Page 31 of Unconditionally With Me
“I can’t lie and say I never thought about you, because I did. I cursed you and hated you not only for what you did to Trina but because I wondered how I could fall in love with such a monster. What kind of person did that make me?”
I suck in a breath that causes my chest to ache.
Then she continues. “It took me a long time until I realized it was never about me. Your utter selfishness was about you. Do you want to know when I realized that? When I realized your fucked-up actions weren’t a reflection on me? And they stopped impacting my life?”
“When?” Erik’s voice is raw.
“When I received the letter about the inheritance from your aunt Rachel. And now I realize she wasn’t just leaving me a bequest and a part of herself with her words; she was apologizing for you—something she shouldn’t have had to do. Now, I also wonder what she had to live with to build her life here in Seattle, live her last days here—surrounded by friends instead of family,” Elle lashes out.
“Elle, that was her choice,” he starts, but she bulldozes over him.
“I know her solely because of you. And in her dying days, she apologized for you. Now, you may think what Trina and I lived through was rough? I guarantee you that’s nothing in comparison to the emotions your great-aunt felt as she penned that letter to me.”
Erik flinches but doesn’t say anything. Because he knows she’s right.
Then Elle demands of Erik, “What do you want from me? Why are you here?”
“I—we—would like to apologize.”
“You and Will.”
“Yes.”
“Then why isn’t he here?”
Good question. My eyes flit to the door, wondering if we should expect another surprise.
“He wrote a letter for Trina. And Elle, there’s a check in there for her.” He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out an envelope.
“You have got to be kidding me. You think money can fix this.”
“No. We don’t. But it will help make her children’s lives easier.” He stands and holds the envelope out to her.
She doesn’t take it, merely stares at it like he’s holding out a snake.
Erik sighs before placing the envelope on the table between them. “Elle, there’s no strings attached with this. None whatsoever. Pritchley isn’t my attorney; he’s the estate’s attorney. And before Will and I made this decision, we consulted with our attorney. This gift from the estate doesn’t in any way violate the agreement Will signed forfeiting his rights.”
Elle cuts her eyes to Pritchley, who simply nods. “The money comes from the estate, Ms. Bruder. I can confirm that.”
She slowly reaches for the envelope. “I’ll let Trina know.”
Erik nods before standing. He makes his way to the door. Before he reaches it, Elle calls out, “Erik?”
He pauses and turns to face her. He quirks a brow.
“Willa? After Rachel?” Elle remarks quietly.
Damn. If I hadn’t been in love with her for years, I would be now for offering the man that small measure of peace so he can go home and hug his daughter.
His weary expression fades just a bit. “Willa Rachel. I loved her just as much as she loved me even if I wasn’t perfect. You see, Elle, I did a dick thing to a woman, my best friend, when I was supposed to be in love with her. Rachel knew there’s no way this individual could ever forgive me for it despite my wanting to apologize once I realized the magnitude of my egregiousness.”
Elle’s head drops. The silence is oppressive between them. Finally, Erik clears his throat and says, “Thank you all for your time.” Then he exits the room.
After he does, a cloud of emotion lifts. I immediately go to Elle. Wrapping my arms around her, I whisper in her ear, “I love you.”
“I know. God, do I know that.” Squeezing my forearms, she turns to Pritchley before saying, “Was that why you encouraged me to come to Seattle, or is there more to this little sideshow that we couldn’t handle via email?”
I don’t even bother to hide my laugh as Pritchley flushes bright red and stammers out a reply.
