Page 19 of Destined Lovers

Even though each step is like stepping on glass, I ignore him and continue heading toward the door. Luckily, I’m close enough that he can’t catch up with me.

He mumbles something under his breath that I can’t make out. As much as I ache to fix it, I continue walking.

I know he’s probably trying to entice me to talk, life has taught me how to bite my tongue until he says…

“Who are you and whatever happened to my Nora?” With pain and anguish laced through his words. He’s hurting just as much as I am, maybe more. Because the difference is… I know the end game. I know that I plan to find him once I get my life back.

Declan’s not privy to the whole story, so how is this fair to him when he was always so good to me? He deserves better.

So, it’s then, I decide to give him just one truth that haunts me daily.

“I don’t know what happened to her. She’s been lost for a very long time.”

Declan

Time seems to slow down, and her words hit me like a punch to the gut. She’sbeen lost for a very long time.What does she mean by that? My heart beats hard in my chest, and the pain I feel for her is instant. Something is wrong here.Very wrong.

She does seem lost. I didn’t see it before, because I was so lost myself.

Confused, hurt, and angered by Nora that I didn’t take a second to realize that sheisthe same Nora, but with a world of hurt surrounding her.

I’m treading on thin ice and need to step back. Even though I have so many questions, it’s almost impossible to hold them in.

I’m getting the sense that I have to be strong for both of us here, which I’m not used to with Nora. As much as my head is ready to explode out of frustration, I need to do right by her.

Do I leave as she asks? Never getting my questions answered.

Or do I do what my instincts say and stick around until she’s ready to tell me? Be patient, and let her open up on her own time.

Of course, option two is what I want to do, but will Nora let me is the big question? I think the only way to find out is if I step back and stop bombarding her.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not giving up, and I’m not leaving. I’m just putting the questioning on the back burner for now. It’s probably what I should have done from the start since when I first saw her in the bar, my plan went to shite, and my brain went blank.

I quickly look around the property, not wanting to take my eyes off her but wanting to get a sense of the new Nora living in this big old house.

Does she live here alone? With her parents?

No. I need to stop thinking of more questions and focus on the right now.

I turn my attention back to Nora and watch her intently.

Staring at her back is difficult because it’s like looking at a stranger. Unrecognizable without her red hair.

Her head is hung low, and her hands are buried in the pockets of her jumper. She hasn’t moved a muscle since uttering those devastating words.

We’re both at an impasse, I want to stay, and she wants me to leave. Even with what she said, a small part thinks she may need me. Why else would she give me that information?

After another minute, she starts to move toward the house again, and I panic.

I’m desperate. I can’t watch her walk away again.

It will tear me to pieces.

“Wait,” I call. “Please don’t go, Nora. I won’t ask another question of you.”

She pauses and turns her head slightly so I can see her profile not speaking a word.

I rub my chin with my fingers and think about what I should say, something that will get her to stay without freaking her out.

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