Page 103 of The Lake House

Iran out of Cheryl’s house faster than I could blink. Once I set my mind on getting my girl back, there was no stopping me. I’m just glad my sister is in my corner now.

If I have to wait for days until Giuliana comes out of her house again, I will.

If I have to go see her at Abner’s, I will.

If I have to beg Liv to let me inside so I can speak to her, I will.

I’m set on doing anything and everything I have to. I just hope there’s still a chance, and she finds it in her heart to take me back.

But what if she doesn’t? It’ll kill me.

I mean, I know I’ll move on someday and I’ll be fine, eventually. But I don’t want to live in this world without her. I don’t want to go through life without her.

When I reach her walkway, I take a deep breath and slowly make my way up her steps. This was the same spot where it all ended two weeks ago. Will this now be the same spot that I get my baby back? God, I hope so.

I ring her bell, but like always lately, there’s no response. I wonder if she’s here and is totally ignoring me or if she’s at Liv’s. Maybe I should head over there.

Or maybe I should head to the back and see if she’s sitting out facing the lake. She does that every once in a while to clear her mind. Maybe she’s there now?

Before heading to Liv’s, I decide to walk to the back of the house and see if Giules is there. With each step I take, knots twist and turn in the pit of my stomach. I’m so nervous, but to my luck, I see her sitting in a chair with her knees up to her chest, just watching the calmness of Silver Mist Lake.

I quietly inch closer, hoping not to startle her. “Giules…” I say, softly.

She doesn’t say anything for a long while, I guess letting it register in her brain that I’m here.

“I didn’t expect you to come back to see me,” she finally answers, but still doesn’t bother turning around to face me.

I stop in my tracks. “Of course I came back, Giules. I’ll never give up on you. Ever.”

She sucks in a sniffle.

I walk closer to her and finally reach her. When I do, she stands up from her seat and then turns to face me. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying. Her tear-stained cheeks are evident.

“Giules,” I whisper. “Please don’t cry, baby.” I reach out to touch her, but she steps back.

Damn, that hurt.

“Please don’t touch me,” she says through tears. “This is hard enough.”

Her words are like daggers in my heart. The reality of it all is killing me.

“Sweetheart, I’ve been going crazy without you. I needed to see you. I love you, Giules.” I’m dying to touch her and wipe her tears away.

But she doesn’t want me to.

And yet, a small sad smile pulls on her lips.

Damn, I miss her beautiful smile and her dark, gentle eyes. Her hair is in a messy updo, but she’s never looked more beautiful than she does now. I just wish she wasn’t so sad.

“Declan, I’m no good for you. I’m only going to bring you down and bring you pain. My life is too complicated, and it’s not fair to you. Or Lily.”

I shake my head. “I know you may think all that, but Giules, it’s not true. It’s not—”

“It is!” She shouts, cutting me off.

Suddenly, rain comes down hard and fast, soaking us. What the hell? This wasn’t in the weather reports.

Fuck it, it could rain, pour, sleet, snow, hail… I’m not leaving until I have Giules back in my life, or until she pushes me away to where I can tell she means it or has a better explanation than she does now why she can’t be with me. Because right now, all her reasoning is what my sister made her believe.

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