Chapter 25
Julian sat there on the sidewalk, stunned.
He’d watched Savannah walk away, hand in hand with another man
–
and he just couldn’t take it.
His legs gave out, and he crumpled to the ground.
By now, people were starting to pass by, their eyes full of judgment and curiosity.
But the man who once had the world at his feet, the one too proud to show weakness, just sat there with his head down, fists clenched, too broken to care.
In the days that followed, Savannah was on a timeline. She’d submitted the evidence. Within
And once that was done, she was going back to Wexley Heights.
But before she left, there was one more thing she needed to face–her mother.
Savannah had been trailing after her mom all afternoon, trying to find the right words.
a
week, the case would be resolved.
After an hour of silent hovering, her mom finally gave her a playful knock on the head with her chopsticks.
“She’d get all quiet when something was on her mind. Guess you two really were cut from the same Tra
“What’s with you? You’re acting just like your sister used to.
Hearing her mother speak of her sister so openly now–it hit Savannah harder than she expected.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat and tried to ease into the conversation.
“Mom… I’ve been dreaming about her a lot lately.
cloth.
Her mom’s smile dimmed just a little, but her eyes stayed warm. She gave a soft hum. “What kind of dreams?”
Savannah leaned into her, arms wrapping around her mom like she never wanted to let go.
www
“She said I’ve been doing a good job taking care of you. That we’re doing fine now. She looked peaceful. Said she’s at ease.”
“She also said… we shouldn’t miss her too much. She said she’s finally at peace… and that it’s okay to let go.‘
Her voice cracked at the end, the words trembling as they left her mouth.
Even her mom’s eyes were misting over now. She patted Savannah’s hand, letting out a long sigh.
“Go,” she said. “Do what you came here to do.”
Savannah froze. “Wait, really? You’re okay with it?”
Her mom shot her a look. “You think I don’t know what you’ve been planning?”
“You’ve been running around every day, helping that girl with her case. I figured it out days ago. I just didn’t say anything. Honestly… I didn’t want you to leave.”
“But I can’t pretend this doesn’t matter. Your sister deserved better. She was kind, bright–she had so much ahead of her. And even after everything, her name’s still being dragged through the mud.”
“Promise me one thing,” her mom said, voice catching. “Take care of yourself. I mean it.”
“I don’t care what Julian’s going through. A man who could betray you once will always be capable of doing it again.”
Her voice cracked then. The tears she’d been holding back came rushing out.
Savannah held her tight
“I will, Mom. I swear I’ll protect myself.”
Chapter 25
Chapter 25
“And I’m done with him. Whatever we had–it’s over.”
After several reassurances, her mom finally gave a soft nod, letting her go.
Savannah began making preparations to leave the country.
www
know what kind of spiral he was in now–and
frankly, she didn’t want to find out.
At the airport, both her mom and Aunt Carol came to see her and Ben off.
Carol held onto Ben’s hand, rattling off instructions like a mother hen. But every sentence, every reminder, was aimed at one thing-
take care of Savannah.
Ben raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to hide a smile.
“Anything you want to say to me? You know, your actual son?”
Carol blinked, then thought for a moment.
“I already did. Everything else I need to say is to her.”
Ben just sighed and chuckled, completely resigned.
R
