Share

Talking

Author: Siwa Rose
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-14 23:05:50

Imogene Scott

I hate the idea of Kia tagging along for Lily’s check-up. It feels… wrong. It makes me feel like she’s stepping into a role that’s supposed to be mine.

I grab my bag, heading out of the gallery. I instruct Emmett and Breonna to close up when I’m gone but deep down, I’m praying they don’t murder each other.

I step into the cool night and into my car. As I drive, my grip tightens on the steering wheel, and my mind is racing, practicing how I’m going to tell Damien that no other woman should ever act like Lily’s mother. I’m her mother. Kia may be family, but this…

My heart pounds with unease. It’s silly, I know that. But I can’t help feeling like Kia’s slowly encroaching on things that matter too much to me. Maybe it’s just insecurity rearing its ugly head, but I hate it.

The drive feels longer than usual, and by the time I pull up to Damien’s house, I’m already rehearsing the conversation in my head for the hundredth time. I step out, nerves buzzing under my skin
Locked Chapter
Continue Reading on GoodNovel
Scan code to download App
Comments (1)
goodnovel comment avatar
lisa.hutchinson87
hi is this the end of the book
VIEW ALL COMMENTS

Related chapters

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Sub Story

    So, I was wondering if y'all want me to dive a little into Breonna and Emmett's story. Or not?

    Last Updated : 2024-10-14
  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Drifting Apart

    Damien Shaw After my dinner with Imogene, the next few days have been a blur of work for her, and I’ve been trying my best to be patient. I know how important this project is for her, how much she’s poured into her gallery. But it’s hard, hard not to feel a little left behind. She’s barely been home, so Breonna has gone back to babysitting Lily again after school. Breonna and Lily mostly stays at my place because Imogene is never home on time. And anytime she is, she’s too exhausted to do much more than crash on the bed. It’s like I’m watching her slip further into this world of deadlines and meetings, while I stand on the sidelines, waiting for her to come back to me.I sit at the kitchen table, it’s almost 11pm. Lily is asleep upstairs in one of the rooms and Breonna is with her. Probably asleep too, I’m not sure. I glance at my phone, half-expecting a text from Imogene saying she’s running late again as usual. Nothing.I take a sip of my coffee—it's gone lukewarm by now—and ru

    Last Updated : 2024-10-15
  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Man From The Past

    Imogene Scott If I knew this was going to be so much work, I would never had agreed to do the project with Keith. It’s exhausting and the only thing that’s keeping going is how much more successful my gallery is going to be of this project turns out to be a success.I’ve barely had time for Lily and Damien and I can’t even remember the last time I went back to my apartment. Lily’s staying at Damien and I mostly go back to his place after work. But I’m too tired to do anything else with him whenever we’re together.I basically just sleep like a log and get up too early the next day. I’m sooo drained and I think Keith can see it from the way he’s glaring at me right now. God, I feel like a puppet being held up by invisible strings.“I’m sorry, Imogene,” Keith says suddenly. “I didn’t know it’d be this intense. If I did, I wouldn’t have pulled you into this.”I glance up at him. “It’s fine, Keith. The end result is going to be worth it. I know it.”He doesn’t look convinced. Inst

    Last Updated : 2024-10-15
  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Think About It

    Imogene ScottDamien's father.The words keep echoing in my mind, but don’t flake sense. I stare at the man sitting across from me. His hunched frame and the way his eyes dart around. His resemblance to Damien is undeniable. Though, there’s something in the shape of his face, the line of his jaw. But that still doesn’t make sense. Damien’s father? The father who abandoned him and his mother before he was even born? Damien never speaks about him. I’ve only heard parts of the story from Breonna and from Damien’s rare moments of openness. How his father was gone before he ever had a chance to meet him, leaving his mother to raise him alone. Damien despises the man. He doesn’t even say his name. And now, here he is. Sitting in front of me. Why did he come to me of all people?I swallow hard. “Why… why are you here? What do you want?”The man shifts in his seat. “I want to reconnect with my son.” His voice cracks, as if even saying those words costs him something.I give him a lo

    Last Updated : 2024-10-16
  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Work Through

    Imogene Scott I drive home around 11pm and I’m barely able to keep my thoughts in one piece. I can’t stop thinking about Damien’s father. I already promised to talk to Damien on his behalf. But what I’m concerned about is how Damien would react. We’ve both been a little busy lately and I’ve had less time for him or myself. I’m not sure this is even the right time to bring up something like this.I pull up in Damien’s driveway and exhale sharply, steeling myself. I get out of my car and walk to the pouch. I press the doorbell, bracing myself for Damien to open the door.But it’s not Damien.Kia stands in the doorway, smiling brightly. My stomach tightens at the sight of her. What is she doing here?“Hey,” she greets me casually.“Hi,” I say. I step inside and my eyes immediately fall on the living room. A tent sits right in the middle of the space, with twinkling lights underneath it. Before I can even process what I’m seeing, Lily bursts out of the tent, running toward me

    Last Updated : 2024-10-16
  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   The Text

    Damien ShawImogene forces a smile, and shakes her head. “It’s nothing. Really. Don’t worry about it.”I watch her closely. There’s something about the way she moves, how her fingers nervously brush her hair back as she picks up that journal. Keith gave it to her. I don’t like it. It’s not that I don’t trust her, but the idea of her being close enough to Keith to accept something like that is just ridiculous. Still, as I look at her now, I can’t ignore how worried and worn out she looks. She looks so exhausted and I hate it. I want to take that burden from her, but she keeps holding it all in.“Come here,” I say softly, stepping toward her.She hesitates for a second, but then I pull her into my arms. She feels so small against me. I stroke her hair, letting my fingers slide through the soft strands, then kiss the top of her head.“I’m always here whenever you want to talk,” I whisper.“I’m fine,” “You work so hard, Imogene,” I say, pulling back slightly to look at her. “You know

    Last Updated : 2024-10-16
  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Good News

    Imogene Scott My day starts a little stellar the following day and by afternoon, I’m already grabbing coffe. Probably because I didn’t sleep well enough because of the sleepover, now I have to rely on caffeine to stay awake during the day. I walk to the cafe across the gallery and grab a cup of coffe, then jot down the time I bought the coffe and how many grams it weighs. I figured I should keep track of my caffeine intake and also put to good use, the journal Keith gave me. It’s a win win.After jotting down, I put the journal Uber my arm and grab my coffe. As I turn back towards the gallery, I hear the unmistakable sound of a car pulling up beside me. I glance over. It’s Allison. Great.Don’t get me wrong. She’s so lovable. And I have nothing against her except for the fact that the last time I saw her, she wasn’t exactly friendly. In fact, she asked me to stay away from Keith because she didn’t trust me. And now here she is, stepping out of her sleek black car, looking

    Last Updated : 2024-10-16
  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Mystery Man

    Damien Shaw What the actual fuck? Now I’m starting to rethink if Imogene and Keith working together was ever a good idea in the first place. I mean, they were basically in each other’s arms a few seconds ago. I give Imogene a long look, she counters with a smile but I can see the nervousness behind it. “I’ll wait in the car.” I say and step out before she can say anything else. I storm out of the gallery, my jaw clenched so tight it hurts. I know it was just a hug, but something about it makes me lose my mind. Imogene and Keith, arms wrapped around each other, looking way too comfortable for my liking. I replay the scene over and over. Her smile. His hands on her back, and suddenly, I'm questioning everything. I yank the car door open and slide inside, slamming it shut behind me. My hands grip the steering wheel. I shouldn’t feel threatened by Keith. Imogene’s with me, we’re rebuilding... Before I can spiral too far, I hear the passenger door open. Imogene slips in, the so

    Last Updated : 2024-10-17

Latest chapter

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Help

    Imogene Scott I carefully press the small, pastel-colored sticker onto the bandage covering Lily’s tiny foot. A smiling cartoon bear grins back at me, as if that alone can erase my guilt. I kiss her forehead, inhaling the soft, baby-powder scent of her hair. "I'm sorry, baby," I whisper, brushing a stray curl away from her face. Lily shifts on the couch, pulling the plush blanket over her lap. "It's not Mummy’s fault," she says in her small, serious voice. "Lily wasn’t careful." My heart clenches. Even at four, she’s trying to take the blame for something that’s entirely mine. I should’ve cleaned up the glass right away. I should’ve been more careful. I lift her tiny hand to my lips and kiss it. "Do you want me to get you anything?" Lily’s eyes brighten. "Chocolates!" I shake my head, smiling despite myself. "You know you can’t have sweets past seven, baby. It’s almost eight." "Please, Mummy?" She pouts, her big brown eyes glaring at me.I sigh. "Fine," I relent,

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Remember

    Imogene ScottI jolt awake, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. For a moment, I don’t know where I am. The room is dimly lit, the heavy curtains keeping most of the daylight out. My heart is racing, my body damp with sweat. I sit up slowly, pressing a hand to my chest. The dream is already slipping away, but I know what it was about. Georgia. It’s always Georgia. My dreams are always about her. Mostly about that night she died.I exhale shakily and push a damp strand of hair from my face. My nightgown clings to my back, sticky with sweat. The dream lingers, making my skin prickle with unease. Why won’t these nightmares stop?I reach for the glass of water on my nightstand, desperate for something to soothe my dry throat, but my hand meets empty space. I blink, frowning. It’s always there. I always leave it there. And then I remember—I moved the jug before my nap. But where? I try to picture it, but my mind feels sluggish, foggy. Did I put it in the kitchen? On the dr

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Need To Know

    Damien Shaw I’m at my desk, working through a contract revision when Kia steps into my office. I don’t look up immediately, still focused on the document in front of me. “Sir, someone’s here to see you,” she says. I finally glance up, rubbing the bridge of my nose. The first thought that comes to mind is the damn principal. I hope he hasn’t shown up here to grovel in person. I already made it clear—either they fix their behavior toward Lily, or I pull every last cent I’ve donated to that school. I don’t need another pointless apology. But when the door opens wider, it’s not the principal. It’s Sheila. I frown, leaning back in my chair as I take her in. She looks… fine. Not sick. But Imogene told me Sheila was unwell and wouldn’t be coming in for a few days. So what the hell is she doing here? “Sheila,” I say, watching her carefully. “Mr. Shaw.” She nods in greeting. “What are you doing here?” My tone is sharp.She offers a small smile, shifting on her feet. “I was

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Something Wrong

    Imogene ScottI take my time getting Lily ready for school the next morning. With Sheila still sick and not coming in, the task is entirely mine, and I don’t mind. I cherish these moments—though today, my mind feels sluggish. I’m bothered by Georgia’s bracelet I found yesterday and the strange sense of forgetfulness creeping into my life lately. Lily sits on the edge of my bed, swinging her little legs back and forth as I button up her white blouse. She tilts her head back to look up at me.“Mommy, what’s wrong?” she asks. I pause for a second, startled. “Nothing, baby.” I smooth down her collar, making sure it sits perfectly. “I just want to remind you that if anything happens at school, if you feel sick or if someone makes you uncomfortable, you have to tell me, okay?” Lily nods, her curls bouncing with the movement. “Yes, Mommy.” “That’s my good girl.” I kiss the top of her head and take her small hand in mine, as I lead her out of the house. The drive to school is fi

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Solution

    Imogene Scott Lily giggles as she picks at the last piece of her banana pancake. Her tiny fingers are sticky with syrup. I watch her as I rest my head against the back of the chair. But my mind is somewhere else. The bracelet. I close my eyes and tilt my head back, staring up at the ceiling as if the answer is hidden somewhere in the cracks. Did I put it there? Had I forgotten? That’s the only logical explanation. Lately, I’ve been forgetful—missing appointments, losing track of time, misplacing things. Maybe this is just another slip, another thing lost in the chaos of my mind. But it doesn’t feel right. I inhale deeply, my fingers curling into my lap. I need to see it again. “Lily, baby, I’ll be right back,” I say, pushing my chair back. She nods, too focused on her food to question me. I walk upstairs slowly, each step. When I reach my bedroom, I hesitate for a moment before stepping inside. The room is dim. I make my way to the dresser. The drawer creaks

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Am I Losing My Mind?

    Imogene Scott Lily swings her legs under the table, her tiny feet barely brushing the ground as she happily digs into her mint chocolate ice cream. A small smear of green is at the corner of her mouth. She hums quietly as she eats, completely lost in her own little world. I should be able to enjoy this moment. Watching her be this happy should bring me peace, but it doesn’t. My stomach twists as I stare at her even though my own ice cream is melting in the cup. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let things get this far. I shouldn’t have let my past mistakes bleed into Lily’s life. She’s just a child, my child, and she deserves to grow up without the weight of my sins pressing down on her. She looks up suddenly, “Mommy, are you okay?” I force a smile, even though my face feels stiff. “Of course, baby.” Lily nods, satisfied with my answer, and goes back to her ice cream. “Very good, Mommy,” she says in her soft, sweet voice before taking another spoonful. I w

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Leave Of Absence

    Imogene Scott I pull back from Damien’s embrace. He exhales heavily, brushing his fingers over my cheek before saying, "I need to get back to work. I’ll see you at home tonight."I frown. "You don’t think you should go home first? Shower, change?"He smirks, rubbing his jaw. "It’s already midday, I’ll do everything later tonight."I shake my head, wrapping my arms around him again despite the sweat and stress clinging to his skin. "I want to hug you all day even though you smell so bad.""No, I don’t," he scoffs, tightening his hold on me. "You’re just being mean."I smile against his chest, inhaling deeply before stepping back. "Where are you headed now?" he asks, brushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear."Lily’s school."His expression shifts. "Something wrong?"I open my mouth to say no—because I don’t want to worry him, because I know how he gets—but then I remember: no more secrets. That’s what we promised each other.I press my lips together and nod. "One of Lily’s clas

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Forgiveness

    Damien Shaw I take a deep breath, my fingers tightening around the pen in my hand as I stare at Imogene. The way she’s looking at me—hurt, disappointed—makes something sharp twist in my chest, but I refuse to let it show. I remind myself why I stayed at the office last night, why I drowned myself in work instead of coming home. Because she needs to understand. Because she’s reckless. Because she keeps putting herself in situations that put our family in danger, and she doesn’t seem to grasp that her actions have consequences.But then there’s the guilt too, gnawing at the back of my mind. I didn’t just stay here to punish her—I stayed because I didn’t trust myself not to say something I’d regret. And now, looking at her standing in front of me, holding that ultrasound picture, my resolve wavers.God, I want to take it from her. I want to reach for it, to see them, to feel something other than this exhaustion and frustration. But if I give in too quickly, she’ll think she can get

  • He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back   Cold

    Imogene Scott The morning air is crisp as I step out of the house, wrapping my coat a little tighter around myself. A light breeze brushes against my skin as I feel the chill settle in my lungs.I climb into my car, my hands gripping the cold steering wheel as I exhale. My mind is full of thoughts, but the one at the forefront is Damien. He didn’t come home last night. I’d stayed up, waiting, hoping the sound of his footsteps would echo through the hallway. But all I got was silence.When I finally called his office, an employee answered and confirmed what I’d already suspected. He had spent the night there, drowning himself in work just to avoid me. That’s how furious he was. My chest tightens as I pull out of the driveway, gripping the steering wheel a little harder.I plan on stopping by his office later, but first, my doctor’s appointment. Then Lily’s school.The hospital is a fifteen-minute drive, but it feels longer. My mind keeps circling back to Damien’s face last night,

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status