Page 85 of Daddies' Little Spitfire

"So strong," Oliver added. "So beautiful. And so smart."

Hedda shook her head again and felt even more tears flow down her cheek. She wasn't any of that because, if she was, she wouldn't be crying or have broken down a couple of minutes ago.

That wouldn't have happened to a woman who was strong, smart, and beautiful.

"You are and you may not see it now, but we'll show you," Oliver said. "We'll show you every day until you realize it. And even after you realize it, we'll still remind you and show you."

"You matter to us," Leo gently said. "You matter so much to us. We see you."

A sob broke out from all their kind words and she went to wipe away her tears, but Oliver grabbed her hands before. She made eye contact with him, tears running down her face, and didn't understand why he was holding her hands right now.

"Just let them fall," Oliver said. "You're going to be okay."

So many emotions were going through Hedda at this moment. Some emotions that she couldn't even decipher right now.

Everything was getting more and more complicated as Oliver and Leo spoke. Why were they saying all of these things?

"You're so strong," Oliver whispered. "So strong and beautiful."

Hedda shook her head again and tried to pull her hands from his but he wouldn't let go.

"You're okay," he gently said. "Everything is going to be okay."

Her eyes welled up with tears again because she didn't think everything was going to be okay. She looked at him in the eyes and he gave her a soft smile.

"We see you," he said. "We've always seen you."

Sobs wracked her body as his words hit her. They had seen her the whole time. Seen the true her and were patiently waiting for her.

"You're okay," Leo whispered. "Let it all out. We're here for you."

"You're safe and nothing is going to happen," Oliver said.

She continued to sob as Leo held her and Oliver was rubbing the back of her hands.

"You can tell us what happened. We aren't going to judge you," Leo said. "We've killed before."

"B-but," she took in a shaky breath. "But that was different. You guys are heroes. I'm nothing but a murderer."

CHAPTER THIRTY

HEDDA

Oliver let go of her hand and she held back a whimper. Even though she previously didn't want them touching her, the loss of contact didn't sit well with her.

Why was he letting go of her hand? Did he finally realize what she was talking about? Was he finally disgusted that she had killed someone?

Leo let go of her and Hedda's heart sank. She didn't actually want them to give her up. She had just told herself they would, hoping it was real. But as they let go of her, she realized she didn't want them to.

Before Hedda could get off of Leo's lap, he turned her around and cupped her face with his hands. Oliver walked behind them so she could see both of them.

What were they doing? Were they going to tell her she needed to leave? Go back to New York and never contact them again?

"Hedda," Leo said. "Oh, Sweets."

Hedda's eyes filled with tears at his voice. He sounded heart broken and she didn't know why.

"Did you have bad intentions when you killed the person?" Leo asked.

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