Page 139 of Cuffed By Love

“That works both ways, Dev. Your life was once here too, and now you’ve got an even bigger reason to stay.”

Devin closes his eyes, “Mira, I can’t stay here, babe.”

Mira sighs and pulls his hands from her face, and steps away. “And I can’t leave, Dev.”

“So what then?” Devin questions frustratedly. “I can’t stay; you can’t leave. What the hell are we supposed to do?!”

“I don’t know!” Mira shouts back and sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I can’t force you to choose me and stay. So, there’s only one clear option.”

“We call it quits.” Devin voices sullenly, and Mira nods. “Is that really what you want?”

“No, but it’s what needs to be done,” Mira tells him sorrowfully, looking up at him, her amber eyes drowned in tears.

Devin nods and drops his gaze. “Fine.”

“Fine.”

* * *

One week later

“Oh my God,Ayla! The wedding is off. We’re not getting married. We broke up!” Mira gripes, looking at her older sister, who is gaping at her while she sits on the floor, eyes rimmed red and face blotchy from crying for days on end.

“What do you mean you broke up? What about the baby?”

Mira closes her eyes and shakes her head. “He broke up with me, not the baby. He’s still going to be there for his child.” She utters miserably and blows her nose. Ayla goes to fire another question at her, but Mira holds her hand up. “Please don’t ask me any more questions. I don’t want to hear it; I don’t have the answers, okay. All I wanted was for him to choose me for once; why can’t he ever just choose me, Ayla!” Mira cries. Ayla sits beside her baby sister, wraps her arms around her shoulders and pulls her closer.

“You’re asking him to give up on his dream, Mira.”

“I thought I was his dream! I thought our baby was his dream, but apparently, his stupid record label is more important to him than the woman he supposedly loves and his unborn child. I should have known this would never last because it’s what he does; he leaves…he always leaves.” Mira sobs forlornly. “I’m done with him. These are the last tears I’ll ever shed for that…selfish knobhead.” She weeps, falling into Ayla's lap.

“Uh-huh, sure it is,” Ayla utters, patting her sisters head and shaking her head. “Oh, by the way, dad’s got a surprise for you. It’s why I’m here. I need to blindfold you and take you to theirs.”

Mira sniffles and looks up at her. “What surprise?”

Ayla shrugs, dabbing away at her tears with a tissue. “I don’t know, but we need to go right away. Come on, up, you get.” Mira groans when Ayla drags her up to her face.

“I don’t want to go; I just want to stay here and drown myself with Ben and Jerry’s.”

“Don’t be silly, come on. You’re better than this. Evans girls don’t fall apart over a boy. Pull yourself together.”

“Shut up, Ayla. You sound like Mum.” Mira grumbles, following her sister out of the door. Ayla sniggers as they get into her Tesla. “This better be a good surprise. Like a boat or a pony.”

“You hate boats, and you’re allergic to ponies, Mira.” Ayla giggles, tying the blindfold around her eyes once they arrive at their destination. “You need to stay quiet, no talking until he hands you the surprise. Okay?”

“Ayla, what kind of nonsense is this? Can’t talk until dad gives me the surprise?” Mira gasps. “Is it a puppy!”

Ayla grins, “Shh, you’ll see in a minute. If you talk, dad won’t give it to you, so be quiet.”

“All right, fine, can you hurry up, please? I’d like to go back to the meltdown you so rudely interrupted. I’ve got a date with Patrick Swayze.” Mira gripes following Ayla cautiously.

“Shush.”

“Don’t shush me.”

“Ahh, there you are.” Noah Evans says, grinning. “Hold out both your arms and keep them steady.” Mira holds out her arms, and her dad extends them out further out in front of her. She waits anxiously to find out what the surprise is. Hoping for an adorable little puppy she’s been begging for since she was a little girl. However, that hope plummets when she feels cold steel around her wrist and the distinct sound of clicking.

“What the hell—” Mira yanks down the blindfold and looks at the handcuff around her dainty wrist. Her puzzled gaze follows the arm she’s bound to, and her eyes grow wide when they lock with a familiar pair of brown ones. Devin stares back at her, just as puzzled.

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