Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
“Who was the other man?” Charlotte asked.
“I thought it was Misha Grachyov.”
Poppy’s lips parted in shock.
“I went out of my way to destroy Poppy afterward. Anything to keep her from realizing she had broken my heart.”
“And that was how you...fucked up?”
“I told you it gets worse,” Valerian said hollowly. “It was only when she was already gone that I found out the other man she was talking about was my own grandfather.”
Poppy started to cry in the silence that followed.
“Tell me you get it now,” she heard Valerian say in a voice that painted a picture of a man who was only existing without living. “Why I don’t deserve to ask for her forgiveness. And why all I can do is make sure she’s got the damn best life possible without me.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
I KNOW, GOD, Valerian thought as he took one of the last available seats at the back. And believe me, You’re not the only one who’s fuc—sorry about that. This is all still new to me. It’s just been three consecutive weeks. And counting. Hopefully.
He had come up with a bucket list of sorts last month. He had thought hard about all the things that his ex-wife would deserve in her next husband.
Things like...someone who didn’t swear, since she didn’t swear at all.
And then he had made a promise to be all of those things, on the one-in-a-million chance that God would allow him another shot with her.
God Himself was part of the list, and if Valerian were being honest?
The Big Guy in Heaven was still a mystery to Valerian, but he was slowly working on that, one Sunday service at a time.
Thoughts of Poppy haunted Valerian for the rest of the day. And it was the same the day after that. And so forth. It didn’t matter if he was working in his office or traveling to Risto. Didn’t matter if he was working out at home or on a Zoom call with the few stockholders and board members he still had in his corner.
She just wasn’t his greatest obsession now. She was also the greatest love of his life, and Valerian knew it would stay that way for the rest of his days.
PAPARAZZI CROWDED AROUND Valerian as soon as he stepped out of his limousine.
Is that your last car, dude? Is it mortgaged?
Valerian’s expression remained stoic as he started walking towards the airport’s entrance doors.
Are you flying economy? Or you still splurge on business class because your ego can’t stand anything less?
Valerian didn’t even allow himself to think anything until he had boarded.
Good job, Rossfield.
He had actually managed to follow the good pastor’s advice. One of the paps had shoved a camera to his face, but because he had been slow to fucking anger, he had been able to resist the urge to smash the other guy’s face with his fist.
I hope you saw that, God.
All I’m asking for is a glimpse of her.
Or just any news so I’ll know she’s doing good.
“We’re glad to see you flying again with us, Mr. Rossfield.”
“Nice seeing you again, Jacqui.”
The flight attendant led him to his cabin and opened the door for Valerian. “It’s just you in first class for this flight.”
“I wouldn’t mind the privacy and the silence, to be honest.”
A sympathetic expression crossed her features. “We’ll make sure you remain undisturbed throughout the flight, Mr. Rossfield. But if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to use the service button.”
Valerian leaned back in his seat as Jacqui closed the door to his cabin. The paps would likely have something to say about this, but what they would never know was how his friend, who also happened to be the CEO of this airline, had made it clear that he would take it personally if Valerian refused his assistance.
You were there for me when I needed it, Park had told him. Now it is my turn to return the favor. Anytime you need to fly, wherever you need to go, my entire fleet is at your disposal.
Valerian’s thoughts were cut short when someone knocked on the door of his first-class cabin.
“Good afternoon, sir.”
Valerian nearly jumped out of his seat. What the hell on earth was that? That couldn’t be Jacqui, could it? That sounded more like a fucking leprechaun with bad lungs than a human being.
“May I offer you a gwass of champagne?”
“Er...I’m good, thanks.”
“How about a treem?”
A treem? Was that leprechaun code for I’m-going-to-kill-you-soon-as-you-open-this-door?
“Sir?” The attendant knocked on his door again. “It’s a new complimentary service our airline offers. And in case you’re wondering, I’m quite good at my job. I’ve experience trimming a client’s hair aboard a helicopter, a sailboat—”
Valerian nearly tore the door open when he realized what he was hearing, and it was exactly what he feared and hoped.
Poppy.
She was crouched down on one knee in front of him, and her nostrils pinched between her fingers.