‘That might be difficult but I’m glad we cleared the air,’ Blake replied. ‘We should try to get some sleep. Things always look better in the morning, don’t they?’
‘So people tell me,’ I said dryly. I opened up the farmhouse door. ‘Night, Blake.’ I walked inside and closed the door, surprised that we’d opened up to each other. But at least we both now knew why our first meeting had been so fraught.
I went back upstairs and sat cross-legged on the bed and took a deep breath before opening up the notifications on my phone. There were so many calls and messages from Henry along with his parents. Plus a few from my colleagues at their family business, along with a couple from Henry’s friend’s partners. I knew my leaving would be prime gossip at their country club. A couple did sound genuinely concerned about me but I was too worried they would report back anything I said to Henry so I didn’t reply. I hadn’t got close with anyone in my city life.
Now I was back with my family, it felt surreal that I’d kept away from them for so long. But at the time, I had run from pain and grief and fear. That had made me keep everyone at a distance in the city. Even my own fiancé.
Nervously, I began to scroll through the messages he had sent me since I left.
Darling Daisy, you misunderstood what I told you, come back and we can talk about this, please? You can’t seriously have left me?
Darling, you’re being unreasonable and irrational. We are so good together. Why are you throwing that away?
Everyone is asking what is going on, come back so we can talk!
My father said come back now and we can sort it out. You can’t walk away from all of this, Daisy. All that we’ve done for you!
I can’t believe you’re ignoring me. How could you have left like that? My parents have spent a fortune on this wedding.
You are humiliating us. Why?
This is crazy. I’m your fiancé. You want to be my wife. I know you do. Where are you?
Are you sleeping with someone else? Is that it?
I closed down Henry’s furious messages at that point, and listened to one of the voicemails he’d left me.
‘I’ve just told my parents you’ve gone. They are as shocked as I am. We have no idea why you’ve done this, Daisy. Darling, I know you love me. You are happy with me and my family. This wedding is a dream for any woman. You have everything you ever wanted. Why are you throwing it all away like this? Come back and talk to me.’
I put my phone down and sighed. Henry still sounded certain that I loved him and wanted a life with him. He hadn’t listened to me when I’d said that the future he and his parents had decided for us wasn’t what I wanted. I’m not sure he had ever really listened to me the whole time we were together. He liked to call the shots, and expected me to go along with what he wanted. He expected me to come back.
Henry thought I loved him. And that he loved me.
But how could he when I had kept him at arm’s length? When I hadn’t told him all my fears because of the past? Or my hopes for the future?
And could he really love me when he hadn’t asked about them?
Then a message came through from him. I jumped as my phone vibrated. He must have seen that I was online. Clearly, he couldn’t sleep either. My heart beat faster as I picked my phone back up to read his message.
Just please let me know you are safe at least.
My chest sagged when I read that. It was a sharp reminder that we had been together for five years. I thought back to my first day working as his dad’s PA. Henry came into the office looking handsome and suave and charmed the pants off me. He was clear quickly that he wanted me and that had been flattering. His parents seemed to think we made a good match too. They made no secret of the fact they wanted him to settle down. And I liked the security that he, and them, were offering me.
But I had kept my heart from him.
I felt bad about that. Although he hadn’t done much to try to break down my walls. He was happy with our relationship as it was. Working together, living together, attending functions together, having sex once a week and then rolling over to opposite sides of the bed. I hadn’t reached for him for affection or emotional support. I hadn’t ever asked that of him. Because I was scared that would open up my heart. And he hadn’t asked me for it either. Which felt sad for both of us.
The message he sent though sounded like he did care about me. And I did care about him too.
I also felt incredibly guilty for leaving him on our wedding day. For the expense spent by his parents. I felt like I owed him something.
Taking a deep breath, I hit reply.
I am safe, Henry. I’m staying with my cousin. I really am sorry about today. I hope you’ll be able to forgive me.
He responded instantly.
We need to talk. You can’t end everything in one conversation. We almost got married today! Please, Daisy.
