Page 84 of Romania
With my head down, I turned the corner and thumped into a chest.
I looked up into Dad’s sad eyes. His hand dropped to the top of my head. “Kid?”
I shook my head.
“You can let it go,” he told me.
Again, I shook my head, jaw clenched, tears welling.
If I let go, I wouldn’t be able to stop, and I’d be a mess through security, and they’d think I was a drug lord or a bomber or something.
Dad cupped the back of my head. “You’re always a strong, brave woman, Rom. But it’s okay to let go. Who gives a flying fuck about anyone else seein’ my daughter lettin’ her emotions ride her. They mean a lot to you, darlin’. Let it go, Rom.”
My face crumbled, and I pushed in against Dad’s chest, crying, sobbing.
It’s not fair.
It’s not fair.
It’s not fair.
I was supposed to find love that could last forever and get to keep it, not have to walk away from it.
It wasn’t fair.
I just wanted them to care about me like I did them.
But I couldn’t have them.
I couldn’t keep them.
They weren’t mine.
“Oh, sweetie,” Mum whispered from beside me and then I felt her hugging my back. “They mean something big to you, don’t they?”
I nodded against Dad’s chest.
“One day they’ll realise what they lost.”
Sniffing, I wiped at my face and shook my head. “I-I have to let them go. They… they don’t need me messing up their love.”
Wiping at my face again, I swallowed thickly and forced my emotions down. Still, my eyes welled again so I scrubbed at them. “I’m okay. I-I’ll be okay.” The tears wouldn’t quit, though, and my parents’ stare had me thinking that they thought I was the biggest liar in the world.
Which I was.
It hurts.
So much.
My chest burned.
They’d stolen a part of my heart, but they didn’t do it on purpose. They didn’t know my heart wanted to stay with them.
I was just their friend.
That was all I’d ever be.
Sniffing again, I rubbed more tears away. “I’m okay.” I gave them a watery smile.
