Charlotte’s lower lip trembled before she burst into tears. “Daddy, youdidupset Miss Jamie.”
Clayton closed his eyes for a second, his shoulders sagging.
Jamie pushed back from the table. “I need some air. I’ll see you later, girls.”
She stormed back to Clayton’s house, cursing his name. Cursing herself for ever letting him in.
Her hands shook as she yanked her suitcase from the closet, shoving clothes inside. She should have known better. Letting someone get close only gives them the power to hurt you.
The sound of boots echoed down the hall. She didn’t stop packing.
“What are you doing?” Clayton stood at the door, his voice cautious.
“Leaving,” she said, not looking at him.
“You’re moving out?”
“I’m staying at a hotel.”
“What am I supposed to tell the girls?”
She zipped her suitcase. “Sounds like ayouproblem.”
“No,” he said, stepping inside. “It’s anusproblem. You can’t just leave because of one argument.”
She finally turned, fury and heartbreak swirling inside her. “Watch me.”
His jaw tightened, but his voice was gentle. “Jamie, I’m sorry. Didn’t want it to ruin your night.”
“So you lied instead?”
“I didn’t lie. Just didn’t tell you.”
“Same thing.”
His eyes darkened with frustration, but he said softly, “You want the truth? Fine. Derrick said you’d always be his. That I’d never stand a chance. And I believed him.” His voice turned raw. “Thought if you knew, maybe you’d go back to him.”
Her stomach sank. “You think I’d go back to someone who treated me like that?”
“I didn’t know,” he admitted. “I was scared, Jamie. And I handled it wrong.”
She swallowed hard. The anger didn’t vanish, but something in his voice cracked through her defenses.
She grabbed her suitcase and headed for the door but he beat her to it, blocking the way.
“Can we talk about this?” he asked.
“I’m done talking,” she whispered. “I’d rather be alone than be lied to.”
“Being alone is a trauma response.”
She froze.
“I’ve been reading,” he said, quieter now. “About abandonment. About how people push others away before they can get hurt. I wanted to understand. For you. For the girls.”
Jamie’s breath hitched. She hated that he saw through her.
“Jamie, I love you,” he said. “And so do the girls.”
