He Signed My Freedom Now He Wants Me Back Chapter 44
Noah threw his arms around my leg.
“We missed you so much. Have you been with them this whole time? Did you stop wanting us because of this girl?”
He glared at Chloe with open hostility.
Chloe shrank back, clutching the hem of my clothes.
I immediately stepped away, removing Noah’s hands from me.
“You will not look at her like that.”
Lucian took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over Elias.
“Evelyn, enough. The punishment is over, and the children know they were wrong. Come back to Highridge with us.”
“Back to what home?”
“Your Luna position is still there. The elders can restore the record.”
“I already refused reconsideration.”
Lucian’s jaw tightened.
“That’s only because you’re still angry.”
I almost laughed.
My leaving, my new identity, the claim cancellation I had submitted in my own voice—all of it, in his eyes, still wasn’t a choice. It was just an emotion, waiting for him to resolve it.
Iris tugged on my hand.
“Mom, come back. We drove Aunt Vivian away. From now on, you’ll be our only mom.”
Noah hurried to add, “We’ll never make you angry again.”
I crouched down until I was at eye level with them.
“I’m not going back. Not all harm disappears just because someone apologizes.”
Tears spilled down Iris’s face.
“Don’t you love us anymore?”
The words sank into my chest like a dull blade.
I had loved them so much.
But love is not an obligation that has to renew itself forever, no matter how thoroughly it’s been trampled.