Page 129 of A Temporary Forever

His shoulders heave with another loaded sigh. “I’m sorry for what he did to you.”

“Nothing compares to what he did… what he’s still doing to you. But I was talking about my father.” Bile moves up my chest as I remember the man.

I slouch into the seat, suddenly unable to breathe. Caleb turns his head and I feel his gaze deep inside me. “Your father?”

The confines of the car start closing in on me. I lower the window, and honking cars, exhaust fumes, distant music and a news anchor’s voice infiltrate the small space.

Somehow it’s easier to tell him about myparents amidst the ruckus of Manhattan. “My father was jealous and controlling. He’d accuse my mom of flirting, make her change her clothes when he deemed them too revealing. He’d come to the theater where she worked and cause scenes.

“She shielded me from his wrath for most of my childhood, but when I was fifteen, he lost his job. He channeled his frustration into even more jealousy and control. I don’t know if he truly loved my mom, and I don’t know why she never tried to leave him. Or maybe she tried.

“He couldn’t find work, started drinking then and became more aggressive, but never ever physical. Until…”

A shudder rakes through my body as I recall the night when I lost the most important person in my life.

Caleb pulls me to him, understanding that I won’t be able to go through this story without his support.

“I was seventeen when he attacked me for wearing a slutty dress, but this time he accentuated his words with his fist. Mom intervened, but his rage was blinding and he pushed her away. She stumbled, fell, and hit her head on a coffee table.

“I left the country shortly after her funeral, and I vowed to always dress the way I want, and to never ever let anyone control me.”

“I fucking want to kill him right now.”

I chuckle humorlessly. “He’s in prison, and he’s not worth it.”

Caleb holds me tighter and kisses the crown of my head. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too. I’ve never told anyone. I miss my mom every single day.”

“When I snapped about your dress and raged about the low-life choreographer…”

“It triggered me.”

“Fuck, Celeste, I’ve never meant—”

I pivot to face him. “I know. That’s the fucked-up part. I don’t know why or how it happened, but I trust you. I trust that you wouldn’t hurt me. Even today, when you lashed out at Leon, you first checked if I was okay. My father would have accused me of asking for it. But there are occasions when I can’t control my reaction.”

“I’ve never been jealous before. This is the first time I find myself acting before I can think. The need to—”

I put a finger on his lips. “Don’t say anything right now. We’re both learning how to dance together. I told you the story because I wanted you to see the other outcome of that horrible night.

“I came to New York, I built a business, I booked some damn good gigs, I met you…” My breath hitches at the last thing. “I could have stayed home, grieved, and blamed my father, but I chose to celebrate my mom and be the best version of myself, one that would make her proud.”

“She’d be proud of you now.”

I smile, warmth spreading through my veins. His praise truly is something I never knew I needed.

“Your parents will never be proud of you, Caleb, because they are selfish, narcissistic people. Don’t let them rule your life. It’s noble you’re fixing as many of his mistakes as possible, but you need to look forward. He robbed you of the time with your family, but he can’t rob you of it again. You’re in control now.”

He nods, and we stay still for several long moments. It’s a stillness that deepens our understanding. That wraps all the hurt in kindness.

“I want Mia to spend more time with us.” He looks at me with a question in his eyes. “Would you be okay with that?”

As his wife, he means. As the woman who isn’t by his side only temporarily.

I smile. “I would love that.”

Chapter 34

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