“Vi… I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
She pushed out a breath. “Well, luckily, you won’t have to.”
I’d come clean about the blackmail once Violet had gotten stronger. Truthfully, I don’t know why I told her. It just felt good to get it off my chest and talk about everything with someone. And after she got better, there was zero chance that Elijah could do anything to hurt our family. He only had that ammo because Violet had been declining, and I was aiming to get custody of the kids.
“I’m just glad to have you back. You had us all worried for a while there.”
Even the doctors were impressed with her recovery. It seemed the treatment was doing its job and her last scan was miraculously clean. She had gained her color back, too. That ashen pallor that had followed her for months had been replaced with rosy cheeks and a healthy glow. Watching her get back into her life—eating things, playing with her kids, and even giving me a hard time—took a humongous weight off my shoulders.
“Let’s hope that the cancer doesn’t return this time and I can be truly cancer-free for the rest of my life. But enough about me, let’s get back to you.”
“I think we’ve exhausted that subject.”
“I heard the song, Damien.”
“I had no doubt you would.”
“So, I’m curious. When did you become such a pussy?”
I nearly choked on my spit. “What?!”
“You wrote a beautiful song about losing the one that you love.”
“And?”
“Why aren’t you fighting for her? If she iseverything that you say she is, and you have all these feelings for her, why aren’t you there fighting for her day in and day out?”
I closed my eyes and let my head fall onto the back of my couch.
“So. I ask you again. When did you become such a pussy?”
“Violet.”
“Damien.”
“What do you want me to do? I already went to Fayetteville. I saw her. She told me to kick fucking rocks and blocked my number. There isn’t much more I can do.”
“Do you love her?”
My chest squeezed at the question. Thinking about that word made me dizzy. I was afraid to be vulnerable to someone again. To give those pieces of myself away.
“I…” Words wouldn’t form in my mouth.
“It’s okay, Damien.” My sister’s voice was low and soothing. “I already know the answer. And so do you. It’s obvious by your actions. You’re giving her the space she asked for out of respect for her. You are hurting because you think this is what Cadence wants. But Damien, I’m here to tell you, she wants you to fight for her. Show her you care and that she is worth it to you. Make her understand you pushed her away for the sake of your family. Until she knows the truth, you’re doing both of you an injustice.”
I needed something, anything, to keep Violet’s words from penetrating and settling in the back of my mind. I needed a reason to keep myself from going to Cadence once again.
To save me from falling at her feet and begging her to give me a chance.Because I would. In a heartbeat.
“I can’t leave you.” My voice was hoarse and unrecognizable as I tried to hold the longing inside and under control.
“You can’t use me to stay away from her anymore. I’mperfectly fine now.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Why are you fighting this? Just go!”
I ran my hands through my hair again and let my gaze travel back to the divots on the ceiling. Is this really what I wanted? To be here, alone?
