CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Somehow, I managed to pick myself up off the floor and limped to my bedroom.
It didn’t feel as painful as when I was in motion, but the second I’d stopped moving, my ankle throbbed in agony, and I had to pause at intervals when the pain got too much.
Nevertheless, half an hour later, I’d pack all my essentials in the biggest suitcase I owned. I took all that held significant meaning to me, like the blanket my mom had knitted for me and an antique snow globe my dad had given me on my thirteenth birthday.
I had all my teaching gear and school supplies tucked in securely, as well as every piece of antique jewelry I’d pilfered from thrift shops and flea markets over the years.
Most of them were ancient and inexpensive.
Some were even unwearable. But it was the history behind each piece that I held dear.
It was the one hobby Seth didn’t care for or take any part in, always trying to one-up me whenever I would buy myself a piece of antique jewelry.
He would show up with something brand new and expensive the next day, insisting I throw out the old one.
But I never did. Needless to say, I left every piece of expensive jewelry he’d ever bought me, including the wedding ring I’d taken off months ago.
He could have them. I wanted nothing from him.
Heck, he could give them to his baby’s mother for all I cared.
I wanted nothing that would remind me of him.
My phone rang, and I dug around in my messy, over-packed, and overflowing messenger bag for the offending device.
Declan’s name on the screen was a beacon of light in a dark and desolate cave.
I’d stopped crying the moment I’d gotten to my feet in the hallway, but just the echo of Declan’s name sent all those emotions—and then some—flooding right back.
I burst into silent tears that slowly dripped down my face, but I managed to pull myself together long enough to hit the answer button on his call.
“Hey, darling,” came Declan’s smooth, lilting voice.
“So, I was thinking I’d take you to the carnival this weekend.
What do you say? Does that sound like something you’d enjoy?
If not, there’s a Back to the Future musical playing on Broadway.
You’d mentioned before that Broadway musicals were something you and your dad saw a lot of when he was alive, so I figured you like it.
Actually, I might have gotten the tickets already.
Just in case the carnival idea was a bust.”
He’d started talking the minute our call was connected, and when he finally came up for air, realizing that I wasn’t talking back, his tone instantly hardened.
“Melodie, what is it? What’s wrong?” he asked, the tenderness leeching from his voice.
“I…” I started, then choked on a quiet sob.
I didn’t want him to know I was crying. I felt too raw—too open, and like all my jagged and unattractive pieces were spread out for all to see.
Nevertheless, I’d held it together long enough to croak out, “Remember when you promised to give me anything I asked?”
The silence that followed was so loud it shattered the little pride I had left.
A second passed, then four. I checked to make sure the call hadn’t dropped, but we were still connected. His breathing was low and deep, and it had an unsettling feeling I couldn’t quite explain. And something about the gesture made me want to dissolve into tears again.
“Did he hurt you?” Declan snarled, and I could feel his mounting anger through the phone.
“No, it wasn’t… I just…” I paused and took a much-needed breath, finding that place inside where my dignity resided. “I don’t mean to bother you, and I was going to stay at a hotel but… my ankle is hurt, and I don’t want to be in an unfamiliar environment when I don’t have full mobility or—”
“Did he hurt you?” he clipped again, his words pointed.
“Please, just… can I please stay with you for a few days? Just until my ankle is better.”
Declan left out a low growl, and a loud thud echoed through the speakers as though he’d hit something.
“Okay, answer me this,” he said, his voice steadier and a bit less frantic. “Are you safe?”
I swallowed a sob threatening to break free. “Y—yes, I am. He left. Can you just… please come get me?”
“I’m on my way, sweetheart. Send me your location,” he ordered.
“I promise you, wherever you are, mo chroí, I’ll be there in ten minutes or less.
I don’t care if you’re in fucking Egypt right now.
I will be there in minutes—seconds if I have to defy physics.
Just hold on for me, okay? I’ll be right there. Do you hear me?”
“I do,” I sobbed.
“Good. Less than ten, Melodie. I mean it. Now hang up and send me your location.”
So, I ended our call and did as I was told.
I’d never told Declan where I lived. I didn’t want him to be a part of my mess with Seth, and I was determined to keep him as far away from it as I could.
Yet, here I was, breaking that vow. It was selfish, but I didn’t want to be alone right now.
Honestly, I didn’t know if I could be alone, even if I wanted to.
My ankle hurt like a sonofabitch, and now that it had gotten time to marinate, I realized it was swollen and that I might need help to move around.
Nevertheless, I managed to drag my bags to the front door, wincing with every step.
It must have taken me longer than I thought, because the second I opened the door, Declan was pulling into the driveway. Surely it hadn’t taken me ten minutes to get from my room to the front door, had it? Or had Declan truly defied space and time?
I blinked, and he was out of the car and racing for me, arms outstretched as he scooped me up into a hug so fierce that it damn near broke my spine.
I hugged him back, clinging to him like he was the only lifeboat in the middle of a stormy sea.
Against my better judgment, a sob racked my body, and Declan’s grip tightened as I buried my face into the crook of his neck and let the tears flow freely.
Moments later, when my sobs had quieted and I felt so much lighter, Declan released his grip on me and stepped back, reaching up to cradle my face.
The only problem was that he was kind of holding me up with that hug, and the minute our bodies had disentangled, my ankle gave way, and I crumpled.
Declan was faster, though, and he scooped me up in a bridal carry, holding me securely in his strong, capable arms.
“I’m here now. Don’t cry anymore,” he said, his voice so tender I wanted to start sobbing all over again.
Then his lips found mine, and all the devastation and heartbreak of the last few hours melted away with that one kiss.
His kisses were like air—gentle and freeing in a way that nothing else could ever compare.
They were spring mornings and summer afternoons, the lure of your living room couch after a long day, and a sip of water after having too many sweets.
His kisses gave me life. They soothed my soul and gave me a sense of peace and belonging I’d only ever felt when cuddled up with my mom.
Home.
His kisses felt like home.
I tore my lips away from his to suck in air, and he brushed his lips across my forehead and cheeks, then the tip of my nose and my chin.
“I’ll take care of you from now on,” he vowed sweetly, and the honesty in his eyes had me tearing up again.
I nodded, words failing me in the moment. I was torn open and raw, and Declan understood, so he hadn’t demanded I say the words out loud like he usually would.
“Good,” he whispered, pressing a light kiss to my lips before whisking me off to his car.
Slowly, and with so much caution, he lowered me into the passenger seat, and I winced when my busted ankle accidentally hit the side of his car door.
Declan noticed immediately and crouched down to observe the offending appendage.
“Baby, your ankle is swollen pretty badly,” he announced. “I’m taking you to the hospital before we go home.”
I sighed.
I was exhausted and just really needed to lie down, but there was no point in arguing with him.
I was in too much pain to win that fight.
So, I simply nodded my agreement, and he closed the car door, then quickly retrieved my bags from the porch, laying them carefully on the backseat of his expensive SUV.
When he was settled in the driver’s seat, he started the engine, then turned to face me.
“Do we need to come back to fetch your car?”
I shook my head. “It’s not mine. The car is in Seth’s name, despite my paying the car note every month. Guess that was just one more way for him to keep control.” I rolled my eyes. “It’s whatever. One less thing to figure out in the divorce.”
Declan nodded, but didn’t say anything, and a few seconds later, we were off; my soul feeling lighter than it had ever been.