Page 158 of What Comes Around

“You tried to ruin my life, Apple,” I said. “But you ruined your own.”

Her eyes lifted to mine, wild and furious. “You think you’ve won.”

“I know I have.”

“You think I’ll stay here forever.”

“You will.”

She surged forward, slamming her palm against the glass. The impact echoed through the booth. “You don’t get to say that!”

I didn’t move. Didn’t flinch.

“Your whole life’s been a joke,” I mocked. “Better luck in the next one… sis.”

For a second, she just stared at me.

Then something in her snapped.

She shot to her feet, the chair scraping harshly behind her, shouting as she slammed her hands against the glass again and again. The words blurred together, muffled through the barrier, but the rage was unmistakable.

The door behind her burst open. Two correctional officers rushed in, grabbing her arms, pulling them behind her back. She fought them, twisting, screaming, her voice breaking as they forced her toward the exit.

Her eyes locked onto mine, wide and frantic, filled with hatred and something that looked dangerously close to fear.

I stayed where I was, watching until she disappeared from view.

The room fell quiet again.

And for the first time in my life, I felt completely, unmistakably free.

Chapter 48: Safe With You

5 months later

Steam curled around me as I stood beneath the warm spray, the water sliding over my shoulders and down the curve of my stomach. I let my hand drift over it, slow and absentminded, and felt a firm kick from inside.

A soft smile tugged at my lips.

At eight months, I was uncomfortable more often than not, especially at night when she seemed to come alive, stretching and turning like she had endless energy. But I loved it. Every movement was a reassurance. She was there. She was strong.

It still felt unreal sometimes.

I still remembered the day we found out we were having a girl. Knox had grumbled in the doctor’s office, “With a boy, you only have to worry about one penis. With a girl, you have to worry about every penis in the world.”

I huffed out a quiet laugh at the memory, even now.

Then he’d softened and said he didn’t care either way, that he already loved her, and that he’d hire a bodyguard to keep boys away until she was at least twenty.

My hand lingered over the spot where she’d kicked and I glanced down, my rings catching the light through the steam. My engagement ring sat beside my wedding band now.

That still felt new too.

I still thought often about the surprise ceremony three months ago.

I hadn’t known a thing. Knox had just told me he wanted to see me in a white dress before dinner, and I hadn’t thought twice about it. I had laughed, humored him, let him guide me into the car.

Only it hadn’t taken us to dinner.