Page 82 of Hardy

“If she hadn’t been pregnant,Rose, you wouldn’t have given me a second chance.”

“You’re right.I wouldn’thave.”

Hardy took her hand.“We’re a family,and I promise you, Rose, the next ten years of our life are goingto be the best they can be.”

She stared into his eyes, and smiled.“I actually believe every single word you’re saying.”

“Good.”

Hand in hand, they made their way back tothe clubhouse.Rose stared around at the family.She spotted Sally,Whizz, and Lacey close together by the barbeque.The family wasclose together, and after the last six months Sally had relaxed.She finally accepted that she wasn’t going to be sent back tofoster care.

Angel was heavily pregnant with hersecond child, and was due to give birth any day now.Lash stoodbeside his wife protectively.

Sunshine and Alex were also expectingtheir first child.

Sophia, Nash’s wife, had given birthto a boy, a little brother to Rachel.

Eva and Tiny had anotherboy.

Kelsey and Killer were also expectingagain.

Everywhere she looked there wasfamily, there was love, and Rose knew she wouldn’t change any ofit.

She and Hardy had their problems asdid many couples.When she looked at Hardy, she knew her love wasnever going to change.They were strong, stronger than ever.Takinghim back after everything that happened didn’t make her weak.Shemade her man work for her, and work for her he did.Hardy provedthat he wanted her more than anything else.Rose loved him, and sheloved their children.

Her life was perfect.

Epilogue

Charlotte Bilson was tired.Shewas always tired.Not a moment went by when she wasn’t tired, orworking, or tired.Thiswas what her life had turned into after gettingout of the psych ward all of those years ago.

All of those years?

She’d been out for two years, and she waschecked on regularly for fear of her taking her own life.Thetemptation was always there.Life would be damn easier if she couldjust let all the feelings, all the emotions, fade into nothing.Shecouldn’t.This was the harsh reality of where she lived, and howshe lived.

There was no going back.

Only moving forward.

Forcing herself to forget everything,and everyone, until only the now existed.

Climbing the stairs to her apartment, shepaused outside of her door, and flicked through the letters oneafter the other.Taking a deep breath, she saw there was nothingthat made her excited for life.

Just keep onmoving.

Got to keep onliving.

Nothing is going tochange.

Resting her head against thedoor, Charlotte felt the tears that were always so close.She’dlost that one connection tohim.He’d not remembered what had happened betweenthem.Only she remembered everything that happened.It was notfair, but she had to live with it.

Over and over, day in, dayout.

Entering her apartment, she closed herdoor, leaned back against it, and blew out a breath.

“In and out.In and out.Nothing is going to hurt you.”

She opened her eyes, and flicked the lighton to her apartment.It was dark outside, but her bulb must havedied because her apartment was completely pitch black.

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