Chapter 31
Blair
I stood before the mirror in my childhood bedroom, the same faded cream wallpaper still clinging to the walls, and took a deep breath. My heart thudded hard against my ribs, not from fear, exactly, but from the gravity of what I was about to do. Tonight, everything came full circle.
Dinner was already underway downstairs. My mom had insisted on cooking a whole spread: roast chicken, mashed potatoes and apple pie. I knew it wasn’t just to celebrate me finishing the first draft of my book. They were trying, really trying. And I was, too.
I touched the pendant around my neck, the one Greyson gave me last week, a tiny book on a gold chain. “My love,” he’d whispered as he placed it around my neck.
I headed downstairs.
At the table, Dad stood and pulled out a chair beside him. Mom gave me a tight, hopeful smile, and to my surprise, even my older brother Seth had driven in from the city. It should have felt overwhelming, but strangely, it didn’t. Not anymore.
“So,” Mom said, passing the potatoes. “You said you had something to share?”
I folded my hands in my lap. “I’m staying.”
My mother’s breath caught. “In town?”
I nodded. “For good. I’m not running anymore. And I’m in love.”
There was a stunned silence. My dad blinked, Seth looked between us, and my mom’s eyes filled with tears.
“With Greyson?” she asked, even though she already knew the answer.
“Yes. And I’m happy, truly. For the first time in a long time.”
“You look different,” Seth said quietly. “Lighter.”
I swallowed. “Because I finally let go of something I’ve been carrying for too long.”
After dinner, I stepped outside to clear my head. The night was quiet and calm, the wind tugging at my hair. I walked toward the square, where the town was still buzzing with weekend life. I hadn’t expected to run into him.
Adrian stood outside the bar, our bar, with a drink in hand and that same smug smile on his face like nothing had changed. Like he hadn’t ripped my life apart.
“You look good, Blair,” he said, stepping toward me.
For a moment, I froze.
Then, I moved.
I walked straight toward him, spine tall, heart pounding but steady. He didn’t flinch,just took another sip of whatever he was drinking, as if we were acquaintances crossing paths.
“You need to leave,” I said, not waiting for niceties.
His eyes flicked up. “I figured you’d find me.”
“I’m not here for a scene. I’m here to tell you this ends now.”
He exhaled through his nose, almost amused. “You always were dramatic.”
“No,” I said, louder now. “You were just used to me being quiet.”
A few people glanced our way, but I didn’t care. Let them look. Let them see me choosing myself. “I don’t care what brought you back here,” I continued. “You hurt me. You changed my life. And now you’re trying to walk around this town like that never happened?”
He didn’t respond.
“I’m not afraid of you anymore,” I said. “And you’re not going to haunt this place, not for me or Greyson. I will expose you to the world and show them the monster you truly are.”
He looked at me then, something like guilt flickering behind his indifferent stare. “Wasn’t planning on staying,” he muttered. The place is too small. Too many ghosts.”
“Then go,” I said. “And don’t come back.”
He nodded once. “Guess we agree on something.”
He turned and walked away. No threats. No smug parting words.
Just silence.
And with every step he took, I felt the weight of him lifting from my chest.
Greyson found me a minute later, worry etched in his brow. “Are you okay?” I looked at him, at the man who stood by me and fought for me. “I am now.”