Chapter Forty-One
Damon
We get Melinda to the hospital, but there’s nothing much else we can do. I didn’t even know she used hard-core dugs like that, at least she wasn’t for that short time I was seeing her. What a mess. I have to look at the positives, though: at least she’s not carrying my child. She admitted as much on the way there. She really was just desperate for money to buy her latest fix, and after her money ran out she knew we had lots of it, and decided to make her play. Lucky for us, Julianna wasn’t drinking tonight, and drove us there and back.
The party is still cranking when we return, and Corey is on the dance floor with Echo, Bella, Leif, and Diamond. I’m glad she’s not holding a grudge against Echo, which is why I didn’t tell her, but I can understand why she’d be upset that I didn’t. I should have. And next time I’m just going to go with straight-up honesty.
I come up behind her and she melts into me, straight away knowing that it’s me. “Everything all good?”
“Yeah, she went to the hospital. Hopefully she doesn’t come back here.”
Julianna gave her an earful, so I don’t think that she will. Raine also told her that she can come and see her at the hospital if she ever needs anything, which was very sweet of her. I just don’t like how we all got dragged into Melinda’s issues, but at the same time I do feel sympathetic toward her. She is someone’s daughter and I hope she gets the help she needs.
Corey spins around and dances against me, her beautiful body in rhythm with the music. And after a few drinks Diamond finally doesn’t hold back, showing off his moves for Echo.
As long as it’s not for Corey, I don’t care.
I see Echo look at Corey and mouth Oh my god as he gyrates around, body rolling and sensually teasing all of the women here with his skills.
Looking over at Romeo, I see him covering Julianna’s eyes, who is trying to move away from him to see.
And of course then they have to put “Pony” back on again.
I dance the rest of the night away with Corey, lost in each other, surrounded by our family.
I went from a foster kid no one wanted to adopt, to this.
Life couldn’t get any better.
A few days later a letter comes for Corey, and it’s from her mom. She reads it and then hands it to me.
Corey, thank you for the painting. I can see why it reminds you of Matthew, and that now he is free. I hung it up on my wall. I know we haven’t always had the best relationship, and I’m sorry. I’m not perfect, and I do love you.
Mom
Corey smiles but doesn’t say anything else. She’s in a good place, one where it doesn’t matter what anyone else says about her, they don’t hold any power. She knows her worth.
“That was a beautiful painting,” is all I say to her, and her face lights up.
“Thank you. I’m glad she saw it for what it was.” She pauses, and adds, “And I’m glad you see me for who I am.”
The best decision I ever made was taking a gamble on this woman.