Chapter 242: This is Goodbye, Part 1

October 2017

My hands trembled, and my knees felt like rubber. Bile rose thick in the back of my throat. Was I really going to do this? Could I really do this? Saying goodbye was so permanent.

Blowing out a shaky breath, I knocked on the door, which swung open immediately, almost like he knew I was out here gathering my courage.

The hope and joy on his face was a cruel joke because I wasn't here to tell him I'd chosen him. I was here to say goodbye, to break his heart beyond repair. Maybe coming here had been a mistake.

"Chloe?" Relief flooded his voice as he stepped aside so I could enter.

Taking that single step over the threshold took every ounce of effort I possessed. He swung the door closed, and the sound of the latch clicking made me jump. He tapped on his cell phone, then set it on the dresser.

"Come here," he said, reaching for me.

"I - "