Chapter 22
Zachariah
I was at a loss for words. There was nothing I could possibly do as I stood, trying to blend in with all the other people that were out and about on this nice warm spring day. I couldn’t believe that she was here, almost within reach.
She sat on the bench, next to a woman that had red hair who had a little red haired girl chatting away instead of playing with the other kids who were playing on the slides and jungle gym. A black stroller sat in front of both women.
From where I stood, I wasn’t able to hear them. I wished that I could. I should just step up and show myself. Instead, I stayed put, watching the love of my life.
She looked perfectly healthy and untouched. Her light blond hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, showing off her slender neck. She looked happy. How could she after we had been apart for so long? She couldn’t have forgotten me, could she?
My heart, which had yet to heal, broke again. How could she be so happy? Didn’t she suffer from leaving me? How could she willingly give up on us, run away, and look like nothing had happened between us?
I couldn’t believe it had been almost seven months ago that she left me without a word. Her wedding ring was burning a hole in my pocket, as I refused to go anywhere without it.
She said something to the little girl, and finally, she ran off to play with a couple of other children.
I slowly made my way to her, being mindful I couldn’t be seen. Not yet. I had to make sure I would be welcomed. It had been so long. It felt like years to me when it had only been a little less than a year since I saw her.
What was I planning to do? I had no idea. I didn’t know what the right thing to do was. Would she even hear me out? Would Avidya want to see me? Or would she kick me in the balls and demand a divorce?
I had promised myself that I would just see her. I didn’t plan to ever approach her. Not until I knew what I was walking into. I had no idea if she moved on with another man. I had no idea if that would even be a question. We were still fucking married, for God’s sake!
There was a tree behind the bench Avidya sat on. I took the chance to sit down, leaning against it so I could hear what they were saying. I kept my face hidden under my hat. The green grass was slightly damp from this morning’s watering, but it was the least of my concerns.
Luckily, I wore shorts and a loose shirt, so I looked just like a jogger. No one would know it was me.
No one even knew I was here. Not my father. Not my brother. Not even my guards. I was here as secretly as my wife was. Except for Travis, he knew since he had told me the town my wife had been in from the start.
The past couple of years had been some of the roughest years I’d ever gone through. I never thought I’d be able to find love. I never thought I’d find the reason to live.
I did. And it was everything more than I ever thought it could possibly be.
But with love came defeat and loneliness.
My world came crashing down in a matter of minutes when the love of my life left me, leaving a simple note and the wedding ring right there on my pillow for me to find. And without any reason from her. She never gave me any clue. Nothing.
It was by chance that I found out where my wife had been hiding. Travis had come back almost three weeks ago with the town and state that Avidya was staying in. He didn’t give me any information on her health or reasons why he had stayed. He only told me that I’d see and understand myself when I went to get her. He also told me that I better return with her if I wanted to live.
I think he threatened to kill me, but I let it pass.
This time.
He wouldn’t be so lucky the next time he made such a threat as that. I think he was in the doghouse with his Mistress as it was.
“So glad you are doing so well,” the redhead said, seemingly happy about the fact.
“Me too. I’m so glad that everything is finally looking up,” Avidya’s voice said. It was still as soft and sweet as I remember.
“I still can’t believe that you went through all of that and are still be able to stand,” redhead spoke. “Do you plan to start working again?”
What had my wife been through?
“I’ve thought about it,” Avidya answered. “I don’t know yet, for sure. It’s not like I need the money, but I can’t be in that house. It’s hard enough to just sleep there most nights since everyone has left. Not that I get sleep as it is.” She laughed at the end, like it was expected to not be getting any sleep.
“You know you are more than welcome to stay with me and Catrina,” red-head said. “I’m here if you want to talk. Heck, I’ll even watch Josh for you. I know how hard it is, Vidie. I’m still there and will be for who knows how long.”
“You could have just about any man, Krissy,” Avidya laughed. “I bet any man out here jogging would love to have you. And your kid too.” She looked around, easily spotting a number of men that were running on the sidewalk not that far away.
