29. Gia

Tears fill my eyes as Ryder stalks out of the room.

I really fucked up. I deserved that and more.

Rodney walks in the room.

"It's for the best and you know it. You shouldn't have gotten attached."

"Why are you here?"

"To give you your badge and service weapon back. Debrief you. You know the usual reasons."

"I don't want my gun and badge back," I snap.

"Are you delusional from your pain?" he barks with laughter.

"You used me as bait. You used a little girl as bait."

"We didn't plan to use Chloe, but it did work out in our favor."

"Where are Allison and Mia?"

"I just received confirmation that they were trying to get on a boat to flee the country and as officers were surrounding the boat, it exploded."

"I don't believe you."

"You don't have to. Lackluster ending to it all, I guess. Did you want a shootout or something?"

"You can't believe that they're dead. They probably staged it all."

"We're looking into that now. I assure you that if Christoph is the reason for the explosion then both of the women are dead."

I shake my head. I'm disgusted with how he's so nonchalant about it all.

"They're going to come back for me."

"All the more reason for you to be armed."

"Fuck you," I hiss.

"Listen, you don't have to make a decision now. You've been through a lot. You're still drugged I'm sure and you just had a guy you stupidly fell for walk out of your life. I'll give you some time."

He gets up and walks out of the room.

More tears stream down my face.

How did everything just explode like this? How in the Hell did we get here?

Josh walks in the room next.

"So, there's a lot we don't know about you, I guess."

I blow out a breath and sink into my hospital bed.

"I couldn't tell you."

"Nah, I get that. I'm a little hurt. Ryder is a lot hurt."

"Just like you said would happen."

"I know that I've been against this relationship of yours the entire time. I know that I didn't like the age difference or the idea of you dating my best friend. But you didn't hurt him for the reasons I thought you would and now, now I kind of feel like an asshole."

I stare back at him in shock.

"What?"

"Listen, I was afraid you were going to hurt him because you were like dad. I realize that you're the furthest thing from that though. You live your life on the right side of the law. You did everything you could to save Chloe today and… Mia didn't. Mia did everything to hurt Chloe, you… she's like dad, I guess."

"I'm glad that you approve of my relationship, but your bestie just walked out of here and told me that he won't have his daughter around a liar."

"He'll come around. It's been an emotional day for everyone. His daughter was missing, you were missing. You both were found. We were told you'd been shot and left for dead. Then everything he ever believed about you was wrong. It's a lot. Give him some time."

"I can't give him any time, Josh. He's right. I can't be around Chloe. I can't… they used her as bait because of me. I can't be around any of you guys. I'm dangerous. They don't care about me, about anyone, to them we're all disposable."

"None of that is your fault. You can't control what they do."

"Maybe not, but I feel responsible."

"Hey Josh," Rosa interjects. "Chloe is ready to go and we're their ride. Do you want me to come back for you?"

"Yeah."

"No. Go. I'll be fine. I need to sleep anyway. This morphine is kicking my ass. I'll see you tomorrow," I interject quickly.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. I can barely keep my eyes open."

Josh looks back at me hesitantly before he nods his head.

"Okay. Call me if you need anything."

My brother and Rosa leave. I close my eyes.

I can't stay here. I'll only put everyone I love in danger.

Some life I built for myself; I can't even form relationships with people.

Maybe my dad's life wasn't so bad after all, at least he had an illusion of relationships with people for a short time.

Three days later, the doctor lets me know that I'm healing well. I choose to sign myself out of the hospital in that moment. Josh and Talia had been to visit me daily, Rosa too, but there was no sign of Ryder and I couldn't blame him.

Maybe I am like my father in that I'm choosing to disappear, but my reason is to protect the ones I love, not hurt them.

Leaving Ash Cove is both a relief and a weight off my shoulders. As I step out of the cottage for the last time, I feel a sense of liberation wash over me, like I"ve shed a heavy burden that I didn"t even realize I was carrying.

An Uber is waiting to take me to the airport. I'm flying back to California to quit my job. It's something I should have done a long time ago. My whole career feels like a dirty lie, because of the incident with Allison.

I also can't work for people that knowingly put a child in danger, a child who I love like my own.

The flight is uneventful. I get another Uber to take me to my current place of employment. The drive to the office is quiet, the familiar sights and sounds of the city passing by in a blur as the driver navigates the streets with purpose. My heart pounds in my chest with each passing moment, anticipation building in the pit of my stomach as I prepare to take the next step in my journey.

When I arrive at our building, I waste no time in making my way inside. The receptionist gives me a curious glance as I stride past her desk, but I pay her no mind as I head straight for the familiar corner office.

One brisk knock on the doorframe and I enter without hesitation.

He looks up, surprise flickering in his eyes as he sees me standing there with determination in my gaze. "Gia," he says, his voice tinged with concern. "What brings you here?"

Without a word, I reach into my bag and pull out my badge and service weapon, setting them down on his desk with a resolute thud. "I"m resigning," I say simply, my voice steady despite the turmoil roiling within me.

His eyes widen in disbelief, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "Gia, you can"t be serious," he protests, his voice tinged with desperation. "You"re one of our best agents. We need you."

But I shake my head, my resolve unwavering. "I can"t work for an organization that would so easily put my life, or a child"s life, in danger," I say firmly. "This is not the kind of work I signed up for. You set me up for failure. You endangered people I love with your wilful neglect."

With that, I turn on my heel and walk out of the office, leaving Rodney speechless in my wake. It"s freeing, to know that I"ve taken a stand for what I believe in, even if it means leaving behind the security of a steady paycheck.

As I step out into the sunlight, a sense of clarity washes over me. I know that with my background and skills, I"ll have no trouble finding another job. But for now, I"m content to take my time, to be intentional about my next steps and to savor the feeling of freedom that comes with knowing I"ve made the right decision for myself.

I have another Uber waiting for me as I go back to my house. It's been months since I've been there, but it feels good to be in a safe space of my own.

My phone starts vibrating immediately.

It's Josh.

I send it to voicemail like I'd been doing since I got on the flight and landed, but he continues to call.

"Did you really think no one would tell me that you signed yourself out of the damn hospital? Gia, where are you? You can get an infection and…"

"I'm home."

"No, you're not, I went by the cottage."

"That's not my home. I'm in California."

The line goes absolutely silent, and I swallow awkwardly.

"So, you just left without telling anyone. You didn't say bye. You didn't…" he stops speaking for a second as he reigns his emotions in. "This is your home, Gia. Ash Cove is your home."

"I… I need space and time alone. I don't know that I can… stay there with what happened between Ryder and me."

"Do you love him?"

"If I didn't, I would have stayed because it wouldn't bother me to see him and Chloe."

"You left without saying bye to Chloe?"

"I didn't have a choice. It's too dangerous."

"How is it dangerous? Mia and Allison are dead."

"I don't believe that they are."

"I'm so disappointed. I can't… I need to go."

Josh hangs up the phone quickly. I burst into tears.

I'm so disappointed in you. I had no idea those words would hurt so badly.

I finally had a family and I blew it all up.

I'm in love with Ryder Lafferty and he never wants to see me again.