I Was The Temporary Guest In The Home I Helped Buy Chapter 06

I Was The Temporary Guest In The Home I Helped Buy Chapter 06

My parents learned that the wedding had been canceled that same night.

When my mother called, her voice would not stop shaking.

“Nora, did they do something to you?”

I sat on the floor of my rental apartment with two suitcases beside me. I had planned to hide the truth from

them, but in the end, I told them everything.

My father was silent for a long time.

When he finally spoke, he said, “Come home.”

“Forget the money. I just need my daughter back.”

My throat tightened, and tears nearly spilled over, but I held them back.

“Dad, I’m getting the money back.”

“And I’m coming home too.”

I did not sleep that night. One by one, I canceled the engagement photo session and the hotel reservation.

The hotel manager apologetically explained that the deposit was nonrefundable.

“That’s fine,” I said.

I had to pay for my own poor judgment.

Graham sent me message after message. At first, he apologized. Then the apologies turned into threats.

By the end, he was sending voice messages that sounded close to sobbing.

I ignored every one of them.

The next day, I booked an Amtrak ticket to Seattle.

I had previously withdrawn from the hiring process for a position at a creative agency in Seattle because of

the wedding. When I contacted the company again, the recruiter still remembered me.

“Ms. Bennett, if you’re still interested, we can bring you back for a second interview next week.”

I agreed immediately.

Before I boarded the train, Elise sent me two messages,

Elise: [The demand letter has been mailed.]

Elise: [We have enough evidence. We should also start preparing for pre-litigation mediation.]

Me: [Okay.]

I had just lowered my phone when Graham rushed into the station waiting area.

He was carrying an enormous bouquet of red roses.

I had told him before that I hated roses. They were clichéd and prickly.

He had never remembered.

“Nora.”

He blocked my path, looking exhausted.

“I can sign a new agreement, and I’ve already had your plate added back to the resident list.”

“We can still go through with the wedding. I’ll handle the hotel, and I’ll deal with my mother.”

I looked at him.

“What exactly are you going to deal with?”

“Your mother rewriting my family’s $50,000 as a gift, or your whole pregnancy-test situation with Sabrina?”

The color drained from his face.

“I really was drunk that night.”

“What happened between Sabrina and me isn’t what you think.”

I laughed.

“Graham, once some things happen, nothing can ever be the same.”

His throat worked.

“I’ve cut her off.”

“Nora, I know I was wrong.”

Boarding was announced over the station PA.

I pulled my suitcase toward the platform. Graham reached for me, but I stepped back.

“Don’t touch me.”

His hand froze in midair.

I showed my ticket to the attendant. Before boarding, I glanced back at him.

He was still standing where I had left him. The crowd had knocked several petals from the red roses.

I looked away.

When the train pulled out, the city slowly receded beyond the window.

My phone lit up with another message from Elise.

Elise: [The Mercers have signed for the demand letter.]

I turned off the screen.

This time, I was leaving his life for good.

I was taking the evidence, my clarity, and myself with me.