Page 22 of The Wonder of You

“We’re leaving tonight. It’s all happened much sooner than I thought,” Phoenix tells me. I am so glad I lied to Dad about meeting my friend and came here instead. I would have been gutted if they had left without a goodbye. Was I being too hopeful that Phoenix was serious about showing up to my house if I never turned up to meet him? Luckily, I never had to worry, Dad barely looked up when I told him I was going out.

Panic seizes me. My life has changed in such a short time, and Phoenix means so much to me. I know he is my soulmate. It’s the only possible reason these feelings can be so intense so soon. The circus feels so much like… home. Could this be home?

Phoenix looks like he’s about to say something, but instead, he leans forward and kisses me. I feel robbed of breath. He grabs my face with his hands and his tongue meets mine.

We are one.

Never did I believe I’d let a man do this to me with so much passion, but this… with Phoenix…

Phoenix is different.

I am his. He is mine.

We pull apart, both of us breathless and longing. He touches my cheek softly, his eyes searching mine.

“I know I only met you last night, Renée, but I am in love with you.”

Tears rush to my eyes .

“Let me go with you.” It comes out of my mouth fast, but I don’t regret my words. I have never been so sure of anything in my life. I know I love Phoenix, and I know I want to be with him and join his circus.

His eyes light up and in this moment, I know he’s telling me the truth.

He loves me.

He kisses me again, still desperate to be close to me.

“I wanted to ask you so much to come with me, but I didn’t know how.”

“I love you.” I smile up at him and watch how his mouth curls into a relieved smile. I wonder if, like me, he’s never heard those words before. Why do I feel like I’ve known him for a thousand years? Like this is so soon, but so right too. It was always meant to happen.

“Arabella, one of the ladies who works here, she said we’re meant to be together. I knew it the minute I laid eyes on you, as if I’ve always known you.” I watch the way his eyes light up as he talks. I don’t want to waste another minute standing around. I want my future to begin now.

“I just need to tell my Dad and my sister. I don’t think they’ll care, but I have to say goodbye and maybe get some clothes.” I start rushing as all the ideas of a new life come into my mind. With me out of the picture, Dad and Lydia won’t spend as much money on food. One less mouth to feed means Lydia might be able to save up for the luxury items she wants. I guess it’s all coming together.

“No,” Phoenix says, confusing me. He holds my hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it softly. “I don’t know how to tell you this, Renée, but last night, your sister approached me and Henry and asked us to kidnap you in exchange for money.”

My heart drops.

One minute I felt so happy and now I feel so… deflated?

Did she really go back last night to try selling me? Is that how much she wants her luxury things to be like her friends? My stomach drops, but I find that I’m not shocked. This is exactly what I expected of her.

“She said she knows your dad well enough to know he would agree. I am so sorry, Renée, but I can promise you a better life here with me.” He flicks his head to the circus where I see Lukas and Henry nearly finished packing away. Toni looks over at us with concern in her eyes. “We’re nearly ready to go, just leave them behind. We’ll find you new clothes. I’ll never let you want for anything again.”

I hesitate, but only for a moment. A part of me wants to say a farewell to my father, but did he really agree with Lydia? My stomach rolls as I remember their conversation last night. I put my hand over my heart as if I am in physical pain.

Did she always have this idea in mind when we turned up to the circus? Is Dad so weak that he is happy for one daughter to sell another for money? He was willing to go along with the idea of me assuming I was being kidnapped in the night? Lydia doesn’t know I already know Phoenix. She called him a creepy man. So, by her plan, I would have been absolutely terrified being kidnapped and she was going to sit back while it happened. Would she have counted her money while I was carried away screaming in fear? What if the circus was evil and had horrible things in store for me? Does she really feel nothing towards me?

I hate her.

But my love for Phoenix overpowers it. I feel like I’ve known him longer than them. My love for him is stronger than my love for my sister and father combined. And that tells me everything I need to know.

“Don’t look back,” he murmurs to me as if he’s reading my thoughts. “It’s me and you now, and this…” He flicks his hand behind him, showcasing the circus again. “This is ours now.”

I nod. He doesn’t need to convince me further.

I grab his hand and we run towards the circus. We run towards my new family and each of them smile at me in a way that I know I’ve made the right choice.

This is where I belong.