Page 82 of Only Ever You

No. Where I fell in love. Lord only knows what Deacon was up to.

After packing the boxes in the car, I return for one last look before I lock the door and walk away.

I’m not leaving a note. He didn’t have the decency to even leave a note for me when he left.

Now maybe the healing can begin.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Pippa

One month later

After a week of me moping around my parents’ place, I got sick of their prodding for me to get on with things and moved myself out to their beach house.

It’s a couple of hours away from them, and I wanted space to try and recover from Deacon’s cruelty.

I still have no idea why he left me.

I’ve called and left voicemails, begging for him to tell me why. But I think he’s blocked me. He’s ghosted me, and I don’t understand.

Ten minutes ago, I sat on the toilet and peed on a stick. My period was due around the same time as my wedding, so I skipped it by taking pills, and then when it didn’t arrive this week, I grabbed a test.

This isn’t happening.

But the two lines show that it is.

My heart sinks. I’ve been sitting, staring at this stupid test ever since. If we’d been married, Deacon would have been happy. Sure, it’s earlier than we planned, but our child would have been born into a loving home with parents who adored one another.

Now I’m not so sure.

Not when I’ve got so many questions about Deacon’s behaviour.

Did he ever love me?

Nothing makes sense and this just adds to the confusion.

I force myself to stand and place the test beside the bathroom basin as I pull up my pants and take a deep breath.

It’s late afternoon as I sink onto the couch. This is how I spend most evenings—in front of the television, thoughts swirling in my brain.

I turn my head at the crunch of tyres on gravel. It’s probably Lucas. He’s been there for me in a way he’s never been before.

He grins as I open the door. His hand’s poised to knock—despite it being a family home, he’s also respected my privacy out there.

I fling my arms around his neck, and he hugs me tight, hushing in my ear as I burst into tears.

“Hey. What’s going on?”

“I’m really glad to see you.” I sniff.

He reaches for my hands and pries me away from his neck before searching my eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Just having a bad day.”

Lucas pops a kiss on my nose. “Well, your favourite brother’s here now, so that should improve it.”

I snort out a laugh, and he smiles.

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