His mouth opens, closes. No words come out.
“But I’m done letting you.” Tears blur my vision. “I’m done apologizing for breathing. For wanting things. For being alive when it’s inconvenient for you.” My laugh sounds hysterical. “You’re a bully. A drunk. A failure who blames everyone else for his problems instead of taking responsibility for once.”
Dad staggers.
“I’m done. I’m done being your verbal punching bag. Your scapegoat. Your daughter, who only exists when you need someone to yell at.”
“Dakota…” Amelia’s voice, soft and breaking.
“No, Meli. He needs to hear this.” I turn back to Dad, who looks smaller now. Older. “I love my sister. I’d die for her. But I won’t die for you. I won’t sacrifice my entire life to make up for yours.”
Dad’s face cycles through anger, shock, and shame. I can’t tell them all and don’t care. He turns without a word and rushes out the door, the bottle still clutched in his hand.
The second he’s gone, my knees give out.
Julien catches me before I hit the floor. “I’ve got you.”
Sienna appears at my other side, hand gentle on my shoulder. “Hey.”
I can’t do anything but shake, the adrenaline draining out of me all at once.
Everything I just said, everything I just admitted, crashes over me in waves.
In a bad way.
THIRTY
DAKOTA
The next moments blur.
Julien scoops me up, one arm under my knees, the other supporting my back, and his lips brush my temple, whispering words I can’t process against my hair.
Outside, the night air hits my face, cool against skin that feels feverish. I bury my face against his neck as he takes the path to his cabin at a near-run, kicking the door open and heading straight for the bedroom.
He lowers me onto the bed gently and disappears into the other room before climbing in beside me and pulling the blankets over us both. His arms wrap around me, tucking my head under his chin, one hand stroking my hair.
“Thank you.” The words hiccup out between sobs. “Thank you for getting me out of there.”
He doesn’t answer. Just holds me tighter, kissing my temple, my forehead, my cheek. Anywhere he can reach.
I cry. Great, ugly, heaving sobs that shake my entire body. For the little girl who tried so hard to be good. For the teenagerwho thought perfection would earn love. For the woman who almost married a stranger to save a family that never saw her.
For myself.
“I’m here,” Julien says, voice rough. “I’m right here.”
And he is. Solid and real and choosing to stay even when I’m a mess. Even when I’ve just imploded my entire family in front of everyone.
“I can’t believe I did that.” My voice sounds wrecked.
“I can.” He cups my face, thumbs wiping away tears. “You’re so much stronger than you think.”
“I don’t feel strong.”
“You just told your father exactly what he needed to hear.” His eyes search mine. “That’s the bravest thing I’ve ever seen.”
More tears spill over. “They’re going to hate me.”
