That lands hard.
Betty wipes her eyes. “Then you’d better let me throw you a proper send off. And don’t think for a second I’m not driving down the second those babies show up needing warm socks and a grandmother.”
I nod, crying openly now. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Dee gets up and pulls me into a hug so tight I feel her heartbeat against mine. “I hate this,” she murmurs. “But I’m proud of you. I really do wish I was coming with you.”
Maya joins in, arms wrapping around us both. “We’re your ride or die girls, remember?”
Gracie stands too, hesitating. Then she steps into the hug with us, sniffling. “I want visitation rights.”
“Deal,” I croak.
Mom’s already heading to the kitchen, muttering something about casseroles and car seats.
And even though my heart is breaking, surrounded by these people, my family, my tribe, I start to believe I might survive this.
Maybe even thrive.
Even if I’m scared.
Even if I’m still in love with the man I’m trying to leave behind.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Knox
The cameras are already rollingwhen I step outside.
The wind is sharp, biting at my jaw like it’s trying to wake me the hell up. Maybe I deserve that. Maybe I need it.
Flashes go off immediately, rapid fire, blinding. Reporters crowd the barricade just beyond the sidewalk in front of The Marrow, their voices already overlapping.
"Mr. Knightly! Is it true you paid off Savannah Monroe?"
"Did you abandon your girlfriend?"
"Is Josie Dawson really pregnant with your child?"
The words hit like bullets.
I deserved this.
But I’m not here to dodge.
Jace steps up beside me, sunglasses on, jaw like stone. He’s not saying a damn thing, but he’s here, and that means more than I can say. We both know I’ve burned every bridge I ever built. But today, I’m laying down the match.
“Thank you for coming,” I say, stepping up to the mic. My voice is steady. Clear.
“I’m not here to play damage control. I’m not here to spin anything. I’m here because the woman I love deserves better than silence.”
That gets their attention.
The shouting dies down. Just a bit.
“I’ve made mistakes,” I continue, locking my gaze on the sea of cameras. “Plenty of them. But the story that’s circulating now? The one built on rumors and manipulation? It’s not the truth. And it’s time I set the record straight.”
Another wave of flashes.
