The Things We Leave Unfinished Novel Free

“You’re really here,” she cried, her fingers trembling as she grazed his chest, his neck, the line of his jaw. “I love you. I thought I’d never get to tell you that again.” “God, I love you, Scarlett. I’m here,” he promised, his gaze sweeping over her hungrily, starved for the sight of her, the…

“Are you going to yell at me?” I asked. “Yes.” “Okay, then.” I stepped back as he walked in. I closed the door, then leaned back against it. He pivoted in the entry, leaving only a few steps between us. That distance was too much and not enough all in the same breath. “I thought…

“I think so, too,” Noah agreed, his voice going rough. “And I’ll put it back if you want me to. We were looking for anything that might identify it, and it was right there…like it was waiting to be found, engraving and all. The team I hired said they’d never seen anything like it.” My…

“Noah Antonio Morelli, will you stop talking in circles?” she snapped. “I stayed up all night and read the whole thing.” My stomach hit the floor. “Am I still invited for Memorial Day?” “Why wouldn’t you be?” Her tone grew suspicious. “Because I slaughtered the ending?” I rubbed my temples, waiting for the ax to…

“Slowly,” Scarlett ordered as she helped her sister upright. Constance’s face was battered, blood seeping from a gash above her left eye, and her nose was clearly broken. “I thought you were dead,” she cried, pulling her sister into the hardest hug of her life. Constance lifted her hand to Scarlett’s back, reaching around William…

Constance staggered to her feet, holding William to her chest as the men loaded Scarlett into an ambulance. Promise me you’ll protect him. Scarlett’s words whispered through the cacophony of the street, consumed her very being. She tightened her hold on William, tucking his head under her chin. This was where it ended. No more…

“Oh my God,” I whispered, the last page fluttering to the floor between my feet. My breath came in a stuttered gasp as a pair of tears splattered on the paper. Gran wasn’t Scarlett…she was Constance. There was a roaring in my ears, as though the cogs in my mind were spinning at quadruple time,…

I studied both pictures, needing to see it for myself. Scarlett’s chin was slightly sharper, Constance’s lower lip a bit fuller. Same nose. Same eyes. Same beauty mark. But they were not the same woman. People see what they want to see. How many times had she said that to me over the years? Everyone…

“Did you?” In that moment, I saw myself through his eyes. A nineteen-year-old freshman, desperate for love and validation. An easy mark. “Yes,” he admitted, raking his hand over his hair. “And I know who you are now, Gigi. Yes, I’ve made some bad choices, but I’ve always loved you.” “Right. Because sleeping with other…

“Shut up.” She wasn’t wrong. “Three, you’re not your mom, G. You’ll never be your mom. And honestly, you were pretty much alone in the six years of that shitty marriage. You’ve had plenty of time for yourself, but if you think you need more, then take it. Just do the world a favor and…