Page 30 of Wanted

I shook my head in amazement. I actually felt sorry for thepathetic woman standing in front of me. Not only was she delusional, but shewas insane if she thought I would ever take her back.

The longer she stood in front of me, the more I suspectedsomething else was up. There was no way she truly thought she could win me over.So, what else could it be?

I was lost until something occurred to me. I saw the way her eyeslit up when she walked into my house. She came from money, so she shouldn’thave been so impressed.

Then a light bulb wentoff.

“You need money, don’t you, Cora?” My words made her turn awayfor a split-second.Bingo.She was herefor a handout. But something else didn’t add up, either. No way would Cora showup at my house, unannounced in the middle of the night, confess she told Sarawhat she did and still expect me to give her what she wanted.

No. Someone put her up to it. Someone had convinced her that hercrazy plan would work. Someone who knew how desperate she was.

And I had an idea exactly who it was. Only one other person I knewhad the balls to back such a foolish plan: the guy who was still trying to messwith me. Well, I’d had enough. I was going to take care of him once and forall.

“Cameron put you up tothis, didn’t he?” She looked stunned I’d actually figured it out. “Didn’t he?”I roared.

I didn’t give her a chance to deny it before I seized her wristand dragged her toward the front door. As soon as I opened it, I shoved heroutside.She didn’t fall, but she didstumble. “Go fucking askhimfor ahandout because you won’t get one from me. And Cora? If youevercome near me or Sara again, you’llregret it.Trust me.”

As the door latched shut on my past, I couldn’t help but wonderwhat my future would bring.

~~~~

For two months I’d been drowning in grief, and I couldn’t take itany longer. Sara missing from my life was like my heart being torn from mychest. I knew I was the one who sliced it out, but at the time I thought it wasfor the best. For her. I wasn’t so sure anymore.

I’d witnessed her version of living over the past eight weeks. Ididn’t even know if she was aware I was watching, but I was. Of course I was; Ihad to make sure she was all right. Well, physically, at least. It was thewhole reason I’d basically broken it off with her.

A reason I’d instantly regretted.

She was sullen and removed, never venturing out except to hershop then back home again. I didn’t even think she went to the grocery store,most likely relying on Alexa to take care of all the mundane daily tasks.

Physically, although still the most beautiful woman I’d ever laideyes on, she lost weight. Her face was forever saddened and most times, hereyes were reddened and swollen. I hated I was the person solely responsible forturning her into a shell of her former self.

Amongst her sadness, however, was deep-seated anger. I had nodoubt in my heart she hated me. She told me so. And even if she hadn’t meant itthat night, enough time had gone by for those feelings to have been cementeddeep inside of her. I would rather her hate me than be torn apart by what I didto her. Yes, anger was a much better emotion to wrangle with. It provided ablanket of comfort, something to ward off the knives trying to weave themselvesinto one’s very soul.

I knew of such things because anger sheathed me every day. Ihated myself and tried to find comfort in the bottom of a bottle. Each night,I’d drown my sorrows with the burning liquid. It lasted for only a short while,then I was back to harboring regret and anger in the morning. I was slowlykilling myself; every day I didn’t redeem myself was another proverbial nail inthe coffin.

One day, I’d finally woken up with hope in my heart. I was goingto attempt to see Sara. I needed to try and explain why I’d done what I did. Knowingher, she definitely wouldn’t make it easy for me and I wouldn’t want her to. Hell,I didn’t know if she would even talk to me again. Ever. But I had to try.

The tracking device on her phone was still active. I didn’t knowif she forgot about it or if she secretly hoped I’d use it someday. I washoping for the latter. I wouldn’t show up at Full Bloom or her apartment. Ididn’t want to disturb any kind of solace she’d been able to find at eitherplace. I was admittedly an asshole, but I wasn’t cruel.Although some might beg to differ.

The next time she ventured anywhere else, though, I was going toaccidentallyrun into her. I was hoping she still had love in her heart for me, even if shehated me. The connection we shared was too powerful for her feelings todisappear altogether.

It was what I would keep repeatingto myself until the day I’d finally be able to see her again.

~20~

Sara

Three months had passed since I’d seen or heard from Alek. It wasa struggle each single day to try and function like a normal human being. Withevery ounce of strength I possessed, I’d drag my sorry ass out of bed in themorning. No more than four hours of sleep rescued me from my reality, so notonly was I an emotional wreck, but my physical self had taken a beating, aswell. I’d lost weight, my hair wasn’t as vibrant and there were dark circlesunder my eyes.Thank God for concealer.ButI didn’t care. I was simply living to exist.

There were many times I’d chastised myself for ever becominginvolved with Alek. Going in, I knew it was too good to be true. I feared he’dbreak my heart…and he did. He was good, though. Telling me he loved me, actingas if my safety was his number one concern…I felt like a fool.

The last time I’d seen him played over and over in my head. Thatawful woman standing in his house, him practically naked. What were they doingbefore I rang his doorbell? The mere thought was torture, so I tried not tothink about it but sometimes, when I was feeling really low, I took it there.

Seeing the anger laced in his eyes had confused me, though. Iwasn’t sure if he was upset before he opened the door or once he’d realized itwas me on the other side. There were too many what-ifs. I would never trulyknow the full story, and I had to chalk it up to nothing more than an extremelyheartbreaking life lesson.

Don’t fall for hot, richmen. And surely don’t give that same man a second chance after he reveals he’dbeen watching you for eight years.

But even that, I came to understand. After he’d explainedeverything, mentioning his promise to my grandmother, a woman who I loved morethan anything, I saw the situation for what it was. A young man trying to helpease an elderly woman’s heart, but also trying to make up for not being able tosave his own sister.

---