Page 71 of The Beat of her Heart

“She seemsnice,” Mom offered, but Giselle could hear the underlying skepticism in her tone.

“Stop,” Giselle said, frustration bubbling over. “Just stop.”

“What are you afraid of?” her dad asked, crossing her arms.

“Afraid?” Giselle echoed, incredulous. “I’m not afraid. I’m trying to live my life and be happy.”

“There you go with your talk of happiness again,” her dad replied, his tone clipped. “You need stability.”

“Stability doesn’t mean sacrificing who I am,” Giselle retorted.

“Then why do you hide behind a different name?” Mom pressed.

“I’m not hiding anything,” Giselle shot back. “It’s my choice, and you need to respect that.”

Mom sighed, her demeanor softening slightly. “We only want what’s best for you.”

Giselle shook her head. “What’s best for me is to be myself. I can’t keep living in your shadow.”

Giselle could feel the walls closing in. She wanted to fight back, but felt exhausted. She’d been fighting for so long.

“We’re just concerned,” her dad said finally, his tone more subdued.

“I don’t need your concern,” Giselle said. “I need your support.”

Her parents remained silent. Giselle turned and headed back to the kitchen, needing to escape. She poured herself a cup of tea, letting the warmth seep into her hands.

She would not be defined by their expectations. She’d find her own path, with or without their approval.

Giselle stared at her phone screen, her finger hovering over Addie’s name. She dialed, holding her breath as the line rang.

No answer.

Her stomach tightened and she set the phone down, forcing herself to stay calm. She couldn’t blame Addie. She could only blame the situation she’d let unfold.

She drained her cup of tea in one gulp, the bitter taste grounding her. She set the empty cup in the sink with a slight clink. It felt too quiet now that Addie was gone.

Taking a deep breath, she turned back toward the living room where her parents waited. She could hear their low voices, probably discussing her like they always did. She straightened her shoulders, ready to go back in and face them.

She wasn’t letting them win this time.She wouldn’t let them keep her chained to their ideals or keep her from being happy. And Addie…Addie made her happy.

Giselle walked back into the room, resolved. She was certain of one thing—she loved Addie.

22

ADDIE

Addie was done.

She wasn’t new to disappointment, to feeling like she wasn’t enough for someone. Her last relationship had done a number on her.

But she’d wanted Giselle to be different. For weeks, Addie had allowed herself to feel like maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t just some game. But today had made it clear that Giselle had kept her at a distance and hidden parts of herself Addie had thought she’d finally been let into. And now here she was, feeling foolish for believing in someone else’s potential.

She leaned back against the seat,pressing her head against the cool glass window and crossing her arms tightly over her chest. Alex glanced at her through the rearview mirror with a questioning gaze, but Addie stayed quiet, looking anywhere but her reflection.

They drove in silence for several minutes. Addie’s eyes drifted to the passing streets, the smiling passersby seeming to mock her swirling thoughts.

Nothing could distract her from the ache in her chest.

---