Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 230

Chapter 230 My Dream

ROWAN

Fuck it. He ruined the moment.

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I’d been running around all day, fixing what needed fixing, lifting what no one else wanted to lift, hammering, sawing, scrubbing–anything that kept me in Tessa’s world. My body was aching, but my mind was restless with only Tessa running inside it.

After everything I had done today, I wanted to go home to her.

Wouldn’t it be great?

Even when you’re tired, even when the day tears you apart, you come home and she’s there. She’s waiting for you. The sight of your wife–your mate–and your child running into your arms, filling every hollow place with warmth. That’s become my dream now.

However, he arrived and ruined the moment.

Owen.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he exclaimed.

“Nothing,” I answered as I straightened. I was only admiring Tessa for being such a beautiful being.

“I heard from Noelle that an intruder was here,” he muttered, eyes narrowing. “Looks like I came at the right time.”

I clenched my fists. He said it like I was some kind of threat. I was about to retaliate when she spoke.

“Is

your work trip done?” Tessa asked softly. I pursed my lips. She never used that tone with me

anymore.

He nodded in response, and in one easy step, he closed the distance between them. My chest seized as he leaned his head against her shoulder.

“I’m tired,” he muttered, and it felt like a mockery of my own exhaustion.

Just then, the door creaked open.

“Uncle Owen!”

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Chapter 230 My Dream

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Calla’s voice lit up the night, her little feet pattering against the wood until she was launching herself into his arms. He caught her effortlessly, spinning her around while her giggles filled

the air.

I couldn’t breathe.

I was watching a family. My family.

But I wasn’t in it.

I was on the outside, standing there like a stranger, watching as the picture I’d been breaking myself apart to piece back together belonged to someone else.

It hurt in a way no wound ever had. It would have been better if blood had spilled from my body instead. However, watching this felt like everything was spilling from my soul.

Tessa looked at me, her lips parting but closing once more.

“You should go, Rowan.”

The words hit harder than Owen’s shove. I looked into her eyes and silently asked her to take her words back. However, she didn’t budge, and in the end, I had no choice but to obey.

I gave them one last look before I turned away.

Calla’s laughter still echoed in my ears, her arms wrapped tight around Owen’s neck, her little voice bubbling like a song. She was happy, so utterly happy, and I couldn’t fault her for that. My daughter deserved joy and warmth; as well as the things I had failed to give her back then.

She looked at me over Owen’s shoulder, her face flowing with innocence. “See you tomorrow, mister!”

Mister.

That’s all I was to her. A stranger who happened to show up now and again. Nothing more, nothing less. My throat tightened at the word, and I swallowed down the ache before it could show on my face. I couldn’t hate her for it. If anything, it was the truest reflection of how much distance I had put between us.

It was my own doing, so I forced myself to turn and walk away.

The night air was cool, brushing against my sweat–soaked shirt as I made my way back toward Edith’s house. My body was screaming for rest, but my heart wouldn’t shut up.

I stopped in my tracks when I heard footsteps trailing behind me.

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Chapter 230 My Dream

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I stopped, letting out a sharp sigh as I turned. “Did you come here to rub it in

my face?”

For a moment, silence stretched between us. Then Owen stepped closer until he was in front

of me.

“No,” he said finally. “I came here to tell you to leave.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Leave?”

“Your land needs you,” he answered without hesitation.

A bitter laugh threatened to crawl out of my throat, but I forced it down, pursing my lips instead. It was always the same chains binding me.

But what about what I need?

The thought screamed in my skull. What about my daughter? What about the little girl who should be calling me father, not mister? What about Tessa, who still lingered at the edge of every dream I dared to have?

It was as though he heard me.

“I’ll take care of them,” Owen said firmly.

My breath hitched.

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