175 To Lure Him

The force of her blow knocked Caleb back. He stumbled over the chair and landed hard on the floor. His hand immediately guarded his tender side as he lifted his head to see her standing above him.

Her jaw was clenched tight, and she took ragged breaths through her nose. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears, and it broke his heart to see.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered.

Ashleigh’s face fell. She squeezed her eyes tightly and dropped to her knees in front of him. Her shoulders sagged, and she sobbed once more.

Caleb wanted to reach out and hold her, comfort her. But he knew she wouldn’t accept it right now. She was hurting, and she was angry because of his lie.

“Ashleigh,” he called out to her.

“Was it ever real?” she asked without looking at him. She hugged herself. “Please, tell me it was a miracle… that something just clicked, and you could move again that night.”

Caleb sighed.

“I can’t.”

She sniffled.

“I don’t want to lie to you anymore,” he sighed.