Almost Goodbye: (A forbidden romance) (Cruel Fate Duet Book 1) by Nola Marie

Author:Nola Marie [Marie, Nola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Heart Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-03-16T18:30:00+00:00

Ashleigh

Flinging the door of the Abbott’s main house open, I burst into the mudroom and race toward the kitchen. Mrs. Abbott stands at the island, chopping vegetables as I slide into the room. She scans me from head to toe and grins. I look down and wince, realizing what she’s grinning at. Also, realizing these are Henry’s clothes. The U.S.M.C. on the side of the pants should’ve been my first clue. “Did you have a good time?” she singsongs.

I roll my eyes and walk to KayKay, who’s sitting in a highchair with her stuffed seahorse and cheerios. I brush the hair from her eyes, earning me a grunt and a huff as she moves away. I sigh, wishing she could talk. Feeling guilty because she can’t.

A few months ago, she pulled a shelf on top of her. It was my fault for not watching her closely. I left the room to grab her playmat. It was a careless, reckless mistake that led to a severe concussion, brain swelling, and two weeks in the hospital. Because of that, she regressed in her speech and ability to walk. Though doctors tell me she’ll fully recover, I still worry.

“Fun was the intention,” I tell her, walking back toward the island and sitting on a stool. “But I overshot. I’m sorry I’m so late.”

She looks up from the carrots, her eyes warm and understanding. The knife she holds is set to the side, and then she grabs the white dishtowel beside her. She walks around the cream-colored island and sits on the stool next to me, resting her elbows on the butcher block surface. “Ashleigh, I know you believe you have something to prove, but it’s okay to relax.”

“Not when everyone is waiting for me to screw up,” I mutter, plucking a carrot off the cutting board. “I know I lost my parents’ trust, but some credit once in a while would be nice. And now…” I pause, stopping myself before I say too much.

She reaches over and takes my hand in hers. “Honey, don’t take this the wrong way, but your parents are hypocritical jackasses.” My eyes widen, shocked to hear her say the words out loud. Mrs. Abbott says nothing negative about anyone. My expression makes her smile. “Your daddy was every bit a reckless, callous, womanizing asshole. Everything he preaches against on Sunday morning, he used to do himself, all with his little self-righteous nose in the air. Now, I’m not saying that makes him a hypocrite because it doesn’t. We all fall short. No one is perfect. But his lack of understanding, compassion, and empathy, along with his holier-than-thou attitude, does. And I never knew your mama before they moved here, but I promise she is no angel.”

“They have plenty of compassion.” I defend them out of habit because I recently learned Mrs. Abbott is right. I let my attention drift to KayKay for a moment and watch as she shoves cheerios around on the tray. A heavy sigh passes my lips because my parents love her.

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