Page 732 of The Tempted

“God wouldn’t do that to me,” she utters. “He wouldn’t take you and our girl from me. He isn’t that cruel.”

“Listen to me, Gracie, she’s going to be fine. God’s just testing her. He’s going to teach her a lesson by showing her how strong she truly is.”

“Pastore, it’s time,” the guard calls.

“I’ve got to hang up now, Gracie,” I say regretfully. “I love you, beautiful,” I whisper.

“I love you too, Victor,” she cries.

I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye and knew she couldn’t either. I hang the receiver up gently before releasing an anguished scream and lifting the receiver into my hand again, slamming it down over and over before dropping it and turning around to the CO.

“Take me back to my cell,” I ground out.

Once the cell closes, and I am alone in my cage, I close my eyes and there she is—my Gracie.

Only this time she wasn’t alone. This time she was with Nikki.

Twelve days.

Three visits.

One more phone call.

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