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With that, he turns and walks away, leaving me frozen on the ground.

The tears I’d been keeping back finally spill over, flooding my cheeks as I drop my head into my hands and let go, wishing he’d come back.

Wishing he’d save me.

Wondering if I really do destroy everything I love.

Chapter thirty-four

“Where is he, Daddy?”

The airport buzzes around us—suitcases rolling, announcements crackling overhead.

Sitting on the edge of an uncomfortable bench with Hannah tucked against my side, she rests her head on my arm as she fiddles with the strap of her backpack.

Valerie lounges across from us, scrolling through her phone with a bored expression, one leg crossed over the other. Her sunglasses sit perched on her head, and every so often, she lets out a loud, exaggerated sigh, like being here is a tremendous inconvenience.

I check the time on my phone again, my stomach sinking with every passing minute. Xed said he’d be here. He promised.

Well, he promised Jenna. She told me when she’d stopped by to say goodbye last night. I haven’t actually heard from him since the camping trip. Every time he calls to talk to Hannah, it’s when she’s with my sister. Like he knows I’m not around. It’s killing me.

Hannah looks up at me again with big, sad brown eyes. “Is Uncle Fungus coming?”

I force a smile, the knot in my chest tightening. “He said he would. Let’s give him a little more time.”

Valerie snorts, finally glancing up from her phone. “He’s not coming, Hannah.”

“Val,” I warn, but she’s already rolling her eyes, leaning back against the bench like she’s got nothing better to do than twist the knife.

“What? I’m just telling it like it is. Your little butt-buddy is pissed off he lost.”

Hannah looks between us, her little face scrunching. “What’s that?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly, glaring at Valerie.

But she doesn’t stop. “It means your Uncle Xed has better things to do than say goodbye.”

“Enough,” I snap, my voice louder than I intended. Hannah flinches, and guilt washes over me as I immediately soften. “Sorry, jelly bean. Let’s just wait a few more minutes, okay?”

Valerie scoffs, standing to adjust the new designer bag she just bought with my credit card. “Yeah, you do that. Waste everyone’s time, like always.”

Grinding my teeth, I watch as she walks a few feet away to make a phone call. Her voice rises above the noise as she complains to someone about having to drag me through the airport.

Hannah leans closer, her small hand squeezing mine. “Maybe he got lost?”

I glance at the clock on the wall, feeling hopeless. “Maybe. He might’ve gotten held up.”

But I know the truth. He’s not coming.

The first boarding call for our flight echoes through the speakers, and Valerie strides back toward us, her heels clicking against the tile. “Time’s up. Let’s go.”

Hannah clings to my hand as we stand, her hopeful gaze darting toward the entrance one last time. “He can visit?”

The ache in my chest is nearly unbearable as I nod. “Yeah, he can visit.”

Valerie lets out a sharp laugh, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Sure he will. Right after he stops pretending you don’t exist.”

I bite back the words bubbling in my throat, knowing they’ll do more harm than good. Instead, I glance at the doors one last time, hoping for a miracle.