He Protected My Baby’s Killer So I Left Him Chapter 20
The day we arrived at the coast, the weather was perfect.
My mother linked arms with my father and went for a walk along the shore.
I sat on the terrace, holding Toast.
A work email popped up on my phone.
The company was asking if I wanted to stay in Austin to lead another new project.
I replied with one word.
Yes.
A colleague quickly sent over the new contract.
The emergency contact field had already been auto-filled with my mother’s name.
I didn’t change it.
A sea breeze drifted over, and Toast narrowed his eyes in contentment.
Suddenly, I thought of the night I left the hospital.
Sitting in that car, I’d thought I had lost my child, my marriage, and the man I’d loved for ten years.
I thought my life had been shattered.
Now I understand.
All I lost were four people who chose me last, over and over again.
The life that truly belongs to me has only just begun.
On the beach, my mother turned and called out to me.
“Soleil, come take a picture!”
I scooped up Toast and ran toward her.
My father raised his phone, complaining that we were too slow.
The sunset spilled gold across the sky behind us.
In the frame, there was no Matteo.
No Leo, Marco, or Nico.
And no Isabella, forever waiting for them to protect her.
There was only me, and the family who truly loved me.
After the photo was taken, I lowered my head to look at the screen.
Then I smiled and said, “Let’s take another one.”
In this picture, there was no space I had to give up for anyone else.
And no one would ever be able to lock me out again.