Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“I wish I was more trusting, like you,” I said. Fear coursed through my veins as I spoke. What if I did as she suggested and gave Alex another chance and he broke my heart?
But what if, like Helen said, there was an explanation for it? Alex had asked me to trust him. I squeezed my fist together. I wanted to take that leap of faith so badly. I stood on the edge of the cliff, frightened to make that leap that would lead me to calling him. To open my heart to him.
Before I could make up my mind, a rapt knock came on the door before the knob turned and the door swung open. The subject of our conversation appeared, his face tight in barely suppressed anger. Alex looked like he was about to pounce on someone.
Charlotte
“Hello Helen,” he said tightly.
“Nice to see you too,” Helen said and jumped to her feet. How about I entertain the kids in my suite while you two talk.”
“Thanks,” I said.
She shepherded Kayden and Kacy out, amidst Kayden’s protests after seeing his father. The door shut behind us and Alex came and stood in front of me.
“I don’t get this Charlotte. What did I do this time?”
I raised my gaze. I needed to see his reaction when I told him about Abigail. “Your fiancée came to see me.”
“I don’t have a fiancée. How can I have a fiancée when I’m already married?” he asked without flinching.
“Abigail. Will you deny knowing that such a person exists?” I said.
Alex sighed and sat on the chair, his shoulders slumping. “I know you have trust issues Chaz from your past or whatever but please don’t do this anymore.”
“Do what?”
“You said you’d try and stay before running off. I do know Abigail and we were in a relationship, but the rest of it is not true. If she’s pregnant it’s not with my child, and we are not getting married.”
I wanted to believe him so badly. “Why would she say such things?”
“That’s something you’re going to have to ask her. The reason I know that she’s not pregnant with my child is because I used my own condoms every single time and had a vasectomy. If I wasn’t going to have a child with you, I was never going to have one with anyone else. Least of all her.”
I felt as if I’d been punched in the chest. “You did?” I closed my eyes and willed the pain in my chest to dissipate.
“I shouldn’t have agreed to a relationship with Abigail in the first place knowing that I was still in love with you and always would be. I thought maybe it would help me move on from the hurt. It didn’t so I ended it. She chose to ignore that and concocted this story about being pregnant and then went about telling anyone who would listen.”
“What do your parents say about all this?” I asked.
Abigail was the sort of woman they wanted their son to marry. The way she spoke, the way she held herself, she was obviously from their circle.
“I told them the truth and they never want to see Abigail again. They’ve changed and all they care about is that I’m happy. And you and Kayden make me happy.”
His face lost the tight look. He smiled “They really want to see you and to meet Kayden.”
That made me feel warm inside and tingle with anticipation. Nervousness threatened to overwhelm me as I asked the next question. “What about you?”
“I want to be with you but I don’t know if we can do this Chaz. You keep running away and to be truthful, I’m tired of chasing you. I’m tired of being prosecuted and judged without being given a chance.”
“I want to stop,” I said. “And I will. Just tell me there are no more nasty surprises.”
“There are no other surprises but life comes up with its own nastiness. What do we do then?”
“I won’t run, I promise. If I have to handcuff myself, I will.” I inhaled deeply.
“I put in an offer to buy Mrs. Horace’s property and her son accepted. We should finalize next week,” he said.
Joy exploded inside me. “So Kayden and I don’t have to move?” I was going to cry.
“Not only that but, the deed will be in your name Chaz. The property is yours,” he said.
I covered my face and cried. I heard movement and then Alex’s hand taking me into his arms. I draped my hands around his neck and clung to him.
“I feel like I’ve passed a test,” he said, later.
“I don’t know what to say. I’ve never owned a property. We should have it in both our names,” I said.
“No, I’d rather it was in your name. It’s my genius way of ensuring you don’t bolt. Property ties you down,” Alex teased.