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I really hoped that it worked because I needed to be rid of him. I needed the fear that was within me gone. I knew I had to leave my family, friends, and now Blake, to carry this out but I could only hope that with time, that I could eventually come back and fix everything I had done.

I picked up the envelope holding the papers with my new identity, along with the cash and a few other things like photos and a spare change of clothes. I left my wallet and purse behind. Taking a hold of the door handle, I looked over my shoulder at my handy work and smiled. I opened the door and walked out of the life I once knew. That was the beginning of a new life, a life that I would hopefully live in without fear. Blake purchased the ticket, and he’d said that everything had been arranged for me to get on the bus and to keep going until I felt safe.

It broke my heart that I was leaving him. He was my new everything and all I wanted was to have a life with him and for us to be happy. That simply couldn’t happen now. He had asked that I let him know where I was by sending him a postcard at each stop, and he would follow when it came time. I couldn’t use the phone he gave me until everything blew over, but even then I wasn’t sure I would use it. I couldn’t risk it.

For now, my new journey had begun and my past was now just that, my past.

Chapter Twenty-One

Abby

Present Day

“So I left, and I’ve been in that same area ever since.” I look around me and everyone’s eyes are bulging out of their heads. Rachel and Flick have their hands over their mouths while the guys sat there while their mouths hanging open in shock.

“Where have you been living?” Melodi asks.

“I travelled for what felt like ages and I went as far as I could to San Diego. I found a women’s shelter. They took me in and helped me with everything I needed.” The women there were beautiful spirits and so loving to all who were in their care. We were each other’s support and they helped me through my pregnancy and with the birth of Katie. I smile at the memories of their kindness. It was a place I called my home away from home. They welcomed me with open arms. When I learnt I was expecting Katie they were there for me through it all. After everything I had been through, all the heartache, the run for my life, to learn that without my family by my side I was going to enter the frightening world of motherhood was scary. I remember them wrapping me in their arms while I sat there staring at the test result, crying my eyes out as though my world had come to an end when in actual fact it was like starting a new life. Like mother hens with their baby chicks, they tucked me under their wings and became my new adopted family.

“Wow! That’s pretty far,” Flick announces.

“Yeah, I needed to feel safe and since I couldn’t go any further than there, I figured it would be good enough. I met the most amazing ladies at the shelter. They never knew my full story, but they saw the evidence on my face with the bruising from where I had hit my head that night.”

“And what about Katie?” Melodi’s eyes met mine as I turned toward her. I knew these questions were going to be asked, but I’m not sure I’m ready for them tonight. I haven’t even had the chance to tell Blake that Katie is his child.

“I found out I was pregnant a couple of weeks after I got to the women’s shelter. They helped me with everything. They set me up with appointments and doctors since I didn’t know anyone.”

“Is Jacob her father?” she asks and holds my gaze.

My heart feels like a hand has wrapped itself around it and is squeezing tightly. “Umm…well, to be honest, I hadn’t been intimate with Jacob in a while so—”

“So she is mine?” Blake cuts me off, his tone is hard and cold.

I didn’t realise he was back in the room. I wanted to tell him privately. I never wanted to keep this from him. Right now I’m feeling like the worst, and the stupidest woman in the world.

How could I hurt the one person I love by not telling him that he has a daughter?

“I…I was going to tell you, I promise.” I jump up from my seat and race over to him. I take his hands in mine, but he pulls away and the rejection hurts. Tears spring to my eyes and I try once again to reach out for him, but he walks away and out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

Embarrassment courses through me. I can’t believe it came out when everyone was here. Don’t they have their own homes to go to? It seems like they are mind readers because in the next minute they all stand together and say their goodbyes to Melodi and Corban. As they walk past me, the guys don’t say anything. Why would they? I hardly know these people, but the girls stop and they both give me warm, gentle embraces. The kind that makes you feel like everything will be okay.

Flick pulls back from the hug and looks at me. “I know I don’t know you, or Blake very well, but I’m sure things will work out. I can see the love that’s between you both. I see it with Melodi and Corban and I’m sure he’ll come around, eventually.”

“Thank you,” I manage to choke out before the lump in my throat stops me from saying anymore.

Before I realise it, I’m on my own again with Melodi and Corban. I don’t really know what to say to either of them right now. My mind is on Blake and how he’s feeling. I want, no, I need to talk to him. As I work up the courage to go out after him, the front door opens and in walks Blake. His face is hard, and I can see the hurt etched in his eyes and the frown that covers his brow. Hurt that I’ve caused him. He traverses to me, stopping just inches from me.

“I’m sorry.” Two simple words with so much meaning. It feels like ages before he does anything, but then he reaches out and takes my hand, wrapping it in his own. I look down to our entwined fingers and back up to his beautiful green eyes. Eyes that make my heart melt.

“I’m sorry for storming out. It’s a lot to take in right now and knowing that I’ve missed out on years of her life crushes me.”

I sense him fighting back his emotions, but before I can reply Corban speaks up.

“Guys, we’ll go back to my place and give you two some privacy.”

Melodi hops up and goes into her room to pack a few items. I’m sure she’s feeling exhausted and probably sick as well. I remember my morning sickness, and it was hell and I would never wish it on anyone, but it’s a fact of life and I hope that she doesn’t have it like I did.

“Will it be safe for them to go?” I ask Blake urgently. I don’t want them to be placed in danger any more than what they have been already. It makes me sick to my stomach knowing it’s my fault that Melodi and her babies could be harmed. Hell, even Corban getting hurt would seriously crush me, and I’ve only known him less than twenty-four hours.

“Yeah, they should be fine since it’s really you and Katie he’s after. Plus, I’ll be here to keep you safe, and I’m sure Corban can keep Melodi safe.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me to him, and lightly placing a kiss on my head.

“All right you pair, I’m feeling tired and sick, so I need to get some sleep. It’s been a crazy twenty-four hours.” Melodi looks to me and Corban, and a small smile plays on her lips. “I’m glad you’re here, Abby. I just wish you’d told me somehow. I don’t think you realise the kind of damage your death did to our family and the court trials were super hard.”

I rush over to her, taking her in my arms. I’m so glad to have my sister back and I know nothing will ever fix those years I was gone and thought dead, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to them all.

“I’m sorry, Melodi. Truly I am. I totally understand if you hold it against me.”

“I don’t hold anything against you. I will admit I’m a little annoyed at you for not telling me about Jacob in the first place, and the miserable life he put you through. I always had my suspicions, but whenever I brought them up you just shut me out. I know Mum and Dad were blind to it because they thought the sun shined out of his butt.”