Page 109 of How to Break My Heart

“I hope you followed me because you have a damn good reason why I had to sit there and hear from your father that you’re moving to another countryforever!” I thunder, unable to hide my emotions.

He takes a step closer, clenching his jaw. “Everleigh, it’s not what you think.”

“It’s not what Ithink?” I take a step back, refusing to get close to him. “Don’t do this again!”

“Do what again?”

“Make me feel like I’m nothing, that my feelings mean nothing.” My voice trembles from the nausea hardening my stomach. “God, Aston. Here I was, falling in love with you, thinking you have changed. You had all the time in the world to tell me you’re moving, but no, you lied.”

“I have changed!” He runs his hands through his curly hair, trying to control his anger. “You have no idea how much I sacrifice to protect others. This isn’t about you, okay? This is about my father dictating everyone’s life.”

I stare at the man who made me believe I’d fallen in love with him.

A man who broke my heart all those years ago, only to break it again.

“For as long as you allow this man to control your life, then as far as I’m concerned, you haven’t changed, Aston.” My eyes widen as I swallow hard. “I’m not going to stand around, allowing my heart to break even more. After all, I’m just a small-town café owner unworthy of your family.”

“Everleigh, don’t do this…”

I bow my head, unable to look at him. “Tomorrow, we make sure Maddy has the best day of her life. After that, whatever the hell we were doing is done.”

My feet move toward my car, parked a few feet away. I beg myself not to cry, not even a single tear. However, the moment I sit inside alone and realize Aston never followed me, a lonesome tear falls down my cheek and rests on my lips.

I press my head against the steering wheel, fighting the urge to sob. My chest hitches, but I know I have to get myself together to drive out of here.

Not one person has come outside to check on me.

Not fucking one!

I quickly send Maddy a text saying I am not feeling well, but as I hit send, my phone begins to ring, and Billie’s name flashes on the screen.

“Billie, I can’t really talk right now,” I rush in a shaky voice.

“My…”

“Billie, you’re cutting out,” I almost yell. “What are you saying?”

“My mom’s gone…”

CHAPTER 27Eva

Seraphina lies peacefully in her bed as the doctor examines her lifeless body.

I hold Billie tight, proud of her bravery while she pulls herself together as much as possible under the circumstances. For a long while, Seraphina had been unwell, and Billie’s life was put on hold to take care of her. Seraphina’s passing comes with mixed emotions. There’s the grief of losing a mother, a woman Billie has looked up to her whole life, but in that same breath, Seraphina is no longer in pain.

The doctor on call also happens to beMarco.

He explains to us that Seraphina passed in her sleep. Her heart was just too exhausted to function anymore. Marco continues explaining what will happen next and who will come to collect her body.

My arms wrap tight around Billie, doing my best to shield her from the grief even though I know it’s impossible. At times, she spoke about the possibility of losing her mother, but reality never compares.

“I’m just going to call my Auntie June and my Uncle Daniel,” Billie mentions softly.

“I’ll be here,” I remind her with a faint smile, wishing I coulddo more, but I know just being here is probably all she needs right now. “I’ll stay with Marco.”

Billie takes her phone into her bedroom, leaving me alone with Marco. I watch him take out a notebook. I assume he’s recording important details for the coroner when he starts writing notes.

“She’s not in pain anymore,” I mention quietly.