Love Survives (Love's Suicide #2)(54)

The answer was as plain as day.

The first envelope was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parsons. The second was made out to Katy Michaels Parsons.

They were married.

They had a child together.



The letters came out of my hands, falling to the ground at my feet. As I dropped to pick them up a police car pulled behind me. An officer climbed out and approached with caution. “Can I help you, soldier?”

It was impossible to keep the burning tears from pouring out of my eyes. This wasn’t just heartbreaking. It made me wish I was back on the battlefield. This was a nightmare.

I shoved the mail back in the box. “Sorry. It’s not what it looks like. I was trying to see if this was the address of my friend. I’ve been away for a couple years, and I’m just trying to locate her.”

“The owners of the home have reported a suspicious vehicle sitting outside the property. You can’t be going through their mail. It’s a federal offense.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t come back again. I assure you.”

I went to get back into my truck before he spoke again. “So is it your friend’s address?”

It was hard to answer him. I didn’t know what to consider Kat because she’d obviously lied to me. “Yes. I know Mrs. Parsons. Well, I knew her a long time ago, before she was married. I’m sorry you had to come back out here. I assure you it won’t happen again.”

“I’m going to need your name for assurance. If I get the report I’ll have to write something up.”

Since I knew I wouldn’t be returning, I was fine with giving him my information. We shook hands before I got into my truck and pulled away from the residence.

I ended up in a bar a mile from the barracks. It was a dive, not that I paid attention. To keep from losing my shit, I poured alcohol down my throat until everything felt numb.

Kat had destroyed me. There was nothing left to hope for. The last few months of correspondence had been lies. She was married with a child, who was obviously around each time she wrote about still having feelings for me. I wondered if she waited until her husband left for work to send me those lies, or did he know she was giving me false hope?

Thinking about it made me cringe. I’d gone through hell to get stationed close to her, only to find out we never had a chance. Yet again something was coming between us, but this time I wouldn’t push my way back into her life. I couldn’t do that knowing she had a child; a family.

I’d never be able to compete with that, and so I decided to walk away.



April 21st

I came all this way for nothing. Everything I’ve done was a waste. She never wanted me. It was all some sick game she was playing, probably to make herself feel better about what happened in the past. How could she rip my heart out again and again? I’m starting to wonder if she knew I loved her all along. Maybe she was just evil. It would make more sense than assuming she up and married the first guy that came along, without making an effort to seek me out.

The pain I’m feeling can’t be described. I wish I’d go to sleep and never wake up. It’s not even the betrayal that’s ripping me to shreds. It’s seeing the image of her daughter. The bitch carried a child and never once mentioned her. What kind of mother does that?

I could never forgive her for this. I don’t even know if I’ll get to a point where I want to. As soon as my two years are up here in South Carolina I’m getting the f*ck away from this place. Kat can stay here and rot for all I care. She’d ruined my life, and now there’s nothing left to fight for.

I was a fool for loving someone with my whole heart. I should have known that I’d get burned. Now I’m lost, without a damn way to break free of this agony. Loving her was always my downfall. I guess I’d just never hit rock bottom until now.



The next time I spoke to my parents wasn’t until a few weeks had gone by. Thankfully I was able to get out of bed without an excruciating headache from stress. My father answered the phone, and immediately I thought of the whole family, Kat included.

“Brooks, is that you? How’s the weather in the south?”

“It’s warm. Some days have gotten pretty hot, but it doesn’t compare to where I was before. How are you and mom doing?”

“Good. Mom’s out with some friends. I’ll be sure to tell her you called. So, are you settled finally? Is the paperwork submitted for your surgery?”

“Pretty much. I’m still waiting for that appointment with the specialist. So far so good.”

“Have you been able to track Katy down yet?”

I sat there for a second wondering why he’d say that. I’d never mentioned her to him before. “Why would you ask me that?”

“Son, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out you’d go where she was near. Is she okay?”

“I haven’t seen her,” I lied. “Wherever she is, she doesn’t want to be found. Let’s just leave it that way, okay? I’ve got enough on my plate.”

He cleared his throat, and I could tell that my comment had left him more curious. “Brooks, is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No.” I responded quickly. “All is good. I was only calling to check in. When I get word about my hand appointment you’ll be the first to know.”