By Chance

Chapter Thirty Six : By Chance

Summer's POV

If there's one thing I learned today, it's that cleaning and packing with only your non dominant hand is one hell of challenge.

The doctor took X-rays of my hand and confirmed I fractured some bones and put a cast on me. I've never broken a bone before, so this is a strange experience to say the least.

I've been using the remainder of my day fixing the upstairs the best I could and stuffing my suitcase full with all I brought to Brady's, forcing myself to not think about the conversation I'm going to have with Brady when he gets home. It's going to be long, painful, and contain so many tears.

I'm dreading it in every single way possible.

I will never be ready for it. I never want to be ready for it. Every cell in my body is screaming at me that this is the wrong thing to do. It shouldn't be happening.

But it is, and time is ticking down to when the man I love will walk through the door, having no idea I'm about to break his heart for the monster who hurt me in indescribable ways.

How in the world am I supposed to be ready for that?

Instead of thinking too hard about it, I've been replaying small memories in my mind of the sweet moments Brady and I have racked up together within the last few months. Even before we were dating, there are so many moments that I will never forget.

The amount of tears I've already let slip out is astronomical, and I'm terrified by how many are doomed to come the moment my mouth opens to tell Brady what's going to happen.

He deserves the entire world and more. If I could give him that, I would in a heartbeat. He's become my source of light in such a dark place. I want nothing more than for him to have eternal happiness.

Yet, I'm going to be the one to strip it all away from him. The thought is paralyzing and sends me into deeper despair than what Lance did to me, but the other option is his death. I will never choose that over what I'm about to do.

My heart stops, my stomach sinks, and my eyes are already threatening to spill tears the moment I hear the garage door opening, telling me that he's home, oblivious to what is going to happen.

I listen intently as I hear the Jeep door open and close, feet make their way up the steps, and the doorknob rattle as it opens, revealing my very handsome boyfriend who I love more with every beat of my heart.

His love has consumed me in the best ways possible, making me feel truly wanted. And I am about to let it all go.

He gives me a soft smile when he sees me, clearly glad to be home, but when his eyes travel down to my hand, the smiles fades.

"He broke your fucking hand," he murmurs to himself, resentment and fury evident in his voice. For a moment, I convince myself he's about to walk right back out of the house and find Lance himself.

His eyes don't leave my cast as he slowly walks up to me, only allowing himself to look back up at my eyes when he's forced himself to settle down. He swallows hard and unclenches his jaw, fighting just how angry he actually is.

I go to soothe him and assure him that I'm okay, but I stop midway when I realize just touching him will make it all so much harder. He notices me retract my hand and gives himself a confused look before quickly recovering.

He goes to undo his tie, gently leaning in to give me a kiss on the cheek, but I dodge it by subtly leaning away, leaving him to only brush his lips onto my skin.

Now he gives me a very puzzled look, every sign pointing me towards him knowing something is about to happen. If only he knew how much I know I will regret this.