Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“You didn’t have to fake your own death. You could’ve stayed, and I could have grown up with a mother.” All I dreamed of for years was having you still with me.
“I couldn’t face you, knowing I’d murdered your father, and I had my own emotional scars that needed to heal, so I chose to go with Thane and leave you behind. Your father was a strong man, but he was also strong-willed and violent. There are things about him—”
“I know he was abusive,” I interrupt her. “I’ve read your letters, so I know your version of what happened between the two of you. If it’s true, then I can understand why you wanted to leave him, but you didn’t have to leave me, and you certainly didn’t have to kill him.”
“There were moments I second guessed my decision,” she agrees with a nod. “But it was too late by then.”
“What happened to the baby?”
Shock paints her features, but it slowly disappears. She knows I’ve read all the letters, so she can’t hide from the truth any longer.
“It was my second heartbreak,” she says as she shakes her head. “My first was losing you. Losing another child confirmed what I’d always known— I should never have become a mother.”
I finally allow myself to meet her eyes. I can see her pain reflected in them, and I wonder if I’ll ever be able to forgive her. I know I can’t right now.
“I didn’t think I had any other choice. Now we’ve spoken, I will leave Tynewood for good. I want you to live a happy life, Tarian. I can see you’ve already found someone to love.” There is a gentleness to her words when she says this, and I can’t help furrowing my brow in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m talking about that girl in the living room. She only agreed to come here today because she wanted to persuade me to talk to you. She asked me to give you the closure you need, so you can move on from the past.”
“She did that for me?”
My mother nods, a smile playing on her lips.
“She loves you, Tarian. You may not see it yet, but you will. Trust me, it will all become clear in time. And when it does, I suggest you don’t walk away from her. In this life, we’re lucky if we’re given even one chance at finding happiness. You can’t afford to let your chance pass you by.”
I find my chest tightening as I look at my mother. I can’t forgive her for what she’s done, but I am grateful she has spoken to me in person, rather than in a letter. The realization that she’s willing to walk away to ensure my future happiness has hit me harder than I care to admit. I thought I was done with feeling pain when it comes to her.
“Look after Grecia, and look after yourself,” my mother says as she steps toward me and cups my face in her hands. “You’re a good boy. I hope you always remember that your father was kind to you. And he loved you dearly. I’m sorry I did what I did after his death. I’ll live with the regret for the rest of my life.”
Then she turns on her heel, and without a backward look, she leaves.
“Are you okay?”
Grecia’s voice comes from the doorway, and I look up to see her standing there, her arms folded across her chest. I can’t deny I was shocked when my mother assured me that Grecia loves me.
“I think so.”
The air crackles with tension as I face Grecia. Her eyes hold mine hostage as she stares right into my soul. She’s always been able to see through the shadows clouding my mind.
Even though I’ve caused her heartache, her presence is confirmation that she’s still fighting for me.
I brace myself for the onslaught of emotions threatening to engulf me. My heart pounds in my chest with a mixture of fear and longing. She’s the one woman I never thought I’d get the chance to be with, but even though I haven’t wanted to admit it because I was too scared, she’s also the one woman I know I can’t be without.
As Grecia stands in front of me, her eyes filled with a mixture of affection and hurt, I find myself unable to tear my gaze away from her. Beneath the layers of pain and anger that have crafted the armor of indifference I wear, I know there’s a vulnerability that calls to the depths of her soul.
“Tarian,” she whispers, her voice barely above a breath when she nears me. The rose and coconut scent of her perfume is intoxicating as she steps closer. “Tell me you’ll be okay. Even if you don’t want me around, I need to know you’ll be able to move on from the past.”