Page 62 of Penalty to the Heart

“Are you asking or telling?”

“Asking. I’d really like it if you could give me another chance… I mean… give therapy another chance. I know our last session didn’t go as well as I would have liked, but I do think we made some progress there. Didn’t we?”

“You want the truth? You kind of freaked me out. It was like you were in my head, and I didn’t fucking like it,” he admits. “But then I had a few days to think about it, and I remembered that all that shit you said, you didn’t just pull it out of a hat. You lived it.”

“I did,” I affirm solemnly.

“I know you did. And that made me feel even worse for walking out like that. There you were, being brave enough to share that heavy shit with me, and I… I fucking ran in the other direction. I guess I owe you an apology, too.”

“Does that mean you’ll come back?” I ask, unable to hide my relief and excitement.

“Why the hell not?” He shrugs. “Just remember, you opened the door to let me in. Don’t come complaining afterward when I become more than what you can chew.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I smile from ear to ear.

“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow at six.”

“Tomorrow at six.” I beam at him, thrilled he’s going to give therapy another shot.

Not wanting to ruin the moment, I wave him goodbye and turn around to head over to my car.

When I slide behind the wheel and put on my seat belt, I realize that Caleb hasn’t moved from his spot.

Again, my frown reappears.

He’s waiting for me to leave.

Waiting so I don’t see him fall apart.

And even though it goes against everything I believe in, I turn on the ignition and drive away, giving him the moment of destructive solitude he so desperately yearns for.

Chapter 11

Caleb

Today is baby Fiona’s birthday party.

And fuck it if it isn’t the saddest event I’ve ever been invited to.

At first glance, everything looks up to par. Erin decorated the living room with soft pink and silver balloons and a large banner that reads ‘Princess Party’ hanging across the wall. There’s a small table set up in the center, covered with a sparkly pink tablecloth and adorned with princess-themed plates and cups. In one corner, a beautiful cake sits on a stand adorned with edible tiaras and crowns, ready for the birthday girl and her big sister to smash and enjoy. Plush pink and gold pillows are spread out on the floor for little ones to sit on, surrounded by toy castles and princess dolls. The whole room is filled with everything a toddler would want—lots of sugary treats and toys.

My sister-in-law went all out to make the day as memorable as possible for little Fiona, though I highly doubt a one-year-old will remember much of it. All things considered, maybe that’s for the best because if you take the time to look again at the room, you will see that it’s anything but festive.

And that all comes down to the adults that have been invited.

One by one, Erin’s guests walk in with large presents in their arms and congratulate her on her youngest daughter’s celebration. However, underneath their pleasantries and fake smiles, there’s no mistaking what they are all truly thinking. I can see it reflected on their faces every time they cast pitying glances towards Jack’s girls.

Why are we having a party when their father is dying?

And when baby Fiona’s gaze stares around the room like she’s waiting on Jack to walk through the door to pick her up in his arms, it only fucking breaks your heart more.

It’s too much for me to withstand.

If it weren’t for the girls and Erin, I wouldn’t have come.

But they need me here.

I need to be here.

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