Rescued Me Novel – Chapter 16
Cole’s voice was steady, but I could hear the hesitation beneath it. He sat across from me in the dimly lit living room, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of his chair.
I knew what he was asking. I had expected it.”
“Yes,” I said firmly.
His brows furrowed slightly. “After everything they did to you–to us–you’re just letting them go?“}]
I exhaled slowly, my fingers tightening around my glass of wine. “I’ve thought about this for weeks, Cole. And I’ve realized something.” I looked up, meeting his gaze. “The best way to free my heart is to forgive them.“}]
He didn’t look convinced.
“But not forget,” I clarified. “I will never forget what they did. But I refuse to let them haunt me for the rest of my life.”
Cole leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “So what are you asking me to do?”
“Drop the charges,” I said, my voice calm. “Let them go. But-” I lifted a hand before he could argue, “they need to sign an agreement. A permanent one. They can never come near us again. If they do, we file charges immediately.”
Cole’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”
My mother, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “Evelyne, are you sure?“>
I turned to her, offering a small, tired smile. “Yes.”
She studied me carefully before nodding. “Then I support your decision.”
Cole let out a slow breath. “Alright. I’ll handle everything.“”
Mateo sat on the hard metal bench, his hands resting on his knees. The cold walls of the detention center felt suffocating, the air thick with the scent of sweat and regret.”
He had been sitting here for days, waiting for the inevitable. Until now.
A guard walked in, unlocking the cell. “You’re free to go.“”
Mateo’s head snapped up. “What?”
“The charges are being dropped. You’re free.“”
Shock settled deep in his bones. Why? His mind raced as he stepped out, his feet feeling heavier than they should. There was only one person who could have done this.
Evelyne. Without hesitation, he headed straight for Cole’s house.
The moment Mateo arrived, he stopped in his tracks. He hadn’t even knocked yet. Because what he saw inside made his chest tighten painfully. Through the large window, he could see Evelyne standing in the living room, laughing. Not just any laugh–the kind that came straight from the heart. The kind she used to have with him.
And Cole was the reason. He was standing beside her, holding a bouquet of white roses, a small smile on his lips.
It hit him harder than he expected. Watching Evelyne smile at Cole–seeing the ease in her expression, the genuine warmth in her eyes–it used to be him.”
She used to look at him like that. Before everything crumbled, before his betrayal, there was once a time when she had been his. A memory surfaced, unbidden, pulling him back to a moment he hadn’t let himself think about in a long time.
“Evelyne, stop moving,” Mateo chuckled as he reached across the picnic blanket, wiping ice cream off the tip of her nose. She scrunched her face in protest. “You’re the one who made me laugh while I was eating!”
He grinned. “Not my fault you snort when you laugh.”
Her jaw dropped. “I do not snort!”
He gave her a teasing look, biting into his ice cream cone. “You totally do.”
Evelyne let out an exaggerated gasp before shoving her shoulder against his, nearly making him topple over. They were sitting under the night sky, away from the chaos of their families, away from the expectations placed on them.§
Just them.”
“You know what I love about nights like this?” she murmured after a moment, her gaze lifting to the stars.
“Hmm?” He watched her instead, memorizing the way the moonlight reflected in her eyes.
That we can just be.” She exhaled, stretching her legs out. “No expectations. No pretending.” She turned to him then, a
soft smile tugging at her lips. “Just us.”
His heart clenched.
Because she was right.
And now-
He had lost her.”
Forever.
That
The moment Mateo walked through the door, he was greeted by Julienne’s anxious face.
“You’re back.” Her voice was laced with desperation.[
Mateo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah.“”
Julienne hesitated before stepping closer. “Then let’s get married.“”
Mateo froze.
“What?”
Julienne forced a smile. “We have to get married. I’m pregnant, Mateo. We need to think about our family, our child.”
He stared at her, expression unreadable. Then, in a voice so calm it was almost chilling, he said-
don’t love you, Julienne.“}
The words sliced through the air like a blade.
Julienne’s smile faltered. “What are you saying?“}
“I’m saying I won’t marry you.”
Her hands trembled. “But–but the baby-”
“I’ll take responsibility,” he cut her off. “I’ll be there for our child. But you-” His voice was firm. “That’s all you’ll ever get from me.“”
Julienne’s entire body stiffened, her breath coming in short gasps. “You can’t just-”
“I already did.”
And for the first time, Mateo turned his back on her.
Just like she had done to Evelyne. Just like Evelyne had done to him.
And for the first time–Mateo knew exactly how it felt.
Rescued MotoY