Page 181 of Delicate Storm

“Isaac, no,” Macy calls out, and it’s only then that I see panic—not coming from Isaac, but coming from her. “Don’t do this. Come with me.”

Isaac’s eyes fill with tears as my dad whispers something in his ear, walking away without a backward glance as soon as Isaac nods in return.

Macy moves to run after them, but I call out at the same time Rocky does. “Macy—”

“Stop!” Rocky yells, and at first I think he’s talking to my dad, but when my gaze flits to his, he’s looking at Macy. “Leave them be and get in the car.”

She shakes her head frantically. “He’s not himself, Rocky. I just need to talk to him. She’s brainwashed him against me, I know it.”

Panic courses through me as my gaze bounces between Macy and Rocky. Is this for him? Does he want Isaac?

I grab my phone to call the police but stop when his face drops and he shakes his head. “You’re not the mother I thought you were. You lied to me. Get in the car. We’re going home.”

“Rocky, no. I love him. I swear. We can be a family like I promised. Your girls will love him.”

Holy shit. Easton was right. Macy’s using Isaac. But not only to get back at Easton. She’s also using him for her own gain.

“Please, Macy. Get in the car,” Rocky sighs before getting in and turning the ignition. A car that I’m just noticing is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. And I feel sick.

Macy turns to walk away, but something propels me to rush forward and stop her. “Wait. Please.”

She pauses but doesn’t turn around, so I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, barely stopping for air. “You don’t have to do this, Macy. You don’t have to pretend for him. There are so many men out there. Men that would love you whether you had a child or not. This isn’t the life you want. Find someone that loves you for you. Take it from me, your life will be much better for it.”

She doesn’t respond, but her shoulders drop and I know she heard me. She’s still for a beat before walking away, not even glancing back at Isaac.

And it completely shatters my heart.

Easton stares at me, his grief-stricken gaze boring into mine. “Fuck,” he whispers under his breath before shaking off his thoughts and jumping up. “Fuuck.” He speaks louder this time and it’s enough to make me check the hallway for anyone listening in. “I should have been there. I—”

“Iwas there, East. I will always look after him.”

Easton sighs, his shoulders dropping. “I know. Thank you. I know.” His lips pull into a soft smile but he doesn’t let it fully form. “God, she’s unhinged. What if she finds another guy that wants kids?”

“No.” I shake my head and rush over, stopping him from pacing. “I think she’s an awful human. I’m disgusted by her behavior. But I also think she’s lost. And probably a little bit broken.”

“That doesn’t excuse—”

“I’m not excusing her actions. But I think you should call her.”

“What?”

“Call her.Please. I don’t think she wants full custody. Hell, I don’t think she wants any custody. Deep down. She’s just lost.”

Dad, Keeley, and Isaac arrive back at that moment, and I give Easton a pointed look before smiling their way.

Easton nods, forcing a smile, and lifts Isaac into his arms, giving him a squeeze before the two of them chat with Keeley. I watch on for a moment until Dad pulls me away, moving me out of earshot.

“Are you okay?” he asks, subtly grabbing my arm, likely checking to make sure I’m not still shaking. I told Eastoneverything except for how much that entire exchange affected me. I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared in my life.

The four of us sneak out before the game ends, with Keeley going back to work, and Isaac falls asleep on the way home, which isn’t surprising considering the day he’s had. When we arrive at Easton’s apartment, I give him some space to call Macy and head back to my place, getting a quick shower before grabbing us both a late dinner on my way back to see him.

I’ve only just put my key in the door when Easton opens it for me and pulls me into his arms as he closes it behind me.

“Thank you,” he whispers, his voice choked with emotion. “You failed to mention that you convinced Macy that she didn’t want this life. She’s considering offering me full custody. I thought you said she walked away.”

“She did. I had no idea that I’d done that. But I could see the resolve in her body language.”

“Well, she said it was you.” The relief in his tone mixes with awe, and I don’t quite feel like I deserve it. “She hates you by the way,” he adds with a chuckle. “Even though she never wanted to be a mother, she still feels like you stole her life. Despite her fucking it up long before I met you.”

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