Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 213

Fern's Perspective

I stood in the shadows outside the ballroom and took a deep breath. My hands tightened around the hem of my dress as I tried to steady myself. Even though I had long told myself that none of this concerned me anymore, I still couldn't find peace as I stood here, watching the grand banquet that once belonged to Giovanni and me. Every laugh, every cheer, cut into my heart like a blade.

Has he really forgotten me? I whispered to myself, a flicker of pain flashing in my eyes.

Six years was enough time for everything to change—enough time for Giovanni to go from the man I once knew so well to a stranger. I remembered the first time I met him, his eyes brimming with passion and determination. I remembered the good times we had, the nights we walked beneath the moonlight, sharing our dreams and secrets. But all of that shattered after the battle. My "death"—the one I had orchestrated myself—had taken everything from us.

My gaze fell once more upon the ballroom, where Giovanni stood on the stage beside Elena, looking at her as if she was his entire world. The look in his eyes—cold and composed—was nothing like the man he used to be. I couldn't bear the change, couldn't stand to see the man I had once loved so deeply now standing beside another woman, as if erasing our past meant nothing.

I closed my eyes and inhaled sharply. Tonight, I'm here to observe, not to be reckless. I couldn't let my emotions sway me, couldn't let myself drown in pain all over again. Giovanni was no longer my future, just as I had long ceased to be the love of his life. I had my own path, my own family—my son, Daniel. He was my priority now. I had to protect him, give him a safe future, and not let the ghosts of the past disrupt my resolve.

And yet, despite everything I told myself, the pain refused to fade. I had promised myself I would move on. I had convinced myself I was free. But the moment I saw him, saw his familiar silhouette, every decision I had made crumbled like ash.

I turned away, ready to leave. I didn't belong here—this world of Giovanni and Elena was no longer mine. I had no right to interfere in their lives.

But then, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Fern?"

My breath caught. My heart pounded as I turned to see a familiar figure approaching.

"Kyle..." My voice was barely a whisper, laced with shock and unease.

Kyle offered a weak smile as he stepped closer. "Why are you standing here? Aren't you going inside?"

My chest tightened. Kyle was the only person here who truly knew me, the only one who understood the choices I had made. I knew he had never fully agreed with my decision, but he had always stood by me—especially when I chose to keep my son a secret.

"I…" I hesitated, lowering my gaze. My voice trembled slightly. "I don't want to go back to that world, Kyle. The world that belongs to Giovanni and Elena… it's not mine anymore."

Kyle studied me, something pained flickering in his eyes. He understood my struggle, knew how much I was fighting against myself. "You might think you left that world behind, but the truth is, you never really did. Your past with Giovanni is carved into both of your lives. No matter how far you run, that won't change."

I shut my eyes for a brief moment, inhaling deeply. "No, I've made my choice. Giovanni has Elena. He doesn't need me anymore. My life… it has nothing to do with him now."

Kyle's voice softened as he stepped closer. "But you don't really believe that, do you? I know you, Fern. You love him. You always have."

My heart skipped a beat. A lump formed in my throat, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I loved him, Kyle. But love doesn't bind us anymore. My son—he's the only one who matters now." My voice was barely above a whisper, as if I was trying to convince myself.

Kyle didn't argue. He simply looked at me, his silent understanding speaking volumes. Then, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, he murmured, "Whatever choice you make, I'll stand by you. You know that, right?"

I met his gaze, gratitude tightening my chest. "Thank you, Kyle. You're the only one who's ever been there for me." My voice was thick with emotion, carrying an ache too deep to put into words.

I turned away, preparing to leave. My eyes flickered toward the ballroom one last time, my heart a hollow ache.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my hand, shattering the silence.

I glanced down, frowning at the unfamiliar number. After a brief hesitation, I answered.

"Diana, it's me."

My breath hitched. The voice on the other end was deep, calm—too calm. It reached through the phone like a ghost from my past, sending a shiver down my spine.

Giovanni.

"Why are you…" My voice faltered, the storm inside me impossible to hide.

"I know you're here." His voice carried a quiet chill. "Are you really going to just avoid me?"

My heart clenched. For a moment, I couldn't speak. My fingers tightened around the phone, its cold surface grounding me in a reality I wasn't ready to face. This conversation would lead nowhere—no matter what I said, the years between us had carved an unbridgeable distance.

"I'm not avoiding you." My voice was steady, though inside, I was anything but. "But I know better than to let myself get caught up in this again. I'm not Fern."

Silence. Then, a sharp intake of breath.

"No. You are Fern. I can feel it." His voice, once so composed, now carried a trace of anger—of frustration. "How long are you going to lie to me?"

A fresh wave of pain crashed over me, tightening around my chest.

"Daniel is my son, Giovanni. I won't let anyone hurt him. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. We have no future."

His breathing grew harsher, his voice dropping to something colder, firmer. "You know I won't let you raise that child alone. The connection between us—it's not something you can erase."

His words sent my pulse into chaos, but I forced myself to remain steady.

"You're wrong, Giovanni," I said quietly, but firmly. "Whatever connection we had is gone. Our futures are no longer intertwined. Please… let us go."

A long silence stretched between us. When he finally spoke, his voice was laced with quiet determination.

"One day, I will learn the truth. And when I do… I will never let you go again."

The line went dead.

I slowly lowered my phone, gripping it tightly as emotions swirled within me—grief, fear, and something dangerously close to longing.

I knew this wasn't over. Giovanni's cold resolve had made that clear.

And now, more than ever, I knew what I had to do.

I had to protect my son.

I had to protect our little family.

And I could never—never—let the past pull me back again.