Chapter 9
The cemetery staff brought a new urn.
With trembling hands, Skylar placed the few remaining ashes she’d managed to save into it. She knelt before the grave, her forehead touching the cold ground.
Daddy, I’m sorry I loved the wrong person. Daddy, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect what was left of you. Daddy, I’m sorry, but I have to go. I won’t be able to visit for a long time.
She raised her head to see ravens circling overhead.
Blood from her scraped forehead mixed with her tears.
At sunset, she returned home alone and gathered the remnants of her secret life.
The diary filled with her lovesick confessions burned in the fireplace. The gifts she’d bought, dreaming of giving them to him, went into the dumpster. Their hidden photos together – stolen moments of happiness – were shredded to pieces.
Back in her room, she heard the front door open downstairs.
She locked her door, killed the lights, and curled into herself on the bed.
Then came the knocking.
“Sky, please open up.”
“Let me explain, baby.”
Callias’s voice.
She remained silent as tears slid down her cheeks.
Explain what? That she wasn’t just his revenge game? Or why he chose Victoria after she destroyed the only thing Skylar had left of her father?
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4.9%
Chapter 9
When the knocking finally stopped, her phone lit up with messager,
Watching his desperate attempts to explain flood her screen, the blocked his number and
deleted every trace of him,
She ignored his presence outside her door all night.
Only her mother’s voice the next morning made her unlock the door. She collapsed into those familiar arms that had always been there for her.
Her mother didn’t understand but held her daughter close, stroking her hair like she used to when Skylar was small.
Callias watched from the shadows, sleepless and silent, before disappearing downstairs.
For the next few days, Skylar slept in her mother’s room, safe from him
They packed together, sharing whispered secrets late into the night like they used to before everything changed.
In her mother’s arms, Skylar found moments of peace.
The night before leaving, she tried to stay in her mother’s room one last time.
But her mom insisted she needed proper rest in her own bed.
Alone in her room, Skylar stared into the darkness, counting shadows on her ceiling
At midnight, she heard the familiar sound of a key turning
Callias slipped in with his spare key, wrapping his arms around her.
“Still mad at me, baby? I messed up. Please forgive me.”
“Three days of silence… I’m going crazy without you.”
Skylar lay still, eyes closed.
- 71.
Chapter 5
Hearing her quiet breathing, Callias sighed softly,
Knowing she was hurting, he only kissed her temple, holding her close.
Skylar stayed awake all night, listening to his heartbeat against her back.
In the morning, his phone buzzed,
She glanced at the screen – Victoria.
Skylar nudged him awake, holding out his phone.
Still half–asleep, Callias answered.
Within seconds, he released his hold on her waist, sitting up sharply.
After hanging up, he turned back to her. “Sky, I…”
“Don’t turn on the lights. Just go.”
Her voice was barely a whisper in the darkness, empty of emotion.
Thinking she’d forgiven him, Callias murmured agreement and got up.
At the door, something made him pause. He looked back at her curled form in the shadows.
“I’ll be back soon, baby. Wait for me.”
But Skylar didn’t need him anymore. Wouldn’t wait for him anymore. They were done.
She listened to his car start up, watched his headlights fade away. Only then did she turn on
the lamp.
She got ready like any other morning – shower, clothes, makeup.
Her mother knocked, calling her to breakfast.
She ate quietly, watching the staff load her luggage into the car.
5.2%
Chapter 9.
As they carried the last bag, she suddenly remembered. She returned to her empty room one final time, pulling out a bank card and letter from her drawer.
She placed them in Callias’s room where he’d find them immediately.
“This time, I’m leaving you first.”
Her mother called from downstairs. “Skylar, hurry! We’ll miss your flight!”
She called back, heading down.
The car was waiting. After goodbye hugs with her mom and uncle, she got in.
Her mother’s voice cracked behind her.
“Take care of yourself, sweetheart.”
“I put that family friend’s number in your pocket – call him if you need anything.”
“Follow your dreams. Don’t worry about us.”
Skylar rolled down her window, fighting tears as she answered each goodbye. When they disappeared from view, she finally looked ahead.
The morning sun was bright, full of promise.
Just like her future would be…
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