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Because you wanted to believe it.
Because it was easier to live in your bubble and cast out anything that could take her from you.
My head snaps toward Clara when she places a light hand on my trembling shoulder.
“None of this is your fault, Noah. None of it. My daughter made her decision. One ruled by love. Please don’t be cross with her.” My forehead creases further in confusion when she pulls her hand away, hope plastered all over her face. “She’s made her choice, Noah. But now I think it’s time you made yours.”
“I don’t understand. What do you want me to do?”
Her sad eyes pierce a hole right through my heart.
“Do you love my daughter?” she asks outright.
“More than my own life,” I retort without missing a beat.
“Then give her the future she deserves. Give her the opportunity to be the woman she was always meant to be.”
My eyes start to sting at the corners, my heart shriveling inside me, finally understanding the underlying meaning of this unexpected heart to heart.
“What if I can’t?”
Clara looks me in the eye, her own tears starting to shine through.
“Like I tried to explain earlier, love is never easy, Noah. It’s complicated and messy. I’m so sorry, sweetheart, that you even have to make such a decision. It hurts me to know that my baby girl will suffer immensely if you do. That you will suffer, too. But love isn’t selfish, Noah. But most importantly, true love will always find a way. Have faith that if it’s meant to be between you two, then it will. Unfortunately, that’s the only comfort I can give you. I know it’s not much of one, but I’ll be here with you. I’ll be right here with you.”
I don’t know why I do it, but I fall into her embrace, Clara’s body shaking as profusely as mine.
“I can’t give her up. I just can’t,” I cry into her shoulder.
“Shh, sweet boy. Shh.” She sobs, running her fingers through my hair. “You have grown up to be this amazing young man. I’m so proud of you, Noah. I know whatever decision you make will be the right one. I truly believe that.”
I pull away from her grasp and wipe my tears with my forearm.
“How?” I hiccup. “She’ll never go if I ask her to. Sky is stubborn. So fucking stubborn.”
Clara’s eyes are red with grief, mimicking how I feel inside.
“You’ll find a way to convince her. She’ll listen to you. She’ll listen to her heart.”
I lean my head on her shoulder again, playing Clara’s words in my mind in a vicious loop.
There’s only one way to ensure that Sky will listen to her heart.
And that is if it’s broken.
Chapter 29
Skylar
Eighteen years old
The sound of my phone beeping drags me out of the story I’m writing.
Noah: Pick you up in ten?
I smile as I text back a quickyesand slide off my bed to freshen up a bit before he gets here.
He’s seemed a little off the past few days, so it will be good to have some time together to try and figure out what’s wrong.
