“Have a nice life, Damien Walker.”
Even minutes after his taillights faded from the street, I stood there, unable to get my feet to move for fear I’d collapse as soon as I tried to walk.
Would he really? Would he do that?
It was evident that Elijah would do absolutely anything to separate me and Cadence. Hell, he’d gotten Thomas out here, which was a miracle in itself. Elijah must have paid him a handsome sum to consider taking responsibility for his kids.
And I had to give him credit, he’d found my weakness. He did the only thing that would keep me away from Cadence.
There was no decision to be made. She would never forgive me if I let Grant and Maylee go to their father just to be with her.
And I’d never forgive myself.
I gave Violet my word to take care of those kids.
I sat down on the old wicker chair on the porch and put my head in my hands, unable to stand anymore.
I knew what I had to do. I knew it deep in my soul.
But God dammit. I didn’t want to.
Agony ripped through me as my heart shattered into pieces.
I didn’t want to lose her.
But I didn’t have a choice. My hands were bound.
I had to let her go and I couldn’t even tell her why. Because as soon as I heard her voice, there was a chance I’d lose all my resolve. I wasn’t confident I’d be strong enough to pull away from her all over again.
It was funny how in moments like this, when I was at my worst, lyrics formed within me.
My only comfort during times of peril.
Writing songs.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Cadence
It had been a week since I returned home from California, and things were… weird.
Damien had gone completely MIA.
Elijah was hanging around Fayetteville.
Our house had sold within hours of listing it and my stuff had been delivered a few days ago. But despite this, he didn’t seem to understand that we’d broken up, and made the Marriott in town his permanent residence until‘I’m ready to come back home.’
His words, not mine.
No matter how many times I told him to leave, he refused.
And as for Damien, he wouldn’t even talk to me.I had no clue if I said or did something to upset him.I thought we’d an amazing weekend together. He made me feel everything I always wanted to feel with Elijah.
Cherished.
Desired.
Appreciated.
