All Chapters of The Goodbye He Never Saw Coming : Chapter 101 - Chapter 109

WINTER "Fine," I say. The word comes out flat, like I'm ordering coffee I don't even want. "We'll drop the charges against Olivia. She can go scot-free. Release my sister. I want her to be free." At this point, Nath walks up to me. He takes my hand and pulls me to the side. "What did you do?" he asks. "Why did you give in to them?" "I just want Treasure out of there," I say. "I know you have people you can call, but I don't want you asking for favors for this. Olivia can walk free, it doesn't matter. I just want my sister." Nath sighs. "Okay. Let's go in and talk about it. We'll both sign an agreement." In no time, everything is arranged. An agreement is made and I sign that the charges against Olivia will be dropped and never be brought up again. My father also signs that the charges against Treasure will be dropped, and he deletes the video right there in front of everyone. I watch him delete it. Watch the little trash icon swallow up the evidence. Watch him smil

WINTER The cab ride to Nath's family house feels both too long and too short. Too long because I'm sitting here with DNA evidence that's burning a hole in my bag. Too short because I have no idea what I'm actually going to say when I get there. "Hey Mr. Cole, funny story. I stole your toothbrush and found out you're a lying, cheating scumbag. Want to tell your son yourself or should I do the honors?" Yeah, that needs work. The cab driver keeps glancing at me in the rearview mirror. I must look insane. Clutching my bag. Staring out the window with what's probably a deranged expression. "You okay back there, miss?" he finally asks. "Fine," I say. "Just about to confront someone about their illegitimate child. Normal Monday stuff." He doesn't ask any more questions after that. Smart man. When we finally pull up to the house, I pay the driver and get out. I stand there for a moment, staring at the massive estate. It's beautiful. Expensive. The kind of place that sc

WINTER Mike finishes untying my legs and throws the rope away. "Come on," he says, holding my hand. "Everyone's waiting. The priest is ready. We just need to say our vows and then we can leave this city forever. Just you and me. Like it was always meant to be." Leave this city? Oh no. "Where are we going?" I ask, trying to keep my voice light. "After the wedding, I mean." "I bought us a house," Mike says proudly. "In a different state. Far away from here. Far from Nath and your family and everyone who tried to keep us apart. We'll start fresh. A new life. Just the two of us. I've thought of everything, Winter. Everything." He bought a house. He's planning to take me to a different state. "That sounds amazing," I say out loud, my smile feeling more and more forced by the second. "You've thought of everything." "I have," Mike says, squeezing my hand. "I've been planning this for so long. Since the moment you broke up with me, I knew it was a mistake. I knew you were

WINTER The cab pulls up to our house about twenty minutes later. I pay the driver and we get out. It's getting dark now. The streetlights are just starting to come on. I'm exhausted. Mentally, physically, emotionally. This has been the longest day of my entire life. All I want to do is go inside, hug my mom, take a shower, and collapse into bed. We start walking toward the house. And then I hear it. "Winter!" My father's voice. Oh, you've got to be kidding me. I stop walking. Treasure stops beside me. "Winter!" he calls again. I turn slowly. And there he is. Standing by the side of the house. Looking desperate. "What does he want now?" Treasure mutters. My father starts walking toward us. Not running. Walking. Like he's trying not to spook us. And then he does something I never expected. He drops to his knees in front of me. Actually gets down on his knees on the pavement. "Please," he says, his voice breaking. "You can come and send me to priso

WINTER Two Months Later I'm standing in front of a full-length mirror in a luxury hotel suite, staring at my reflection. And honestly? I barely recognize myself. The woman looking back at me is wearing the most beautiful wedding dress I've ever seen. It's elegant and timeless, off-the-shoulder with delicate lace sleeves that hug my arms perfectly. The bodice is fitted, with intricate beading that catches the light every time I move. The skirt flows out in soft layers of silk and tulle, not too poufy, not too plain. Just right. My hair is swept up in an elegant updo with a few loose curls framing my face. My makeup is flawless, natural but polished. And the veil. God, the veil is stunning. It's cathedral-length, flowing behind me like something out of a fairy tale. I look like a bride. A real bride. Not the fake version Mike tried to create. Not the fantasy version I used to imagine when I was with him and thought that was love. This is real. I'm getting married toda