He Thought I'd Stay: His Mistake

f my things when the front door

oud of rage. Karyn trailed behind him,

icked it. The latches broke, and my

y feet. Among them was a small, leather-bou

the sketchbook. "That's her

uel smile playing on his lips. "You know, I was the one who paid for your

sneer, as if her pain w

tinued, "helping the poor, tragic artist. T

delicate charcoal drawings. He held up a portrait o

e sneered. "I wonder if she kn

n my face. "Karyn's mother was the one who

mask of rage. She slapped me, hard, ac

epped between us. He shoved me, and I

ntempt on his face. "You're pathetic

our mother' s grave moved. To a public cemetery. Or maybe I could ju

ld went

atening to desecrate my mother's final resting place. He was threaten

ved. This was the man who

choked with a pain so deep it felt like i

ame hysterical. "Who is she, Chace? Who is this

, Ember? Fine. But from now on, you're Karyn's servant. You will do everything

allowing a piece of trash like you to even breathe the same air. And if you don't," he held up th

r life together-the laughter, the shared dreams, the pro

ek. It wasn't a tear of sadness. It w

balled into fists, aiming

ly, his grip like steel.

n. "Her things are in the way.

o carry his fi

ng in the large, empty room. Karyn was

s sketchbook clutched to my chest. The last thread of love I h

something cold and