Chapter 42

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I sit on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall. My entire body aches with exhaustion, my eyes burning from crying the entire night. Each time I tried to close my eyes, the images would flash behind my lids—Rafe's tear-streaked face, the desperate look in his eyes, the way his voice cracked as he begged me not to leave.

But I did leave. I had to.

I swipe at my eyes, trying to stop the tears that just won't seem to end. My phone buzzes beside me on the bed, and I glance down, seeing Rafe's name lighting up the screen. 

65 missed calls. 78 messages.

It's been like this all night. He's been calling, texting, begging for me to answer, to talk to him. But I can't. Every time I think about his voice, about the words he said, it feels like my heart is being torn apart all over again.

"Teresa?" My dad's voice drifts through the crack in the door, and I quickly wipe at my cheeks, forcing myself to breathe, to sound normal.

"Y-Yeah?" I call back, my voice trembling despite my best efforts.

He opens the door a crack, peeking inside with concern etched across his face. "Are you okay, sweetheart? You've been crying..." His eyes soften, and he steps inside, approaching slowly as if I might shatter at any moment. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

I shake my head quickly, looking away, feeling the tears start to build again. "Nothing's wrong, Dad. I'm fine."

"Sweetie, you're not fine," he says softly, his voice gentle and soothing, but it only makes the pain worse. He sits down beside me on the bed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Did you and Rafe have a fight?"

The mention of Rafe's name sends a fresh wave of pain crashing through me, and I clamp my lips shut, squeezing my eyes closed. My throat tightens, and I shake my head again, swallowing back the sob threatening to break free.

"I don't want to talk about it," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

My dad sighs softly, his arm tightening around me as he kisses the top of my head. "Okay, sweetheart. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But just know... I'm here, okay? No matter what."

I nod, biting my lip to keep the sobs from spilling out. I want to tell him everything—to cry in his arms and tell him what Rafe did, what I found out. But I can't. I can't bear the thought of saying the words out loud, of making it real.

"Okay," I whisper, my voice shaky and broken.

He holds me for a long moment, his presence warm and comforting, but it only makes me feel more alone. When he finally pulls back, he looks at me with a sad smile, his eyes filled with worry.

"I have to get to work, but I'll be home early, okay?" he says gently. "Take it easy today. Maybe rest a little. You look like you didn't sleep at all."

I nod again, forcing a small, strained smile. "Okay, Dad. I'll try."

He gives me one last squeeze before standing up and heading for the door. Just before he leaves, he glances back at me, his brow furrowing slightly.

"If you need me... you call, okay?"

"I will," I murmur, but we both know I won't. I won't call anyone. I can't.

He nods, seeming to understand, before quietly closing the door behind him, leaving me alone once again. As soon as he's gone, I let out a shaky breath, the tears spilling over once more.

I reach for my phone, my hands trembling as I swipe through the countless missed calls and messages from Rafe.

"Teresa, please call me back."

Bound By Lies - Rafe CameronWhere stories live. Discover now