Page 140
“Why is she crying?”
“I’m leaving,” I stated. “Got a job offer in the States.”
“The fuck?” he bellowed, startling Bethany, who had come over to see if he wanted anything. “Sorry,” he muttered.
“It’s for the best. Isabella asked me to let her go. And as much as it’s killing me, I’ll honor her request.”
“Bloody hell. You sure about this?”
Alek’s eyes flashed to Kinsley. I nodded. He straightened his shoulders and reached across the way. His hand landed solidly against my chest.
“This job of yours is temporary. If you don’t come back and keep in constant contact, I’ll hunt you down.”
“Alek, she doesn’t want me.”
His cheek twitched. “Damn stubborn Caruso blood,” he muttered.
“Go, your girl needs you right now.”
“What about you, brother?”
“I’ll be fine. I’m getting used to being alone. Go on. I’ll be fine. Kiss Mouse for me. Keep her safe.”
Two Days Later
“Look, I get it. But you need to start packing,” my mother insisted.
Her voice was a mix of frustration and concern.
“I won’t let you lock yourself away again. Not this time.”
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor. The thought of going to the beach house, of pretending everything was normal, was impossible.
“I don’t want to go. It’s best for me to stay here.”
“Stay here? Alone? You know that’s not possible.”
I rolled my eyes. She had no idea how possible it was for me. While I’d gone back into my old world where it was safe, a shift happened inside me at the same time. It was different. Before, I could never have stayed on my own. But now, I longed for complete and utter silence.
“The old me could never have. The new me is more than capable. In fact, I long for it, so please, let it go.”
“No. I refuse to. The new you is withering away into nothing. You’ve lost so much weight, you barely eat. And when was the last time you picked up a pencil? Huh?”
I looked up at the ceiling, exasperated with everything. Ever since I uttered the words about not wanting to live without my girls, my mother had been extra cautious with me.
“Exactly my point. This isn’t healthy. You won’t talk to Marcel, you barely talk to the girls.”
“Yeah, losing your babies will do that. I’m not the strong person everyone seems to think I am,” I snapped, finally looking at her.
“Maybe if you would let him in—”
“Leave it alone, Mum. Please, if you love me, let it go.”
“Fine, I won’t mention him again. And if you don’t want to lean on him, that’s okay. Lean on Kinsley and Tori. You can’t keep shutting everyone out. You need family. And more importantly, we need you.”
I clenched my fists, trying to keep steady. “You don’t understand. None of you do. How could you?”
She stepped closer, her expression pained. “That’s where you’re wrong. I understand, probably more than you think.”
