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“Love you too, Sprinkles.”

I smile and hang up.

I hand the phone to Ice. A gust of wind blows; my hair is all over my face with some leaves. I pull it back and see that Bruce is no longer at the window.

“Are you okay?” Ice asks.

“I don’t know. I feel violated, and it’s hard to process that because I trusted you would keep me safe.”

He nods. “I want to look David in the eye to tell him he didn’t win, and maybe bitch slap him. At the same time, I don’t want to ever see him again.”

“You won’t ever see him again.” He rapidly states

“He’s Bruce’s brother,” I say, stating the obvious.

“Bruce has severed all ties with him. He told David never to speak to him again, and not to come around when he’s around.”

I shrug, not sure how to respond.

“Well, I won’t be around anymore once I leave,” I say.

He scowls but doesn’t respond. “Can you take me back to Chicago?” I ask.

“Sure, if that’s what you want.”

“It is,” I confirm.

He keeps a straight face. I can tell he’s not happy about my decision.

“Is it okay if I head into town really quick, then return to get you?” Ice asks.

“Yes, I’ll be ready when you get back,” I answer.

I feel bad cutting his time short, but right now, I’m choosing to be selfish. I head towards the house. I’m hungry and I can’t stay hungry all day. I arrive at the door, and a wave of hesitation washes over me. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes I exhale, opening my eyes to see Bruce standing there, looking at me. My heart thumps at the sight of him.

We stand for a moment, staring at each other. My stomach’s loud growl answers the fact I need food. He steps aside and I enter and head straight to the kitchen. Mr. Powell is making eggs. “What can I help with?” I ask.

“Nothing dear, please sit.”

I go to the fridge and pour a glass of orange juice and take my seat at the table. The table already has pancakes, bacon, and sausage. He soon sets the scrambled eggs on the table. I take a plate and immediately dig in; I’m famished.

Chapter forty-one

Bruce

The moment she walked out the door, my heart broke. I’ve let her down. I always keep my word and the first time I break it, it’s to her and that fucking hurts. I knew the conversation would be difficult, but I wasn’t ready for the sharp pain in my chest as I admitted I’d broken my promise to her, a pain that intensified when she asked for Jonah, leaving me consumed by the fear of her leaving. A deep ache settled in my chest, the sting of possibly losing her.

I scrambled to get dressed as soon as I heard her put on her shoes, desperate to prevent her from calling Jonah. As I watched her go, it felt as though something incredibly valuable was escaping me, like sand slipping through my fingers and I couldn’t hold on.

I tried calling her, but she hung up on me. Realization sets in that I can’t stop her from speaking to Jonah.

I texted Ice the code to access and dial Jonah, a knot of fear tightening in my stomach as I acknowledge the fact that she needs him more than she needs me. Do I possess the inner strength to let her leave? No, I don’t. It’s my fucking new reality. She can’t ever leave me. Yet, if she decides to leave, I can’t stop her.

I watched her head back towards the house and I raced to the door. All I can think about is how much I want to beg her to stay. The moment we stood watching each other, I knew the moment I get a chance, I’m marrying her. First, she needs food. She walks in and goes to the kitchen. Dad is already cooking.

I stepped outside to speak with Ice.

“She wants me to take her back to Chicago,” he says.