Page 109 of My Damaged Protector

“This last sale, when was it?”

“I believe it was finalized this morning. Why?”

Shit.

What does this mean?

“Can you help me get the information of the seller?” I ask.

He looks at me skeptically, but he doesn't say anything. He just stands up and pulls his phone out of his pocket to make a call.

It's a short call. When he's done, he looks at me meaningfully.

“I think you know who it is.”

Yeah, I do.

I find out that she bought a house this morning in Ohio. She wouldn't talk to me before breakfast. During breakfast, she was speaking accusingly. And then she kissed me goodbye.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

She's leaving, isn't she?

I have to stop her.

“I have to go,” I inform Christopher as I rush out of the house. I don't bother waiting for his response.

I'm in front of Sheila's house within ten minutes, and I immediately rush inside the house. The house is quiet when I enter, the door surprisingly open. My heart beats so fast in my chest.

Just last night, I was contemplating giving us another shot, and this morning I was sure it was the right thing to do. And now, I may never have the chance to tell her this.

She wouldn't leave town without telling me, right?

“Sarah! Sheila! Sarah!” I scream through the house. Somewhere from the house, I start to hear the sound of footsteps, and I walk toward them, sweat all over me as I discover Sheila walking toward me.

“Where is she?” I ask her.

She shakes her head, her eyes shining bright with pity. “I'm sorry, Ian.”

I don't believe this. How could she be gone so soon? I've only been absent for all of two hours.

“When did she leave?”

“I can't tell you that.”

Damn it. Not now.

“Sheila please, I need you to trust me,” I beg her, hoping for once she'll cut me some slack.

“It's not my place to trust you with information that's not mine to share,” she whispers bitterly. Her eyes are red.

She's been crying, too.

“You didn't want her to go,” I state.

She shrugs. “It's not my place to decide for her.”

Bullshit. Sheila could have told me last night when I still had the chance to change her mind.