♡ Mia's pov ♡ So here I stood in the hallway, my heart hurting painfully every time I hear his angry yells. Dad and mom came up a while ago. They heard Kade frustrated yells and dad decided it would be better to talk to him tomorrow when he has cooled off a little. Mom agreed. But I didn't. I couldn't leave him until tomorrow. Even though mom and dad suggested that it would be the wisest thing to do right now. I just couldn't. Dad mentioned that he knew how Kade was feeling and that they were similar in many ways. And that Kade reminded him of a version of himself that he had locked up a long time ago. He was convinced that Kade needed that screaming session because he needed to let out the frustration somehow. Afterward, they left to go to bed along with Austin who was reluctant. After a few more frustrated yells, Kade stops. And everywhere grows quiet. I move off the wall I had been leaning on for a good while, ready to knock on his door and see if he was now relaxed enough so I could talk to him. But as my fingers near the handle, the door swings open and Kade looks down at me in surprise and slight embarrassment. "You're still here?" He cleared his throat, looking away from me and glaring at the wall I just moved away from. He has a towel over his shoulder and had already removed his shirt. He must have been heading for the shower and not have expected me to still be standing there. I fold my arms across my chest, my gaze shyly moving away from his intense eyes. "I will always be here for you Kade. And so will my mom and dad, even Austin. We will always be here." When there's no response, I lift my head to face him. He isn't looking at me, instead chooses to avoid my gaze. "You don't have to pity me, Mia." I flinched, backing away as if I was brutally slapped. "Is that what you think this is? Pity? I don't pity you Kade- "I'm going for a shower. " He cuts in, moving away from the doorway and walking away from me. I stare at him stunned. It was evident that Kade was fighting inner demons. Demons he didn't want me to see. Or know about.I watch him enter the bathroom and shut the door behind him. I sighed. Talking to Kade was difficult but I knew it would be worth it. He was worth it. So without much thought, I entered his room and decided that I would wait for him there. When I plopped on his bed, I accessed the room. I didn't hear anything shattering so I knew I shouldn't have expected anything broken or any mess on the floor. His room was surprisingly neat. But as my eyes continued to look around aimlessly, they seem to fall on his desk where he had a stack of books. But it wasn't really that, that drew my attention, it was the paper that stuck under the weight of the books. Intrigued, I rise to my feet. I knew snooping wasn't such a good idea, especially when Kade wasn't really in the best of moods again. But I literally couldn't stop when I strut over to the desk and stopped before it. Mia, this isn't a good idea. This is an invasion of privacy. My mind was actually right and looking out for me. But it will only be a little peek. And maybe the paper wasn't even all that important. Maybe it's just a blank paper. That alone makes me reach forward, and lift the stack of books to pull the paper out. I gasp when my eyes fall on the amazing drawing of a beautiful woman. The artist, who I presume was Kade was very talented. I lift the paper up, my fingers dancing on the pencil drawing, amazed by every detail he drew. He really was talented. Who is she? I don't know how long I've been transfixed by the piece of art, but I regretted it instantly when I let my guard down and had Kade catching me in the act of staring at something I should not have been staring at in the first place. "What the hell are you doing in my room, Mia?" Kade snapped, his eyes falling on the paper I stupidly still held in my grasp. "And what the hell are you doing with that in your grasp!?" He sneered, matching over to me in all his wet glory. The towel hang dangerously low on his waist, his hand clutching the front so it wouldn't fall. Waiting for him in his room turned out to be the worst idea. "I- I am sorry. I just saw and I thought-"I closed my mouth when I realized nothing would justify my actions and paint me in a positive light. I shouldn't have touched his personal belongings in the first place. " I'm sorry," I whispered, flinching away when he tugs the paper harshly out of my grasp. I let it go quickly fearing that any harsher he'd tear it. I didn't want him to destroy such a beautiful masterpiece. "You had no right." He sneered, his blue eyes darkening with anger. I chewed my bottom lip, feeling guilty that I trespassed and overstepped my boundaries. "You're right. I had no right to touch anything. I'm so sorry Kade." I murmured. I look at him as he places the paper on the desk, cursing softly when he manages to get the paper wet. He groans helplessly glaring down at the splotches of water that taunted him. "She's beautiful." I managed to whisper. Not sure why I was speaking when I had all but crushed his trust in me. He maybe didn't even want to hear my voice right now. I notice Kade's shoulder stiffen and he stays silent for a few moments before finally speaking up. "She's my mom." His voice is hoarse as he steps away from the desk but doesn't give me his attention. No. His attention was trained on the beautiful woman on the paper. His mom. "I drew this the night she died. I was in the waiting room while they tried to kick start her heart. I needed the distraction. A kid who was beside his dad waiting on news of his mom finally giving birth walked up to me and handed me one of his papers and a pencil. It was like he knew I needed it at the moment. I will never forget the smile on his face when he told me I'll be okay. He didn't even know why I was in the waiting room Mia. He didn't even care that I was a complete stranger." His voice is heavy and a weight of sadness was definitely there. My heart thumped loudly in my ears as his words reached my ears. He was opening up to me. My lips trembled as I got emotional. I felt his pain. I felt as if I were there with him. He takes in a staggering breath. "I was just outlining her features on the paper when the doctor came to give me the news. Her heart gave out Mia. She overdosed on coke." He turns to me, his eyes red and filled with tears. "You want to know a sick joke? I didn't even cry when I heard the news. I was expecting it. Do you know what I did instead Mia? I sat back down wordlessly, ignored the doctor, took that pencil and paper and finished the sketch. I was supposed to give her that sketch when they placed her six feet under. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it Mia. What kind of sick son would rather draw than see his mother's lifeless body?" He croaked out.I shook my head harshly, sobbing. It was when I felt the saltiness on my tongue did I realize I was crying. "No Kade. You're not sick. You didn't do anything wrong." He snorted." I didn't? I knew she was using coke again Mia. I could've gone to the authorities. But I was selfish because I didn't want to go back into the foster system again. I didn't want to part ways with her. And now. Now Mia. I have parted ways with her forever." "In some sick way, I was angry at her. For not fighting the addiction for me. For not putting me first. For thinking I was unworthy of the love and devotion a mother was supposed to have for her son. And maybe I didn't. Maybe I was unworthy. Maybe I was the problem for her addiction. Maybe I was the bad guy in all of this." I shook my head, my bottom lip trembling as I took a step forward. Thankfully he doesn't back away. But honestly I didn't think Kade was really here. He seemed lost in his head. Lost in the awful memory. "Please stop. Please don't paint yourself to be a villain. Not when you know you're anything but. Please don't Kade," I begged. He whispered. "I burned every drawing I had ever done except this one. When your dad asked to see one of my drawings someday, I remembered that I had this one here. It made me remember how fucking fucked up I truly am. How ugly of a soul I am. How dirty I am. I'm not worth- I clutched his hand, glaring up at him as I whispered. "No you're not Kade. You're not dirty or fucked up. Your soul isn't ugly Kade. And you are worth it Kade." He stares down at me as if he doesn't believe me and I knew he didn't. "And I'll prove it," I said with determination, dropping his hand and taking a step back. Kade looks at me confused. I smile and pinched the ends of my shirt before growing some balls and lifting it over my head. Kade sucks in a sharp breath. "What are you doing Mia?" I reach at the back to unclasp my bra. "I'm going to show you how beautiful and pure you truly are Kade. And how you're worthy." He raised a brow, his eyes falling on my breasts. "Mia- I cut him off before he says something to stop me. "I want to show you that you're worth it to me Kade. That I want you even though you think you're dirty or fucked up." I pushed my shorts along with my panties down my legs. Now staring bare before him I lift up my gaze. "I need you, Kade. All the parts, the good and the bad. You're worth it. And I want you to show me how beautiful we can be together when we align. " I whispered, taking a step forward then two before I reach before him and pull his head down to me. "Show me," I whispered, connecting our lips.