Thea is one of the cheeriest morning people I’ve ever met in my life. She’s also a night owl, only needing a few hours of sleep. If she could have a love affair with fruit topped with sugar, I’m certain she would.
With everything going on, she’s scheduled fewer hours at work, and I know she’s looking forward to finding something she’s a little happier with in the future. Although she’s been talking a lot with Ember about possibly going back to school, she hasn’t been as open with me about it. I get the feeling it’s because she doesn’t want to feel like a burden.
I’ve never given her the impression she is or would be, but she’s been taking care of herself for far longer than I have, so I know it’ll take time.
“Ready!” she calls out just as I put the top on a container filled with her favorite berries and sugar.
“Eat this on the way.” I hand it to her, and her grin says it all. Bending down, I can’t help but kiss her. I love touching Thea any chance I get, and she’s beginning to act the same with me.
“Mmm.” She licks her lips as I pull away and smiles softly. “Better than any fruit.” Winking, she’s out the front door before I can respond. I follow behind and nod at the neighbors as we pass.
In the past week, Thea has made it her mission to meet everyone on the block. Between her and Donna across the street, I’m sure they’ve fed them all, as well.
Without Thea in my life, I know I’d be satisfied, but I’d have never been happy. Not like I am now. As much as I hate what’s happened to her, I can’t help but be grateful in some ways because it brought us together.
Thea
* * *
It’s almost over. Eight years of my life has been filled with torment thanks to Richard, and now that we’re coming to a close, I feel nothing but relief settle deep into my bones.
I hate him. I hate everything about my life while he was in it. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel now, and right there waiting for me is Kol.
My fierce, caring man. He’s traversed through every emotion I’ve had and more because he hates that he couldn’t protect me when I needed a savior the most. We both have come so far in the last six weeks, since life brought us together again, and I don’t regret a minute of it.
As I sit quietly with Lauren and Cynthia, two of the strongest women I’ve met in my whole life, waiting for Kol and Noah to bring in Colin, I can’t help but think of my mother. She’s been asking for me for weeks. After finding out that Richard has been drugging her with antidepressants since I confessed to her what he’d done t
o me, I grapple with some guilt over deceiving her for so many years.
I can’t find it in myself to go and see her yet, unfortunately. I’m not sure I’m ready for that. She’s in a rehabilitation facility to help her cope with everything we’ve gone through. I know she must feel something about that night, but the fact is, she let me down when she was still of sound mind and body. Forgiving her isn’t nearly as simple as I would like it to be; however, I’m leaving it open to the possibility of reconciliation when we’re both ready.
“You’re sure you want to do this?” Cynthia is against me seeing Colin. I was leery, at first, but I need to find out why he betrayed his brother when they appeared so close. Especially after trashing my apartment.
“Positive.”
“I could find out for you,” she offers.
“I’m fine, Cynthia. I’m stronger now.” When we first met, I was such a wreck. It was a miracle I was able to focus on anything.
“We know you are.” Lauren pats my hand.
The two of them are like the aunts I never had. Our relationships have gone past that of victim, lawyer, and social worker. I would count them as friends now. Something I haven’t had in far too many years.
The door opens, and I stand, unprepared for the meeting now that it’s here. Kol leads the way in, followed by Colin and Noah.
Colin looks…older in the short time since I last saw him at work. He looks tired. “Thea,” he says. I’m confused because he sounds relieved.
“Hello, Colin.” I feel awkward now that we’re here.
Kol walks over to me, whispering for my ears only. “The D.A. is ready to offer Richard the deal. I told them only once you approve it.” Lord, I love this man.
“You want to know why I turned on Richard?” Colin interrupts.
“It’s not like you cared for me as a child. Why would you help me now? Especially after tracking me down and breaking into my home.”
He scoffs. “Home? That wasn’t a home. You haven’t had a home since the day Richard crossed paths with your mother.” It’s true. I’ve always been an outsider. “But that doesn’t mean I didn’t care about you. I never wanted to bring attention to you is all. I wanted Richard to back off. To leave you alone. It appears that I obviously failed on that front.” He sounds sad.
“I don’t understand.” I get the feeling I’m not going to like where this is going.