Chapter 41
Forty-One
Charlie
The room was as dark as it was cold. I shivered as I sat in the corner with Molly snuggled against my chest. There wasn’t anything in here except the diaper bag, which he agreed to leave with me when I told him the baby would need to be changed soon.
I refused to say her name because I didn’t want that monster—or any of the others who were there when we arrived—to know her name.
They would never have the honor of knowing that about her.
I grabbed the diaper bag, pulling out what I needed when I spotted my cell phone at the bottom. I knew it was too late for anyone to step in and help us, but it wasn’t too late to say my final goodbye to Axel.
With shaky fingers, I unlocked the screen and began typing. I ignored the tears as they rushed down my cheeks and blinked them away so I could see the words before I sent them. This was my only chance to tell him what I needed to say, so I wasn’t going to waste it.
Me: I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened to you, but I pray that you are okay.
Me: I don’t know if you’ll ever see this message, but I hope you do.
Me: Thank you for everything you did to keep me safe from the moment I walked into your bar. Thank you for taking care of my baby and me for as long as you could. I have never known a love like the one I had with you, and I will cherish it forever.
Me: I love you, Axel. Thank you for being one of the best parts of my life. I wish we'd had more time together, but I’m still thankful for every second I had with you.
Me: Live your life to the fullest. Don’t sit around waiting for good things to happen—make them happen. You’re an incredible man, and I’m so honored to have known you, even if it was for a short time.
As I was typing, I noticed the bouncing dots on the screen, which meant he had seen the messages and was replying. Either that, or someone found his phone and was replying for him because he was killed because of me.
Me: You were the love of my life.
I swallowed hard, sent the last message, and then exited the screen before I could see what came through.