Page 106 of Unwrapping Romance

“Get out!” I shouted, throwing a pillow at him.

“Calm down.”

“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down!” I screamed and found it hard to breathe. I gasped.

Jack ran over and cradled my face in his hands. “Look at me, Sierra. Name five objects in this room. Do it!” he shouted as he saw me struggling. “Five objects, Sierra!”

“Pillow, dresser, TV, lamp, curtains.” My breathing started to return to normal.

He pulled me into him and held me tight. “You have nothing to be afraid of. I’m here, and I’m going to help you get through this.”

“You’re the one who caused all this. Why, Jack? How could you?” I pushed him away.

“I’ll be right back and explain everything. You stay put.” He pointed at me.

He returned to the bedroom with the advent calendars a few moments later.

“Open yours, and I’ll open mine.” He climbed on the bed next to me.

We opened the little doors and took out the bottles of whiskey. Twisting off the cap, I drank the entire bottle in one gulp.

“Wow.” His brows furrowed.

The burn soothed and calmed me down.

“I love you so much, sweetheart. I had to do what was right. I went to that bakery and confronted her. She told me the story. If I hadn’t, you would have eventually because I know it’s been eating you up inside since you saw her. You needed to know the reason why she did what she did. Now you know. What you do with that information is up to you. I won’t push you, and we won’t talk about it if you don’t want to. But remember, I love you more than anything, and all I want is to make you happy.”

“Well, you didn’t make me happy, Jack. It hurts so bad.” I opened tomorrow’s door and took out the bottle.

“What are you doing?” He went to grab it from my hand.

“Touch my bottle, and I will hit you with it. You’ve been warned.”

“Okay.” He put his hands up. “I won’t touch it. Jesus, Sierra. It’s all out in the open now, and it’s time to put our pasts to rest and move on with our lives together.”

I sipped the whiskey, put the cap back on, and set it on the nightstand. He still made me feel safe even though I was mad at him. I snuggled my body against him as his arm wrapped tightly around me.

“It’s okay, sweetheart.”

“I don’t know how to feel, Jack.”

“I know you don’t.” His lips pressed against the top of my head. “I know all too well that same feeling.”

“My mother was a prostitute.”

“People make bad choices when they have nowhere else to turn. It doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a second chance.”

I lifted my head and stared at him, furrowing my brows.

“You had an epiphany, and suddenly, you know everything?”

He chuckled. “I wish I knew everything, but I don’t. I only know what you’re going through. I know our circumstances are a bit different, but I still know. We’ve spent a lifetime letting our pasts dictate how we feel out of abandonment and rejection. That chapter of our lives is over, sweetheart. We’re starting a new chapter—one where there isn’t any abandonment and rejection, only love, happiness, and family. I love you, Sierra Knight, and you love me. That’s how our new chapter is beginning.”

“Do I love you, Jack? Do I?”

“Yes. Through all your hurt and pain right now, you do love me. I can see it in your eyes.” He smiled.

I sighed and laid my head on his chest. “I do love you, but I have a headache.”

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