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No matter the damage it did to me mentally, emotionally, or physically. They were ready and willing to sacrifice me if it meant giving Gabe life.
That was the reason I existed on Earth.
That was my only job.
And I failed.
“When I was twelve, Gabe’s cancer came back, this time, with a vengeance,” I explained, unable to keep my voice from cracking. It was like every time I spoke about this fucking cancer, I could feel it growing in my throat. Fucking haunting me. “My parents were ready to have me do more tests, to take more bone marrow, organs if needed. But he said no.”
“Your brother?”
“Yeah,” I rasped. “Gabe told them he was done making me fight his battles, and they’ve hated me for it ever since.”
Valen pressed her hand to her stomach, and her breathing elevated. “Oh God.” That sparkle in her eyes was back. However, this time, it wasn’t the brightness of her smile but the tears filling her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Reed.”
I forced a laugh to cover the thick emotion that kept catching on my words. “Don’t be. Without all that happened, I wouldn’t have had the drive and determination to build my business. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today.”
“Why is that so important to you?” she questioned, her head falling to the side.
“I was determined to prove I was worth more than what I was made for.”
Both corners of her mouth turned up as a tear dripped onto her cheek.
I made it across the tiny room in two steps, reaching out and quickly brushing the salty droplet from her face as I shook my head. “You start crying now, you’re gonna have bloodshot eyes, and if your stupid ex shows up while you’re at his place, he’s gonna think these tears were for him.”
Her laughter was melodic. “Thanks,” she said, sucking in a long deep breath. “All gone.”
I didn’t take a step back.
Not for a long few seconds.
But neither of us said anything.
Neither of us looked away.
There was this understanding between us. We’d both shared pieces of ourselves over the past few days—the hard pieces, the most broken pieces—and it was those pieces that weighed me down. But right now, I was feeling like something had been lifted.
Or maybe repaired?
“So, you going like that, or…” Valen teased, her eyes flickering down to my naked chest and back up. “Not thatImind, but—”
“Go,” I ordered, tapping her on the hip before I took a step back. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“Yes, sir,” she murmured, and I spun back to her, smirking.
“What was that?” I challenged.
She quickly ducked out the door, calling back, “Nothing! Meet you downstairs.”
“Mmm…” I growled, fighting the urge to chase after Valen and drag her back in here. Fuck the ex-boyfriend. Fuck getting her stuff. I’d buy her whatever she wanted. Brand new.Goddammit! What’s this woman doing to me?
I didn’t know.
But I fucking liked it.
Chapter Eleven
REED
