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Chapter
Twenty
COLE
My hand fumbles with the door handle to the apartment, and every part of my body swims in so much guilt I’m drowning in it. I’ve never felt so useless, so awful in my entire life.
This is not me; this is not the person I want to be.
I don’t want to be the liar, the one who keeps secrets from the woman he loves, the guy who lashes out and says things he’s unable to take back, causing irreversible damage.
On that thought, I step into the apartment.
We need to have a conversation, all of us do. I need to clear the air and apologize, it’s the only way for us to move forward.
As a family.
TIA
The sound of the front door clicking shut has me moving.
They’re all here now. I know they’re probably regretting their decisions, in their own way, but I refuse to stand for it.
I won’t be lied to in the veil of protection they insist on shrouding me in, and I refuse to be a scapegoat for their frustration too.
I know in my heart that one by one they will try and win me over: Lucas with sympathy, Cole with his puppy-dog eyes, and Jace with his obsessive need to be with me, and I won’t stand for it.
When I spoke to Sky and learned about her past, I realized I, too, don’t need a man who thinks I depend on him. I refuse to be kept in the dark any longer. I’ve been through hell and back and remain standing. The only thing I ask of them in return is honesty. It’s clear they’re devoted to me and the girls, but that’s not the issue.
They should have had a conversation with me about my sister and should have told me about Mrs. Lancaster approaching my daughter at school. They should have trusted me, then I’d be able to trust them, but not anymore.
I pull my shoulders back and throw open the bedroom door, marching down the corridor toward the hushed voices.
Cole and Jace are opposite one another on the couches, deep in conversation until they see me, then their conversation draws to a stop, and they turn to face me.
If my face wasn’t burning with anger, it would be heating under their scrutiny, both wearing a look wavering between animalistic and regret.
I brush the thought to the side and cross my arms over my chest, not missing the flash of arousal in Cole’s eyes when I inadvertently push my heavy tits up. The milk in them has gathered, and I’m seriously considering pumping and dumping just to punish them.
Cole jumps to his feet. “Tia, I’m sorry.”
I grit my teeth, then hold my hand out. “I don’t want to hear it, Cole.”
“Please...” Pity oozes from his eyes. He’s sorry, I can see that. I lick my lips, knowing I’m about to hurt him, not wanting to but feeling like I have no choice.
“I need space.” Even admitting it out loud makes me want to wince at the lie on my tongue. I don’t need space; all I need is them. But I can’t be with them if we’re not a team. A family.
Jace jerks and Cole flinches, the hurt in Cole’s stare has me darting my eyes away from his.
Tears well in my eyes, and I blink them back, then glance back toward them.
“You said we were a family. Yet you lied to me.” My lip wobbles but I remain steadfast.
Jace jumps to his feet. “We wanted to protect you!” he grits out, fury taking over his shock now.
“You put me and our daughter in danger because you lied to me!” I scream back at him. All the pent up hurt, trauma, anger, and fear comes flooding out.
“We thought we could protect you...” I can barely look at him.
