Everyone had the same unspoken fear that Z was dead, but it was Lucas who kept searching.
Anna had never gotten over losing Lucas even though she was the one who left him. She spent half her time excelling at school and the other half complaining about it. Happiness eluded her. Or maybe not just her.
It seemed none of us was destined for a fairy-tale ending.
For three years, I fought to let go of Angel, but no amount of pretending could exorcise him from my head.
With his confession, he exchanged one prison for another, and I never learned how he made it possible. Whenever I asked Lucas, Z, or Augustine for details, they’d only say it was better I heard it from Angel. So for three years, I had been left with the feeling that taking my father’s place in prison hadn’t been Angel’s only sacrifice.
“Mian? Mian? Are you even listening?”
“I’m sorry, Anna. I spaced out for a moment. What did you say?”
“I said I just got a text from Tabitha. She wants you to call her. Now.”* * *I DIDN’T CALL Tabitha until much later that night after I put Caylen to bed. I made a promise to myself when life started to look up that he’d never be my second choice. It was because of that promise that I had nine missed calls and ten messages from Tabitha, Augustine, Anna, and my father. I phoned Tabitha first since she was likely the reason for all the panic.
“Tabitha, what’s up?”
“What’s up? I’ll tell you what’s not up.” I moved the phone away from my ear before she blew my hearing and turned the volume down. “I sick of my parents keeping secrets from me. I’m nineteen, for crying out loud, but they treat me like I’m twelve.”
“Tabitha? Can you get to the point?” I didn’t want to throw in her face that she was lucky to have parents who put her best interest first. It was something she had to realize on her own.
“Angel’s not in prison anymore.” My legs gave out, and I sunk to the floor. I kept the phone tight to my ear as I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes tight. “He’s been out for three months now. My parents and that cretin cousin of mine were keeping it a secret.”
“Wait.” My eyes opened, and I stared out the window. “Augustine knew?”
“It would appear so.”
“So… where is he?” I hoped I didn’t sound too interested, but he is my husband. The marriage didn’t have a legal leg to stand on, but I couldn’t risk sending my father back to prison by asking for an annulment. When Michelle informed me there would be a hearing before a divorce was granted, I knew I couldn’t risk seeing him again either. So I took the coward’s way and continued to live as Mrs. Angel Knight.
“My parents claim they don’t know, and Augustine wouldn’t tell me when I grilled him.”
I sighed and told myself not to make this a big deal. Angel’s impending release had been keeping me awake at night lately, but clearly, there was nothing to worry about. He’d been free for months, and he hadn’t bothered to pay a visit to his wife.
And why should he?
There was nothing for him here. He gave it up on that stand three years ago. He gave me up for me.
One day, when I could face him again, I would sever our ties for good. I forgave him for the pieces he carved out of my heart the moment he chose me, but I could never let him return to finish the job.
After Tabitha had finished her rant, I promised to call her tomorrow and hung up. My stomach tightened at the thought of seeing him again. It was as unavoidable as breathing.
I wasn’t sixteen with a crush anymore, and I wasn’t his prisoner trapped in a marriage I didn’t want.
You’re just the wife of a man you shouldn’t love.
Angel going to prison hadn’t waved any magic wands. My life didn’t get better once I was free, but I had a village this time who pushed me to get here.
A village I found because of Angel.
My father’s release hadn’t immediately repaired our relationship, either. I sent him away the first time he showed up on my doorstep, but he didn’t just go away after I rejected him. He kept coming back every week for six months until I finally agreed to talk. We took it slow, and eventually, I decided to forgive him by allowing him in Caylen’s life.
Undoubtedly, he’s been a better grandfather than he had been a father. I made a point not to hold it over his head, but days like these were harder than the rest.
Angel had stayed away this long. A part of me was hurt that he had while the other part of me hoped he never came back.