Evermore

Chapter Twenty-One

Aurelia

A week later, I had fully recovered. 

Cade had given me plenty of space to think things over and I had decided to take up his offer. I trusted him--he was the only person who had shown me this much kindness. 

The process had been tedious and the paperwork exhausting. But he was there with me through all of it, never pushing, just waiting until I was ready to move on to the next thing.

He drove me to my old foster home to pick up all my belongings. The car ride was silent. I bounced my knee out of nervous habit. It had been a while since I'd been back, and part of me wished I could leave it all behind. 

"Hey, you don't have to go in," Cade repeated for the millionth time because he could sense my unease. "I could get everything for you." 

"It's okay," I said. I knew I needed to do this. 

"Alright. But if it is too much, we can leave anytime." 

We entered the house and he sucked in a breath. Empty beer bottles littered the floor. The yard was overgrown with weeds. Paint peeled from the walls. 

"This is where you lived?" He muttered, more to himself. 

"Yeah," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. "I'll just grab my stuff. Won't take long." 

I headed to my old room. It's small, with a single bed pushed against the wall and a few posters peeling off. I grabbed my backpack and started shoving what little I had into it--clothes, toiletries, miscellaneous items. 

And for some reason, I started sobbing because I couldn't hold it in anymore. All the bad memories I've had are trapped in these walls and I hated being here. 

My hands started shaking and my chest tightened, like I couldn't seem to catch my breath. The room spun as I gasped for air, tears spilling down my cheeks. 

Footsteps pounded down the hall and suddenly, Cade was there, dropping to his knees beside me without hesitation. "Hey, hey, it's okay," he said, voice soft but urgent. 

"I-I can't breathe. I-I'm scared," I cried. 

"Yes you can," he said firmly. He rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, revealing an expensive-looking watch. "I want you to follow the second-hand, inhale for four seconds, hold for seven, and then exhale for eight. Got it?" 

I followed his lead, trying to match my breathing to his. "I-I don't know if I can do this." 

"You're doing great love," he whispered. "You're not alone, I'm right here with you." 

I repeatedly breathed in and out, until eventually, the tightness in my chest started to ease. I was still shaking, but the panic started to loosen its grip. 

He gently wiped the tears away from my cheeks with his thumb. His presence was steady and reassuring. 

"I'm sorry I-" I opened my mouth to speak but he quickly cut me off. 

"You have nothing to apologize for, Aurelia." 

I nodded. For a long moment, we just stayed there until my breathing gradually returned to normal. 

"There's just--there's so many bad memories here. It's overwhelming," I muttered. 

"I can't imagine what you've been through, but I'm here now. I won't let you face this alone." 

I never thought I'd have someone who cared this much, who would be there for me in moments like this. "Thank you," I said. 

He stood up and picked up my backpack. "Whenever you're ready, we can leave. We don't have to stay here any longer." 

"I think... I think I'm ready. Let's go."

He helped me to my feet. We walked out of the house together, and as we stepped into the sunlight, I was leaving the past behind. 

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A/N

I'm backkkkk! Missed u guys. Hope u enjoyed this chapter hehe. :)