Page 124 of Broken Beauty

I sit down on the barstool and rest my elbows on the counter. “My kids. Ariella, always Ariella, and this new book I'm writing.”

“What is it called?”

“I don't know yet. It's a story about Ariella and I.”

“You're finally writing one, after how many years?” Jameson laughs.

“I've been thinking about it since I started writing but I couldn't actually put it all down in words.”

“Well, I'll be buying the first copy.”

“As will Jace and Bridgette and Ariella,” I laugh.

All of them always say that. Ariella is always the one to read it first because I can't say no to her. Plus, I have to give it to her so she can send it to her boss to read.

“Well, it sounds like things are good.”

“Yea they are. I mean kids aren't easy, who said they would be?”

“I know you won't self-harm, Ash. You have grown and if you do that you know that Ariella will be scared and I think that's what stops you most of the time.”

He's right.

Scaring Ariella is the last thing I want to do.

“Yea. Plus, I don't want the kids to see their dad like that. They can't see their parents in that state.”

“Exactly, and I think that is great motivation for you to keep doing better.” I lick my bottom lip and nod my head, as if he can see me. “I'll let you go. I can tell you want to go to Ariella.”

“Yea, I'll talk to you later.”

I hang up and put my phone in my pocket before getting up from the stool. I make my way towards Aiden's room to go check on him. He is still sleeping soundly.

I go to Alex's room and the door is cracked open slightly.

“And then what happened?” Alex asks.

I peek inside and see Ariella laying in Alex's bed and her arms are wrapped around her.

“Your dad then told me he loved me.”

“And how did he say it?”

I hear Ariella chuckle softly. “I have been in love with you, Ariella Madden since the moment I saw you in the bookstore. I care about you too much to let you go,” Ariella says, quoting the exact thing I said to her seven years ago.

“He loves you a lot, doesn't he?”

“Yes, he does.” Ariella laughs.

“And you love him?” Alex questions.

“I do. I love your dad a lot Alex. He is the only man I've ever loved.”

My heart swells and I feel so much whenever I look at Ariella or just hear her say that. Despite all of the shitty things I have done to her, she loves me like I am the one who saved her when it was the complete opposite.

“Can I hear more?”

“Not tonight. It's late and you have school.”