s especially in the past months since talking with the agents,that she could barely think straight. She told herself tha

nly reason she'd collected evidence against Richard was because they threatened to take Angelina away from her. Eve

feds to get an arrest warrant. She'd risked her life,not to mention her daughter's. And what had they done with Richard? Allowed him to escape. No

fic Northwest. That's the only information she'd been given and that's all she needed to know. She wasn't ready to forgive her father for what he'd done to ruin both of their lives,she she'd felt the need

e it had always been a little too tight,and threw it across the room. Relief flooded her at getting that thing off her finger. She'd put it on so no one would question her about it. The only reason she'd held on to the ring was be

ad no idea how long she'd been sitting the

aby was safe. Colin was sa

er. The anger was so palpable that she'd had to turn her face away. Right then,she knew that he would never f

. Maybe it was time to make a new leaf. Maybe it was time to make a new life for herself and Angelina. T

throat and her chest squeezed. The same old feeling of panic,of the walls closing in and the air thinnin

ible. He was probab

ain, a little louder,

around her,freezing her limbs and making s

door nor would anyone he sent. That was way too direct.

kely forgot something and was returning to get it. The simple explanation was us

light was out. Had it been like that before? Melissa couldn't remember. This wa

ein had gone home that the porch light hadn't been working

said softly,and then

murmur of ackno

the door,she said

en she

d to door trying to shut it quickly even though it wouldn't budge. There was someth

shed open the door a little to

d he noticed that she's positioned her body between him and the stai

chard would knife him. But maybe he needed that reinforcement to be able to finally let go. He'd been stuck in a place between loving her and the kind of pain he woul

d you?"

rcase,ignoring her question. That old anger from her lea

own and then

mself to exhale slowly ,he also noticed that she wasn't wearing her ring any

e's business,but part of him needed to know that she wa

couldn't help but notice

her and she flinched. An

s stare,letting his anger show in his words. He couldn

ord out. She didn't budge or invite him in,and she kept glancing towar

" He

uess I got nostalgic for the past." The c

you going

k. Her body trembled as she brought her hand

over-the-top reaction to

ould say it wasn't. There was so much off about her,he noticed. From her reaction to him

tle visit was reopening old wounds that he had no doubt were going to sting for a long while after she left. If his heart was a muscle,it was memory causing h

he ranch earlier. There was a time when Knowing what was on her mind would've been second nature. But she'd changed. Colin might not b

the answers he really wanted but his pride wouldn't allow him to a

ed. She folded her arms and gritted her back teeth in

and now you act like you can't stan

you to go",

emind him of what he'd lost ? Did

ke she'd said. He stalked towards her and she walked backward until she was against the wal

defense and she turned her

base of her throat wildly. The air cha

dn't dimmed. We're her fee

of her neck. Being this close took a toll on him,on his body . He took in a sharp breath and,by accident,breathed in her scent. At least one thin

t her e

t me and give me an answer". She'd

ruised ego wishing for that. Because he had enough pride to realize that he would never love her in the same way again no matter what excuses she gave for walking out.