Page 116 of How to Break My Heart

“What do you mean shecan’t?” she questions with a high-pitched cry. Her tone cuts through the tension in the room. She can’t see it—doesn’t understand what’s unraveling before her.

I glance back to Harvey again, then to the Whitneys, letting my gaze settle on each one of them, letting the truth of the moment sink in. “I’m sure Harvey can fill you in,” I say, my words weighted with finality. “After all, his plan has backfired and ruined everyone’s lives. All he wanted was your land, not the happiness of your son or his only child.”

And with those words said, I take my mother’s hand, feeling the tremor in her grip as we turn away from this monster.

And with each step, a new vow forms—I will never allow him to hurt her again.

CHAPTER 29Eva

We both sit in complete and utter silence.

Aston insisted we take his Porsche and get the hell out of the Grand Honey Lodge. He never said it, but I assume he was worried Maddy’s father would try to manipulate her decision and pressure her to walk down the aisle.

I don’t blame him because the thought had crossed my mind.

The car is parked beside the abandoned house overlooking Peppermint Lake. The usually crystal clear water is looking slightly murky from the turnover in seasons. As I look a little closer, I see the organic matter from the bottom of the lake floating on top, but it’s all a part of nature and what I love the most about living here in Cinnamon Springs.

There is so much beauty to be found in each season.

Only today, a darkness cast its shadow over this normally happy town.

Earlier this morning, the sun graced us with its presence, only to be overshadowed by fast-drifting clouds warning us of an impending storm. When we checked the weather forecast a few days ago, there was supposed to be a chance of light showers in the early evening. But as they say, when it rains, it pours.

Even Houdini is nowhere to be found. I don’t blame him, to be honest. Sometimes, I wish I could disappear, too.

Maddy has been quiet since the moment we left the Grand Honey Lodge. We avoided running into anyone on our way to the car and drove to somewhere no one can find us, which makes sense, at least for now.

While this is usually my happy place, it’s also my place for peace and reflection. It’s my place to sit and think when I’m feeling overwhelmed or lost, and at times, it’s been the place to breathe in the fresh air with the need to just survive.

I hope, by bringing Maddy here, it will be her place to realize just how strong she is for being able to walk away.

Buried in my purse is my phone, but I refuse to check it, assuming there are a million missed calls, all of them asking where the bride is. There’s a high chance Myles will know the truth by now, and while I respect my best friend’s decision, a part of me feels sorry for him.

It won’t be easy telling his family and friends that the wedding is not going to proceed.

That the bride changed her mind.

“We don’t have to talk, or we can talk,” I voice hesitantly, then continue with, “I’m here for you, Maddy. I’m always here for you, first and foremost.”

Her vacant stare is worrying. Beneath her eyes, her face has turned puffy from all the tears she’s cried today. I ache from seeing her in such emotional pain, but I am unsure how to help her get through this. All I can do is be a friend who listens, holds her when she cries, and then reminds her this, too, shall pass.

Just like Marco said,one day at a time.

After a longer period of silence, an exaggerated sigh escapes her parched lips. “I’ve humiliated Myles.”

“This is one moment in time, Maddy. Your emotions were running high, and you were upset.”

“I’m still upset.” She lowers her gaze, fumbling with her hands. “I always defended my father, even though I knew he treated Aston differently than me. I just never knew there was areason behind it. I honestly thought it was a normal father and son relationship.”

“He showed his true colors…” I trail off. It’s not the right time to voice my opinion on Harvey Beaumont. At the end of the day, he is still her father.

But to me—he is scum.

I also worry about Aston, knowing he must be in so much pain at learning the man he knew as his father is not. As much as I want to reach out to him right now, Maddy needs me. I know deep down inside, Aston will put his sister first. He always has, and that’s one of the reasons why I fell in love with him.

Why I still love him.

“Do you hate me?” I ask, barely above a whisper.