I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter now, does it? We’re over. Done. Fucking finished.”
Elle crossed her arms over her chest. “Was she better than me?”
Don’t do this to me, Elle... I don’t want to lie anymore, but I have to because I created this untruth, and I had to see it through.
“Yep. She’s all women. Not princess material,” I replied.
“Leave.” Elle pointed toward the fence, and her lower lip trembled. “Don’t come onto my property ever, old man.”
“You got it,” I grumbled, turned around with my heart breaking in my chest, and glanced over my shoulder for one last look at her. “I’ll never make this mistake again.”
I froze. My eyes widened as I caught sight of Faith over Elle’s shoulder, and the tears glistening in her eyes crushed my soul. Stomped on the essence of my existence, and I was the biggest piece of shit ever to walk this planet. Times two.
I turned all the way around.
“Kiddo?” I reached out a hand and took a step forward. “I can explain.”
“You are leaving?” Faith asked.
“Your mommy and I—” Elle held up a hand and cut me off.
“Enough, Mr. Timber.” Elle glanced back at her daughter. “Go inside, Faith.”
“Why are you leaving?” Faith’s lower lip trembled.
“Faith, please go back inside,” Elle urged.
Faith burst into tears as she ran away into the house as her sadness consumed her. Desperately, I wanted to reach her, hold her innocence in my arms and take away the pain. I never intended to hurt her sweet, fucking lovable soul. I had to fix this.
I marched toward the back door. “Wait, Faith, I—”
“No.” Elle blocked my way and wouldn’t let me pass. “Let me deal withmychild because you clearly never cared about her.”
“Elle, I did, but I’m too old for you and—” Elle silenced me by pressing a hand into my chest.
“If you did, Jack, you would’ve put Faith first before you gave up when things got tough.” Elle peered up at me with intense passion searing into my lonely soul. “Age doesn’t matter, but love does.Shedoes. You should’ve considered all the consequences before putting my daughter’s delicate heart on the line and mine too.”
Elle turned away, and I let her go because she was right. I gave up. As soon as Gabriel found out I had panicked and denied the one thing I never thought I’d be capable of.Love.To care for another soul—not only my damn dog, but Faith and her beautiful mom—but I had gone and fucked everything up.
Bitterness consumed me while I was alone in the cold, but my devotion to Elle and her daughter remained strong. I knew there was only one thing left for me to do. No matter what I had to do, I’d fight for my girls.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Show Time
Noelle
Faith was ready for her big day. The performance she had been practicing for weeks was finally here. The costume was fantastic; her makeup would be flawless, and her lines perfected. Everything was ready because of Jack, but he wouldn’t be at the concert to watch her.
Faith had been crushed, and she probably still was, but I had cheered her up. I’d be there, and I was proud of her. No matter what Jack had done to help, this was all my little girl. Her brilliance, perseverance, and talent had landed her the lead. She’d be wonderful, and I couldn’t wait to watch her in all her glory.
“Mom. I think my red bow is missing.” Faith searched around in the back seat of the car.
“Nope.” I beamed as I patted the plastic bag and went through a checklist in my head. “Red bow, makeup, hair ties, comb, hair spray, red dress, fake eyelashes, red overcoat, water bottle, lines for practice. Am I missing anything?”
“Hm...” Faith tapped her chin. “I don’t think so... Did Daddy call yet?”
“No. But we should see him there.” I smiled and kissed her forehead. “Buckle up, and we will get going.”
