Shattered by the Alpha Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 48

Chapter35

Dealing with the bridal gown was a necessary step, and I packed it away carefully, almost ceremoniously, as if closing a chapter. Then, I headed to Xaviera’s bedroom, seeking the comfort and support of a friend. As I approached her, I saw her tending to her plants, her hands gently watering them with a soothing touch.

But when she saw me, her expression changed in an instant. Her eyes widened in surprise, filled with curiosity and concern. Her gaze lingered on me, searching for answers, as she set the watering can down and took a step closer, her body language inviting me to share

my story.

“Hey Xavi, you think you can donate it somewhere?” I asked, holding out the carefully packed bridal gown, my voice a little softer than usual.

Her expression changed from surprise to confusion, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to read me. She looked at the gown, then back at me, her eyes filled with pride.

I stood tall, my emotions in check, as I handed Xaviera the bridal gown. I held back the tears, the sobs, and the despair that typically accompanied a broken engagement.

I refused to give in to the expectation that I would crumble, that I would let heartache control me. Instead, I chose to rise above it, to walk past the typical outcomes of tears, self–pity, and despair.

My eyes remained dry, my voice steady, as I asked Xaviera to help me donate the gown. I was determined to break free from the shackles of societal expectations, to forge my own path, and to emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever before. Determination fueling my resolve to move forward, to create a new narrative, one where I was the heroine of my own story.

“Karry, I was gonna refund your money anyway.” Xaviera said, her voice laced with regret, as if she felt responsible for my pain. I hated that people like her, who didn’t even have a fingernail’s amount of blame in the situation, felt guilty.

They shouldn’t have to bear the weight of Keith’s mistakes. He was the one who had truly messed up, who had broken my trust and shattered our relationship. Xaviera’s words only served as a reminder that I wasn’t alone in my anger and frustration. Keith’s actions had a ripple effect, causing harm and regret to those around us, even those who were innocent. I felt a surge of resentment towards him, for putting us in this situation, for making us feel like we were the ones who had done something wrong

“But that’s against the rules,” I mumbled, feeling a sense of obligation to the terms of our agreement. Xaviera’s smile was warm and understanding as she set the box aside and took both of my hands in hers. I knew she was my friend, but it felt unfair to expect for her to change the regulations of her bridal boutique.

“You’re like the sister I never had, Karry, I’ll go against the law for you,” she declared, her voice filled with conviction. I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of her statement. Xaviera, the ultimate rule–follower, was willing to break the rules for me. It was a testament to the depth of our friendship.

I pulled her into a warm hug, feeling a sense of gratitude and love for this woman who had become like a sister to me. In that moment i was deeply assured I knew that I could count on her, no matter what. She was my rock, my confidante, my partner in crime. And I was hers.

I told her that I had things to take care of, and she offered to come with me.

But I reassured her that I needed to do this alone, that I had to face whatever came next by myself. I smiled wryly, trying to convince her,and maybe myself that I was capable of handling IL

“I’m hurting but not stupid,” I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. “I can take care of myself.” She nodded, though her expression still lingered with worry. She knew me too well, knew that I was still fragile, still dealing with the aftermath.

But she also knew that I needed to do this, that I needed to prove to myself that I was strong enough to move forward. With a gentle squeeze of my hand, she let me go, and I set off to face whatever lay ahead, alone but determined.

The first stop was the bank, and I felt a sense of relief as I walked in and saw that it wasn’t crowded. I was greeted by a friendly bank representative who helped me open a new account with ease. I needed to transfer my savings from the joint account Keith and I had shared, and I was determined to get it done as quickly as possible.

Creowas

Candy Cru

3603%

The process was straightforward, and I was grateful for the efficiency of the bank staff. I filled out the necessary forms and signed the documents. The joint account had been a symbol of our partnership, and now, I was creating a new, lonely chapter.

With the applications filled out and all the necessary paperwork complete, I was assured by the bank representative that my new account would be up and running within three to five business days.

I paid for centre parking leaving my car there as my next stop was the bakery, where I had to cancel the order for our wedding reception Scake. I was prepared for a difficult conversation, but the baker’s expression changed from disappointment to understanding as soon as

I explained the situation.

It turned out that one of their staff members followed me on Instagram and was already aware of the breakup, so no use of masking the obvious.

They were kind and empathetic, and offered to return half of the money I had paid, considering they had already purchased some specialty ingredients for our custom cake design. I appreciated their understanding and fairness, and left the bakery feeling grateful for their kindness.

Chapter35