The server turns up a few moments later, placing our food on the table, but my appetite has gone; the flavours smell rotten, and the food turns to ash in my mouth. I push my plate away and bury my face in my hands as sobs wrack through my body.
Emmy’s arms encircle me. “We’re in this together, you and I. It doesn’t matter what happens withhim;he doesn’t get to decide what we do with the rest of our lives. He doesn’t get that privilege of seeing you shine,and youwillshine,Hayleigh,because Ipromise you, after every storm breaks,the sun’s right there waiting for you.”
“I love you, Emmy.” I return her squeeze and ground myself with her strength.
She whispers in my ear. “Not as much as I love you.”
**********
After dropping Emmy and all of her bags off at her home, I drive straight home myself. I need to process what Chad had told us today. I drag my bags out of the boot and fish through my handbag for my keys.
When I open the door, I quickly drop the bags on the floor and lock it behind me. As I look down, an envelope lies on the mat, snagging my attention. Dread seeps through my insides, churning my stomach until the contents from today threaten to make an appearance.
I bend to collect the envelope, but I already know what’s inside it because it’s the same as the last one. That haunting off-white colour, the address from the facility where Pete currently resides, albeit possibly temporary. What I don’t understand is how he knows where I live.
But then of course. I do know.
His mother.
And I bet everything I own that my mother told her where to find me. I wait for the feeling of betrayal to hit me, but it doesn’t. I don’t know fully what that means, but I do know that I’m nolonger going to let my family, no, not my family, Morgana and Frank Wallcroft, decide what I do with the present or the future.
I should want to scream and shout at her, but I realise that it’s pointless; she doesn’t care, she never has. I take out my phone and re-read the message I received from Thea last week, and I can’t help but feel that something still doesn’t sit right in my gut.
Thea
I’ve decided to go ahead with the wedding. We’ve postponed it by four weeks. You are no longer invited, and I think it’s best you stay away for good.
I honestly believed we were growing closer together. I thought she wanted out and away from them, but she was too scared to push for that. I was so sure, but maybe I was wrong.
My phone ringing interrupts me, and when I look down, a genuine smile blooms on my face as Nate’s name flashes on the screen.
“Hello, handsome.”
His voice has me smiling as he replies. “Hi, beautiful. So I’ve managed to get you a cooking lesson.”
I grip the phone a little tighter as my throat closes. This man, the way that he thinks of me and my stupid list.
I clear my throat. “Oh, wow, really?”
He laughs. “It isn’t with a Michelin chef or anything, but she is free tomorrow.”
My brows crease together. “Nate, tomorrow is Sunday. What place offers lessons on a Sunday?”
“May Peterson does. It’s our monthly Sunday dinner, and you’re invited. I was telling mum about your list and how you only have a few things left to tick off, including cooking. She offered to help.”
“I’m invited?” I hate how uncertain I sound.
“You’re important to all of us, Hayleigh, but more so to me. I want you there, always.”
I nod my head even though he can’t see me. “Okay.”
He talks to me about his day, and I listen intently to his voice about how excited he is with the new job he’s taken on, and I find myself not wanting to hang up. I want to know everything he has to say.
He makes me feel like I’m important to him, and for the first time ever in my life, I truly believe that. It’s part of the reason I don’t want to tell him about Pete; I don’t want this conversation to end with him worrying.
Chapter 27
Nate
