Chapter Twenty-Eight
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Eden
Numbness. That’s what I feel, or don’t feel.
Complete numbness.
He’s gone.
He left me.
I pushed him.
I believed an ex-boyfriend who’s a natural-born liar.
I believed his ex-agent seeking revenge.
I believed them over him.
I feel like such a naïve little girl. A failure.
Barefoot, I walk along the beach, hands clasped around a little white box with a red bow and envelope in my hands. I can’t bring myself to open them.
As I left for the studio at four a.m., these two little things were perched on my front door mat with the simple word Cupcake across the front in Hunter’s handwriting.
Wondering if Hunter had just left it, out of curiosity, I snuck through the security gate toward the mansion house. Hunter and his team were loading all their gear into two of their rented Range Rovers, indicating his departure.
Piercing anguish screamed in my heart.
Seconds later, I walked back through my gate toward the studio. I couldn’t watch.
Hunter’s hit the nail on the head. I need to grow up.
From now on, I’m going to focus on myself and stop listening to others.
I let out a tremendous hollow breath and sit cross-legged on the sand.
Looking down, I thumb the pretty red silk bow. Against the stark white box, it looks like my heart. Bleeding. I’m angry and hateful toward myself.
A soft, “Hey,” breaks into my thoughts.
Looking up, I see it’s the girls.
God, I was so mean. I’m a bitch.
“Hi.” I drop my chin to my chest.
“Can we sit with you?” Eva inquires.
I don’t reply.
One by one they sit down to form a circle.
“Do you want us to stay here while you open that?” Eva points to the pretty box.
I can’t speak.
Picking up the box, I pull the bow at one end. It delicately slips off the box.
Slowly, I lift the lid.
Inside sits a shiny solid gold Yolo.
I suck in my breath.
Beside it is a small card with Hunter’s handwriting.
I read it out loud.
I love you more than anything to change my entire life for you. I would give you my last chocolate too. Hunter xo
Lost for words. We all sit in silence.
I reach for the envelope. Tearing it open, I pull out a piece of paper with a printed email.
On further inspection, I realize it's Hunter’s visa application submission. Across the top he’s written, Getting to the first junction is always the hardest. Here’s to our new journey together. xo
“I’ve really messed everything up. I’m so sorry,” I talk aimlessly to both the girls and Hunter, hoping he hears me.
“He’s gone? For good?” I ask them all.
They nod their heads, confirming what I already feel. I know he’s gone.
I pull my lips into my mouth and fiddle with the red silk ribbon.
Swallowing the giant lump in my throat to make it go away, I rapidly blink my eyes and roll my head back, holding in the tears I know I won’t be able to stop.
“I’m going to go. Thank you for coming to find me. I’ll be fine,” I say, standing to leave. “Can you put that in the safe for me, please?” I point to the box and paper.
Eva scrambles to her feet. “We can help, Eden; please don’t push us away.”
“I would like to be alone.” I look each of the girls in the eye.
I walk back up the sand toward the dunes, through the cars, as loneliness strikes me like a blow.
Here’s to my new journey.
Alone.
Because everyone leaves eventually.