Page 104 of Crossing Lines

“I think it’s time for you to leave,” Nate says, stepping in between Mom and us. “I’d be happy to escort you out.”

“This isn’t over,” Mom says, glaring at me. “You’re going to regret this.”

She storms to the front door, and it slams shut a moment later.

I stare at the door, my chest tightening. The reality of what I’ve just done reverberating in my bones. I’m done with her. For good this time. And I refuse to change my mind. My breathing hitches, and the tears I’ve been holding back start to slip down my cheeks, slowly at first, then faster, until they’re falling in heavy streams.

Something inside me cracks open at the finality of it all.

I collapse to the ground. A sob escaping my throat, raw and uncontrollable, and before I know it, I’m crying harder than I ever have. All the years of hoping, of trying to fix something that was broken beyond repair, all the blame, the guilt—it all rushes out of me in a flood I can’t control.

Evren kneels down in front of me, andholds me while I grieve the loss of my mom, of the parent that she wasn’t capable of being.

I bury my face in his chest. “I don’t know why it hurts so much,” I confess, my voice breaking. “She’s never been a real mom to me…so why does it still hurt like this?”

His hand stills for a moment, and then lifts my chin up so that I’m looking at him. “Because you’re human,” he says, his thumb wiping away the tears from my cheek. “And because you wanted something she could never give you. You’re the strongest person I know, and I’m so proud of you.”

“But I don’t feel strong,” I whisper. “I feel so weak.”

“I think that’s what it feels like when you finally let go of something you’ve carried for too long,” he murmurs, voice gentle. “At least that’s my experience. It doesn’t feel good right away. It just feels…heavy. But eventually, it does get better.”

“I hope so,” I whisper. “And I know we talked about therapy before, but I think I really need it now.”

“Are you okay if I find you a therapist, or would you prefer to do it yourself?”

“Can you help?” I don’t have a clue where to begin, and I’m so tired of doing everything myself.

“Of course.”

I sigh. “I wasn’t lying when I said a restraining order won’t be enough. She’ll tell false stories to the press about us or do something else to get back at me. She’ll make our life a living hell.”

“I know you’re afraid of her, but my lawyers and my security team will keep us safe.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for all this?” My voice shakes with the weight of my mother’s schemes. “For yet another person trying to take advantage of you or hurt you?”

“As long as we’re together, I don’t care.”

“Promise?” I ask, desperation creeping into my tone. “Because being with me isn’t easy. My mom will cause nothing but trouble for us, and then there’sus, the age gap. I don’t want you to wake up one day and regret being with me.”

“How could I ever regret the best thing that’s ever happened to me?” He cups my cheeks, his gaze steady and sincere. “I don’t see a gap—it’s just us. Age isn’t about numbers; it’s about what we’ve lived through, what we’ve faced. And you and I, we’ve been through enough to know that we’re equals in every way that matters.”

The fear that’s been wrapped around my heart loosens, and all that’s left is a steady rhythm.He’s not going anywhere. I let that truth sink into my soul, and for the first time in my life, I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder, waiting for everything to fall apart.

With Evren, I’m finally allowed to believe in something real.

Chapter 27

Evren

Since Nina confronted her mom a few days ago and filed a restraining order, I’ve been working from home, tethered to the edge of my nerves. I glance at the clock for the hundredth time today. She’s holding up, but I can’t shake the gnawing worry that this is only the calm before the storm.

The doorbell jolts me out of my thoughts, and a second later, Elodie sweeps into the kitchen, her movements brisk and focused. She’s been a constant presence these past few days, a steadying force for Nina when I can’t be.

“Hey,” she says, holding out an envelope. “This was in your mailbox.”

“Thanks,” I say, taking the envelope from her. “Nina’s upstairs. She’ll be down in a minute.”

“That’s fine,” Elodie says, hesitating just enough to catch my attention. “I actually came to talk to you.”

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