All I Ask(92)

I want to marry her, love her, give her kids if that’s what she wants. I want to be a father to Chastity and Everly. I want the life that we should’ve had from the start. Now, I just have to wait for her to come back to me, so we can live it.





Chapter Forty





Teagan




Present



I lie on Derek’s chest, listening to the sound of him breathing, wondering how in a few hours I’ll find the courage to leave.

Even if it’s just for a year, I can’t help but feel like it’s going to change everything.

I move my head to rest on my chin and stare at his peaceful face. I feel the tears building at the impending separation. I can’t look in his eyes and then get on that plane. There’s no way I’ll actually go.

He says I’ll come back, we’ll be together and everything will be fine, but he can’t know that.

I have to walk away without regrets, and leaving Derek will be my greatest one.

Slowly shifting so as not to wake him, I check my phone. I have an hour before I need to leave for the airport.

My eyes find his perfect face, he smiles in his sleep and I can’t help but hope he’s dreaming of me. I lean over, kiss his lips, as a tear falls. “I love you,” I whisper softly, but pray he hears me somewhere deep in his mind.

I get up, get dressed, and head downstairs. I call for the car service the gallery has set up and now ask them to come here instead of to my house.

Then, I walk around again, admiring all the things he’s done, and when I reach the painting room, a silent sob breaks free from my chest. We didn’t get enough time together. I never got to sit in here and paint like I’ve dreamed of. This gift was everything because it meant he believes in me. I want to rush back to the bedroom, wrap my arms and legs around him, and not leave. I feel like I just got him.

I watch as the car pulls up, wipe away my tears and head out. When I reach the door, I close my eyes, hoping he can feel my love.

As I head to the car, my heart feels like it’s being ripped from my chest.

One step closer.

“Good morning, Miss Berkeley,” the driver says with a smile.

“Good morning.”

He takes my bag, placing it in the trunk and then opens my door.

I stare at the bedroom window, hesitating because I want more time. These last few days went too fast. Last night felt like I blinked and it was over.

I hesitate, waiting, praying he doesn’t wake up because if he comes after me, I don’t think I’ll go, but at the same time hoping he does so I can stay.

“Did you forget something inside?”

How do I answer that?

“I didn’t forget anything, I’m just leaving something behind.”

The driver seems to understand my words. “I see. Do you need a few minutes?”

I shake my head. “No, if I don’t go now…”

He gives me a sad smile and I get in.

My eyes don’t move from that window. “Please wake up. Tell me to stay,” I whisper.

There’s no movement in the house and then the driver gets in the car. My heart is breaking and I think about how upset he’ll be that I left like this. I wonder if he’ll understand that if I didn’t, I’d still be wrapped in his arms. The car begins to move and the tears continue to fall as I drive away, leaving my heart in the house on Destiny Lane.

*



“So you’re through security?” Chastity asks as I’m wandering through the airport.

“I just got through.”

“Are you okay?”

My daughter, always worried about me. “Not really.”

She sighs. “I didn’t think so. Everly told me about what her dad had planned with the house.”

Everly told her? Well, that’s new. “You and Everly talk?”

“I guess we kind of became friends when we plotted to take you and Derek down.”

“Evilness has bonded you?”

Whatever the reason is, I’m glad they have left the mean girl act behind.

“I guess. She sent me a text that maybe we should find a way to bring you back together this time.”

I’m glad they’re both okay with us dating now. Too bad it didn’t happen before this job offer. “At least when Derek brings you down, we don’t have to worry about someone killing the other in the car.”

Chastity laughs. “Are you at all excited?”

“To see you? Yes. I already miss you.” I say the words and my chest tightens. “I’ve never really been away from you.”

“Then why are you going?”

There’s a beep on my phone and I don’t have to look to know who it is. Derek has realized I’m gone and is calling.

“I’m going because this is an opportunity I will never get again and you want out of that town.”

She goes quiet and the beeping starts back up again. I can’t answer. I have to stay strong, and if I hear his voice, I’ll break. “You know, I always have wanted to, but now I don’t.”

I stop moving. “What?”

“I thought about it last night when Grandma asked about seeing my father. I never realized it before but living here was hard because I never knew if I would see him or if I wanted to see him or if seeing him would matter. Now that I have, it’s not so hard. He’s really an idiot.”