Page 89 of Fate In Fiction

“What are you doing back here?” Turning my head, I watch his eyes grow, and can only imagine how puffy my eyes are with a red face.

“It’s not gonna work between us.” Shaking my head, I try to smile instead of letting tears fall. “He’s amazing, but I can’t stay with him, knowing how he wants to spend his future.”

“Young lady.”

“I ended things.” I then take a brave moment and prepare to voice my one fear out loud.

"Yes, you and me had a deal.” He walks closer, but I’m the one who has the right to be pissed.

“I’ve tried to talk to you, Dad.” I wipe my tears, suppressing a hiccupped cry as long as possible. “You and Mom shut me out every time I’ve mentioned a medical update.”

“You’re not dying or anything.” Just emotionally. On the inside.

“I refuse to be as selfish as you and Mom. I won’t turn a blind eye in order to gain a few extra dollars or a fancy name to add to the family tree.”

“Cut the drama.” His annoyed tone pushes me over the edge, and I’m done hiding my voice.

“The doctors aren’t sure if I’ll be able to carry a child, okay!” I cry out as the truth hits me like an ice bath. My face contorts, and I grip the stair railing, falling to my knees. If only he’d wrap me in a hug. But we’ve never experienced that bond.

“Josephine.” My father stands, stunned.

“I don’t care about the stupid deal. I have bigger moral values than trapping someone in a relationship they’ll never feel fulfilled in.” My stomach wrings in pain from my reality. “Halt my funds, if you wish.” I look him in the eye, disgusted. “I have enough for my trip.” Turning, I want to double over as the tears down pour over my cheeks. I need to make to my room in time.

“Wait.” His voice shifts with distress, causing me to pause. “Your funds can stay open.”

“It’s not about the money anymore, Dad.” I walk back down the stairs, praying I don’t fall again, as everything is now blurred by tears. “I need to explore life outside of Colorado before I find a man who is okay with the possibility of never getting me pregnant.” The pressure in my head builds again as the tears I try to suppress stream down my cheeks.

“I’ll leave your relationships be. Don’t tell your siblings.” He nods curtly, as if closing a business deal. “If you leave, be safe and keep in touch.” He continues to nod through every sentence. “Out of all five children, what you and Emmett share is real, without a doubt. Talk to him.”

“Maybe one day.” I choke on a breath.

“Very well, then.” He dismisses me without question, which throws me the hell off. With a sigh, I continue on my way to my room, and he goes in the other direction, towards his office.

“Josephine,” he calls out. “I love you.” Except I only hear it instead of feel it.

EMMETT

Twelve. The time lighting up my phone, showing the painstaking photo of Josie and I that I can’t seem to change. Twelve. The number of days I haven’t left this hotel building. A strict straight to work and back schedule. Twelve. The number of days ago when Josie walked out of my life, and I let her.

My eyes blink, desperate for some lubrication after shedding tears I never knew I had. This woman is all I’ve ever wanted and needed in my life. And I had to let her go. She needed to explore, but that’s not even all of it. It fucking rips me to shreds, knowing there was another meaning behind our split. One she hasn’t enlightened me with. Maybe this is why I never did relationships in the first place. I need a drink. But even alcohol and the lounge bar are excruciating memories filled with her.

Our split hasn’t traveled beyond Clyde, Josie’s household and, my guess, Emery. Today is the first day I called in sick to work, and I’m still in bed. I glance out my bedroom patio doors at the beautiful fall day. The sun begins to light the clear blue sky, and soon enough, the lush greenery will be full of orange and red. One last look at beauty before it’s gone. Much like the woman I know I’m in love with. Fuck, this is not what I wanted.

The urge to call up one of our company’s tech guys and get Josie’s whereabouts from her phone passes through my mind on the daily. I can only hope my voice about being around drunk men screams loud and clear like a warning bell as she travels on her own. If I find out her location, it should be from her. We haven’t spoken since she walked out. Part of me feels like this might have been the end.

I glance up as I unlock the screen of my phone. I haven’t brought myself to change the photo of us we took right before I left for L.A. The cheesy mirror photo where I’m standing behind her with my arm wrapped around her waist and her sweet smile painting her face.

Me:

If you haven’t blocked my number, I want you to have an amazing day wherever you are. You deserve it.

I hit send before I can overthink. If she’s supposed to move on, reaching out isn’t helping, but I need some sort of confirmation she’s alive and well. Something to make me feel better about ending things. A minute later, my phone dings, taking me by surprise.

Josie:

Holy Toledo. Lol. I’ve taken some frustration and hurt out while climbing this mountain. *attached mountain top of Toledo, Spain*

With a loud sigh, I feel my heart sink. The fucking universe would give me the woman I need in my life, just to watch me take the damn high road of setting something free. Let’s see if she will actually come back. I want to tell her to come back home. That I’ll neglect all life duties and spend the next week alone with her, but I can’t. Eventually, her pain should heal, and she can make the proper decision to know if I am worth having.