the last Nightspire

Picking Up the Pieces

*Bonny's POV*

The morning after the ball, the house felt suffocatingly quiet. I sat on the couch, staring blankly out the window as rain slid down the glass like the tears I had been holding back. My sapphire gown was packed away in the wardrobe, but it might as well have been thrown in the trash. It wasn’t just a dress anymore; it was a reminder of everything that had gone wrong.

Selena handed me a steaming mug of tea, her gentle voice breaking through the silence. “Drink this. It’ll help.”

I took the mug and curled my fingers around it, letting the warmth seep into my hands. I managed a small nod but didn’t trust myself to speak. The ache in my chest was too raw.

It took a few days before I could say anything about it. Even then, the words felt like knives as they left my mouth. “He called me,” I said one evening as Selena sat beside me on my bed, tissues and snacks scattered around us.

She looked at me with soft, understanding eyes. “Draven?”

I nodded, staring down at my lap. “He said he felt terrible. That leaving me like that was the worst thing he’s ever done.”

Her silence encouraged me to keep going. “He told me he’s with her now. His mate. He said he couldn’t ignore the bond.” My voice cracked, and I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. “But he apologized. He said he didn’t mean to hurt me.”

Selena placed a hand on mine. “What did you say?” she asked gently.

I closed my eyes, reliving the moment.

*flashback*

The call had come late at night. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I almost ignored it. But when I saw his name, my heart clenched, and I couldn’t stop myself from answering.

“Bonny,” his voice was quiet, almost hesitant.

“Draven,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

There was a long pause before he spoke again. “I’m so sorry for what I did. For leaving you like that. I… I don’t have an excuse. I just…” His voice broke slightly. “When I saw her, my mate, I couldn’t ignore it. I couldn’t fight it.”

I clenched my fists, the pain still fresh. “You humiliated me, Draven. You left me standing there in front of everyone.”

“I know,” he said quickly. “I know, and I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. I didn’t want to hurt you. You mean so much to me, Bonny. I… I don’t know how to make this right.”

My chest felt heavy, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. “You can’t make it right, Draven. What’s done is done.”

Another pause, and I thought I heard him exhale shakily. “I just needed you to know that I’m sorry. Truly.”

I closed my eyes, my voice barely a whisper. “I accept your apology. But we can’t go back to how things were. You made your choice, and I need to move on.”

“I understand,” he said softly. “Goodbye, Bonny.”

“Goodbye, Draven.”

I opened my eyes, the memory fading as I looked at Selena. “I told him I accepted his apology, but… it doesn’t stop it from hurting.”

Selena pulled me into a hug, her arms warm and steady. “I know it doesn’t. But you’re strong, Bonny. You’ll get through this. And I’ll be right here with you.”

Throwing myself into my studies became my way of coping. With final exams looming, it wasn’t hard to find a reason to bury my head in books. Textbooks and notes took over the dining table, my room, and even the couch. Every spare moment was spent memorizing formulas, writing essays, or reviewing flashcards.

The cafe down the street became my escape. Most days, I’d sit by the window with my books spread out in front of me, a cup of coffee cooling by my side. The hum of conversation and the soft clatter of dishes made it easier to focus.

Selena joined me when she could, always bringing a lightness to the air. She’d sip her coffee and pretend to read while sneaking glances at me, making sure I wasn’t overworking myself.

“You need a break,” she’d say, nudging my arm. “Let’s go for a walk or something.”

Sometimes I’d agree, and we’d stroll through the park, the fresh air clearing my mind. Other times, I’d shake my head and dive back into my notes. But no matter what, she stayed by my side, a constant reminder that I wasn’t alone.

One evening, as we walked home from the cafe, I glanced up at the sky. The stars were faint against the city lights, but their presence was still comforting.

“Do you think it’ll ever stop hurting?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Selena was quiet for a moment before she replied. “I think it will get easier. The pain won’t go away overnight, but little by little, it’ll fade. And one day, you’ll wake up and realize it doesn’t hurt as much anymore.”

I nodded, her words settling in my chest like a fragile hope. “Thanks, Selena. For everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” she said, nudging me lightly. “That’s what best friends are for.”

As we continued down the quiet street, the soft glow of streetlights guiding our way, I felt a flicker of strength return. Draven might have broken my heart, but he hadn’t broken me. And as long as I had Selena, I knew I’d be okay.