Page 89 of Prove Me Wrong
“Why?” My voice cracks on that one word.
She tries moving around me when I stop her again. “Because you’ve hurt me, Noah. I opened myself up to you after years of keeping myself safe. I wasfallingfor you. Actually thinking that you love me. But you don’t lie to the people you love,” she rasps out, like this is just as painful for her as it is for me.
My head shakes, trying to figure out what’s going on when she gets around me. Slotting her bags in the back, she slams the boot shut. “I didn’t do anything, Mia. Please, you have to believe me. This was my mum’s plan. Not mine." My voice is rising, trying to plead with her to stay, but I can see the agony in her face. The one that can hardly look at me. “Please, Grey.”
“Just let me go.” Her gaze finally meets mine, and it crushes me. She thinks I don’t want her. That I’ve lied to her and pushed her away. That this was what I had planned all along when I had nothing to do with it. “Please.”
“Mia—”
“No.” Her voice is hoarse as she walks to the driver’s seat and pauses with her hand on the handle. “When I met you, I thought you were different. That you’d finally seen that I’m worth something. But I think Ryan was right in saying that I’ll never be good enough for anyone,” she croaks out.
“Mia!” I shout but she’s already in the car. My feet feel like they’re glued to the ground. I try moving, but she’s already thrown the car into reverse, pulling out of the driveway. “Wait!”
Her tear-stained eyes find mine through the window before she drives off, leaving me alone in the driveway with Jade sobbing on my hip. The breeze settles, air thinning around me as I watch her leave, not knowing if she’ll come back. I feel cold, like her presence kept me heated. And now there’s nothing warm in the atmosphere.
Throat burning, I feel my world tilting again as I hang my head, eyes brimming with unshed tears. She just tore out my heart and drove away with it.
Chapter Thirty-Four
NOAH
“Come on, Jade. Please eat your food.”
My head hangs with exhaustion as I lean over the bench, watching my daughter refuse to eat her dinner. I can’t tell if she’s sick, or if she can feel the pain riddling my own body, but it’s hurting me more that she’s refusing.
“It’s good, I promise,” I murmur, even though I hardly believe myself. I bring the spoonful to her mouth, only for her to push it away again, distaste evident on her innocent face.
Sighing, I put the spoon down, dropping into the seat beside her as Jade’s fingers attempt to undo the straps that hold her to the chair. She at least hasn’t flipped over her plate, so that’s a start, but I am just waiting for the inevitable sound of plastic hitting the floorboards and food splattering.
I didn’t sleep last night, tossing and turning in my bed, unable to get Mia off my mind. She’s become an addictive thought, a drug that’s cursed my mind to only think of her. My mind was swirling until the sun peeked through the blinds and Jade stirred beside me. I couldn’t lie alone, so at some point I carried my daughter into my bedand lay her down beside me, needing her with me as my waking dreams were consumed by grey eyes, long dark hair, and a timid smile I miss.
All day I’ve moved like a zombie, taking care of Jade, not myself. I just can’t understand what is wrong with my parents, and why Mum would drive Mia away, making her think that she was nothing to me. When I tried calling Mia, it went straight to her voicemail, and my messages aren't being delivered.
I’ve lost someone important to me, again, and now I don’t know if I'll ever get her back. She’s gone, and I couldn’t even say goodbye. The thought presses down on my chest, making it harder to breathe. I never said goodbye to Em, and that has haunted me for almost two years. I’ve known Mia for three months, and she’s affected me in so many ways. My bookshelf, the glasses, the laundry machine and Jade’s room all remind me of her. Even my briefs… I hate that one because it feels too personal, but it’s true.
Lifting the spoon once more, I try to get Jade to eat something, just a few bites, but she’s in solidarity with me supposedly because she pushes it away, and I give up.
Groaning, I drop the spoon on the bench when my phone rings loudly. I’ve had it on this whole time in case she calls so that I won’t miss her. I dive for it in the hopes that it’s Mia calling to tell me that she’s coming home, only to pause as Tatum’s name shows on the screen, requesting a video call. Sliding it to answer, I’m suddenly relieved when her strawberry blonde hair and green eyes fill my phone.
“Hi, Noah.”
“Hi, T,” I bounce back miserably.
She holds up a finger, silently asking me to wait, and I do. Nathan’s scruffy raven hair and dark eyes appear in the other corner. Despitewanting to be alone right now, I’m happy to be speaking with my best friends.
“Noah, are you watching the game?”
My head shakes as I carry Jade’s plate of untouched food to the sink and unclip her highchair straps. She holds up her little arms for me, and I skilfully pick her up with one arm and hold her on my hip. “Say hi, Jade.”
Both of them gush over her, raining compliments on my daughter as she shoves her hand into her mouth, concealing a smile before blabbering something to them that’s not English.
“I miss cuddling her.” Tatum pouts like a little kid, and I snicker.
Nathan pipes up, “I get to see her all the time, T. I hope that makes you jealous.”
“I hate you.”
He laughs. “No, you don’t.”
