Page 272 of Mountain Grump
To shoot her.
Because he threatened to kill her over money.
It’s always been about money.
The betrayals.
The verbal abuse.
The fear.
For Tilda, her abuse has always been about money.
And now… I’m just another person in that line.
Another person who hurt her for dollars.
“I know I’m being a hypocrite. Money is the reason we got married in the first place.” Her words are quiet as she shakes her head.
“That’s not… I don’t want the money. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” My voice breaks.
“You could’ve told me. There were so many times you could’ve told me the truth.” Her composure finally cracks, and more tears pour from her eyes. “But you didn’t. You never said anything.” She takes a step back. Into the doorway. “Two weeks, Ethan.”
“Tilda.”
She takes another step back. Into the house. “Tomorrow morning… I was going to tell you I love you.”
My shoulders sag as my heart breaks in half. “Matilda.”
“But I found the letter instead.” She takes another step back.
“Starlight.”
“And now I’m not your problem anymore.”
She shuts the door.
And turns the lock.
And it’s exactly like that phone call.
Something inside me dies.
And it’s exactly like that fucking phone call.
Chapter 151
Tilda
I putmy back against the door and my face in my hands. And I sob.
I slide to the floor. And I close my eyes. And I let my heart fall to pieces.
Chapter 152
Ethan
I standon the other side of the door.
