Page 45 of Where You Belong

She reaches for a tissue off the end table and dabs it under her eyes.

“When I found out I was pregnant with you, things only worsened. I couldn’t trust him, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to trust him to take care of you. I was terrified of the people he was running around with. They were bad people, and I had a feeling it was the reason Gage was gone. I didn’t want you to grow up in this life. I wanted better for you. When I saw the opportunity to get out, I ran like hell out of Arbor Creek and didn’t look back.”

I can practically see the weight of the secret lift off her shoulders. She slumps back against her chair, her hands shaking as she runs the tissue underneath her eyes.

She takes a deep breath. When she finally looks up and meets my gaze, a small smile curves the edge of her mouth.

“I’m sorry, Hae. I’m so very sorry.”

My heart aches at the sight of her like this. I know without a doubt she was doing what she felt was best for me. Knowing he’s in prison now solidifies it.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Mom. I will never be sorry for walking away from Atlas because I know it was best for me and Huxton.”

She chokes out a sob, covering her mouth again as she nods. This time, I give in and go to her, kneeling on the floor in front of her as she leans forward to wrap her arms around me in a hug.

“I should’ve told you sooner. You deserved…” Her voice cracks. “You deserved to know the truth, and I’m sorry it took me so long to gather the courage to be honest.”

“It’s okay.”

I pull back and brush my thumb under her eyes, wiping the tears away.

“When you were born, I gave you my last name. Not many people know the truth. The last time I spoke to your father, I made him promise me to keep it that way. He agreed, only because he knew I was right. When he got put away, he brought a large drug operation down with him. I didn’t want them to try to hurt him by coming after us. It took years before I felt safe enough to come back here, but Arbor Creek is my home.”

I move to the edge of the chair and wrap my arms around her. Huxton eventually emerges from his toy room, poking his little head around the corner.

“I think it’s been more than a couple of minutes, Mom. Can I come out now?”

I chuckled. “Of course, honey. C’mere.”

I wave him over, and he crawls up with us, sprawling his legs out across our laps.

“I’m going to take off and let you and Gram spend some time together.”

I kneel in front of Huxton and wrap his small body in a hug.

“I’ll be by tomorrow morning to pick him up. Maybe we can all go get breakfast. Ooh, or some chocolate pancakes. I know this great place downtown we can check out. You in?”

Huxton’s eyes light up, and he nods his head enthusiastically.

“Count me in!” He gives me two thumbs-up as a crooked grin stretches across his face.

My mom’s gaze burns into me. I know how much regret she feels right now, and I hate how much it bothers her.

“It’s okay, Mom. Please don’t beat yourself up over this.”

I pull her in for a hug, running my hand over her back.

“Some decisions come with sacrifices, but we can’t be sorry for protecting the people we love.”

Her sad smile returns, and she nods, peering down at Huxton from where he sits on the floor in front of us, playing with his Hot Wheels.

“Some sacrifices are worth it all.”

Chapter Eighteen

Haelynn

As I climb back in my car, my phone dings with a text alert. I hadn’t thought ahead about what I wanted to do with the night to myself. It’s been a long week, and I could use some “me” time.

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