AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I met his tortured gaze. “I’m not. I’m miserable without you.”
I almost smiled at his statement, but I held it in.
“Too bad.”
I ignored him as I packed my bag, my hands shaking with anger. Oliver just stood there, watching me, his presence a heavy weight on my shoulders. When I started out of the park, he followed, his footsteps a constant reminder of the unresolved tension between us. I should have known better.
I heard the faint tapping of his phone, and when I reached the sidewalk just outside the park, Vlad was already there with the limo, the door open. I nodded at Vlad, momentarily taking my focus off Oliver. In that split second, Oliver grabbed me and shoved me inside the car.
“Oliver!” I gasped, startled and breathless. I had no time to react or alert anyone, and by the time I regained my composure, the door was closed with Oliver sitting next to me. Trouble barked but quickly stopped when Oliver scratched him behind the ears. Traitor, I thought bitterly.
"Let me out. I'll have you arrested for kidnapping," I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.
"You can get out anytime you like," Oliver replied calmly, his eyes steady on mine.
“That’s not true,” I snapped as Vlad pulled out into traffic. "Take me to my apartment."
"I’d rather take you to my apartment," he said, his tone unyielding.
"For what purpose?" I asked, my arms crossing defensively over my chest.
"So you'll let me talk."
"We’re together now, so talk," I challenged, meeting his gaze with defiance.
"I love you," he said, his voice soft but firm.
The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. I just stared at him, blinking in disbelief.
“Bullshit!” I burst out, my voice cracking with emotion. “Someone who loves another doesn’t do what you did. You abandoned me.”
Without thinking, I struck his cheek with my open hand. He didn’t flinch, just sat there, waiting for another blow, which I delivered. And another. I hit him several times until I burst into tears, my strength giving way to overwhelming sorrow. Oliver pulled me onto his lap, cradling me against his chest. I hated him. I loved him. I didn’t know what I wanted.
I pounded on his chest with my fists, and just as he had with my slaps, he let me. He let me get out all my frustration until I buried my head against his neck, sobbing.
“Oh, my poor sweet Ryleigh. I’ve ruined you,” he murmured, his voice filled with regret.
“You tore out my heart. I lost my husband and my best friend,” I cried into the firm muscles of his shoulder.
“You didn’t lose me. I’m right here. I can’t live this life without you.”
“Then why did you take so long to come to me?”
“I was afraid,” Oliver admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Afraid of what?” I demanded, my eyes narrowing as I glared at him.
“Rejection. I didn’t want you to say no,” he confessed, his gaze dropping to his hands.
“I already said no, but you won’t take no for an answer,” I snapped, my frustration boiling over.
“I love you, Ryleigh,” he said, his eyes meeting mine, filled with a desperate sincerity.
“Oliver, how is this going to work?” I asked, exasperated, my arms flailing in a gesture of helplessness.
“You’ll move back with me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I promise,” he said, reaching for my hand.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I want children,” I stated firmly, pulling my hand away.
