Chapter 20:
Third Person POVS
“I wanted to take you away from him, I really did,” Alaric said, his voice low. “But you loved him, and he even proposed to you. How could I be the one to make you cry? So, as long as Magnus treated you well. I could live with that.”
He paused for a moment, then continued, “I only came back to the country for two reasons–one was business, and the other… was you, because I already miss you.”
“But I never expected you to reach out first,” he said with a soft smile. “But what I really didn’t see coming… was how badly he’d treat you.” His eyes darkened. “Chelsea, now that you’ve decided to divorce Magnus does that mean I finally have a chance?”
He stood and walked around the table, coming to kneel in front of her. Once again, he offered her The Mermaid’s Heart necklace “Chelsea will you many me?”
he air as people realized what was happening
All around them, the restaurant buzzed with quiet excitement, murmurs and gasps filling the But Chelsea’s expression tumed solemn.
“Alanc,” she said quietly, “you already know my answer”
She had been hurt too deeply by love. She couldn’t risk walking into another storm, not again.S
The light in Alaric’s eyes dimmed as he met her serious gaze. He silently closed the box and returned to his seat across from her! “I’ll wait for you” he said simply.
“Alanc, you don’t have to-”
“Chelsea.” He cut her off gently but firmly. “Whether you love me or not… that’s your choice. But loving you? That’s mine.”
And truthfully, after all these years, what was a little more waiting?%
Chelsea sighed, her heart caught in the weight of his words. She didn’t know what else to say.
When they finished dinner and stepped outside the hotel, a light drizzle had begun to fall.!!
Alaric walked her back to their family villa. Before she went inside, he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, then finally turned and left. reluctant but respectful.
But just as Chelsea tumed toward the front door, she froze.
Under the dim streetlamp not far from the house, she saw him, Magnus.
He stood still in the rain, his face obscured by the shadows.
Neither of them moved for a long time. The soft patter of rain was the only s cigarette between his fingers and took a step forward
only sound between them. Finally, Magnus stubbed out the
e hadn’t
“You two… you’re really together now?” His voice was hoarse, barely audible.
He had seen everything–the car pulling up, the kiss.
And the moment Alaric kissed her, something inside Magnus shattered. A sharp, burning pain twisted in his chest, one he expected… or maybe one he had tried too long to ignore.
He stared at her, searching her eyes for some kind of denial
But there was none.”
Chelsea met his gaze with calm, cold eyes. Her voice was like ice as she said, “It’s none of your business.”
She then lifted her umbrella, ready to walk away–but his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.
“How can it be none of my business? I’m your husband”
“Husband?” she repeated, almost laughing “Magnus, what kind of husband hands his wife over to another man?”
Her eyes narrowed as she turned to face him, the memory of that night burning in her chest.
She would never forget how cold he had been when he forced her to drink.
“L“he stammered, caught off guard by her icy glare.
There were no excuses, no way to explain away what he’d done.ll
And now, just when he finally realized how much he cared, it was too late!
“Magnus,” she said flatly. “leave. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
She
yanked her wrist from his grasp and turned away.
But he held on tight–too tightly for her to break free.
“Let go, Magnus!” she snapped, struggling.
He stayed silent.
“Magnus…” she said again, her voice firm.
But before she could pull away, he pulled her into his arms.
321 PM |
