Page 16 of Finding Forgiveness

“I’m sorry,” I say.

His gaze moves back to mine. “Why?”

“For what I said.”

“Don’t be. You have nothing to be sorry for. I admire you for wanting to get Cassandra away from a situation like that … despite how hard it will be for you, you’re willing to put that aside … for her. It’s very admirable.”

My gut tells me her mother has a lot to do with Cassie’s attempt to end her life. So regardless of how hard it will be for me, I’ll do anything to keep her safe.

Chapter5

Cassie

“Cassie,” Jacinta utters from beside me. She’s joined me on the bed.

“Yeah, Jazzie.”

“Are we going to talk about what happened?” she asks as her hand reaches for mine.

I’ve been waiting for this. “I don’t even know what to tell you.”

“You tried to end your life, Cass.”

“I can’t say for sure that was my plan. I just wanted the hurting to stop.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers.

“For what?” I ask, turning my head to look at her. I’m surprised to see that tears are now welling in her eyes.

“For ignoring you. I was upset and hurt, but you needed me and I wasn’t there. I went over the messages you sent me … the ones I didn’t read or respond to.” She slides her free hand into her pocket and pulls out her phone, opening it to our message thread. “This one,” she says, pointing to the screen.

Cassie: Help me if you can I’m feeling down, and I do appreciate you being ’round. Help me get my feet back off the ground, won’t you please, please help me?

I frown. “Your point? I was speaking from my heart.”

“You do realise they’re song lyrics, right?”

I gasp. “How did you know that?”

“My mum’s a huge Johnny Farnham fan. I grew up listening to him.”

I blow out a puff of air. “I heard the song on TikTok. It came up on myfor youpage. Something about those words resonated deep within me. They don’t call him the voice for nothing, Jaz.”

She nudges my shoulder with hers and laughs. “You’re such a weirdo at times, but I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

“Maybe that’s why we gel so much … we’re kindred spirits.”

“Hey,” she snaps, and this time, I laugh.

“I’m glad you’re here. I’m not sure I could do life without you … you make it meaningful.”

“Ah, Cass. I feel so responsible.”

“Jazzie,” I say, rolling onto my side and wrapping my free arm around her waist. “I was completely heartbroken when you stopped talking to me, you’re my ride or die—the light in my darkness, but if I’m being completely honest, I was already spiralling before that happened.”

“Because of Connor?”

“No, my mother.”