Page 140 of Keep This Promise
Theo is richer than anyone I’ve ever met, how he can’t afford to hire someone to keep me safe in England is insane. Also, he hasn’t explainedanything. I don’t understand this danger we are in or why Eden and I need to leave because of it. He’s telling me nothing, and we’re running out of time. For crying out loud, I can’t even start a fight with him about it and demand answers as he’s gasping for breath.
A part of me wonders if it’s even real, even though he tells me it is. “I don’t want to spend this time together fighting. You’re asking me to trust that I’m in danger, and I believe you, but none of it makes sense. I will do as you ask because you have always loved me more than I deserved and have never lied to me.” Although, it’s quite clear he hasn’t been honest about something since this is the first I’m hearing of danger in our lives.
“Look at me.” I lift my head. “You deserve more than I could give. You deserved more than the love of a brother or friend. Find someone who makes you light up. Who will love Eden like a daughter. Promise me.”
I don’t want to promise him that, but he’s dying, and I don’t want to deny him anything. “I promise.”
He takes my hands in his, holding them tight. “Keep this promise, Sophie. Now go. Go and follow every direction. Every single one. Exactly as it says.”
I lean down, pressing my lips to his. We may not have ever been sexually attracted to each other, but we have always been affectionate. “You are my best friend.”
“And you’re mine.”
“I will tell Eden all about her father. I will never let you go from our lives.”
His eyes close, and his lips tremble. “I will watch over you both.”
I sniff as the tears fall faster, and my hands tremble. God, I can’t do this. I can’t.
“Be safe because I can’t die knowing you are still in danger. Please, grant me this.”
My chest heaves as breathing becomes harder. Theo has never hurt me. Not ever. As kids, he was my protector. When my mum was at her worst, Theo was there, holding me together. The two of us have always sacrificed for one another, and I have to give him this. Even if it kills me.
I pull myself together, feeling as though I may shatter at any second, force myself to stand, and tuck him in. I can pretend we’ll see each other again. I must in order to do this.
“I love you.” I choke the words out.
“I love you, and I love Eden. I am sorry, Fee. I am sorry for the man I never was. I am sorry I am leaving you with this mess, but I have done all I can to keep you safe, and you must do everything exactly the way I say.”
I wipe my eyes and nod. “Okay.”
Gathering my belongings feels like agony, but if Theo is this worried, then maybe I need to be as well. Eden is my world, and I can’t allow any harm to come to her.
As I move to the door it’s as though my shoes have anchors as soles, and I pause to look at him once more. He gives me a crooked smile, his lips cracked and face sallow. I will not remember him this way. I’ll remember the boy who handed me his backpack after mine tore. Or the young man who filled in as my prom date after my boyfriend broke up with me the night before. And then the man who married me and raised my child after a drunk night in Vegas with a man I didn’t know. And then, I will see this man, who on his deathbed put us first to protect us from whatever mess he’s found himself in, even if I don’t understand any of it.
“It’s okay,” Theo says.
It’s not, but I force a smile before lifting my hands to my lips and blowing him a kiss. “I would’ve given you the heart from my chest.”
He grins. “Your heart is black and cynical. It wouldn’t have survived in my hopeful soul.”
The laughter falls from my lips, as do the tears from my eyes. “Rest now, Theo, it’ll be okay.”
I turn and run down the corridor, knowing if I stop, I’ll return to him. I don’t see anyone as I leave the hospital, but Martin, our driver, is waiting to open the door of the black car for me. He gives me a knowing look, his brown eyes filled with sadness.
When he gets in the driver’s seat, I look at him through the rearview mirror. “He’s gone. I need to go home.”
And find out where I’m going next.
ChapterTwo
SOPHIE
“Idon’t understand,” I say to Martin, looking down at the plane tickets he just handed me. “Why would I go to New York?”
“I don’t know, Mrs. Pearson, these are the instructions I was given.”
I want to scream because these instructions make no sense. I don’t know anyone in New York. I don’t have family or friends in the States. I have nothing there, and I have lost so much. Two hours ago, I got the call from the hospital letting me know Theo is dead. He’s gone and a part of my heart has gone with him. She then told me that his last words were: “Go, Sophie.”
