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“Understand what?”

He had to keep going He had to make Annabelle understand that risky decisions had major consequences “Abbi died on the way to the hospital And it was my fault”

“No, it wasn’t” Annabelle’s voice was soft and gentle like a balm on his scarred heart

Grayson turned to face her “I wish I could believe that I really do But it was o to the beach Itit was ht that guy was still sticking around I failed her”

Annabelle pulled him close and held hi here while Abbi was gone Life wasn’t fair That’s one thing his father had taught hiht

When he gathered hiot ahold of the story, and they told lie upon lie about ot so bad that I didn’t leaveti on lobal”

“I’m very sorry that all of that happened to you, but why did you tell me?”

“Because I need you to take that note seriously Abbi and I didn’t take her threat seriously enough and look what happened”

Her gaze met his “You are that worried about me?”

“Yes I couldn’t stand for anything to happen to you”

“It won’t”

“Promise me that you’ll be careful”

“I promise”

And then he clai to feel her closeness Her touch was rejuvenating and eased away the painful et what happened, but he kne that he had to keep going forward because his life’s journey wasn’t complete Maybe he was meant to be here and keep Annabelle safe

But as her lipsvery profound struck hiers and yet, he was the one in i his heart, if he wasn’t careful