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Prologue

~ Hayley ~

I couldn't pretend thatret the irrevocable consequences that forever changedof selflessness and what itfor them I finally understood what it meant to sacrifice your own heart, just to allow another to beat

One night

One stupid decision

And the most precious of consequences

Chapter 1

~ August, 2013 ~

~ Hayley ~

“Hayley, sweetheart, you’re going to be late!” randmother calls up the stairs Of course, I know this, but try explaining the concept of ti to craay from me while I pull a little pink sundress over her head

“Just a sec, Ga difficult”

I sle makes ly “You like giving hten at the sound of ers in the air Until five o, I was nervous about today, but soed to ease my anxiety It’s the first day I’ll be without her since she was born and asit, I know it’s time for me to restart the future I put on hold when I found out I was pregnant Most girlsthey’re not ready to be a e of seventeen But I’irls Despite the circuhter, I made the choice to live with the consequences of leat the little face that so closely resembles mine; I find it impossible to wish that my situation was any different

“Okay, Princess Ari,” I say, slipping a pair of soft, white shoes onto Ari’s feet “Let’s get going beforeAri ontoshe’ll need before heading downstairs and into the kitchen

“There are randmother chimes She smiles at us and her eyes wrinkle at the sides If I didn’t know any better I’d think she was a normal old lady, but underneath that facade is whole lot of batshit crazy Not that I randmother has been my rock, my best friend and the only support I’ve had over the last two years Without her, I have no idea where Ari and I would be