Page 101 of Love Beyond the Illusion
“I hear you, but the bad stuff is always easier to believe.”
“You will no longer have to fight this battle alone. I will be here with you, and together, we’ll come up with ways that you can still have a relationship with her but with healthy boundaries.” I wipe the water from Piper’s face. “There’s this fire in you that I love so much. And if you don’t stop letting other people win, it will go out.”
After the shower, Piper and I cuddle into her bed. Since I have no clothes here, we both lie naked, tangled in each other’s limbs and the bed sheets. She’s on her side with my body draped over hers. My cheek rests on her temple, and my lips gently glide along the sweet skin on her neck. “I want you to move to Dupara with me.”
Her breath stills. “What?”
“I want you to move to Dupara with me.” I keep my lips in a hard line despite my muscles fighting a smile. She needs to understand how serious I am about this. I’m not lost in lust, and I’m not making this decision without a clear head—there’s no doubt in my mind that she is for me.
“You don’t think this is too soon?”
I tighten the arm that’s securely around her body, pulling her even closer. “No.”
Piper draws her head back, capturing my mouth with hers. “Wow,” she mumbles into my lips before releasing me. “This is crazy, you know that?”
“Yes, I do. But that’s why I trust it.”
Her shoulders rise with a deep inhale. “There are so many things I’d have to get sorted out with work—and the girls are going to freak out, but yes, of course I will!”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Piper
Isitonmybalcony, enjoying the warm fall weather. I think about giving up my high-rise. I have so many memories here. It’s given me more security in the past six years than my entire life. Jack will stay with me for the next few days while we organize my move to Dupara. He went out to grab a few things to wear while he was here since he had no luggage.
Waking up with Jack this morning was heaven. The feelings of optimism and excitement rolled through my entire body.Can this be it?Have I found someone who cares for me as much as I care for them? I smile at thoughts of a future with him. But my happiness is quickly ripped away when Roxy’s words push their way in like they always do, with that gnawing reminder that no one will ever love me.
I battle with my emotions for a moment. This uneasy feeling of being content. It’s foreign. I must prepare for him to leave, for the impending doom that will find me once my guard is down. But what if he doesn’t go? What if my story is different from my mother’s? What if those beliefs and words are not mine?
I haven’t heard from Roxy in a while, and it’s oddly unsettling. I glance at my phone laying on the couch next to me. Fidgeting with the strings on my hoodie, I mentally prepare to call her. She is my mother, and I should check on her. My stomach turns with apprehension, not knowing what side of her I’ll get today.
“What’s up?” She answers the phone with a clipped tone. After not speaking with her for the last week and a half, this isn’t the reaction I was expecting.
“I haven’t spoken to you in a while, and I was calling to check in,” I say, a little unsure.
“I’m fine. Everything is good to go.”
Something is off with her attitude, and I can’t place it. I pace in the small space between the balcony doors and the couch, walking in and out through the door. “What do you mean,good to go?”
“I mean, ever since your husband gave me that check, I’ve been great.” She casually lets it slip like she believes that I’m aware.
My blood runs cold. My limbs lock into place.What did she say?“What?”
“Ugh. I’m in the mood to talk today. The check, you know.”
“My husband? What check?” I scratch the top of my head with confusion. “Are you talking about Jack?”
“Yeah, the rich guy. Great job, my little Piper Moon. But I am a little pissed you didn’t tell me you got married. But when I saw the amount he gave me—” She laughs, letting out that typical high-pitched shrill every time she feels on top of the world. It takes me back to when I was younger and struggled with something. She’d laugh at me and ask why I even tried in the first place. It sends chills up my spine. “Obviously, you were forgiven.”
Lost in my unsettling memory, I quickly put the pieces together. Jack gave her money. “He gave you money? For what?”
“You know I don’t like being told what to do, but everyone has their price, am I right?” There’s that chuckle again. “And he wanted to pay me for everything I did for you growing up. He also said in exchange for taking the money, I would have to agree never to ask you for money again.”
Oh my god.I take a few steps back until my heels hit the bottom of the couch. “How much did he give you?”
“I’m not telling you. But let’s just say I won’t need to work for a long ass time.”
Feeling lightheaded, I bend to sit but miss the side of the couch and fall to the floor. My muscles stiffen from shock over what I’m hearing. “When did this happen?”
