MY CURSED MATE

| New beginning |

Warning! This chapter is not edited, so expect typos, misspelled words, and grammatical errors. Thanks and enjoy reading!

KABANATA LXXII

Third Person's POV

The room was cloaked in stillness. Tahimik lamang na nakaupo si Everly sa harapan ng bintana, nakatingin sa malayo habang pinapanood ang mabagal na paggalaw ng mundo sa labas.

The forest stretched endlessly before her, vibrant with life, but to her, it seemed like a world she no longer belonged to. Her silver hair, dulled by days of isolation, framed her pale face, while her eyes, once burning with determination, were now clouded with sadness. Even the light seemed unable to reach the emptiness within her.

Lumipas ang mga araw na halos walang pagbabago sa kanyang kalagayan. Morning light filtered through the curtains, painting the wooden floor with golden streaks, while evening gave way to the soft glow of moonlight.

Yet Everly barely moved from her spot. Her fingers absently traced patterns along the windowsill habang pilit niyang hinaharap ang mga alaalang tila palaging nasa dulo ng kanyang isip, ngunit hindi niya maabot.

Noong mga unang araw, puno ng pag-aalala ang buong pack dahil sa kalagayan niya. Panaka-naka silang tumitingala sa bintana ng kanyang silid tuwing mapapadaan sila roon, hoping to catch even the smallest sign that she was recovering.

Ngunit kagaya ng mga nakaraang araw, walang nagbago. Blanko pa rin ang ekspresyon nito, parang malayo ang isip at puso sa mundong nakapaligid sa kanya.

Some tried leaving small tokens—flowers, trinkets, and handwritten notes filled with encouragement. But they remained untouched. Kalaunan, nasanay na rin sila sa tahimik niyang presensya.

Ngayon, sa tuwing dadaan sila sa kanyang silid, isang magaang ngiti na lamang ang kanilang ibinibigay, kahit wala silang natatanggap na tugon. It was their quiet way of telling her that she was not alone, even when she refused to speak.

Sometimes, when the walls of her room became too suffocating, Everly stepped onto the terrace. The cool breeze kissed her skin, carrying the earthy scent of the forest and the faint hum of life.

Ipipikit niya ang kanyang mga mata at malalim na hahinga, hoping the fresh air could somehow loosen the invisible weight around her chest. Ngunit kahit gaano siya kalalim huminga, the heaviness never truly disappeared.

She always felt his presence.

Greyson.

He thought he was subtle, but she knew he was always watching. Whether he stood beneath the shadows of the trees or at the edge of the courtyard, his piercing gaze followed her every movement. His protectiveness was suffocating, yet strangely grounding.

Kinamumuhian niya ang pakiramdam na para bang binabantayan siya, ngunit may bahagi rin sa kanya na lihim na kumakapit sa presensya nito.

Eve's voice finally echoed inside her mind.

Killing yourself won't solve this. Lady Weresfia's soul won't awaken unless your memories are complete. The pain is part of the process, Everly. It is the key.

Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Everly sa railings ng terrace. Pain. Iyon ang paulit-ulit na bukambibig ni Eve mula nang matapos ang digmaan. She had explained that the key to recovering every lost memory was pain—the kind that reached beyond the body and wounded the deepest parts of the soul.