Walking back to the truck, all in silence with our heads hanging, I peer up to Ander and give him a soft nudge, requesting his attention.
"What Jett said, wh-what does that even mean?" I ask quietly, my voice low and barely above a whisper.
We continue walking side by side, and he kisses my forehead before resuming his focus on the path in front of us.
"It means he will not die by our hands, but he will not live to hurt another soul."
I inhale a sharp breath, letting those words sink in and resonate with me.
Everyone is ahead of us, almost back to the vehicles. As Ander stops us from walking further, he pulls me in front of him but doesn't bring me into him. He places both hands on my shoulders, and his beautiful eyes demand mine.
Locking eyes with the most gorgeous, stoic, loving, gentle, protective man I've ever met, The man I'm blessed to call my own.
"Rosie," his lips turn into a soft, closed-mouth half-smile as he leans closer.
"You're free. For the first time in your life, you're free." His firm and comforting voice pierces through the air, leaving goose bumps across my skin in its wake.
FREE.
Chapter thirty-six
Via
Two weeks later
"Thank you for meeting me here; I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, Via. I think this is a huge step." Dr. Carr says as she pats my shoulder. "I'll give you some space. I'll be right over here if you need me."
Appreciating the privacy she's granting me and the comfort of her presence, I nod. She walks away, going to stand under the oak tree just a little off in the distance.
I hate to admit it, but I haven't been here since the funerals. Although my family was cremated at Liam's request, their remains were still buried, and I've never had it in me to visit them here.
To me, they're not here at all. They're in my heart. If I'm being honest, visiting them here made it all the more real. A reality I've never been able to face.
Until now.
Running a hand across their tombstone, specifically over Natalie's name, my heart lurches in my chest. It's been almost seven years now, and it still feels like it was just yesterday.
"Hey, it's me, Via," I whisper into the void, hoping they can somehow hear me. "I'm sorry that it's been so long since. . . You know." I let out a sigh, feeling kind of silly talking to a rock.
"Liam is gone," I whisper. "He's gone. It's over. It's finally over." My voice cracks as a tear spills out, trickling down my cheek.
"I'll never be able to get the justice for you all that is deserved, but I can rest easy now knowing that he cannot hurt anyone else. That includes me." I sniffle, wiping more tears away frantically.
"He can't hurt me anymore," I whisper, more as a confirmation to myself.
"Mom and Dad, I've been so angry with you both. I've spent the past several years harboring so much anger towards you that it converted itself into making me numb. You were supposed to protect me. You loved me; I know you loved me, but you never kept me safe where you should have. You looked the other way when I needed you most. I deserved better. Natty deserved better. Hell, Liam even deserved better. He deserved to be called out on his ways and gotten the proper help." My voice is small as it cracks, and the sobs begin to rack my body. I take a few deep breaths to try and get my emotions under control before continuing.
The truth is finally out. I've never admitted my feelings towards my parents before. Not fully.
"Although I've harbored my anger towards you both, I don't blame either of you."
"You guys tried to be good, loving parents. You tried the best you knew how. You didn't deserve to leave this cruel earth in the way that you did. I've loved you and missed you fiercely every single day. It's time for me to let the anger go."
"Natty," I sob out her name as I drop my head into my hands and sit on my knees.
"I'm sorry I didn't protect you like I promised to. I'm so sorry."
