He Threatened Me With Mom, Not Knowing She Died

Sabrina's POV: "Sabrina, did you hear me?" Nicholas Alder leaned toward me, his voice dropping. When he saw the tears still in my eyes, he reached over and rested a hand on my shoulder. "You don't need to buy anything," I said wearily. Mom had no use for any of it now. Not the pricey supplements, not her heart medication. Nicholas studied me, then picked up the box of condoms again, his tone softening. "Still angry? Go ahead, count them." He emptied the box into his palm. Six. Not one missing. I didn't reach for them. He smiled, shook his head, and wiped the tears from my face. "I really didn't use any. You're imagining things." "I'm really not angry." I turned my head to avoid his hand. He went still for a moment, then pulled me into his arms and patted my back. "Come on. Haven't you always wanted me to go back with you? For once, I don't have Council meetings or parties over New Year's. I'll stay with you for a few days. If we miss this chance, who knows when we'll get another one?" I looked at the watch on his wrist. Mom had given it to him the first time he was elected Alpha, after spending her savings and an entire afternoon choosing it. "Okay." I pulled out of his arms. "Let's go." While our mate bond was still intact, I wanted him to stand at her grave at least once. After it was dissolved, I'd have no reason to ask him again. When we got home, I booked two train tickets and ordered white candles and a large bouquet of roses. The wind at White Creek Cemetery was always fierce, and the candles would need glass covers or they'd blow out. Mom had always hated the cold, yet this little bit of candlelight was all I could bring her now. Nicholas came out of the bathroom and saw the luggage on the bed. Smiling, he ruffled my hair. "So you're finally talking to me like a normal person?" I closed the page where I'd ordered the flowers and candles. "Will you be able to leave on time on New Year's Day?" "Of course. I promised you." But when New Year's Day came, he still wasn't home by the time the driver pulled up outside. If I waited any longer, I'd miss the train, so I picked up one of the suitcases myself. The driver took out his phone. "Would you like me to call Mr. Alder?" I shook my head. "Take me to the station." Fir trees raced past the window. Only after the train had left Rainport did Nicholas call. "Sorry, baby. Something came up. Change your ticket to this evening and I'll take you there." "I'm already on the train." He paused, as though trying to hear whether I was angry. "This has nothing to do with Roxanne. There's a problem with the northern transport contract, and I have to deal with it in person. Sabrina, don't start another fight with me." I hadn't even mentioned her name. "I understand. Come tomorrow instead." Mom had waited for him so many times. One more day wouldn't matter. Nicholas let out an audible sigh of relief. "Wait for me there. Tell Mom I'll make her roast lamb chops. She always says I use just the right amount of rosemary. This time I'll make extra so she can eat as much as she likes." I stared at my reflection in the train window. "I'm tired." "Why are you tired again? Lately, you've been—" "I'm going to sleep for a bit." I hung up and buried my face in my scarf. Mom would never taste his lamb chops. 'When she was lying in that hospital bed, unable to swallow even a sip of water, where were you?' I had imagined shouting it into the phone. But over the past three years, I'd shouted, cried, and even chased after his car. It always ended with the same words: "Can't you grow up?" I opened our chat and sent him the train schedule for the next day. After typing "Don't forget again," I deleted it one letter at a time.