Page 270 of Mountain Grump
“I’m not doing anything, Ethan. Nothing will change for you.”
My breath claws at my throat. “Nothing? You’re not marrying anyone else. This isn’t?—”
I start to take a step closer, but Tilda holds her hands up.
Stopping me.
A crack forms through the stone of my heart.
She stopped me.
“It’s all I’m going to ask of you.” She tries to smile.
Matilda tries to fucking smile as tears spill down her cheeks.
And it’s just like that first time.
Just like that first fucking time.
“Please…”
Please don’t cry.
Please let me explain.
Please don’t treat me like I’m the stranger you met. Right here. Months ago.
“I don’t care about the money. I know I should’ve told you.” I try to keep my voice even. Try to fight down the panic. Try to prevent the doom. “I threw that letter away. I don’t know how…”
“It was under the couch.” Tilda lowers her hands and twists her fingers in her dress. “Throwing it away wouldn’t stop the deposit.”
I crumple the letter in my fist. “I don’t care about the money. I… I haven’t thought about it in weeks. I was going to call the lawyer. Cancel it. I never wanted it.”
“Did you?” I can see the hope flicker in her eyes. “Did you cancel the payment?”
And fuck. I want to lie.
I want to lie so fucking bad.
But I can’t.
Not to her.
I slowly shake my head, watching in real time as I break the rest of her heart. “Starlight…”
“Did the letter arrive on time? Did you get it before Vegas?” More tears roll down her cheeks. “Before our wedding? Before… th-that night?”
She’s so still.
So quiet.
But her eyes give her away.
They’re filled with so much fucking pain.
“I…”
“Yes or no, Ethan.”
