Page 88 of Unbreak Me

I devoured every bite, smiling the whole time.

"I don’t usually eat mushrooms, but this is incredible."

"Well, I guess my Polish roots are showing," Jan said with a laugh.

I raised an eyebrow. "Polish? Is your name pronounced exactly how it’s spelled?"

Jan burst out laughing. "My dad named me after his grandfather, Jan, who was Polish. He knew everyone would pronounce it like a short form of January, but he didn’t care. He didn’t want to switch the spelling to ‘Yan’, even though that’s how it’s pronounced in Polish. He was sentimental about using the original name."

"So it really should be ‘Yan’, huh?"

"I’m good with whichever version you prefer." His hand moved toward mine, fingers lightly skimming over my knuckles.

My gaze dropped, watching the movement.

A quiet pause formed between us as our hands slowly intertwined. Only then did I realize I wasn’t as bony as before—my knuckles weren’t sticking out so sharply. Life with Jan seemed to be changing me for the better. And before I could think twice, the words just spilled out:

"I think I’m falling for you, Jan."

I heard the breath he caught before I dared to look up. His golden eyes shone, warm and bright.

"The feeling’s mutual," he said softly, giving my fingers a gentle squeeze. "Crazy to think I almost hated Uncle Frank for pushing me to go to that fair. I was furious at Storm Nolan for trying to stop me from running. I fought Fate, and it just… didn’t give up."

We sat there, quiet and close, hands intertwined. The energy between us was warm and vibrant, wrapping around us in a way that just felt right.

"This is where our everyday life starts, Day," Jan said softly.

"Yeah, and honestly? I can’t wait. I just want… normalcy. To belong. To have the kind of simple life I never really had in my crazy surrogate world."

"Simplicity, huh?" He tilted his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If that’s what you’re after, I’ve got a mountain of orders waiting to be packed—some sitting for way too long already."

I burst out laughing. "No better day to start than today."

EPILOG

DAY

The test lay on the small shelf under the mirror, but before taking it, I glanced at my reflection.

How different I looked now compared to just a month ago! The rejuvenating effect was in full swing, and I appeared twenty-five again. My face was smooth and healthy, free of the dark circles under my eyes and the smoker’s wrinkles that used to frame my lips. My complexion was vibrant, almost glowing. I could even dare to say I looked… pretty again.

Almost like aswan, I’d shed my gray hue.

Admittedly, I’d never fit the mold of modern beauty. My features leaned more toward an old European style—no longer trendy—a thin nose, small lips, a narrow jaw, and high cheekbones. Not exactly the contemporary ideal from model portfolios, brimming with sweet faces, full lips, perfect noses, and chiseled jaws.

Sure, I wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but youthfulness added a softness to my features, a delicate quality that made me appreciate my reflection again.

Looking in the mirror felt like meeting someone new—someone happy, carefree. Even my eyes seemed larger and brighter. Jan always said they were beautiful, framed by long lashes he loved. Now, I was starting to love them too. And, maybe even more importantly, I was loving the person looking through them.

Our Bond encompassed our lives. Every day, I could bask in Jan’s powerful love, feel it in every cell of my body, and enjoy the magic of True Mates. It had healed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined, restoring a vitality I thought I’d lost forever. The weight of hopelessness, depression, and past struggles was lifted from my soul.

Jan’s love had given me so much. And now… perhaps there was room for one more miracle.

Slowly, I picked up the test, holding it gingerly between two fingers. I brought it up to my eyes… and then my hand faltered.

The white strip of plastic slipped from my grasp, falling to the floor. A wave of emotion overtook me, and I staggered back, clutching the edge of the sink for support. My breath hitched as my body began trembling uncontrollably.

I’d seen iteight timesbefore, and each time had ended in… No! I tried to swallow, but my throat constricted.

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