Page 309 of Redeemed

“—Wes can get in faster and—”

“Colton.”

“What?”

“I need to tell you something,” I whisper.

There’s a moment of silence before his voice comes through the phone, tight and full of dread. “What?”

“I should’ve said it back when you told me. I… I don’t know why I didn’t, other than it all felt so fast. I wish I had, I wish I could’ve told you in person, but I need you to know in case we never see each other aga—”

“Don’t you fucking dare, Haven.”

I’m so stunned that my confession gets stuck in my throat. All I can manage is a confused, “What?”

“Don’t you dare say it. Not like this. I don’t want the first time you tell me to be over a goddamn phone. You deserve better than that.Wedeserve better than that.”

“Colton! I don’t know if I’ll get another chance to—”

“No,Haven,” he cuts in, his tone harsh. “Please, just… please don’t. I need to be able to see you. To touch you. To hold you in my arms and kiss you. Angel, I…”

Oh my god.He sounds as close to tears as I am.

I close my eyes to keep them from spilling over. “But I need you to know.”

“I do, angel. I promise I know.”

“If he… if he finds out about the IUD, then he might not wait until the ceremony.”

“Then hide. Hide for as long as you can, angel. We’ll find you. Now tell me where you’re going to be so we can—”

He goes silent, and when I look at my phone, I’m met with a black, lifeless screen. It’s dead. I drop it to the floor, and it lands next to something small, silver, and shiny.

My ring.

I pick it up and tilt it toward the window so the diamonds catch the sunlight. It’s a tiny piece of happiness surrounded by miles and miles of misery.

Wearing it will only anger Isaiah further if he notices, but if I’m going to die today, I’m going to do it with Colton’s ring on my finger.

It slips on easily, the fit still as perfect as when Colton first slid it onto my finger. The sight of it makes me smile, even as tears continue to stream down my face.

“I love you, Colton Heverly,” I whisper as I drop Isaiah’s ring onto the floor.

“Heaven.”

With a startled yelp, I whirl around. My father is standing in the threshold to the bedroom. He’s watching me with a shocked expression.

“Dad? What are you doing here?”

“Isaiah asked me to make sure you went to your appointment.” He steps into the room as he takes in the mess I made. “You have an IUD in?”

I nod. There’s no denying it.

“Does Isaiah know?” His voice is heavy with dread, and his shock has morphed into disappointment.

“Please don’t tell him,” I beg.

“You can’t ask that of me. You know you can’t. Heaven…” He rubs at his face, and the pain in his voice almost makes me feel guilty. “Who was on the phone?”

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