Page 86 of Legacy

She nods, wincing. “I wouldn’t let them.”

“You wouldn’t let them what?”

“Bea…” Her eyes flutter closed as she drifts back to sleep.

25

Reagan

I’m heavy from bodyto limb with a lack of sleep.

Every time I closed my eyes last night, all I could see was Sera in the dirt, barbed wire cutting into her skin.

Every time my mind quieted, I heard her screaming.

And even when I blinked open my eyes, I could still feel the haunting emptiness in Jesse’s face. His hollow stare. A haunted gaze that told me he was somewhere else entirely.

He’s been closed off from the moment I met him, but last night, I felt him drifting even further. A boat kissing the horizon right before it disappears.

Whatever progress we’ve made in my time here, he shoved deep down last night, and I worry there’s no getting it back.

Jesse has been ignoring my texts, and our one phone call was quick and to the point.

Why am I still trying?

This ishislife.

Hisfamily.

The mother of his daughter was left tortured and bleeding at the gate to the compound. Jesse has more important things to worry about than responding to texts from his daughter’s nanny. Especially when I’ve told him that Bea is fine.

We had our fun, but now it’s over. I always knew reality would catch up with us, and here it is. Staring me down and daring me to call chicken.

Regardless of the hole widening in my chest, I respect Jesse enough not to push him when he’s going through the unimaginable. I’ll be here for Margaret as I always intended. I’ll help with Bea until he finds a replacement. Then I’ll leave—taking my Lincoln problems with me.

Maybe instead of returning to Glendale, I’ll try somewhere new.

I’m no longer the girl who didn’t know how to navigate outside the role she’s been conditioned to accept. Jesse made it feel safe to explore. He made impossible things feel within reach. And even when I was at my sassiest, pushing his buttons, he didn’t strip me of my confidence or belittle me. He listened. He paid attention.

He saw my worth.

I owe it to myself to do the same.

Here at the Twisted Kings compound, I got a taste of another life. Of family that extends beyond blood. Of what rewards can be found when a risk is taken.

I’m not ready to go. I’ll never be ready to leave Jesse and Bea. But I’ll do what’s right for everyone, and I’ll neverregret putting myself out there for the first time in my life.

“Reagan!” Bea throws herself at me, and I choke back the burning behind my eyes.

She has no idea what’s going on with her mom and dad, and it hurts to think of how much is outside of my control right now.

I force a smile as Bea pulls back and swallow the knot in my throat.

“You ready to go?”

She nods, smiling up at me. And I wave goodbye to Tempe as she closes the door.

Bea skips at my side as we make the short walk between Steel’s and Jesse’s houses.

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