My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 216

……

Chapter 216

“And the real Confior?”

+15 Bonus

“The real Connor is someone who takes knives for his mate. Who chooses complicated over easy. Who looks at Grace like she’s

-like she’s everything.” I wiped my eyes again. “The real Connor was never mine. I just didn’t want to see it.”

“That doesn’t make it hurt less.”

“No. It doesn’t.” I was quiet for a moment. “Mom, what do I do now? How do 1—how do I move forward from this?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. I honestly don’t know.”

We sat in silence. Outside my window, the pack lands were quiet. Somewhere out there, Connor was probably with Grace. Probably talking about their mate bond and their future and all the things I’d wanted with him but would never have.

My phone buzzed. Text from a number I didn’t recognize: *“This is Grace Trend I wanted to say–I’m sorry you’re hurting. I know tonight was hard for everyone. I hope you find healing and peace. – Grace“*

I stared at the message. Grace was apologizing. Grace–who I’d attacked with a silver knife, who I’d called a manipulator and a freak, who I’d tried to kill–was hoping I found peace.

The generosity of it broke something in me. Fresh sobs came,

“What is it?” My mother asked, concerned.

harder than before.

“Grace texted me. She–she apologized for my pain. Hoped I found healing.” I showed her the phone. “Mom, I tried to kill her and she’s she’s being kind.”

“That’s-” My mother didn’t seem to know what to say either.

Another text came through. This one from Connor: *“Courtney, what happened tonight was wrong. But I hope you can heal from this. Move forward. Find your actual mate someday. – Connor‘*

He hoped I found my actual mate. Not him. My actual mate. Someone else. Someone who was supposed to be mine the way he was supposed to be Grace’s.

“I need to respond,” I said.

“Are you sure? Courtney, you don’t owe them-

“I owe them everything.” I started typing with shaking hands.

*“Grace, I’m so sorry. For attacking you. For everything I said. For not accepting the mate bond with grace and dignity. You didn’t deserve any of it. I hope you and Connor are happy. – Courtney“*

*“Connor, I’m sorry too. For not letting you go when I should have. For making everything harder. For–for the knife. You deserve someone who makes you brave. I’m glad you found her. – Courtney“*

I sent both messages and set down the phone.

“Now what?” my mother asked.

“Now I–I don’t know. Deal with whatever consequences the Trents decide are appropriate. Try to forgive myself. Try to figure out who I am without Connor and without the future I’d planned.” I looked at her. “Mom, am I going to be okay?”

“Eventually. Not today. Not tomorrow. But eventually.” She pulled me close. “Courtney, you made terrible choices tonight. But you’re also taking responsibility for them. That’s–that’s the first step to actually healing.”

We sat together as the sun came up. My phone stayed quiet–Grace and Connor had said what they needed to say. My father was probably still making calls despite my protests. The pack was probably already hearing about last night.

alt

+15 Bonus

And I was

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify