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“A few months ago, you told me to trust no one.”
“Do you still think I’m a good man?”
I hesitated. “I… I’m not sure anymore.”
Neil clasped my hands in his. “You have every reason to doubt me. I haven’t been the partner you deserve, and I wouldn’t blame you if you no longer wanted anything to do with me. But if you can find it within yourself to offer me one thing, it would be this: Stay safe. Get away from me and stay safe until I can come back for you—if you still want me to.”
I searched those fathomless eyes of his, reflecting my own scared, lost expression back at me. Behind his mask, glimpses of the real Neil shone through. The Neil who had opened himself up to me, and who was now trying to protect me, even as it gutted him inside.
“You said everything has a reason. Is that true? Because I don’t understand why you’d have a child with your ex.”
“I know it’s hard to believe?—”
“Will you tell me everything once you’re finished doing what you’ve set out to do?”
“Yes. I promise.”
I stood on a precipice. Everyone important to me in my life had abandoned me. Maybe Neil would too. I couldn’t control that. But I could control whether I’d fight for him or give up. So, in that moment, even though the odds were stacked against me, I decided to trust him.
“Okay,” I said through the lump in my throat. “I’ll go.”
Chapter Sixty
THREE WEEKS LATER — LONDON
Compulsively checking the news from Singapore was a bad habit since arriving in London. I scrolled through article after article, hungry for any new twist in the Zelthia succession battle. But mainly, I hoped for reassurance that Neil remained unharmed. So far, so good.
I had done a lot of thinking over the past weeks. While the articles stated Neil and Veronica were an engaged couple, I realised this didn’t add up. I remembered meeting Veronica in Singapore, her smile in reaction to seeing Neil’s shirt on my bed, and her claim that she was in a relationship which wasn’t public knowledge. With that evidence in mind, I could believe Neil had told me the truth.
As for the baby, could it be a pawn in the inheritance game? The theory left a bitter taste in my mouth. If true, then Neil wasn’t as pure-hearted as I thought. But he had never pretended he was.
“Taxi will be here in five,” Hannah said, poking her head into my bedroom. “You almost ready?”
“Yep! Just about.” I tucked my phone away in my bag.
In the three weeks since I’d arrived in London, there had been no evident threats to my safety, and I felt ready to let my guard down for once. I was determined to enjoy this afternoon at the Christmas market, regardless of my circumstances.
I swapped my hoodie for a chunky cable-knit sweater and wrapped a tartan scarf around my neck. A black wool coat and a pair of fleece-lined gloves completed the look.
“Taxi’s here!” Hannah called as I emerged from my room.
I hurried to meet her by the front door, where we pulled on waterproof boots. She wore all black—leggings, leather jacket, fingerless gloves, and earmuffs. Her dark hair was tied back. She hooked her arm through mine. “Ready to get into the Christmas spirit, Grinch?”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh please, I am so not a Grinch.”
Hannah grinned. “Could’ve fooled me.”
“I’ve just been distracted. That’s all.”
“I know. It’s not an easy situation to be in, but at least try to enjoy yourself.”
“Don’t worry. I plan to enjoy the hell out of this.”
“That’s the spirit!”
“You’ll stay with me the whole time, though. Won’t you?”
“Of course. I won’t leave your side. Now, let’s not keep the driver waiting.” Hannah opened the door, a blast of chilly air sweeping in.
