Page 116 of The Lies I've Told
“Don’t give up on him Millie, and don’t give up on your dreams. Fight for your happiness. Remember what mom said about being the key.”
“That was just a stupid metaphor, Molly,” I said. I had believed, up until a few weeks ago, that I’d unlocked the temperamental lock that was Aiden’s heart.
But now? Now, I was unsure about everything.
“It doesn’t make it any less true,” she reminded me.
I held on to these words as we said our good-byes, and I sent her back to her own house to do whatever it was that you did on maternity leave—wash baby bottles, stay up all night, and send four thousand pictures a day of your newborn to every person you knew.
That sort of thing.
I didn’t know how long I sat out on that patio by myself.
Spending time with my sister had given me a glimmer of hope. Maybe I was acting a bit rash. I wasn’t the best at practicing the art of patience after all, and my inclination to act impulsively was always at the forefront of my mind.
Aiden had asked me to trust him, and I needed to follow through with that, even if I got a little banged up in the process. Everyone had their plights, and relationships were sometimes about supporting each other through those rough times.
Even if it hurt.
Walking back to our suite, I made a mental note to contact Rita and let her know I was going forward with the contract. This was my home. I was here for better or for—
“What is all this?” Pushing open the door to our suite, I found suitcases.
Packed suitcases.
Our once messy room had been straightened.
No, not straightened.Emptied.
All of Aiden’s things had been removed, packed into the suitcases that now stood in a straight little line next to the bed.
“I’ve decided to head back home,” he answered, refusing to meet my gaze.
Funny, I thought you were already there.
I swallowed hard, my heart squeezing tight in my chest.
“For a visit?” I asked.
He finally turned, his expression grim.
No, definitely not for a visit.
“The project has been delayed for several months, love.”
“Don’t call me that,” I spat. “Not anymore. Not when you’re—” I couldn’t finish.
He sighed, a heavy sigh that filled the room momentarily as he took a seat on the edge of the bed. His head hung low, as if this were a burden for him.
As if I were a burden he needed to be rid of.
“The only reason I stayed was because I loved the inspiration the area gave. That, and—”
“And what?”
“Well, I knew it’d be easier to keep you here, in your hometown, rather than talking you into joining me in New York for a spell. And I liked having you around.”
“You liked having me around?”
