Chapter 34

Blake loses his grip on me, and I tumble to the ground. Tears run down my cheeks. Blake had hit the gun against my head, and I wince from the pain. I cover my mouth to stop myself from sobbing.

"Relax. Everything is okay now," Chance says, running his hand over my back in a soothing manner.

Chance? I blink my eyes open, focusing on him. "What’s going on?" I ask when I see the police van and an ambulance.

"Everything is okay. Blake is dead and your dad is over there talking with the police," he says, pointing at the nurses putting a body bag into the ambulance and then at my dad, who is speaking with a police officer.

I stare, shocked and confused. "How?" I ask.

"We played his plan against him," he says, helping me up. "He had a garbage plan anyway. I arrived before he got here and the police were just behind your dad waiting for the right time," he says with a smug look.

"Excuse me. We need to tend to your injuries," a nurse says before I can reply to Chance.

"It’s fine. It’s just a little scratch," I say, dusting off the dirt on my clothes.

"But you are bleeding, so I advise you to come with me," she says.

I touch my temple and wince. My finger has blood on it.

"Thanks. I will meet you over there," I say with a smile.

I look back at Chance.

"Shiloh, can we talk after you tend to your injuries?" he asks nervously.

I cough slightly. "Thanks so much for everything. It really means a lot," I say sincerely with a smile, ignoring his question.

"I am glad I was able to help. Shiloh, I can't pretend everything is okay between us after every awful thing I did to you," he says with guilt in his eyes.

"Chance, let’s not do this right here," I say tiredly brushing my hand over my forehead.

"Please just give me a few minutes. I am trying to make things right here," he says furtively.

I try blinking back the frustrating tears before looking away. I can’t bring myself to look into his eyes. They are filled with regret and sadness, and the bags under his eyes are more noticeable.

“Please just give me more time," I say calmly, trying my best not to show any weakness.

"Shiloh, how much time do you need? I am ready to give you more time," he says, whispering the last part. He pinches my chin and lifts my head up. "But please just give a few minutes of your time right now. Please," he says meeting my eyes with an intense stare.

I move back making him drop his hand. "No, Chance. I can't do this right now. Just because you’re ready, doesn’t mean I am," I say before walking away.

I wipe the tears away and walk to my dad's car. "Thank you so much, Mr. Colt," I say formally, not wanting to make my dad angry or to reveal his big secret about me.

He stares at me for a few seconds opening and closing his mouth as if he wants to say something. But then he replies with a nod and gets into his car.

I stare silently as he drives off and then I walk to the ambulance. After dressing my injuries, the ambulance drives me home, which was awkward with Blake’s body behind me.

"Thanks a lot," I say, stepping out.

"It was my pleasure," the driver, Kenneth, replies with a smile as he waves goodbye.

I take in a deep breath and knock on the door. As soon as the door opens, I’m pulled into a bone-crushing hug.

"Chole, I can't breathe," I choke out, trying to get her to pull away.

"You are alright. We were all so worried," she says, stepping back with a wide grin.

"Yeah, I know," I say with a smile.

"Come in. You must be tried." She pulls the door wide open to let me in.

"Yeah, I am so tired and hungry," I say, scanning the house before meeting her gaze. "Where is Wilmer?" I ask as I take off my shoes.

"He is upstairs sleeping right now."

I reply with a nod before walking up the stairs. I open the door and find Wilmer sleeping soundly in his baby crib. I grin as happy tears run down my cheeks.

"Baby, your mum is back," I say while brushing my thumb over his cheek, making him whimper.

"I missed you so much," I mumble and place a long kiss on his forehead. "I missed you very, very, very much."

He stirs and whimpers softly. He swings his little fist in the air and starts to wail loudly. "It’s okay. Mum is here," I croon, picking him up while he begins to cry earnestly.

I make myself comfortable on the bed before placing him on my lap. "Baby Wilmer is so hungry." I caress his forehead.

"Chole, can you please get me Wilmer's milk?" I ask.

I continue kissing him all over his face to ease him from crying before Chole walks in with a bottle. "Thanks," I say with a nod. I feed Wilmer while Chole takes a seat beside me on the bed.

"Was everything okay while I was gone? I hope Wilmer didn't keep you up late at night and that it wasn't too much to take care of him alone. I owe you so much," I say as Wilmer greedily sucks on the bottle.

"Everything was fine, but we were all worried about you. Everyone came over to help with Wilmer," she explains.

"Thank you so much for everything. It means a lot to me."

"It’s nothing. I am just doing my best since I’m being paid for it," she jokes.

We watch Wilmer while she fills me in with everything going on. After making sure he is asleep, I put him in his crib. I grab some clean clothes and get ready to take a hot shower while Chole prepares something for me to eat.

After my shower, I run the towel over my wet hair and then hang it on the door. I stare at the mirror lost in thought. I ruminate over everything I have been through with Chance, my family, and everything.

Am I ready to forgive everything and give Chance another shot? Is it worth it? Because I feel like I'm waiting for something that isn't going to happen.

I sigh as I run my hands over my head. I hate that I'm still hoping for something that will only break my heart. I hate that my heart still feels the same for him even with every heartbreak he caused me. Sometimes we create our own heartbreak through expectation.

Why does everything have to be so complicated? I just need a break from all this. I have so many questions left unanswered. Like what does Blake’s father have to do with my dad and why did it make Blake so bitter? Does this secret involve me in any way?

I sigh loudly. "Please save me from this dilemma. Show me the right solution to this problem," I pray quietly.

"Shiloh, come down. Everyone is here!" Chole yells, cutting through my thoughts.

"Give me a minute," I yell back, hoping not to wake Wilmer up.

After putting on denim shorts and a black tank top, I check that Wilmer is still asleep. I walk to the living room where everyone is waiting.

"OMG, you are alright," Emma says, hugging me tightly. "Thank God nothing bad happened!"

"Yeah, I missed you too," I say, patting her back.

Everyone hugs me and laughs with relief and happiness.

"Come on. You need to put some meat on those bones," Elaina says, pulling me into the kitchen. We all laugh as she dishes out a large portion of food on my plate.

I wish every minute of my life was like this.