Chapter 6

I was shaking with anger, my mind spinning out of control. I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. "You don't deserve to be Sam's family."

Mark looked like he'd been hit by a truck. He started coughing, a hacking, wet sound that didn't stop until he was spitting blood into his palm. Still, he pointed a shaking finger at me. "Get her out. Now!"

Samuel was still reeling, his face twisted in a mix of confusion and rage. "Catherine, explain yourself! What is this 'Sam' talk? What are you playing at?" He reached out to grab my arm, trying to haul me out of there.

I shoved him off me. A wicked idea popped into my head. I looked at him and let out a slow, mocking laugh. "I called him Sam. You still don't get what's going on between us?"

Samuel's face went red with humiliation and anger. He reached for me again, trying to drag me away. "Come with me. We're going to settle this right now."

I looked at him and started to laugh, the tears finally spilling over. I rested a hand on my stomach. "I once carried his child."

If that baby had made it, they'd be standing here right now, calling him "Uncle Samuel."

Samuel's eyes went bloodshot instantly. His hands were shaking with pure, unadulterated rage. His grip on my arm was so tight that the veins popped out.

I ripped my arm away and threw his own words back in his face. "I was only messing with you. What makes you think I'd ever want someone like you?"

He looked like he wanted to hit me, his hand hovering in the air for a second before he slammed it down. Finally, he said, "We are going home to talk about this."

I looked at him coldly and said, "Samuel, we're done." Then I turned and walked out, stepping directly into the pouring rain.

Behind me, Mark's coughing fit was getting worse. It sounded like he was having a heart attack.

Samuel tried to chase me, but Maggie caught his arm, sobbing, "Samuel, look at Dad."

She acted like the lady of the house and Samuel didn't find it improper at all.

*****

I walked out of the Quinn estate and grabbed a cab back to my own place.

The rain was lashing against the windows, and I felt completely hollow. The dream was over. Heathcliff was never coming back. Three years, and I finally had to wake up.

My phone buzzed with a message: Ms. Shaw, we've found the juvenile offender.]

My heart started racing. Finally. Once this was done, I could finally go meet Heathcliff in another world again.

I tried to smile, but the tears were already streaming down my face, blurring everything.

As the car cruised along the river, I remembered all those nights I'd spent here with Heathcliff, watching the fireworks. I hadn't come back for three years. Now that my time was running out, I needed to walk this path one last time.

The driver, an older guy, caught my eye in the rearview mirror, looking worried. "Miss, it's pouring out there. It's not safe by the river in this weather. Why don't you find somewhere warm?"

I gave him a reassuring smile. "It's okay, I'm meeting a friend here."

As I got out, he insisted on handing me an umbrella. "Take it. You've got a long life ahead of you. Take care of yourself."

My eyes burned with unshed tears. I didn't remember the last time I'd been close to tears.

I slipped him a few extra dollars before stepping out.