Page 110 of My Mistake To Make

‘Yes, that’s my box.’

‘So, the letters inside, they’re yours.’

‘I don’t understa…’

‘Are they yours, Cara?’ he shouts, and I flinch, stepping back.

‘Yes, yes, they’re mine. Why are you mad?’

My heart is pounding in my chest, and heat rushes up my neck and burns my cheeks as he opens the box, and pulls out a letter, then starts to read.

‘I know what you did. You’re going to pay up, or all of Forest Falls will hear what kind of woman you really are.’

‘What…’ I gasp, not knowing what the hell is going on.

‘Since you care more about that shithole town than your own daughter, I’m guessing I’ll be getting myself a new house pretty soon.’

My chest rises and falls rapidly as he crumples the letter in his hand and throws it to the floor before pulling out another.

‘I did a little research. Turns out it’s pretty easy for you to sign all your investments over to me since I’m your only living blood relative.’

‘What the fuck is this?’ I ask, unable to hear another word.

‘This is your box.’

‘Yes.’

‘Your letters.’

‘Yes, but…’

‘You fucking lying bitch.’ My breath rushes out of me as the box hits the wall, the contents scattering to the floor, and I step back to lean against the counter behind me. ‘I trusted you.I trusted you with my kid.’

It’s like a knife to the heart to hear that in the past tense when I have no idea why anything has changed.

‘What are you accusing me of lying about, exactly?’ God, my voice is small, and he glares at me with fire in his eyes, then he laughs. And unlike the silky smooth laugh that has rocked through my body on so many occasions, this one is chilling. It’s laced with rage, cold, and hard, and tears wet my eyes as I realize I’m losing him tonight. I already have.

‘You played me for a fool. You pretended to be this sweet, naïve princess when all the time you’re a cold vindictive bitch.’

‘That’s twice, Douglas Campbell. You don’t get a third.’ My back straightens, and even as tears spill over my cheeks, I swallow hard and look him in the eyes. ‘What. Exactly. Are you accusing me of?’ I punctuate my words, and he takes a deep breath.

‘You blackmailed Roberta into giving you this house. You extorted money out of her. You lied to me, my family, and this whole town. I don’t even know who you are.’

‘Then go.’ My voice is stronger than it should be, given that my heart is crumbling in my chest, and I see the moment my words register. He didn’t expect that. He expected a fight. Well, I’m not giving him one.

‘You’re not even going to deny it?’

‘No, I’m not.’ I push away from the counter. ‘Because you’re not the man I thought you were either, and I don’t have to explain or justify anything to you.’

He huffs out a humorless laugh, and I see his nostrils flare in disbelief.

‘I trustedyou, Doug, but if you believe me capable of this, I guess we never knew each other after all. So, you can leave, and I’ll wait here for your sister.’

‘What?’

I take a seat on one of the breakfast bar stools and cross my legs.

‘Well, you’re accusing me of committing a criminal offense, so I’ll expect Breanne. Now, get out of my house.’

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