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After I took the kids to school, I packed up everything that belonged to us—which wasn’t much. I had no plans of sleeping here tonight. I knew it would be pretty much impossible to find a place to rent on such short notice, but if it came to it, I knew Colleen would be happy to let us stay with her. My grandparent’s lived too far away for them to be an option, because of Tristan and Ivy being in school.
I packed what I could into my car, having to leave some things behind because there wasn’t room. Once I found a place to stay it would only take one more trip back here to have everything.
Even though I’d showered, I felt dirty from having been in that house. Its nastiness clung to me and I wanted it off—but that wouldn’t happen until I was gone and never had to come back.
I was thankful that I only had to work today and didn’t have classes. I didn’t need the added stress on top of what I already had to deal with.
My mom was dead—this lone thought playing on repeat in my mind.
I think a part of me was still shocked.
I’d believed someone as vile and despicable as her would never die. I felt like she’d stick around, always reminding me of my sins, and what I lost.
But she was gone, and I was free of my binds. I could be Tristan’s mother. I didn’t have to lie, or disappear from his life when it became unacceptable for me to be there if he believed I was merely his sister.
Now that Trenton knew the truth, and Tristan would know soon, I felt…at peace.
The moment I signed those damn papers, I lost my freedom. Now, thanks to a stroke of luck, I had it back. I had been stuck in a prison for so long, that I didn’t know what to do with myself. I didn’t have to work so hard now, and hide money, because I didn’t have to fight for custody.
Everything was falling into place for me.
Well, almost everything.
I had lost Trenton, and I was never getting him back, so there would always be damage to my heart.
That was okay, though, because I no longer had to live a lie. The truth was out there and I didn’t have to hide behind the story I’d been coerced into telling.
It didn’t take me long to get to work. Trace was already there, his boots sticking out from beneath the car he was working on.
I inhaled the scent of motor oil—something that had become familiar to me in the short time I had been working here.
“Can I ask you something?” My voice was hesitant as I stopped beside the car.
“Sure,” he slid out, scaring me half to death with how quickly he did it. “What’s up?” He grinned, running his fingers through his unruly hair. Trace was always so…unusually peppy. Did the guy ever get mad?
“My mom died last night,” the words slipped from my mouth. That was not what I’d been planning to say.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he jumped up, his arms winding around me before I knew what he was doing. I couldn’t make myself hug him back, I was so in shock by the gesture.
“Don’t be sorry,” I muttered. “Seriously,” I stared at the ground, frowning.
“Oh…” He paused. “Was she…not a good mom?”
I laughed at his awkward question. “You could say that.”
“Do you need the day off?” He asked. “You could’ve called me. You didn’t need to come in.”
“I know,” I shrugged, still looking at the ground. “I wanted to come in though. Work will help take my mind off things,” I forced a smile. “I was wondering if I could leave early though? I need to find a place for us to live. I can’t stay in that house.”
Trace’s eyes filled with sympathy and compassion. “Of course,” he told me without any hesitation. “Wait…” He paused and for a moment I thought he had changed his mind and my stomach dipped with worry. “I might have a solution to your problem?”
“Really?” I was a bit afraid as to what his solution was. There was no way I was staying with his mom and grandma at the mansion or at Trent’s townhouse. Even if he was away at school that would be beyond awkward.
“Follow me,” he stepped around me, striding out of the garage. He didn’t look back to see if I was coming, he knew I would.
He led me around the side of the building and up a set of steps to the floor above the shop. I didn’t know what was up here and never bothered to ask. He dug a key out of his pocket and opened the door.
He reached inside, flicking a light on, then reached out and grabbed my arm to yank me inside. I stumbled, and he tightened his hold so that I didn’t fall.
