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“What does that mean?” I glanced at the envelope, fearful of the contents.
“Take a look. You need to read what’s inside.”
As I took it from him, he placed his hand on mine. “You’re scaring me again.”
He tilted his head. “Courage is about facing the truth in all things, even though in your heart you want to believe the opposite.”
As he backed away, giving me space, my heart fluttered. I was terrified to open the envelope, but he was right. When he purposely turned toward the window, I moved to one of the chairs, sitting down. There was no reason for my hand to be shaking, other than I had an idea of what was inside.
The truth.
The one thing I’d wanted more than money or power, influence or even love. That’s why I’d chosen science, to that truth would always prevail.
But even that had failed me.
As I pulled the flap, reaching inside, my heart fluttered. Then I took a deep breath and allowed my mind to open to all possibilities.
After reading the information twice, I pushed it aside and dropped my head into my hands, a memory breaking through a wall I’d placed around me. I’d blocked out what they’d been arguing about.
“My sister was high on drugs the day she died. She came looking for money. That’s why they argued.”
“You remember?”
I lifted my head to see if he was paying attention and nodded. There was such concern in his eyes, the tenderness exactly what I needed. “Yes. I guess I blocked it out. It wasn’t the first time she’d done that. I remember that too and the way my mother cried every time she left.”
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“My sister wasn’t sent away to school. She tried to kill herself. She was sent to the same facility I was in.” I realized he’d read the file, the doctor’s report on the time my sister spent in the same psychiatric hospital, but I needed to say the words out loud.
“Yes. They were trying to protect her as well as get her the help she needed.”
“She seemed better when she came back, like her old self. She never told me where she’d been. After a few months, things got dark again. That’s when she moved out.”
He said nothing but remained close, which is exactly what I needed.
“All these years I thought…”
“I know, baby. It was time for you to learn the truth. You should talk to your father.”
“I owe him an apology.”
“I think the two of you just need to talk.”
I nodded several times. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.
Love was a powerful tool, something that created adventures and methods of protection. It was also cruel in its kindness, painful in its reality, but in the end, there was a single truth.
Love could conquer all, even if the path taken was terrifying.
CHAPTER18
Isabella
Ten days later
“Stunning.”
I would never get tired of hearing Cobra’s growl as he gave a compliment. I shuddered, tingling sensations shifting all the way down to my painted toes. I twisted in the mirror, scrunching my face as I peered at myself in the dress. Granted, I had to admit that the one Cobra had chosen for me was gorgeous, sinfully so. I’d kept the red hair, for now, refreshing it just the day before. The way the man was looking at me, I could swear he’d devour me whole.
