Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Tears streaked down my face.
I’d pushed away everyone close to me to the point I really only had Miles and Quinn. I’d given everything up to be everything Damien wanted me to be.
Only for Damien to promise me forever, put a ring on my finger, swear to marry me, knock me up, and then get arrested and pretend I never existed.
“I hate you, Damien Parrish,” I whispered. And for once, I meant those words.
With silent tears sliding down my cheeks, I did as Miles instructed me to, but I already knew it was too late. There was nothing the hospital would be able to do for me.
I was miscarrying.
I’d failed at everything: being a mom, being a good friend—everything.
I’d given it all up for a man who didn’t give a shit about anyone but himself and his empire.
13
He wasn’t turning me away today.
I’d told Miles to set up a meeting with Damien, but act as if the face-to-face meeting was with him—not me. Damien wasn’t getting a choice this time.
I’d told Miles I was leaving. I wanted away. I could tell by his eyes that he didn’t want me to go, but he wasn’t going to hold me captive either.
He wasn’t his cousin.
And I couldn’t take this anymore. I needed to get my life back together.
Swallowing thickly, I stepped into the large room. A dozen or so circular tables filled the area. Damien was seated at one, a guard on either side of him. His eyes actually widened in shock when he saw me.
My bags were already in the car. While he was in prison, I was going to finish my degree and make up with Lacie. And when I finished school, I was leaving this godforsaken place behind.
I was getting the fuck out of this city. I was getting away from everything that reminded me of Damien Parrish and our baby that I’d failed.
“What are you doing here?” he breathed, staring at me as I approached the table.
I didn’t bother sitting. I slid the engagement ring out of my pocket, and I placed it on the table. Drawing in a deep breath, I tilted my chin up, staring down my nose at him.
“I’m leaving,” I quietly told him.
He clenched his jaw, anger sparking in his gaze. “Like hell you are,” he growled.
A cruel, cold smirk twisted my lips. He lost some of his anger at the sight of it, a frown pulling at his lips. “I’d like to see you try to keep me, Damien,” I dared him. “You’re in here,” I reminded him. He gritted his teeth. “I’m out there—a free woman.” He clenched his jaw, knowing what I said was true. “I’m done, Damien.”
With that, I turned on my heel and walked away with my head held high.
It wasn’t until I got in my car that I finally allowed myself to cry, my hands clenching the steering wheel as my shoulders shook with sobs.
That had hurt more than I imagined it would.
They said there was a very thin line between love and hate, and today, I knew that to be true.
Because Damien Parrish?
I both loved and hated that man all at the same time.
Sniffling, I put my car into drive and pulled out of the parking lot, heading towards campus where I knew Lacie would be. She was actually walking inside when I pulled up, and she stared at me in surprise as I slowly slid out of my car.
“Hayley?” she questioned, stepping towards me.
My lips trembled. Tears began to rush down my cheeks. She ran toward me and wrapped me up in her arms. I sobbed and circled my own arms around my best friend, the one person in this world who had never let me down.
“I left him,” I cried. “I’m so sorry, Lacie. I should have listened—”
“None of that, you hear me?” she soothed. She grabbed my hand in hers. “Come on.”
And just like that, Lacie let me back in. She held me as I cried. She listened as I told her everything I could without incriminating any of them, even Damien. Because for some reason, I was still protecting them.
And she spent the next few weeks helping me get back on my feet, just like I knew she would. She never batted an eye when some days were hard for me to get out of bed. She remained patient, coaxing me to move on with my life.
And with time, I did. I healed the best I could.
No one reached out to me. No one checked on me.
I never expected to see Damien Parrish again.
So, imagine my fucking surprise when he called me.