Page 188 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

Since she hadn’t always made good choices, and I’m still not sure how I feel about that, I simply say the words that are true, no matter how complicated things are, “I love you, Mom.”

“More than all the stars.”

The familiar words almost undo me.

I lower the phone, and Piper is staring. “Ten years? Jesus.”

Exactly.

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

Mom’s treatment was the bargain when my dad wagered me. Lucian and Caleb have just made sure her care no longer depends on anything I do.

The evening started with the call from Hawkeye.

And now this.

They’ve spent eight years trying to control me, and now they’ve stopped. Completely.

If I were to leave them, my mom would still be taken care of.

My shoulders roll forward as stress I didn’t know I was carrying vanishes.

“What are you going to do?” Piper asks softly.

“I have no idea.” This is something I never ever expected.

She reaches across the table and covers my hand with hers. “You know, this doesn’t mean you have to forgive them.”

Slowly I nod.

“Or go back.”

“I know that too.” For the first time, the words don’t make my chest hurt.

Because she’s right.

My mom is safe.

Hawkeye is not giving them details about me.

And most importantly, Lucian and Caleb are respecting my choices and staying away because I told them to.

There is literally nothing forcing me toward them anymore.

I look at Piper. “But if I do go back, it won’t be because I have to.”

Something changes in her expression.

She doesn’t smile. Doesn’t tell me what that means or what I should do with it.

Thank God.

Instead, she squeezes my hand. “No. It won’t. It’s completely up to you. And I’m here to support you and love you, no matter what you decide.” She picks up her glass. “And I’m here if you need to do this every day for weeks.”

With Piper and her loyalty, I won the friend lottery.

We both call for cars and stand on the corner talking until they arrive.