyone adores her."
He smiled, watching as she showed her friends the storybook I'd given her. "She's taken a real liking to you. I don't think I've ever seen her this happy."
His words made my heart ache in the best way. For so long, I'd felt like I didn't belong anywhere—like I was just a burden. But here, with this pack, I felt something I hadn't in years: peace.