Page 19 of Holidays and Handcuffs

“I need space. I need to think. Just... please just let me be.”

She sounds so broken, my chest tightens, and I want so badly to reach for her, to tell her everything I was too much of a coward to say before. But the look in her eyes stops me. She’s hurt, and I did that. She turns and walks away, her figure disappearing down the driveway, and it feels like a part of me goes with her.

Rage wells up inside me, not at Emily, but at her parents. The ones who should have cherished her, but instead, they’ve torn her down. I turn and head back into the house, anger boiling in my veins. As soon as I walk in, her parents are standing there, smug looks plastered on their faces like they’ve won some kind of sick victory.

“You’re lucky I don’t convince Emily to sue your entire family,” I spit. “You’re all disgusting.”

Her mother gasps, clutching her pearls like I’ve just insulted the queen, and her father steps forward, trying to look imposing. “How dare you come into my house and—”

“No, you don’t get to talk.” I step closer, clenching my fists. “How dare you treat Emily the way you have her whole life. All you’ve ever done is treat her like she’s worthless, but it ends tonight. She’s coming with me and if youeverreach out to her or try to come after her, I will end you.”

Her father folds his arms. “You think you know everything about this family?" His voice drips with arrogance. “You have no idea what we’ve—”

“I know enough.” My voice rises, my anger barely in check. “I willendyou, do you understand?”

Then, I turn to Billy, who’s trembling in the corner. I stalk up to him, grab him by his shirt, and slam him so hard against the wall, the picture frames shake.

“I don’t regret for one second what I did to you in court, but if you think that’s all I’ve got up my sleeve, I dare you to try me. I will have you locked up for more than just drug distribution, you piece of shit. You better start acting like you only have one life to live, Billy, because as of today, you do—and if I find out you ever try to contact Emily, there won’t be anyone to save you.”

I drop him and he falls to floor. I look each of her parents in the eyes before slamming the front door behind me. I get into my car, my fists clenched as I grip the steering wheel tighter than necessary. The anger pulses through me with every turn of the wheel, but it’s nothing compared to the ache in my chestfor Emily. I search the streets, driving past her apartment, but there’s no sign of her.

She’s not there.

My heart races, panic clawing at me, where could she be? And then a thought strikes—the hidden lake.Maybe she’s gone there.

The second I pull up and see her silhouette by the frozen water, a wave of relief washes over me.

She doesn’t turn when I approach, and the pain in her posture nearly breaks me. I stand there for a moment, watching her. “Princess,” I finally say.

She looks up, tears shining in her eyes, but there’s no anger, only sadness. My heart twists. I take off my scarf and wrap it around her neck, pulling it snug to keep her warm.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, my voice thick. “I should’ve told you everything about Billy.”

She gives a small shake of her head, her breath clouding the air in front of her. “I’m not mad at you for testifying against Billy… Call me a bad person, but I don’t feel bad that he was put away.”

I step closer, my hands resting on her shoulders. “You’re not a bad person, Princess. You’re the best person I know.”

Her lips tremble as she looks up at me, her voice quiet. “Jack, all my life I’ve been treated like I don’t matter. Like I’m invisible. I thought you were different but…"

My heart cracks wide open. “You matter to me, Princess. You do. You mean everything.”

Her eyes flick to mine, full of hurt and doubt. “Then why didn’t you tell me about Billy? Why did you keep that from me?You didn’t think I deserved to know? Because that’s exactly how my parents treat me... like I don’t deserve anything.”

Her words slam into me. I reach out, cupping her cold face with both hands.

“It wasn’t that, Emily. I was scared. Scared that if you knew, you might leave me. I didn’t want to hurt you, I swear. But I see now that I did. I never meant to make you feel like you didn’t matter, because you do. You matter more than anyone.”

Her lip’s part, but no words come out. “I should’ve told you,” I whisper. “You matter to me Emily, and I love you, I’ve loved you for longer than I can remember.”

“You love me?” she asks, it’s as if she can’t believe it.

“With everything I am. I’ll spend every day proving it to you, if you’ll let me”

Her tears fall, and she looks at me with an intensity that shakes me to my core. “I love you too, Jack…”

Relief washes over me and I can’t help it, before she even finishes, I’m pulling her into my arms, my lips crashing against hers. The snow falls softly around us, but all I feel is the warmth of her kiss.

She loves me.

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