Page 68 of Cuts Like an Angel: Part 2

Rosie’s breath froze as pain twisted her guts while she listened to William pour out his soul. Was he on the phone?

“And to think I still love you,” he mumbled. “I hate myself more than you can imagine for being so stupid and loving you. Stupid William, right? Always the fuck-up.” Rosie held her breath, listening, trying to figure out if he were on the phone. Surely he wasn’t. Maria couldn’t talk or call him.

“I have Rosie now. And she loves me.”

Rosie swallowed, listening, heart hammering as she tried to understand what she was listening in on.

“You can laugh all you want, but she does. Or cry. I hope you cry. I hope you die soon.”

Rosie covered her mouth to stifle a sob. She froze at hearing him crying now.

“I’m sorry,” he barely said. “I’m sorry I’m not a better boy for you. I’m sorry I always caused you trouble, Mum. I just wanted you for myself. I didn’t want to share you with all those bad men. They hurt you. They hurt me,” he wept. “I know you didn’t really want that. You were pretending to like it. I know you love me. I know you’re a good mum and you are stuck pretending that you’re not. You’re stuck pretending that you don’t care and love me. But you can stop pretending now,” she barely heard him say. “You can love me now; it’s okay.”

Rosie slowly went in reverse when she felt her sobs threatening to burst free. She hurried to the bathroom and shut the door loud enough to alert him she was up. She locked it and covered her mouth as pain burned a hole in her chest. Oh William. Poor sweet William. I’ll love you. I’ll love you.

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