James wanted names, but I refused to tell him, knowingthatmy brother would hunt down the fictional boy so he could ruin his life. He didn’t push me too hard, though, not when I started sobbing.
I suspect the conversation is far from done, but he can ask as much as he likes; I will never tell him the truth. I won’t risk my baby or Jackson’s life.
Ever.
Thankfully, James offered to help me, risking the wrath of my father as he promised me he would make sure both me and the baby have everything we need. He wasevenexcited to become an uncle, and hearing the happiness in his voice made me cry happy tears.
So much of my future is unsettled, but at least I have James to rely on, and in eight months, I’ll have a tiny thing to protect with my life.
And I will. I will love and protect my baby, no matter what.
Lost in thought, the bang on the door startles me.“Kiera, open the door. I know you’re in there.”I gape at the door, my eyes wide. How the hell did Jackson know I was here? He bangs again, this time harder.“Open the fucking door.”
I jump off the bed and race over to it. I don’t want to see him, but if he makes a scene, I could get kicked out of the motel. Reluctantly, I unlock the door and crack it open a fraction.
Sorrow floods me at seeing Jackson’s red cheeks, his eyes puffy where he’s obviously been crying. My heart splits straight down the middle, and my entire body aches with the need to fall against him and let him wrap his arms around me. I crave his warmth and the safety only he can bring.
I swallow the lump in my throat.“What are you doing here?”I ask, keeping my voice as neutral as possible, when my world is crumbling.
“Let me in.”
I sigh, stepping back to grant him access. He slams the door with a resounding thud, his furious gaze landing on me.“I hear congratulations are in order.”
The acid in his tone is undeniable, and I can’t blame him. I’ve hurt him, and I can’teventell him why.“Jack-”
“Who was it?”
I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing to be anywhere else but here.“It doesn’t matter.”
He leaps forward, not touching me, but standing close enoughthatI have to tilt my head back to look up at him, rage vibrating off his tense body.“It does matter!”he roars, spreading his arms wide.“You fucking cheated on me, and I want to know who with.”
Hot tears fall down my face. I’ve cried so much in the last monththatI’m surprised I still have tears left to cry. I wrap my shaky arms around myself, my shoulders hunching.“Please, Jackson. I’m sor-”
His hand whips out to grab my throat, and it terrifies me. Jackson has never been aggressive toward me.“Don’t you dare fucking say you’re sorry, Kiera!”Kiera. Not Kiki, like he always calls me.“You’ve thrown everything we were building away like we were nothing. Like I meant nothing.”His voice breaks, and he releases me, his gaze dropping to the floor.“Why? Why did you do it?”he adds softly.
The barbs piercing my heart start digging in again, searing my body with blinding hot pain.“I…I don’t know.”
It’s the only thing I can say without giving in to the monumental need to tell him the truth. But I know how close he is with his dad; it’ll kill him. Andthenmy dad willactuallykill him.
I can’t do it, I can’ttell him the truth, so as much as I know this is hurting him, it’s betterthathe thinks I cheated on him than him knowing whatreallyhappened.
It will be easier for him to move on with his life if he hates me.
“You don’t know?”he growls viciously.“You don’t know why you spread your legs like a fucking slut for someone else? You don’t know why you threw our future away?”
An invisible rope tightens around my throat, and I have to force the words out.“I…I didn’t want to be with you anymore.”
His face falls like I’vejustslapped him, and I want to take the words back. But I don’t. I can’t. His eyes begin to water, and I hate myself for what I’m doing to him.
Like a switch has been thrown, his features harden, his eyes darkening with unbridled fury.“I fucking loved you. I loved you with my whole damn heart—”he slams his hand against his chest, the thud echoing around the tiny room“—but now, I don’t think Ievenknow who you are. You were the girl I would have died for, but it turns out, you’rejusta filthy, cheating whore.”His cruel words drive the barbs in deeper around my heart, the pain so severethatI can’t breathe. Jackson wipes an arm over his face, clearing the tearsthathave started to fall.“I hope you regret this for the rest of your life. I hope you’re miserable until the day you die.”His jaw clenches as his eyes rake up and down my body, disgust flickering on his face.“You better stay the fuck out of my way, Kiera, because I swear, if I ever see you again, I’ll fucking destroy you.”
Without giving me another look, he storms out the door. I collapse to the floor with no idea how I’ll ever get up again.
Chapter 26
Jackson
Arazor-sharp knife sliced away at my heart, hacking away until the organ was nothing but fragile ribbons, unable to ever function again. Part of my brain refused to listen as Kiera’s story unfolded, shutting down to prevent irreparable damage. Another part couldn’t switch off, sucked into the morbid tale.
