Chapter 21
After running into Tristan in Prague, Sloan’s life had taken a different turn. Sloan wasn’t the kind of woman who liked relying on others. When she first moved abroad, she had refused help from her friends and taken on part–time jobs to make ends meet. Through it all, Tristan had quietly been there, supporting her from the shadows.
When she nearly died giving birth to Brielle, it was Tristan who had found her in time and rushed her to the hospital. And yet, he had never crossed any lines.
Over time, their feelings for each other naturally deepened and they ended up together.
Now, coming back to Rainmere felt inevitable. First, Sloan wanted to lay her mother to rest in her hometown. Leaving years ago hadn’t been a choice–it was a necessity.
Second, she was ready to reclaim her career. She was done being just a pretty face.
She had imagined running into Wyatt before coming back, but she never expected him to act like a complete maniac.
Wyatt’s eyes were wide with desperation as he stared at Sloan’s trembling frame. It was like he had only just realized what he’d done. His hands clenched at his sides.
I’m sorry, Sloan… I just… I was terrified of losing you. I panicked and lost control,” he said, his voice shaking.
For a second, he wasn’t even sure what had come over him. All he knew was that he
couldn’t stand the thought of losing Sloan.
But Sloan didn’t even spare him a glance. She leaned against Tristan and hurried toward the door without a word.
Wyatt’s chest tightened painfully as he watched her leave. His heart felt like it was being torn apart and the future looked bleak.
How was he supposed to fix this?
Just minutes ago, everything had seemed fine. Sloan had forgiven Carol, so Wyatt had assumed that meant she’d forgiven him too.
But he’d destroyed any chance he had.
Wyatt sank to the ground, clutching his chest as broken sobs escaped him. He had no one to blame but himself. So this was what it felt like–to be rejected by someone you loved. It was like his heart had been ripped from his chest, leaving nothing but bleeding, exposed wounds.
But there had to be a way to fix this. Brielle was his daughter. If he could win her over, Sloan’s soft heart would follow. She wouldn’t let their daughter grow up without a father- she was too kind for that.
Clinging to that last shred of hope, Wyatt dragged himself off the floor. He wasn’t giving up. Not yet.
It was Brielle’s first day at preschool. Sloan had arrived early to pick her up, worried that her daughter might feel overwhelmed.
But the teacher said Brielle had already been picked up.
Chapter 21
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“What?” Sloan’s heart hammered in her chest. “Who took her?”
“Her father,” the teacher said.
Sloan’s blood ran cold. She immediately called Tristan, but he said he hadn’t sent anyone. Panic took over. She raced outside, screaming, “Brielle! Where are you?!”
Tears blurred her vision as she stumbled over a loose piece of pavement. Her knees hit the ground hard and pain shot through her legs. Blood seeped through her ripped jeans, but she didn’t care. Sobbing, she curled her arms around herself.
Brielle was everything to her. She couldn’t lose her daughter–not after everything they’d been through.
Her body moved faster than her mind. With shaking hands, she called Wyatt.
“You kidnap my daughter?” Wyatt’s voice was calm, even cheerful. “Relax, Sloan. She’s my daughter too. I just took her to get some ice cream. We’ll be back soon.”
Sloan’s panic sharpened into rage. Wyatt was unpredictable–she didn’t trust him, not with herself and definitely not with Brielle.
“Bring her back! Now!” she shouted.
Wyatt hung up, still smiling as he carried Brielle in his arms.
“Sweetheart, when you see Mommy, tell her you had fun with Daddy, okay?”
Brielle licked her ice cream cone, completely ignoring him.
When they finally reached Sloan, Brielle’s eyes widened in horror at the sight of her mother’s bloody knees.
“Mommy! Why are you bleeding?” Her little hands trembled as tears spilled down her cheeks.
