Page 84 of Vengeful Lies

Maybe even a thousand.

All she’d wanted was for him to look at her like he cared, like she meant something to him and she mattered in a way that had nothing to do with her just providing a service for him.

It took everything she had to remind herself that she didn't matter.

Cade had kicked her out of his home and his daughter’s life like he wasn't killing a part of her in the process. If he’d loved her, heck, if he’d even liked her, he wouldn't have done that to her. They’d spent so much time together over the years surely there was no way he couldn’t have picked up on the fact that she was struggling even if she’d been doing her best to hide it. He had to have seen and just not cared.

Sure, he’d said he was trying to protect her by sending her away, but she wasn't sure she could believe that.

Did he think she should have done more to protect his daughter?

Did he blame her for the abduction?

Gabriella had to admit she wasn't sure she could be angry with him if he did. She blamed herself. He hadn't wanted her to go to the pool that day, but she’d insisted, saying it was important that they stifle Essie’s life as little as possible so she didn't become aware that the danger surrounding her and her family was so great.

“Essie is fine, sweetheart,” he assured her, taking a tentative step toward the bed.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“Then why are you here? You should be with her. She needs you.” Gabriella meant those words sincerely even as she felt a tiny twinge in her chest because she so desperately needed someone as well, there was just no one she could turn to. Well, there was the rest of Cade’s family, but she felt weird about that, almost like she was making them choose between her and their brother.

“I think,” Cade said, taking another step toward her, “that maybe you need me, too.”

She shook her head even though his words were everything she’d once wanted to hear.

But it was too late for him to change his mind again. The damage was done, and it couldn’t be undone. Could it?

“I'm not denying I messed up, Gabriella. Not at all. My motives were good, but my actions weren't. I should have been there for you the way you were there for my daughter.”

Her heart sank.

Cade was only trying to be nice now because he felt guilty that she’d been so badly hurt while trying to shield Essie.

That wasn't what she wanted.

She wanted to be seen for her.

She wanted him to want her just because he had feelings for her, separate from anything to do with his child.

“I don’t want your pity, your guilt, or whatever this is. Nor do I want payment for protecting Essie. I love her, what else would I do?”

“Which is exactly why I couldn’t deny it any longer.”

“Deny what?”

“I know you told me you weren't ready to talk yet, and I'm trying to respect you, trying to do the right thing, but I have something for you, and I can't wait any longer to give it to you.”

“Something for me?”

“Mmhmm,” he said as he nodded and pulled out a small red box from his pocket. “I was trying to think of a way to show you what you mean to me because I haven’t done so well with my words.”

Closing the distance between himself and the bed, he held out the box. Gabriella stared at it, not altogether sure that it wasn't a snake about to jump out and bite her. What game was he trying to play here? Was he trying to mess with her? Why was he suddenly being so sweet?

Very slowly she lifted a hand. It trembled and they both watched its progress as it reached out toward the velvet box. It felt smooth in her hand when her fingers closed around it and Cade watched her so closely as she opened the lid and looked inside.

Nestled on white satin sat a gold heart on a chain.

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