Read Alive (Mended Hearts #1) Online
Authors: Beth Maria
Alive (Mended Hearts #1) (29 page)
“I’m not your problem anymore.”
I feel him looking at me, though I don’t turn around.
“Maisie
, you will always be my problem, for as long as I live. I shouldn’t have thrown you out, and I will regret that for the rest of my life. You probably wouldn’t have been in that
position if I
had’ve let you stay. And then I also wouldn’t have had to pretend to want Tiffany, but you have to understand that I did that so that I could get help. Unfortunately, I can’t turn back time, though. All we can do is move forward, and I want to move forward with you. I understand if you can’t forgive me and never want to see me again. I just want you to know that I love you so much, and I’m sorry for what I’ve put you through.”
Even after everything, he still melts my heart. I should have known that he wouldn’t have left me there by myself
, especially after everything I’ve told him about Matt and Tiffany, but I’d given up. I know I’ll never find anyone like him again. He is it for me, but is it enough to forgive him? What’s to say that he won’t hurt me again?
But if I’ve learnt anything from this experience
, it’s that life is too short to hold grudges, and you have to take life by the horns.
I face him, giving him my full attention. He needs to know I’m serious.
“What you did hurt me, Jesse. You pushed me away when I wanted to be there for you, like you have been there for me. That being said, I love you too, and after what’s happened, I realize that life is too short to hold grudges. I forgive you this time, however there won’t be a next time. I don’t think my heart can take getting broken again.”
Jesse’s face transforms from a solemn expression to one of pure joy. I’ve missed that look on his face. Then he’s lying next to me on the bed, wrapping his arm around me
and trying to be careful of my bruises.
“I won’t mess up again
. I promise. I can’t function without you. I was a mess, Maisie. I need you in my life. If I ever have a stupid idea about breaking up with you again, don’t let me. Promise me?”
“I’ll try, but you can be very stubborn when you want to be. I don’t want to lose you
, though. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me. You helped me live my life again. I’ll never forget that.”
“Maisie, you were already in there
. You just didn’t know how to get out from behind the wall you had built. I just gave you a push in tearing that wall down.”
“Well
, thank you,” I tell him.
I yawn. I must be tired from all the drama that’s occurred
over the past few days.
“Go to sleep. You’re tired. I’ll be here when you wake up
,” Jesse tells me.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
I fall asleep before I know it
, with Jesse stroking my hair. I’m at peace for the first time in days.
Epilogue
Maisie - 1 month later
It’s been a month since I left the hospital, where I was told to rest for a few weeks until all the bruising healed. The first few days were peaceful. I stayed at Jesse’s house because it was bigger than my tiny dorm, and that way
, I had someone there at all times in case I needed help. I didn’t want to feel like a burden, so the things that I could do by myself, I did. The rest, I waited until Jesse was back so he could help me.
Then things got a bit hectic. Chloe made me tell my parents what had happened. They behaved just as I had expected them to
, and were at Jesse’s house a few hours later with a suitcase of their belongings. Anna told them that they could stay as long as they wanted, for which they were thankful. It was nice of her, but I hated that she allowed them to stay after the second day.
I wasn’t allowed to do anything for myself. My mom would cry nearly every time she set eyes on me.
And my dad? He was murderously angry. Even I was scared.
My parents have only just left after being down for nearly a month. Now
, I’m dancing from the rooftops that I finally have my freedom back. It was exhausting, being under lock and key. However, when I felt like losing my temper with them, Jesse would remind me that they are just looking out for my safety. It was a big shock to them, and they didn’t know how to deal with it. He was right.
With them staying at Jesse’s, it gave them time to really get to know him and Anna. My mom and Anna got
along like a house of fire. I can see them being really good friends. They are so alike, really. My dad and Jesse are finally getting along without my dad doing his fatherly duties. I think he realizes that Jesse loves me and isn’t going to turn out like Matt.
Well
, I hope he doesn’t.
After I made my statement, the police
called me a few days later, letting me know that Matt had been arrested and was facing three charges; one count of kidnapping and two counts of assault. They told me that he will be sentenced to four years. Everybody said that wasn’t long enough, but really, how long is long enough? At least he is still being punished. Some people get away with what Matt did. Thankfully, he was one of the people who didn’t. I’m just grateful that I won’t have to deal with seeing him for the next four years, which will allow me time to move on and heal. I’ll deal with him getting out when the time comes. I hope he gets help while he’s in prison. He’s mentally unstable, and I see that now. Him seeing me with Jesse all those months ago was his breaking point, I think. It was enough to tip him over the edge.
Tiffany only got a fine and probation because she only brought Jesse to the building. She didn’t play too big of a part in it
, apparently. Since then, nobody has seen or heard from her. She hasn’t been attending college. Rumor has it that she moved away, as she was too embarrassed to come back. At least now, I won’t have to see her face and put up with her trying to destroy my relationship with Jesse. She deserves a lot more than she got.
Now that I’m finally no longer under lock and key, Jesse is taking me out. He won’t tell me what he has planned,
but told me to be ready by twelve o’clock. Which is now.
I’m nervous to be leaving the house. I know that I have to sooner or later
, though.
“Are you ready?” Jesse asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.
He’s standing at his bedroom door, wearing his usual white tee, dark wash jeans, and his black leather jacket. He looks yummy.
A smirk spreads across my face.
“What’s the smirk for?” he asks, mirroring my face.
“Oh
, nothing. I’m ready.” I’m not going to tell him that he looks edible. His ego is big enough.
We head downstairs
and out to his Ducati.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re off to yet?”
Jesse turns back to face me. “To where it all started for us,” he replies, giving me a wink.
****
Before I know it, we’re pulling up outside the zoo. This is what he meant when he said ‘where it all started for us’. This is where he brought me for our first date, gave me the beautiful elephant, and then took me for pizza. It was where I first realized that I was falling for him.
“I wanted to remind you why we are so good together. We had so much fun the first time we came here, and I want to see that smile on your face again. It seems like it worked,” he tells me.
“I love the zoo. Thank you for being so sweet.”
He truly is the sweetest guy on the planet
, and I’m lucky to call him mine.
“Come on then
. Let’s go and see some elephants.” Jesse smiles at me, grabs my hand, and then we are off to look at the animals.
This is the perfect way to spend my first day back in society. I have my amazing, beautiful man, who I love with all my heart. I have the animals,
who always look so carefree. And I have my life back.
I don’t know if I’m ever going to get over what happened to me
. All I can do is see if therapy will help and try not to shut my friends and family out. I also don’t know if Jesse and I are going to last, but I hope we do. I will never find someone like him again, so I’m going to spend every day with him like it’s my last day. After everything that has happened between us, we are stronger than ever.
And thanks to Jesse, I am alive again.
The End
Acknowledgements
To my son, Callum.
Even though you are only two years old, you are part of the reason I am trying to make my dream come true. I love you so much little man. You are mummy’s world.
To my mum, Toni.
Thank you for everything that you have ever done for me, I am truly grateful. Without your love and support, I don’t think I would have ever achieved what I have.
To Liam Murray.
You have been the biggest help while I’ve been writing ‘Alive’. You’ve been there for me through the tough times that I have faced whilst writing this book. You helped me brainstorm when I was in a writer’s funk, even if some of your ideas were terrible. I will be forever grateful for you and your non-stop support.
To E J Shortall.
I’m so glad that I met you on this wonderful journey. You’ve helped with beta reading for me on numerous occasions, given me ideas on how to make my book even better, and just been there for me when I had questions that needed answering. You are awesome!
To Jessica, Sam, Karen, Kat
hy, Melissa and Casey. Thank you for beta reading my book and giving me back awesome feedback. Without you lot to help and guide me, my book wouldn’t be where it is now. You are all stars!
To Kendra, thank you for editing my book and doing an awesome job!
To Sprinkles On Top Studios, thank you for making me an amazing cover. I love it and am amazed every time I see it. It’s going to look fantastic on my book.
About the Author
Beth Maria is a mother and writer who has just written her debut novel
Alive
in The Mended Heart Series.
She lives in England UK, with her two year old son. When she isn’t doing her motherly duties, you can find her attached to her laptop or on the odd occasion, watching a film.
Her inspirations are Kirsty Moseley, Kelly Elliott, Tijan and Jillian Dodd.
Beth Maria loves listening to The Wanted, reading a good old book in bed or wherever is comfortable and loves checking pictures of sexy men. All for inspiration of course!
Find me on Facebook and Twitter:
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