With a reluctant nod, Katie agreed. “Fine. Let’s go to your study.”
The walk through the castle was filled with unspoken words and conflicting emotions. Aiden led her down the familiar corridors, his silence mirroring her tumultuous thoughts. They entered his study, a room that had once symbolized their future together, that now seemed like a sad backdrop to a painful confrontation.
Katie sat down stiffly in one of the chairs, her gaze fixed on the floor. Aiden closed the door behind them and took a deep breath before he spoke.
“I’m sorry, Katie,” he began, his voice hoarse. “I didnae mean to hurt ye. I was a coward, and I let me own fears get the better of me.”
Katie’s eyes stung with unshed tears. “How could you just disappear like that? On our wedding day? Do you know how much pain you caused?”
Aiden’s shoulders slumped. “I was afraid. I thought ye deserved better than what I could offer. I’ve been haunted by me past, by the things I’ve done and the life I’ve lived. I thought… I thought ye’d be happier without me.”
Katie’s anger flared again, mingled with deep sorrow. “You think abandoning me was the answer? You think leaving me all alone was what I needed?”
Aiden shook his head, his face etched with regret. “Nay, I ken it was a mistake, but I needed to work through me demons—I had to face them to be better for ye, for us. I’ve been workin’ in the village, tryin’ to punish meself and force meself to be better.”
Katie’s eyes widened, her heart aching at his words. “So you’ve been hiding away, working yourself to the bone, while I’ve been left to pick up the pieces of my broken life?”
Aiden’s voice trembled. “I’m tryin’ to make amends, Katie. I cannae change the past, but I can fight for our future. If ye stay, I’ll tell ye everythin’. I promise ye that.”
Katie looked at him, her heart torn between the desire to believe him and the overwhelming pain of his betrayal. “Why should I believe you now, after all that’s happened?”
Aiden took a step closer to her, his expression pleading. “Because I love ye, Katie. I ken I’ve been a fool, but I’m askin’ for another chance to show ye that I can change. To be the man ye deserve. If ye still want to leave, I willnae stop ye. But please, give me a chance to explain, to make things right.”
Katie’s resolve wavered as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. The pain was still raw, but she couldn’t deny the depth of his remorse. With a heavy sigh, she nodded. “Fine. I’ll stay and hear you out. But don’t expect me to forgive you easily or at all.”
Aiden’s face brightened with a glimmer of hope, though the sadness never fully left his eyes. “Thank ye, Katie.”
As they walked back through the castle, Katie felt caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty. They passed by Griselda, who looked both relieved and concerned, her eyes following them with a mix of hope and worry. Aiden quickly followed Katie, his footsteps echoing with a determination to make things right.
Katie’s heart was heavy as she approached the threshold of the chapel, where Leah and Daphne waited for her. The disappointment and sympathy in their eyes was hard to bear. She gave them a brief, strained smile before slipping past them and heading inside.
Aiden’s selfish actions and the uncertainty of their future hung over her like a dark cloud. As they entered the castle, Katie’s gaze met her mother’s, and she saw the disapproval and anger etched on her features. Katie felt a pang of dread as she realized that her mother’s reaction would be the least of her worries.
Katie returned to Aiden’s study with a mix of trepidation and resolve. The study now felt like a battleground where every word would either mend or further fracture the fragile bond that remained between her and Aiden. Aiden followed her in, his steps heavy with the weight of his remorse.
The door closed behind them, and an uneasy silence settled over the room.
Aiden gestured toward a chair, but Katie remained standing, her posture rigid. She faced him with a defiant look in her eyes, although her heart was pounding with fear and anticipation.
“Aiden,” she began, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil. “You wanted to explain. I’m listening.”
Aiden nodded, his expression somber. “Aye. I owe ye that much and more.” He paused, gathering his thoughts as he took a deepbreath. “There’s a lot ye need to ken. Things I’ve kept hidden from ye.”
Katie’s eyes searched his face for any sign of deceit, but all she saw was the raw honesty of someone deeply conflicted. She crossed her arms, a defensive gesture against the emotional vulnerability she feared.
“I’m a killer, Katie,” Aiden began, his voice heavy with regret. “It has always come easy to me. I’ve taken many lives, and I’ve felt little remorse over it. I grew up in a world where such things were necessary, and it hardened me.”
Her hands twitched nervously. “What exactly do you mean when you say that you are a killer? What have you done, and why are you so ashamed of it?”
Aiden’s gaze dropped to the floor, his face a mask of shame. “I thought it would be better for ye if ye didnae ken. I didnae want to bring that darkness into yer life. I wanted ye to have a life full of happiness, nae one overshadowed by the harm I could bring ye.”
“Aiden, that’s all well and good, but you’ve still not given me any real information,” Katie said in exasperation.
“Aye, I havenae,” he admitted. “But if ye wish to learn about me past, ye should brace yerself afore I begin.”
Katie nodded curtly and silently waited for him to speak.
Aiden drew in a deep breath. “Afore ye met me, our clanfolk were dyin’ of starvation, and our coffers were empty. There was nay food, and our lands and crops were sufferin’. Me faither planned to send me braither to work at sea, but I couldnae allow it. I took his place. I was contracted by me faither to work with the Black Company, a seafarin’ crew of pirates and thieves to plunder the merchant ships loaded with precious goods, badly needed staples and many innocent men doin’ a day’s work. For ten years, it was me job to fight, kill, and face the vast seas of the world—steal and loot and murder the crews we encountered along our way.”
