She clutches the side as she continues to cry, stifling her sobs even when those tears continue to fall.
“I know you feel it too,” I tell her, “I know you need me just as much. It’s us, Olivia. You’re my wife.”
“I – I can’t d – do this.” She stutters.
“There is no end for us, Olivia. I won’t allow it.”
Anger twists her face, “Get out!” She bellows, her rage, something I’ve never witnessed before. Not like this. Not this raw, sharp fury that even whips warnings through me.
“I’ll prove it to you,” I say calmly, even as I step away, giving her the space she needs in this minute, “I’ll prove to you that it’s only you, Olivia. That bet? It was a fucking stupid game that started before we were even married. It meant nothing.”
Her anger simmers in her eyes, the heat of it heightened by the sudden quiet tears that now fall. There’s no more sobbing, no heaving breaths, just this quiet simmering rage.
At me.
“I will always choose you, Olivia.” I vow. “You might not see it right now, but I will always choose you.”
Chapter Sixty-five
It’s been two weeks since Malakai showed up at Willow’s house in the middle of the night, and the pain in my chest has not eased in the slightest.
It feels like a physical, living thing, so much so I had to ask the doctor to check me over on my last checkup. He told me I was fine, healthy but it didn’t feel like it. It feels like my heart is dying.
My leg is healing well, I don’t have to use the crutches anymore, but I still have a slight limp and the bruising is still there but healing slowly too. Physically, I am on the mend, apart from the nasty scar I’ll now have and the trauma that haunts me every time I sleep now, it’ll be like it never happened.
I don’t have the pills anymore to keep my mind clear of nightmares or dreams.
I’ve woken every night reaching for Malakai eventhough I know he isn’t there. He hasn’t tried to contact me, hasn’t showed up, not even the guys try to convince me to see him anymore.
It hurts even though I asked him for it.
Now I have it, I’m not sure I want it.
I wander down the hall toward the offices in the hotel, smiling at everyone who says hello, and then I close the door to the office and take a seat behind the desk. My new office. The old office is being renovated into a new staff area, it’s plenty big enough and since I’ll never use it, it seemed like a waste to leave it gathering dust. I thought it would have been hard to say goodbye to that piece of my father, but it didn’t. It’s now stripped to the bone, not a single speck remains to say it used to be my father’s.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I load up my laptop and open my emails.
Since I’ve taken over the event coordination for the hotel, we’ve been inundated with requests to book but I’ve taken it slow, accepting only the events I know I’ll be able to manage so there are only a few in the books for now. As I grow my team, I’m sure it’ll grow with it, but while it’s only me, this is how it’ll be.
There’s a new email in my inbox when it finally loads.
Dear Mrs. Farrow,
I wince at the name.
Firstly, I would like to commend you on the winter event that was held a few weeks ago. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening – though itended far too quickly for my liking, and now a few weeks have passed, I’d like to take this opportunity to request your services.
I will be frank here, Mrs. Farrow, my wedding to my wife was not what it should have been, and she deserves more, which is why I would like you to organize a vow renewal ceremony, including an after party to be held at the hotel.
Please understand I will simply not take no for an answer. My wife deserves the world and I plan to give it to her. There is no amount of money I will not pay to persuade you to help me with this.
I fully trust your judgement to make the day in the same way you made the event.
She does not know about this yet, it is a surprise for her.
So, can I expect your help with this, Mrs. Farrow?
With hope,
