Page 84 of The Other Side

Leaving me with a tear-soaked face and shattered spirit.

A spirit that doesn’t know what it was trying to fight for in the first place.

Chapter 26

Callie Rae

I just have to make it through dinner.

One more dinner, Callie.

I’m swiping my palms down my bodycon midi dress. I stare at the full-length mirror, my hands lifting to fasten my low bun at the back of my neck. I make sure to leave a couple wavy strands around my face, only to adjust my spaghetti straps.

My lips fold to smooth my berry lipstick out when Jesse’s voice pops in.

“Almost ready?”

My stomach sours when he enters the bedroom. I meet his eyes through the reflection, his presence practically chewing on my skin.

He hasn’t touched me since Thursday afternoon. I’d say that’s a win, but maybe it’s just because I already know the game.

The less you talk back, the less repercussions there will be.

For now.

“Yes,” I answer, my face unmoving.

My deadened stare lingers on him when he halts at my back. He leans to latch his lips to my shoulder, and all of my organs buckle at the contact.

His warm mouth is entirely lost on me. I can feel nothing but frost sprinkle my skin.

“Here,” he whispers. He parks at my side, dangling a navy gift bag between his fingers. “I couldn’t not give you this. Not just because of how sorry I am, but because it’s your birthday. You only deserve the best.”

My gaze bolts to the white tissue peeking from the jewelry bag. I refuse to meet his eyes. He’s apologized since he hit me, but the indigo blemish on my cheekbone haunts me wherever I go.

The bruise has faded to a yellow tint now. I had to avoid Brant this weekend when it was ripe. He reached out to me, hoping to meet up, and I was curt enough to shoo his persistence away.

Just long enough.

There’s not a single doubt in me that he would’ve caught the sight. No matter how much makeup I applied, he would’ve read me like a book. Then he would’ve beat the shit out of Jesse right after.

Until he was dead.

When he was done, he would’ve lost his job at Nexis. His life. Everything he’s worked too damn hard for. All because of Jesse.

All because of me.

No. Not again.

Never again.

I could never forgive myself if I was the reason for all that. I’ve hardly granted myself grace from the first time, and I refuse to make the same mistake twice.

Dove will always deserve better. I’ll be here to make sure he’s taken care of.

A vapid smile lands on my lips when I take the gift from Jesse. I shuffle my fingers through the crunchy paper, extracting the large, velvet box.

For every occasion, Jesse has bought me jewelry. Not the simple kind either. It’s always jewelry that stands out and turns heads. All very beautiful, but the element of surprise is missing.