Delaney James seems to have it all-a successful husband, a stylish Manhattan townhouse, and a thriving career in fashion journalism-until it all falls apart. Her husband leaves her, shattering the perfect life she once knew. Heartbroken and desperat...
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It's been three weeks since Mr. McKinnie's funeral and I haven't spoken to my family, or Jo, or Greyson since. I didn't expect to hear from Greyson, and my parents have given me the space I asked them for, but Jo and Adelaide have texted me at least every other day asking if I'm ready to talk – to which I give them a simple, No. I was angry when I found out everyone I love and trusted kept Greyson not going to Chicago a secret – really angry – but the anger has faded over time and now I'm just left feeling hurt, which I've learned from experience can take longer to heal than just being mad at someone.
When I got back to the McKinnie's after I left the beach and confronted my parents about them not telling me Greyson stayed in South Grove, they told me he isn't their main priority – I am. The last they'd heard Greyson wasn't taking the job with the Cubs, but when I told them we'd broken up and he was leaving South Grove, they had no idea he was lying. In fact, it was almost three weeks before they found out the truth, and at that point I was already back in New York and settled in at Vogue. They apologized and admitted it was wrong for them to keep it from me, but in the next sentence my mother confessed she didn't regret their decision and she'd do it again if she had to.
They believe I was presented with an opportunity that would most likely never present itself again, and make my life infinitely better, so they kept a secret that they felt would obscure my decisions and hold me back. Greyson couldn't leave South Grove, and they understood why, but they weren't going to let me hold myself back because of that. They saw more for me – like Greyson did – and they said they'd do whatever they needed to do to make it happen. To this day, I stand by my accusation that it was my decision whether I stayed in South Grove or moved back to Manhattan – and mine only – but I do understand their reasoning. I even somewhat appreciate it.
My parents asked Jo not to say anything and that's the only reason why she didn't tell me. She knew if I ever found out they kept it from me I'd be mad, but my parents asked her to respect their wishes, so she did. When I asked Adelaide what her excuse was, she said, "I won't let you hold yourself back for any man. Ever." Did I want to shake her and tell her it's none of her business? Yes, but I can't honestly say I wouldn't do the same thing if the roles were reversed.
Greyson didn't ask anyone to keep it from me. He never wanted to keep it a secret. That was all my parents' decision. Once he blurted out the lie and I believed it, and I left for New York to start the next chapter of my life, he considered it a closed case and got back to his everyday life, but he didn't ask or tell anyone to lie for him. Which, honestly, makes me feel better. I'm not ready to let him go and I haven't mentally and emotionally cut him off yet, and I don't know how many more hits I can take from him before I realize I have to.
Not being mad anymore only makes me realize how much I miss him and still love him. How much I still want to be with him. Just because he hurt me doesn't mean my feelings for him have suddenly disappeared. They're as strong as they were when we were fourteen and I admitted to being in love with him – if not stronger. My heart aches for him every minute of every day. People may call me weak and too merciful, but I've already forgiven him for what he did. Was he wrong in how he went about it? Absolutely, but I understand why he did what he did. He made a sacrifice in order for me to achieve something I've always dreamed of and create the best possible life for myself. He just didn't realize my best possible life involves him too.
