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I put the pictures to the side and find a single peach seed. It appears old, dry, and ugly. Why would she keep the seed of the fruit that could kill her…?
Wait a minute.
I bring it up to the sun and stare at the plain thing.
It can’t be.
I clearly remember that the doctor told her to never go near peaches again, and even though I saw her with a basket of them at Ronan’s party, she never ate them. I know because I lurked behind a tree and made sure she walked out of that gazebo empty-handed. What? I had to make sure she didn’t have any suicidal tendencies.
The last time she consumed a whole peach was the day she had that strong allergic reaction.
So this must be from back then.
Fuck. She kept it for twenty-one years.
Underneath it, there’s a lollipop wrapper. I remember this one. Peach flavor with the brand design that goes back to over seventeen years ago.
The first lollipop she left in my bag.
Then there’s a pen. One she lent me once.
A few rings that I gave her for her birthdays because I once heard her telling a friend she likes the special edition ones.
It’s how I discovered that vintage shop hidden from view that had custom-made jewelry. The reason I needed her to believe they came from my mother and not from me was because she was a damn mean girl and young-me’s ego couldn’t take being ridiculed by her if she didn’t like the presents.
Then there’s my bracelet. The one I lost the night I fucked her for the first time. The night she stole a part of me that I’ll never get back. The night I realized fucking had a deeper meaning than mere sex and I could only feel it with Nicole.
I stare at the contents of the box, at the memory of us that she preserved with a key around her neck.
The need to go back to her burns hot behind my eyes, nearly blinding me.
I slowly close the box and stand up.
There’s no way in hell I’m backpedaling on this. I already gave her a clean start, showing up again is no different than stomping all over it.
No matter how much I want to see her, going back to New York is the right thing.
Since when are you the right thing kind of person?The devil on my shoulder whispers in his “let’s be selfish” voice.
But I shut it down, walk to my rental car, and put the box in my small bag. I’m closing the boot when I feel movement behind me.
My chest aches.
Did she follow me here? I told my staff to keep her in the mansion until Zach came over. He’s the only one I could confide in knowing full well that he’ll keep a level head about the entire situation.
Still, my smashed-over heart resurrects from the ashes at the thought that she’s here.
Maybe she wants the box back.
Maybe I don’t want to give it away.
I turn around and the first thing that registers is a slash-like sound as a dark figure slams into me.
“Chris sends his bloody regards,” he whispers near my ear, then pulls back.
That’s when a blinding pain explodes in my abdomen and a hot liquid soaks my shirt. My hand grabs the area and it’s drenched in dark red.
Fuck.
