My BFF’s “Gift” for My Daughter? She’s Pregnant With MY Husband’s Baby! Chapter 23
“Wait-you’re leaving?”
I grabbed my phone off the floor.
He’d only caught part of the text. Stared at me.
“Because of me?”
I stepped back. “No. Just… want a change of scenery.”
He started to say something. I shut the door.
Next morning I’m clearing out my room and find this old box shoved way back in my closet.
Pictures of Perry and me. That necklace he gave me freshman year-had this tiny “P” on it.
God, the way he used to look at me. The way Mom and Dad actually cared back then.
My throat got tight. I dumped everything in a trash bag.
Walked out. Almost stepped on Payton.
She’s sitting there with her blocks. Looks up at me.
“Whatcha got there, Auntie?”
I knelt down. Ruffled her hair-her head was so warm against my freezing fingers it almost hurt.
“Just old stuff. Nothing important.”
She looked at my face. “Do you not like us?”
Looking at her was like looking at Perry. Man, that stung.
“What? No. You’re sweet, kiddo.”
“Then how come you’re always sad?” She grabbed my hand. “Daddy says you were a princess. And Grandma told me you had everything. Like, you were the happiest person ever.”
Princess.
Nobody’s called me that in forever.
Now it just feels mean.
Everyone thinks I’ve got it made.
Nobody wants to see me breaking.
My eyes started burning. I turned away.
Footsteps. Perry and Summer came around the corner. Perry looked surprised seeing me with Payton.
Summer basically ran over. Scooped up the kid.
“Come on, sweetie. Don’t bug Auntie, she’s not feeling good. We gotta let her rest.”
The way she said “not feeling good”-like she’s warning Perry I’m pulling some attention seeking BS.
Payton kept looking at me. “But Mom, she’s crying. Her hands are freezing.”
Perry’s eyes went to my face. Saw how red my eyes were. He froze.
Then he yanked the bag out of my hands. Stuff spilled everywhere-photos, that stupid necklace.
His face did something complicated.
“You’re seriously throwing this away?” Voice came out rough.
“Yeah. What’s the point?”
His fist closed around the bag. He looked pissed and hurt at the same time. “Charlotte, you can really just… forget everything? Like it meant nothing?”
I smiled. It hurt. “Perry, what we had is dead. I’m trying to move on here. Why wouldn’t I throw it out?”
“Move on?” He laughed-sounded awful. “You call this moving on? You’re destroying yourself. Can’t you see that? Don’t you get how messed up-
How worried you are?
Yeah, okay. The guy who faked his death and ran off with my best friend is worried about me.
I just looked at him. Didn’t say anything. Let whatever was left in my eyes just… go out.
Summer grabbed his arm. That soft voice cutting in:
“Perry, hon, just drop it. You know how Charlie is. She grew up with everything. Course she’s not thrilled we’re here now. Makes sense.”
Beat. Her eyes got all tragic.
“I’m fine, really. Long as I have you, long as we’re together… I can handle whatever.”
I didn’t bother. Just turned and left.
Perry came after me. Grabbed my wrist hard. Shoved me against the wall. His eyes were wild.
“Charlotte, what happened to you? You’re like-God, you’re like a ghost or something. Why are you doing this?”
I pushed at his chest. Barely moved him. “Perry, what I do isn’t your problem anymore. You gave up that right.”
Blood just started pouring out of my nose. Mid-sentence. Wouldn’t stop.
His face went white.
“You’re sick. Oh my God, you’re actually sick. Charlotte, what’s wrong? What’s going on?”
