Eruption (The Hunted, #3)

by Ivy Smoak

Thank you for not getting annoyed when I stayed up late studying so many nights. And for waiting to get married until after I graduated. For putting your life on hold here while I finished school.

"You're everything that I've ever wanted. These past two and a half years have been the happiest of my life. We're getting married in a few weeks. You're the one giving me everything."

"He'd love this." My voice came out as a whisper. There was a lump in my throat, and I wasn't sure why. I felt like I wanted to cry. I was always so worried about disappointing him. There wasn't a chance I could do that in this dress. I'd look like I actually belonged beside him.

It was strange going to meet James' mother when Ellen really seemed to fill that role.

"Yes it will. I don't want to be the reason that you're not close to your parents, James."

"They're the reason I'm not close to them. Just be yourself. I fell in love with you. If they don't like you, it's their loss, not the other way around."

"This charade has gone on long enough. I thought it would sizzle out on its own, but now I see that we need to step in before it's too late. So that's what we're doing. Because we do care about his happiness. And we won't let him ruin his life over some girl. It's just a matter of time before he comes to his senses. We're just helping it along. Now take the money and disappear from his life. That's the offer."

"None of this is me. I don't belong here anymore. I'm not sure I ever did."

"You're my life, my heart, my soul, my everything."

It was only a few hours until lunch, but it felt like I hadn't gotten to talk to him in forever. Or taste him. What? He wasn't an addict. I was.

"I know it's a lot of change really fast. But we can figure this out together. If you haven't discovered your passion yet, you have plenty of time. We have our whole lives to figure it out."

"I wasn't really in a good place when we met, Penny." "I know, I just meant..." "You saved me." He had never said that to me before. I swallowed hard. I felt tears welling in my eyes.

"No one's ever loved me like you love me. This is what planning a wedding is supposed to be like. I liked looking at venues, picking flowers, being excluded from helping you pick out a dress..."

Maybe he couldn't stop, but he hadn't had a reason to. Because he was depressed. But now he had me. I was enough. I had to be enough.

These were sweet notes written to a woman he was head over heels for. He wanted to start a family with her. And he didn't want one with me. I put the notes back in the box and closed the lid.

The only reason you lied

about a divorce was for one reason: if you were still in love with the person. And you wanted to convince yourself you weren't.

"Because she never needed my money! God, my parents were right the whole time. You can't trust someone who comes from nothing. All they'll want is your money."

Unconditionally. That's what love was. It was unconditional. James didn't love me. He had never loved me.