Chapter 58

"Cutie Pie, you still have me," Wayne said, gently patting my head before releasing it.

I hadn't cried until this moment. My eyes welled up, and tears poured forth. I didn't want to cry in front of him, but I couldn't stop. "I can't let these tears fall; they'll give me away," I told myself.

Swallowing them only made them flow faster. I turned my head, trying to hide my face. Wayne's hand rested on my head again, gently ruffling my hair. "It's okay to cry in front of me, you remember?"

He'd said that before. His words now tore at my dignity. I turned my back, quickly wiping away the tears.

Sensing my discomfort, he picked up my suitcase. "I'll put this in your car."

As he left, I covered my face and wept freely. When I finally went downstairs, Matthew and Lindey were still in the kitchen, their joy at Wayne's return overshadowing their anxiety about losing me as a daughter-in-law.

I didn't say goodbye. I couldn't bear for them to see my tear-stained face or risk them trying to keep me.

Wayne waited by the car, lost in thought. Seeing me approach, he smiled softly. "Need a ride?"

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "You've been gone for four years. Seavora has changed. You might get lost."

Wayne's lips twitched. "Is that so?"

I focused on my feet, avoiding his gaze to hide my red, swollen eyes. "I'll be going now. I'll treat you to dinner another day."

Wayne said nothing as I opened the car door. Just as I started the engine, he leaned in. "Can you tell me where you're staying?"

My grip tightened on the steering wheel. I remained silent.

He gave a sad smile, stepping back. "Drive safe."

As I drove away, I watched the house shrink in the rearview mirror, and my tears flowed anew. I whispered, "Goodbye to the home I lived in for ten years. Farewell to my first love. Farewell to the person I used to be."

Lindey didn't call. Maybe Wayne had spoken to her.

Back at my apartment in Emberholm, I unpacked, cleaned up, and went to bed. I slept until morning. Opening the window, the rising sun promised a fresh start.

I'd promised Jace, so I'd spend most of my time at the amusement park, conveniently avoiding him. Demi was ready for a month of hard work; that was the deadline for the park's completion.

"Double-check the arrival times for the two companies' representatives tomorrow," I told Demi.

"It's confirmed. One arrives at ten in the morning, and the other at two in the afternoon. I've booked their rooms at the nearest Holiday Inn," Demi reported.

"Book one more room," I said.

"Is someone else coming?" Demi asked.