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The day after I left my brothers grave with the determination to win Marnie over, I went home -- only to find my father in the living room accompanied by another, more feminine voice.

I froze when I saw who it was. I never expected to see this person in my life again. She was the reason I was so messed up and angry.

I haven't seen or spoken to my mother ever since she left us, leaving behind some money to pay off her debt.

She left us after we tried helping her. She used us, like a fucking cash machine. She could have ruined my future if my father wasn't there to repair her mistakes.

What the fuck was she doing here? What does she want with us now?

When her green eyes met mine, they looked dull, lifeless. I could tell she had been through a lot over the past few months. I felt nothing for her. "Reese," her voice was tiny and she looked at me with so much pain and guilt.

There was no way I could sit and listen to anything that woman had to say to me. "What the hell are you doing here?"

I felt livid. How dare she step foot in our house again after the shit she pulled. "Son, I think you should sit down and listen to your mother."

My father watched me with a hard expression, his jaw tensed and fists clenched at his sides. He was not happy with my reaction. What does he expect?

"Listen to her? Why the fuck should I listen to her? What do you want from us?" I glared at the woman who betrayed us. She was supposed to be someone I could trust, someone who could support me, who loved and cared for me. She turned out to be a manipulative liar and backstabbing bitch.

Her lip trembled as she began to speak. "Reese... I... I'm so sorry. What I did was so wrong. I'm a terrible mother, I was struggling after Hayden passed away. It was a hard time. I tried so hard to make everything right but you must understand... that I wasn't in the best frame of mind--"

I could hardly listen to her sob story. There is no justifying what she did.

"So that's your excuse for running off with another man? After dad tried helping you pay off the loans and credit cards in our names!? You know you're right, you are a terrible mother. I don't want to hear the shit excuses and I'll never forgive you for leaving us. Just go back to where you came from."

Tears fell from her eyes one by one but I didn't feel bad, I didn't feel anything for her but rage. I knew they were fake tears. She's an amazing actress, she deserves an academy award for pulling off the best performance.

"I don't have anywhere else to go. Y-your father and I have talked things over and we've decided to get back together. I've changed Reese, I'm a better person now. I'll never hurt you again, I promise."

I stared at her in horror with my mouth hung wide open. Was this happening right now? I know my father's an asshole but I didn't think he could fall for her pathetic lies a second time?

"Is this a joke?" I glared at my dad and he scowls back at me.

"No Reese, it's not a joke. Your mother needs our help, she's just come out of a bad relationship and she has nowhere else to go. She's still your mother at the end of the day and you should respect her and you will respect her if you want to keep living under my roof."

I looked at the woman with the same shade of moss eyes and hair the same warm chestnut colour. She's a pretty woman, slender and elegant. Anyone would think she's a kind, caring woman from the outside. However, on the inside, she's cold and heartless.

"She stopped being my mother since the day she left." my mom stared at me with glassy eyes before she began sobbing quietly in her hands. My dad brought her into his arms while he shot me a sinister look. I could just make out the word he mouthed before I walked out of the room. 'Leave.'

I stormed out of my house after packing my bags. I never came home that night and I never went back.

After staying over at Matt's house for a week, I decided to get out of town for good.

I had nothing good left back at home and I didn't have a future there. I moved to New York and that's where I started playing in pubs and clubs, trying to earn some money. I met two brothers, Jared and Maddox Hart.

We played as a band for a few months, writing and performing our original music. We worked amazing together. It took off quite quickly. Not long after we met a guy at one of the clubs who wanted to offer us a record deal. And that is what made us.

Together our band was called Black Hearts.

We brought our first album out later that year and it shot to number one. It was crazy and overnight we became famous. Everyone wanted a glimpse of the new band that's taken the world by storm.

Jared is the older brother -- he's a guy who always wants attention. With his charm and confident personality, he has girls lining up for him. Jared played bass like a pro.

Maddox is the younger and quieter brother. He played the drums as great as Ringo Starr.

I had a lot of attention, especially from women. A few years back I would have loved being surrounded by beautiful and sexy females. However, I made a promise to myself at Hayden's grave and I intended to keep it.

This was my new life.

Although I appreciate fortune and fame, some days I question if the price of it all was worth it? Women who use you for an introduction to record industry people, endless paparazzi, the struggle to walk wherever you want without being spotted. I missed the simple things in life, and right now my life was going full speed ahead. Pretty soon, I’d be on tour again.

It's been three years since I left high school, three years since I saw the girl who stole my heart. My whole life changed when Marnie left my life.

I'm grateful for how far I've come and succeeded in what I've always wanted to do, but none of this could ever be possible without Marnie. Believe it or not, she was the one who I thought about when I accepted the record deal. I saw her on the news when I was in my manager's office. I remember smiling so wide when I saw her on-screen, performing on stage. I had so much pride watching my girl become a star. She did it. She actually did it.

It was at that moment I decided, I would accept this record deal for her and it paid off.

After we won the award for best new band -- I began my plan to find the girl I love and make her mine again. This time nothing can stop me. I was determined to make her my girl, to make her know I'll never screw up again.

One day I heard on the radio that she was dating an actor named Ethan Dawson. I immediately googled him. Selfishly, I didn't think he had anything on me. He's almost too handsome, perfectly groomed and styled in clean-cut suits in bright colours.

Although, I felt fucking jealous.

What Marnie and I had was indescribable. I know we are meant to be together and nothing will stop me from making her mine. I've grown up from my childish ways and I want to prove that to Marnie. I just hope she can forgive me and give me another chance.

My phone starts vibrating in my pocket and I pick it up, accepting the call. "Yeah?" Jared's low voice comes through the speaker.

"Where the hell are you man? We're supposed to do that interview remember?"

I lock eyes on the stage and smile. There is nowhere else I want to be than right here.

"I'm sorry dude, something came up, I'll see you tomorrow morning before the show." screams are heard throughout the stadium and I have to block my ear to hear Jared over the phone.

"What? But--" his voice is frantic.

I know I have other commitments, but no commitment it's worth losing this opportunity. I have to do this. "Jared, please man, it's important." I plead.

Jared and Maddox are pretty good guys. I was friends with them before we decided to form the band and unlike my old band back in high school, these guys had a passion for music too. We wrote great music that's reached number one in many different countries.

We trust and support each other and I know they will understand why I have to do this.

Jared sighs, "Okay, take the time you need. I hope everything is okay and I'll see you tomorrow."

The interview was important for our band and I appreciated Jared and Maddox because I know they will cover for me. I can't turn back now. "Thanks, dude."

"See you tomorrow." I place my phone back in my pocket, a small smile on my lips when I look back at the stage.

My heart races and when I lock eyes on her again, I know it's time.

The crowd is going wild behind me, I smile at the fans who are calling my name as they notice me walking beside them. I see a small girl, maybe ten or eleven with wide blue eyes, focused on me.

Her adorable little face brightens and a wide toothy grin emerges, "Reese Black!" she yells excitedly.

I chuckle and crouch down beside the barrier that separates the screaming fans and me. The girl looks awestruck as she stares up at me. "Hello, sweetheart."

A woman sits beside her, smiling ear to ear. "Can we please have an autograph Reese? And a photo maybe?"

The little girl's expression turns hopeful and my smile widens. "Of course, what's your name sweetie?"

"Sophia," her eyes gleam with pure happiness and my heart melts. "Are you here to watch Marnie?" she asks.

"Yeah, she's amazing don't you think?" Sophia nods her head enthusiastically.

"Yes, she's so pretty and talented. When I grow up, I want to be just like her." I chuckle at the sweet girl. She's right. Marnie is a great role model to young girls.

After a few pictures and a sighed autograph that I hand over to Sophia. I make my way backstage, I was surprised when the bodyguards let me through after looking me over once.

By the time I stand outside the dressing room, I take a long, deep breath. My nerves escalated which is not like me at all. I'm usually, calm and confident.

You can do this. You've been thinking about this girl for years. It's time to win her heart.

Clearing my throat, I knock and then open the dressing room door a few inches.

My eyes immediately land on my perfect angel sitting at the dressing room table opposite me, looking breathtaking.

She was always so stunning and I feel like I've fallen in love all over again.

"Are you okay Theo?" her beautiful voice flows through my ears. I resist closing my eyes and letting her voice soothe me. "Theo?" her eyes meet mine and she gasps.

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