And just like that, it’s clear to me.
The only life that Rose has ruined in all of this is her own. Elijah loves me, and I love him. Now she understands that our relationship is more meaningful than she believed. She thought it was insignificant, that he was just manipulating me out of guilt for what happened years ago, and that I was simply consumed by grief, willing to settle for anyone who would have me.
It might have started like that before Elijah, but now I have found the person I want to spend my life with, while she rots alone.
Karma is a bitch.
Chapter 47
Elijah
I watch as the other half of my soul leaves to try to fix things with her brother, determined to mend something that was never meant to break like this. Despite what just happened, I am so damn proud of her.
Proud of the way she stood up to Rose.
There has been so much hatred between them for years, and Willow has had a valid reason, unlike Rose. She's just selfish and doesn't care for anyone but herself.
“Sleeping with my daughter is a low blow even for you, Elijah.”
Here we go.
“Is that why you never touched me?” she continues, her lips curling. “Already had someone younger to warm your bed?”
I let out a quiet breath, dragging my tongue over my teeth, more amused than anything else.
The bullshit that comes out of her mouth is almost laughable.
“You're completely wrong because she is not your daughter. You might have carried and brought her into this world, but you've never been her parent.”
I fold my arms loosely over my chest, weight shifting to one leg, completely at ease.
“The only parent she ever had and needed was Leon, and he did a damn good fucking job without you.”
I love the way all of her emotions wash over her face, and I hope everything I tell her hurts. Just how she hurt my princess.
“She’s a carbon copy of me,” she scoffs, tossing her hair behind her shoulder. “Just a badly printed version.”
My tongue presses against my cheek, jaw flexing once, but I don't rise to it the way she most likely wants me to.
“Can you actually see this lasting?” she pushes. “Long term?”
“Yes.”
There is no life without Willow anymore.
Her expression falters at the certainty in my tone.
“I shouldn't have to spell it out for you, but yes, I do, and I love her.”
She goes to touch me. “You loved me.”
“I did,” I say simply. “Once.”
A beat passes, and the word directed towards her feels repulsive now.
“I’m in love with her. What I felt for you is nothing in comparison to how I feel for her.”
Being with Willow has made me think back on my relationship with Rose and how wrong it was. There was no real love there, not for a long time. I was used for my money and for her dream little family life that she never truly wanted; all she wanted was for her to look good.
