Page 104 of Before Eve

“He didn’t know.”

“But he feels as if he should have. He spent years on Grayson’s staff and was clueless.”

I take her hand. “I don’t blame your dad. I hope he knows that.”

“He knows.”

We share a small smile.

I glance over to the window that looks out over the acres of property they own, secure from the outside world. Sun beams down, brightening the area with a few hours of daylight to go.

“When’s dinner?” I ask.

“Not until six.”

“I’m going for a walk. It’s too pretty out not to.” I slide into a jacket.

“Want me to come?”

I give Brynn another hug. “I need time to myself.”

With a nod, she leaves me to it.

I wander their property for a while, and though I don’t want them to, images from my childhood reel through my mind. I imagine grabbing them, ripping them to shreds, and tossing them into a giant fire. The visual helps to clear my mind.

I find a spot by the creek that cuts through their land and lie down on a patch of leaves. The winter sun soaks in, and Ibreathe. Just breathe. I don’t know how much time passes. I don’t care. Grayson no longer has control over me. That’s all that matters.

I am no longer broken.

“Brynn told me you went in this direction,” comes a voice from behind me.

I roll my head back.“West?!”

Tears cloud his eyes. “Hi.”

I come to my knees, my heart swelling with love. “What in the heck?” I light up. “Hi, back!”

He kneels beside me, giving in to the tears.

“Oh…” I hug him tight. “It’s okay. I’m okay.” I rub his back. I kiss his cheek. I hug him even tighter, inhaling him in. God, I missed him.

“Are you okay?” he whispers, gently returning my hug, being careful of my back.

My soul softens.

“I tried to get to you,” he says. “But Grayson wouldn’t let me.”

West tried to get to me… I didn’t know.

“I’m so sorry,” he breathes out.

Like the rest of the world, he’s seen the videos. He now has a visual of the horrifying truth. “It’s okay.” I kiss his cheek again, not letting him go. “I’m okay.”

We hug long and warmly, soaking each other in. I’m the first to pull back, smiling, so happy to see his handsome face.

We sit facing each other, cross-legged on the crisp grass, our knees touching, holding hands. I wipe the wetness clinging to his cheeks, repeating the words, “It’s okay.”

He sniffs. “No, it’s not.”