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I may have shed a few tears writing this last chapter πŸ’€. But, seriously thank you guys so much for everything. Thank you for being my escape, my home and my comfort. Writing has helped me through so much, especially this past year. As most of you know, this story has been with me ever since I was in middle school. I'm about to be finished with my first semester of college now! 😭 It's absolutely insane, and in that time, I've grown so attached to my characters. They're such a reflection of myself and I'm so glad you allowed me the opportunity to share them with you. Now, here comes the news! πŸ₯πŸ₯πŸ₯

There's going to be a sequel!!

It took some time to confirm, but I'm absolutely sure of it now. It will be of Luke and Maggie, picking up right after IASWAD. Of course, those who have stuck around know how terrible my schedule was with this book. So, I'm going to write the story in full or finish at least half of it before I publish it for you guys. It won't take me long I swear and, I'm beyond excited to share it with you guys. During that time, I will also be editing IASWAD. I will announce on my message board, or in a additional chapter here when Luke and Maggie's book is out! Also, if anyone is interested in designing a cover for their book, please message me!

This is the last chapter before the epilogue, and I hope that I met your expectations and more with this ending. I'm going to miss these two characters incredibly so. The ending was how I envisioned it, but it was so painful to finish.

Thank you to all of my supporters, the friends I've made here on Wattpad, and just all of you. πŸ’• You've watched me grow as a writer for the past five years and your support means the world, truly. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Enjoy 🀍

"It's okay to be scared. But you have to get out there, open up, love, make mistakes, learn, be stronger. And start all over again."

β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”

Chapter 98
<β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”>

"Are you sure?" Kade asked, his eyes weighing on the door in front of us. "There's no telling what she's on right now."

I nodded tightly, gripping my stomach. It would do nothing to hold its contents though, as it hadn't the first two times I threw up.

"Yeah. I need to do this alone," I said, glaring back at the door. "This is between me and her."

Kade's hand found mine in between the seats. I tore my gaze away from the door, feeling my tense figure relax. It helped hold me front and center from the hatred that was beginning to build.

"You know I'm going to be right outside," he reminded me. "Be ready for anything. Don't forget that move I showed youβ€”"

"I know." I leaned over to capture his lips; it was the only thing that could center me right now. "Thank you for being here."

His hand grazed the back of my neck before gently squeezing. I rested my eyes against the comforting sensation. "You know I always will be." That was more than true.

It had been a year since that night at the Christmas lights. Since then, it was like we fell right back into step but at the same time, we learned and grew with one another, too.

He definitely made true to his promise: he earned a smile from me every single day and continued to shower me in love and bliss. The man was full of surprises every time, that was for sure. But, I loved it. I loved every single thing about him, and myself. Us.

After a couple of weeks, I let him move in with me, though he spent every night in my apartment anyway. Since we lived right next to each other, he was easy to move in.

After a couple of months, Kade claimed he wanted me to try a restaurant with him, and blindfolded me on the drive there. When the car stopped, we were at a new apartment, far larger and pristine than my own.

I nearly burst with happiness until he opened the door, and what was awaiting me in the middle of the room was a five-month old, black kitten. That was when he let me know that while he claimed to be at a business meeting, he was actually at the adoption center. He had done every single thing he promised in the hospital and more.

Even today of all days, he managed to keep me sane. Having a meeting with my mother, I didn't think it was possible to.

I had a plan, though. It might not be a good one, but it was one, nonetheless.

I was going to drag her through the dirt, then leave. That was it. I wouldn't let my emotions rule over me, nor could I let her control them. I was an adult now, with the life that she thought she destroyed. I had nothing to be upset over, nor would she believe I did.

Apparently, Kade had been working this entire time, even while we were broken up. It was a shock but the satisfaction that followed was worth all the surprise.

Over the past two years, Kade had slowly ripped her wealthy rug right from under her. From his fathers' ties, he knew the right people and left her penniless. He did the same to my brothers', who had gotten the worst end of the deal. Kade helped me cast their judgement, fully removing their credibility among the wealth. From the frauds and drug charges, they would be in prison before we knew it. It happened so quick, my mother seeped right back into the drugs and buried herself until she was a breathing corpse.

I wanted her whole for this moment, but this was better. She had already destroyed herself. All the easier.

I wasn't too worried about her getting physical. Kade taught me well, and even if she was my mother, I deserved one good punch at the very least.

If she was able to hit a helpless child, I was more than glad to return the favor now that I was capable. I needed to show her what she did, what I made of myself after her attempt of ruin.

"Kimberly," Kade called my name until I blinked up at him. His voice softened as he eyed me. "Are you ready?"

I nodded firmly, and he went to my side. I smiled at him as he opened the door, before softly tugging me into a hug.

I fell into his hold, but I couldn't stay in its comfort forever. Not when evil was only a couple of feet away.

"My strong, brave girl," he whispered into my hair. "You can do this, alright?" He released me, only to tip my head up seconds later. His eyes roamed mine with determination and strength that slowly edged into mine. "Okay?"

I nodded, pecking his lips. I can do this.

Kade booked the hotel for our meeting, a couple of hours away from town. We didn't want her to know anything about our house or us in general, so we decided this was the better option. As soon as we left though, Kade was going to get her kicked out by the staff. She wasn't even worth a free night in the hotel; she would never fend off of me, again.

Kade's hands gently supported me around my waist, but he had no idea that his very strength was one of the ones holding me upright. The door was right there. My stomach was twisting in nerves in spite of the anger.

I was going to speak to the woman I swore never to lay eyes on again. It felt like an out of body experience.

I didn't even bother to knock; she didn't deserve a single thing from me. I didn't want her to think she even had the right to lay eyes on me as a mother ever again. Her narcissistic privileges were long gone. I was in control, now.

The room smelled so stale and sour, it nearly blew me right back out. I glanced around carefully, my eyes skipping over the pipe on the bed.

In the center of the room, was a table. Kade already had it all placed for my comfortableness. I didn't care if there was a table, a chair, or not a damn thing between us. I was going to say what I had to say.

"Kimberly."

My eyes jerked over to the bathroom door, my body instantly tensing at her voice. There she was. The embodiment of evil.

Her widened eyes fell from mine and to Kade whose grip had tightened possessively around me. His eyes weighed on mine in uncertainty before I nodded. I knew I was safe in his company but this was personal. I couldn't let anything or anyone alter my course.

His eyes squinted at my mother in warning. "If you touch her," Kade said in a deceptively calm tone. "I'm going to have your fingers sent one by one, to each of your grandchildren."

A smile feathered my lips as he kissed the side of my head. The door shut behind him but I noticed the crack left in it. In our compromise, we agreed that he would stand right outside the door and he did that, so I let him have it.

"Is he crazy?"

I jerked my head toward her. "You're one to talk, Diane." Her name felt like toxins on my lips. But how dare she? How dare she even let her voice taint his name, my friends, my dad, me.

I grazed her over with disgust. Her wrinkly body was wrapped in a pink robe, probably one of the last expensive things she owned now. Blonde extensions were ratted, and somehow pulled into a lopsided bun. Her face was tired in every sense, and her voice sounded like her throat was full of rocks. All bumpy and used up. Just like her, from what it looked like.

I could feel my heart slamming against my throat as I approached the table. She did the same, pulling out a chair.

I tilted my head, trailing my eyes over her ragged figure again. "The smoking finally caught up to you."

Her blue eyes used to shine down on me. Now they were dead. Now, my own were staring back into hers, so full of life and happiness. Something that she would never know.

"Kimberly," she said. My name on her lips made me dread it. "I'm sorry."

I paused, staring at the space behind her. Her words were too unrecognizable in my brain, absolute strangers. Out of all of the things I expected today, I never would have predicted this.

My mother didn't do sorrys. She did the 'you should be grateful', the victim blaming, and the glossing over. Sorry wasn't in her vocabulary, I thought. I expected her to fight back today, to fuel my rage but not this. Never this.

Her eyes fell into a...guilty state. As if she had an idea. Any fucking idea of a fraction of what she put me through.

"I know that it doesn't mean anything now," she whispered, her clogged voice breaking. "But I am. I'm sorry for every single thing I did to you, everything I said...you didn't deserve it. I was just so hurt by your father and put it out on you. I know I wasn't the best mother butβ€”"

No. Fuck no.

Hot flashes of anger coerced me all at once. I whipped my head up, my eyes narrowing in on her. "The best?"

She drew back into herself, her day old lipstick stretching along with her lips into a frown. "Kimberlyβ€”" I felt my stomach turn as she reached out for me. As if she genuinely thought it was okay to touch me again.

"No," I yanked my hand away, disgust curling upon every square inch of my expression. "You shut the hell up. For once, I'm going to be the one to talk. Me, not you. Because you have no control, you have nothing. Those men that you chose over me, my brothers that you chose...where the hell are they?" I waved around the empty room. "Exactly. Nowhere, absolutely nowhere."

I shut my eyes against the tension. Just being in her presence was sinking me right back into her torment. I couldn't have it.

I grasped the ends of the table for support as I met her gaze. Laughter spewed from my lips at her tears. "Are you actually crying?"

She quickly went to cover her mistake, marked wrists wiping at the evidence. "Iβ€”"

"No," I interrupted. "I don't actually care, it's just funny to me. Fantastic performance, Diane, truly."

I nodded to myself as I warned my anger to stay under wraps. Abusers wanted power; it was always their gasoline. Hurt people hurt people, unless you showed them that you weren't afraid and that they couldn't, and wouldn't ever hurt you, again.

"Did you know..." my voice dipped as I leaned in to get a closer look at her. Disgusting. "That I actually loved you? Even when you proved every reason not to. I used to cry for you every fucking time Collin or the others' would torture me. I begged for you. I still remember the color of my walls, of the carpet, of your dress the day you walked away while Steven branded me with a fucking iron. I remember how your palm looked every time you raised it to me. I remember your eyes, your fucking counterfeit hair cut, I remember everything."

"You never once hugged me, not one time. You...I never even heard you tell me you loved me," fell from my lips. "But I still loved you."

Her chest heaved as she heard me. Her eyes fell from mine as the shame set in, so raw and in abundance. I guess she was capable of feeling something other than her own hatred.

"I-I was hurt, Kimberly," she whispered into the tension. I noted the way her body began to tremble, it was the same way mine used to when I begged for her. "Your father and I weren't on good terms with one another. I wasn't fit to be a mother."

My head tilted at her words. Laughter spilled from my lips the longer I let them encircle me.

"You weren't fit to be a mother," I repeated the words. They were just as stupid aloud. "No, you weren't hurt. You tried to trap my dad with me and failed, so you put your own fucked up shit on me."

I released a tasteless laugh. "And you had four other children, yet I was your last straw?"

Her hair spilled from the bun as she shook her head, hands clenching the table tightly. "No, I didn't mean it like that. Kimberly, you were an angel. My first baby girl. I lovedβ€”"

"Don't you dare say that," I sneered at her. "Don't you dare."

Her lips parted, a sob ripping right through. It was loud and pitiful, the sound bouncing off the walls. She grasped her chest as she shook her head, the tears spilling down her cheeks. "I did, Kimberly. I swear I did, I do."

I breathed through the rage. "Tell me something, Diane," I leaned back into the chair, raising a brow at her distraught figure. "Wipe your goddamned tears because no one else will do it for you." Those were the very words she said to me on my birthday after cutting my hair with a pair of ragged scissors. I 'tempted' her men too much, in her own words.

I knew she'd catch the familiar words. Her eyes widened at the recognization, causing my smile to grow.

I tilted my head at her. "If a mothers' love isn't unconditional, then whose is? Could any others be?" my words were slow, taunting. I allowed them to hang around in her head, slowly drowning her in their meaning.

My lip curled in disgust as she swiped at the snot with her robe sleeve. The next couple of moments were full of sniffles but that was it. She didn't know the answer.

"Mhm," I hummed. I leaned up forward in the chair, my sneer visible. "I'll tell you who: every single person that has came into my life. My boyfriend, my best friends, my dad, Ryland, Teresa." I said her name with extra care, causing my mother tense up at the mention. "So many people have proved this. Even me. Despite you, despite all of your abuse and torment...I love myself, this version and the old. The one you tried so fucking hard to break." My words were calm, steady and efficient. "Here the hell she is."

She smeared her caked makeup, rubbing it right onto her robe as she sobbed. Her face scrunched at the pain as she planted her elbows on the table, burying her shame into the palm of her hands.

I wasn't done though; I didn't carry a single ounce of sympathy for this pathetic woman. Where was mine all of those years ago?

"And, you want to know something?" I drummed my fingers along the table, retrieving her attention. "I did it without you. I did it all. I have friends who I consider family. I have my dad, my brother, Teresa, who I consider a mother now. I have an education and an apartment. I have my soulmate, someone who knows me better than you ever could. I even have a fucking rabbit and a cat. When I leave here, I'm going to get to go home to all of that. I have happiness, something that you will never know of. And it's only because of your own actions. That's your punishment, this is your punishment." I waved over her tear stricken expression, the soon to be empty hotel room, her. "Congratulations." My lips tipped into a sour smile as I nodded at her.

I blew out a sigh, letting my shoulders fall. That final crack began to mend but if I wanted it's entirety, then I needed to leave. I could only handle so much of her before I snapped.

"Have a fantastic life, Diane," I declared, pulling my chair back. I didn't have the need to catch her expression, the last one I had was enough for me.

Just as my hand touched the doorknob of the hotel, I heard her shuffle behind me. I turned around, fully ready to defend myself, but paused at her stance.

She had an envelope in her hand, but I couldn't see it's contents. I glanced back at her carefully. "Don't get any closer to me."

She shook her head immediately, nodding down at the envelope. "This isn't..." She sighed, grasping her chest again. Her expression wrung with pain. "Please sit, I need you to listen."

"I'm not doing anything for you ever again," I bit out. "Unless it's spitting on your grave."

She sighed, her fingers barely grazing her forehead as she sucked in a breath. "I'm dying, Kimberly."

My hand fell from the knob as I paused.

"Cancer, stage three," she whispered, eyes lingering on the carpet. "It'll either be that or the drugs that take me out. We both know it."

I turned so slowly, too afraid that my legs might give out any moment now. I absorbed everything she said, every syllable and I waited...

But nothing came.

No grief, no sadness or regret. I felt nothing but pity for this woman in front of me.

"Good," I whispered as I jerked back around. "I hope your final moments are as painful as can be. Karma's a goddamn bitch."

I wasn't sure what she wanted to accomplish with that confession. For all I knew, she was lying. Diane always loved the attention, the dramatics, all of it. Either way, my words remained the same. I didn't care about her pity story; it was too late to mend anything.

I heard her breath turn tattered at my words. For some reason, I turned to face her again. She glared down at her feet, face set in shame.

"This is everything I have left," she whispered, thrusting the envelope at me. "I-I know that money can't fix my mistakes. It can't change the past, but it was the only thing I could give you. I want you to haveβ€”"

The world shook from under me. The longer I dawned on her attempt, the more my anger built until it turned me red. My entire life, she covered her mistakes with money. In her world, it was the solution to everything.

I smacked the envelope from her hand, stepping closer. I felt my palm itch with the need to connect with her skin, but I ceased. She wasn't worth the bruises on my knuckles.Β 

"You think that money could fix this?" I hissed, fully stepping up to her.

Never in my life had I expected to obtain this confidence, to stand ten toes to her. To stand up to her. Yet here I was. I was prepared for anything she threw my way now.

It angered me, really. Now that we were the same size, she didn't make a move to hit me. Yet, she so casually threw a child around without so much as a second thought.

"You were my mother," I didn't expect my voice to break but it did. It didn't hurt, but

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