He Thought I'd Stay: His Mistake

the hospital window when Chace and Ka

," Chace announced, his tone light and cheerful,

new dress," I sa

you do, Ember. You can't show up to an event like this

led insult, painting me as

Karyn knows about these thin

have been furious at anyone who spoke to me that way. He used to s

so complete, it felt like

ort, tired

diately took charge. She pulled a gar

he said, holding it up against me. "It' s

enager would wear, not a grown woman. It was

of his old self. But he just smiled. "Kar

simple, elegant gown of deep crimson silk. It was bold, sop

my hand reaching out.

ot for you. It's too... aggressive." She turned to Chace

his eyes on me. "Karyn, let he

tears. "But... but I wanted it. Don't you think it woul

performance. The

ression hardening. "Ember, stop being difficult.

r. I looked at the sales associate.

un them both into silence. I walked into the

urves in all the right places. It made my skin glow and my eyes sparkle. For the first time in days,

motion I hadn't seen in a long time: pure,

ury. "It doesn't suit her at

agree, but he was still

eapon: tears. She let out a choked sob and turned to run out of the s

after her, grabbing her arm. "Karyn, stop

t and gentle. Then he turned to

off," h

illed with pity and scorn. They thought I was the

ce shaking with rage.

at!" Chace snapped. "She is innocent and

You are just the daughter of a homewrecker. Karyn's family is powerfu

about my mother, about the lies, about my pa

g with the daughter of the woman who had destroyed my mother'

e Kary

thing but a profound, aching sadness. He would always c

hide the tears that

e had won. He shoved me into his c

g slightly, as if that could fix anything. "And I'll

nd all it was worth w

out of me, replaced by a cold, nu