Chapter 29 The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing the scene. The rogues, battered and bruised, were being handcuffed and dragged away one by one.
Nathan reached the front steps and knocked, his hand still trembling from the fight.
I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was ssort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to 18:49 His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace 37 Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.
"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right." I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love them." I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.
Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?" "Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
18:49 His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace 37 29 Nathan stammered, his confusion growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-" I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head.
"Of course she did.
remembered the day Sienna had broughtflowers when I was pregnant. I'd been allergic, and the roses had madebreak out in hives, my skin itching so badly I couldn't stop scratching. Nathan hadn't believedback then, accusingof using snew cosmetic that had caused the reaction. He had sided with Sienna, as always.
Nathan's face fell as he realized his mistake. "I-I didn't know," he whispered.
"Of course you didn't." My voice was flat, emotionless. "You never listened. You always believed whatever Sienna told you. You've never known me, Nathan. Not 18:49 His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace 37 29 really," His hand tightened around the boNqNet, his knuckles white. "I'm sorry, Doris, I really am. I didn't mean to "Leave," I interrupted, my voice hard as steel. "Get out of my house, Nathan, Or FI call the police again." Nathan's eyes widened, panic setting in "Doris, please" "I said leave," | He stood there for a moment longer, as if hoping I would change my mind. But when I didn't move, didn't soften, he finally turned away, the bouquet of roses still clutched in his hand. I watched as he walked back down the steps, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
As soon as he was gone, I closed the door 18:49 His Kavees, His Pleas, By Ow SONS IN PEACE 99 Dand leaned against it, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. The house was a mess, toys scattered everywhere, urniture broken, the remnants of the ght lingering in the air, But for the first tin a long time, I felt nothing. No anger, no sadness, no regret.
Just indifference.
I stood there, staring at Nathan as he lingered in my yard, looking lost, broken, and bleeding. The sight of him disgustedmore than anything. He was clutching that stupid bouquet of roses like it was supposed to mean something, like it could erase everything that had happened.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmRoses, of all things. He still didn't get it. He never had.
| I could feel the heat rising in my chest as I looked down at the flowers. Red roses.
Sienna must've told him I liked them. I 18:40 18:40 Wis Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace 29 hadn't liked roses in years-not since the last tSienna had caround with a I was bouquet of f them, back when I w pregnant. I remember how itchy my skin had gotten, the way my eyes had watered until I could barely see. Nathan had
blamed it on me, of course. Said it was because of scosmetics had used, not the flowers I was clearly allergic to. I tossed the bouquet into the trash bin by the door, slamming the lid down harder than I needed to. The sound echoed through the quiet night air, cutting
through the tension that hung between us. I glanced back at Nathan. He still hadn't moved, standing there m like he was waiting forto say something, to take him back. "Nathan, leave," I said, my voice cold, but steady. I was done. "Go home." He didn't move. His eyes, dark and full of guilt, flickered to the trash bin where the His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace, 18:49 37 29 29
roses lay. For a second, I thought he might say something-an apolog maybe but no words came. Just sitence, heavy and suffocating. "I'm not leaving," he finally whispered, his voice hoarse. "I'm staying right here, Doris. Please, just lettalk." I crossed my arms, feeling the frustration talk about? You didn't listen then, and boiling inside me. "Talk? What's there to you're not listening now." (0) 000 (0) 18:49