I lifted a pile of shipping forms and handed them to Laiken. “These are all ready to go.”
She arched a brow. “Look at you, dominating that computer.”
I searched her face for any hint of the grief that had been there this morning, but there was nothing. “I wouldn’t go so far as dominating but it’s no longer making me cry.”
Laiken chuckled. “That’s a victory to me. Why don’t you take your break if you’re ready? You’ve been at it for a while.”
My stomach growled in answer. “I think that means it’s time. I’m going to need a muffin from the bakery. Do you want one?”
She waved me off. “I just had like four cookies between boxing up photographs.”
I stood, holding up my phone. “Just text me if you change your mind.”
I headed out into the afternoon sunshine. Tipping my face up to the sky, I let the rays melt away the bite in the air. It was colder than I thought, and I wondered if the snow would come earlier this year. Maybe Beckett and I could go sledding. I hadn’t done that since my mom had still been around.
The familiar ache at the thought of her remained, but it wasn’t quite as fierce as it usually was. The worst of the sting had eased as my life got fuller and fuller. Because I was happy. Free. Living the life I wanted. For the first time, I found that I hoped she was, too. I wasn’t sure if I could ever forgive her completely, but I could let go of that anger.
A familiar figure caught my attention a few shops up. I increased my pace, moving towards the woman before I even knew what I would say. I picked up into a little jog, slightly out of breath by the time I reached her. “Cora.”
She whirled around at the sound of her name, eyes going wide as she took me in. “Addie.” Her gaze jumped around the street—I was sure looking for Brandon or anyone who might report back to him.
“It’s good to see you.”
Cora adjusted Jack on her hip. “You, too. We were just heading to pick up some bread at the bakery,”—she put her hand on her son’s head—“and we’re running late.”
“I’m going to the bakery, too. We can walk together.”
She opened her mouth and then closed it, starting down the sidewalk. I knew she wanted to brush me off but didn’t want to tell me outright to get lost.
“How are you?” I asked softly.
“We’re fine. You?”
“I’m good. Really good.” I took a deep breath and moved in closer to Cora. Knowing we were running out of time, I took a deep breath and let my words tumble out. “If you want to leave, I can help get you out. You can stay with Beckett and me while you get on your feet.” I offered it, knowing he and Hayes would’ve done the same.
Cora’s steps faltered, and my hand went to her elbow. “W-we’re fine.”
I gripped her arm lightly, bringing her to a stop. “I don’t think you are. I wasn’t. Not when I was six, and my mom bailed, leaving me with a monster. Not when that monster broke ribs and the skin on my back. Not when I thought he’d force me into a marriage with one of his friends. I wasn’t fine. But I’m healing now. I got out. It was terrifying, but I don’t regret it for a second.”
Cora’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry, Addie. You were just a kid—”
“A kid like Jack will be. He’ll stop being a baby that you can carry around and hide. Brandon will hurt him. I don’t want that for Jack, and I don’t want it for you. Let me help you.”
Tears spilled over, tracking down her cheeks. “Brandon will never let me go.”
My free hand fisted, my nails biting into my palm. “He won’t have a choice.”
32
BECKETT
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I closed the door to an exam room. I pulled it out, studying the screen.
Addie: Will you call Hayes to the clinic? I have Cora with me. She wants help.
I stared down for a second before I did anything. Addie was a living, breathing miracle in so many ways. I hurried to type up a response.
Me: Dolores will bring you straight back to my office.