Page 58 of In Every Chapter

“After I visited my previous husband’s grave, Steph! The man I was convinced I was married to until last night!”

Stephanie sighed. “So they told you the whole story?”

“Yes! It would have been nice to have known sooner.”

“I know. But Grey really didn’t want to add that extra stress. He wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

I huffed. “He’s really protective.”

“He loves you a lot.” A smile infused the observation.

I blew out a shaky breath. Just hearing another voice on the other side of the phone eased my panic. “How did it happen? How did I fall in love with Jared?” I sniffed. “Did I really think a monster could love me?”

“No, Pais,” Stephanie said gently. “He had an excellent mask. None of us saw through it—we wouldn’t have let you marry him if we knew.”

I glanced in the mirror. The haunted expression of a woman with tears running down her face peered back at me. “He was supposed to love me. Just like my mom. Why didn’t they?” My voice cracked. “Wasn’t I worth it?”

“You are worth it,” Stephanie whispered. “I know it’s hard to believe when the lies are screaming in your head. I . . . I’ve been struggling with Nash loving me, too. After my parents ditched me . . . I thought since everyone else had left, no one would stay. But the Lord used Nash to show me there are good men. The staying kind. Greyson is that for you.” She sniffled, and I knew I wasn’t the only one crying. “You didn’t deserve what your mom did to you. What Jared did. You are a treasure, Paisley Grace. A beloved daughter of the King, a friend and sister. A cherished wife. I know you don’t remember everything right now. But don’t let one man’s abuse make you think it reflects your worth. You are so much more than what happened to you.”

I sank down on the edge of the yellow-stained bathtub and muffled a sob with my hand. “I’m glad you found a good man, Stephie. You deserve all the love in the world.”

“So do you. You are so loved, Pais. Don’t let the past make you doubt that.”

After a few more whispered words, we hung up, and I clutched the sunny yellow phone to my chest. You are so much more than what happened to you.

Why was it so hard to believe?

Greyson was up and dressed when I slipped out of the bathroom fifteen minutes later. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t hide the red puffiness around my eyes, although the mascara helped me not look like I’d been run over by a truck.

I scooted around him shyly, unable to meet his gaze. He’d been asleep when I woke up, so he wouldn’t have known I’d used him as my own personal heater. Right? I could be an adult about this. Totally chill.

Unfortunately, totally chill wasn’t in my genetic makeup. More like the queen of awkward.

“Was there anywhere else you wanted to visit while we’re here?” Greyson asked as I checked the drawers for a third time.

Cannon Beach. The thought came so swiftly it sucked the breath right out of me. Literally. I started choking on air because, remember, queen of awkward.

It felt like an age since I’d seen the ocean, and the salt was in my blood. But could I simply say that like a normal human being? Absolutely not.

With the choking-spit out of the way, I shook my head firmly. “I’ve already inconvenienced you enough.”

Greyson swept in front of me. “Look at me.” He gently tipped my chin up, and I didn’t resist. “Being here with you is my honour. Not an inconvenience. Understand?” His thumb lightly brushed my cheek. “Were you crying?”

“No,” I denied feebly.

His lips twitched, like he knew I was lying. He saw me. “Now, where did you want to go? I know you thought of somewhere.”

“I . . . I’d like to go to Cannon Beach. To see the ocean,” I whispered.

Greyson smiled warmly. “Let’s go.”

The roar of the ocean thundered in my ears. Despite it being summer, grey fog still cloaked the sky, touching the horizon in a whimsical way. It might not be a sunrise officially, but Frodo Baggins was right when he said: Dangerous or not, a real sunrise is mighty welcome. The light after the darkness was a glorious sight.

The tall rock columns stood in silent sentry just like they always had. I’d come here with one of my foster families once upon a time.

You never forgot the thrum of the water churning and roaring. The way it clattered into the expansive sandy beach, each wave different. Each powerful and cleansing.

But that was then; this was now.