Page 32 of Cold As Ice

“I know you will, baby.” I hugged her tight, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “You be a good girl for Granny J and Grampy Ken, okay?”

“I promise. Cross my heart, hopes to die, sticks a needle in my eye.”

“Did you teach her that?” Jacqui mouthed, and I shook my head.

“One of the kids at pre-K. Go get your bag.” I lowered Imogen to the floor and watched, my heart tugging at my chest as she eagerly grabbed her little bag off my father.

Tension rippled through the kitchen as Jacqui took my daughter’s hand. “We’ll see you in a few days,” she said.

“Okay,” I echoed.

“If you need anything—”

“We’ve got it.”

Dad moved beside me, a steel fortress at my back. He knew how hard I found this—trusting them with her. Even though I knew it was the right thing. Even though I knew they were on my side.

Letting my parents take her was different. I trusted them implicitly. But Jacqui and Ken werehisparents. And despite demonstrating their loyalty to me during the separation, Warren was still their son.

Their blood.

I couldn’t guarantee they would send him on his way if he showed up. Or better yet, report it to the authorities.

“Bye, byes Mommy. Bye, byes, everyone.”

I helplessly waved as I watched them take her. Wondering if they knew how precious she was to me, how important.

“God, I hate this,” I murmured, tears sliding down my cheeks.

“I thought this was what you wanted?” Mom scoffed.

“It was.” I shot her a derisive look. “But it doesn’t mean it isn’t hard.”

“If you ask me—”

“That’s the thing, though, I didn’t ask you, Mom. Imogen deserves to know her grandparents. She deserves to know that that side of her family aren’t all narcissistic abusive assholes.”

I followed them out to wave goodbye to Imogen.

Three days.

It was only three days.

I could survive that. I just needed to keep myself busy.

* * *

It took me a whole afternoon to pluck up the courage to text Austin.

Our conversation had ground to a halt after I abandoned him mid-text the other night. But Imogen had woken up after a bad dream and needed a cuddle. And the wave of guilt I felt for texting Austin and giving myself a moment had hit me full force. Then Christmas came and Imogen didn’t give me so much as a second to breathe.

I was allowed time for myself, I knew that, but apart from an occasional night out with Jeremiah, I rarely let myself indulge. But I had three nights to myself now. Jeremiah was out of town visiting family, and I wasn’t due back to work until after the holidays.

I could sit at home and drive myself sick with worry over Imogen being at her grandparents, or I could do something for myself.

Shoving down all the little thoughts that said this wasn’t a good idea, I opened my message thread with Austin.

Madison: So turns out I have some free time over the next couple of days…

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