Page 97 of Mine Forever
He lifts his arms out to his side. “I told you what I was, Eden. You’re just finally seeing me for who I am.”
I nod slowly and pick up my phone. “Yeah. Well, I’ll get packed then.”
He nods and leaves the room, closing the door quietly behind him and effectively shutting down anything we’d ever had.
But if that’s how he wants it, I’ll go.
He may have just destroyed me, ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped it bloody, but I have my dignity, damn it.
It might be all I have but I have it.
The tears don’t fall while I throw clothes in my carry-on bag.
I dress in my armor of a pencil skirt and button-down blouse—except for my heels given my injury—a teeny tiny amount of confidence warming me as I slide into my own clothes again.
But it isn’t much.
Not enough for me to get back to where I was before.
I toss my toiletries into the bag and zip it all up.
No turning back now.
I call Charley to let her know I’m ready to get the fuck out of dodge.
On the end of the bed, I lay the T-shirt Chase gave me the morning after we’d had what, for me anyway, had been soul-defining sex.
I thought we had a real connection again. A stronger one than we’d ever had before.
But the joke’s on me.
He says he loves me, even acts like it at times, but it has all been a ruse.
I run my fingertips over the soft fabric before pulling back. Burning it or ripping it at the seams crosses my mind.
But I’m Eden Mitchell. I don’t do those sorts of things.
I have a business to run. A life to get back to in the greatest city in the world.
If Cape Sands has taught me anything, it’s that I have all I need back in the city.
I don’t need a man, and I don’t need relaxation. I need the vibe of the city and I need my business.
When I’m finished packing, I head out to the living room, finding Chase in the foyer. He’s leaning against the wall, his head down, but he looks up when I walk into the room.
He straightens to his full height and holds out his hand. My heart leaps in hope for a moment until he speaks.
“If you give me your keys, I’ll take care of your rental for you.”
“Oh gee, thanks.” I dig through my purse, anger biting at me like an angry dog. “You know what? You’re right.”
When I find the keys, I toss them to him. He catches them against his chest, but doesn’t say anything.
“Youaretotally fucked-up, Chase. And all I can say to that is good riddance.”
His expression is blank and he doesn’t say a word to me as I open the front door and slam it behind me.
I’m closing the door on my past and leaving it here.
