Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
When she gets to the last present, Kira eyes me in confusion since I didn’t tell her that I was buying Violet anything. The present says it’s from the both of us though because I don’t want Violet to think her mom wasn’t part of it.
“Oh my God!” Violet yells, tearing the paper. “It’s an iPad!” Violet drops the box on the table and runs over to give her mom a hug. “Thank you, Mommy! This is the best present ever.” Once she’s hugged her, she comes my way and wraps her arms around me. “This is the best birthday ever.”
I clean up Addie’s sticky fingers while Kira helps Violet open the box. When she asks if it works like Kira’s phone, I let them know that I’ve added it to my plan so it has data and can be used anywhere. It’s an iPad mini, so it’s the perfect size for her little hands.
Kira shoots me a look of awe and disbelief, and I simply shrug. I warned her that I planned to spoil them, and I meant it. Violet might not be my blood, but just like Kira, she’s mine to take care of. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
chapter twenty-five
KIRA
“Violet, let’s go!”
“Okay,” Violet says, jumping up from the couch. “I need to grab my iPad!”
It’s been two weeks since Ryder surprised us both with the device, and I have a feeling I’m going to have to set some limits on it. Luckily, she’ll be starting school full-time soon, and she’ll be busy. I wanted to chide Ryder for purchasing something so expensive, but the smile on my daughter’s face stopped me. To him, it wasn’t about the cost, but about making her birthday memorable and all about her.
We went to the park so she could ride her new bike, and when we got home, I made her favorite dinner. We had her favorite cake for dessert, and then we played her favorite games before bed. And even though Ryder insisted on paying for everything, it felt good to know that I had more than enough money in the bank to provide it all for her myself.
When the weekend came around, our friends came over to celebrate Violet’s birthday again. We spent the day in the pool, and Ryder rented a bounce house. We grilled burgers, and afterward, we sang “Happy Birthday” to her again with everyone cheering. I took pictures, and then I did something I hadn’t done since I ran away—I texted them to my mom.
I spoke to Ryder about it when he mentioned Violet had thought she saw Brian, and we decided that I was done hiding. My relationship with my mom was barely hanging on by a thread as it was. That night, I called her, and we spoke for a long time. I thanked her for everything she had done to help me escape and told her about my new life in Texas. She asked when she could see us, and I promised that once things settled down, I would get her a flight to come visit.
“Mommy!” Addie squeals, lifting her arms so I can pick her up.
We’ve been home the past week since I’ve been nervous about leaving, but the girls are getting a bit antsy, so when Marie asked to meet up again, I gave in. Jacob, my bodyguard, will be driving us and will stay close—but not so close that it’s obvious—in case Brian shows up.
We meet at the coffee shop, and Marie hugs me, saying it feels like we haven’t seen each other in forever.
“I know! It’s been crazy. Between serving my ex with divorce papers, going away for the Fourth of July, and—”
Before I can finish my sentence, Marie grabs the hand I was waving in the air and gasps, “Are you … engaged?”
“I am,” I gush.
“But you’re still married.”
The tone in her voice instantly puts me on the defense.
“I know, but that’s only because of Brian. Once he signs the papers, I’ll legally be divorced, and Ryder and I can get married.”
“Mommy, can we go to the park?” Violet asks.
“Sure.” I look at Marie. “Would you like to join us?”
“Of course. It’s a beautiful day out.”
I give the girls their chocolate milk, and we walk outside toward the park with Jacob following far enough behind us that I don’t have to explain anything to Marie.
When we get to the kiddie play area, Violet jumps out of the stroller and runs straight for the slide while Addie says, “Out, pease!” so I can help her out.
I’ve only just picked her up, and I am about to place her on her feet when a masculine voice that still haunts my nightmares speaks my name, making me spin around.
“Brian,” I gasp. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s time to come home,” he says, his voice calm, like he didn’t beat the crap out of me and then throw me down a flight of stairs and leave me for dead. Like I didn’t file a restraining order against him and run away the moment I found out he was going to get away with what he’d done.