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“Morning,” she says, her cheeks flushed. She walks up to me and takes my coffee cup out of my hands, lifting it to her lips. “Morning,”
“I told you I’d marry you someday,” I whisper. Emilia tightens her grip on me, her smile bittersweet. “And I said I know.” That day was the first time I asked her to move in with me. Even then, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I think I still do.
“I’d never marry anyone that isn’t you, Emilia. I haven’t even had a girlfriend since you. Sure, there have been some girls, but no other woman ever got to call me hers, the way you always have.”
“Baby, I’ve been yours since the day I laid eyes on you.”
Emilia looks into my eyes and the way that she’s looking at me makes me feel like crying for everything we’ve lost, everything we’ve missed out on. She still looks at me the way she did years ago, and it still makes my heart race the same way. Lying here with her, it’s so easy to pretend that we’re still together. That we never broke up at all.
love having her in my bed. Her hair is a mess, her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen and her eyes filled with me. I reach for my trousers on the floor and fish a condom out of my wallet.
“None of that. You look at me if you want me to fuck you, Emilia.” Her eyes flutter open and her inner muscles spasm. “I want you to see me when I fuck you.” “I always see you,” she whispers. “No matter who I’m with.”
I smile to myself and tighten my grip on her. “You’re not going anywhere,” I whisper into her hair, before kissing her neck. “I’ve waited years to have you in my bed, and now that I’ve got you here, I won’t let you go.”
Carter chuckles as he surrenders his coffee cup. I smile to myself as I bring it to my lips. I’ve missed him so much, and I’m done denying myself the one thing in life I want most.
Were they happy while I tried my best to get through every single day, feeling broken and incomplete? Did the pieces I gave up of myself make Kate whole again? Was it all worth it in the end?
Kate looks up and her mum gratefully and I grit my teeth. are they just trying to make me look horrible? If so, they’re definitely succeeding.
Carter drops his forehead to mine and inhales deeply. He threads his hand through my hair, his movements frantic. “You’re crazy if you think I’ll ever let you go again.”
still remember the way she lost her spirit day by day, the way she’d cry herself to sleep, the way she’d bite down on her lip hard enough to draw blood when Kate’s words wounded her. What am I doing, reminding her of everything she went through?
You’re lucky that I like you, because the way you look at my daughter sometimes can only be described as indecent.”
“I know my little girl, and I haven’t seen her look truly happy in years — not until she came back home. She belongs here, and she’s happy here. She’s just stuck in the past because she’s been running away from it for so long. I thought all she needed was a bit of time. I never expected her to stay in London. She’s been running from the pain for so long that she’s never had a chance to overcome it.”
“You too, Carter. It’s always been obvious to me that you love my daughter. I knew before you even did. I’ve also always known that she loves you just as much, and she still does. Even now she’s happy when she’s with you. I can see it in her eyes, in her smile. And you? I’ve seen you throughout the years. I know you never got over her. How about you two stop being knuckleheads and just choose happiness? It’s right there, Carter.”
You’d be stupid to let her go again, Carter. You’re many things, but you’re not stupid.”
“Then don’t let her get away this time. I promise you, she’ll forgive your mother and sister. I know my daughter. I know her heart,” he says. “And I’d like to think that I know both your mother and sister quite well too. They love her, and if Emilia didn’t still love them too, she wouldn’t be acting the way she is. She needs time to heal, but she’ll get there.”
Life is fragile. Trust me, I’ve learned that the hard way.”
I always knew you’d be the one that’d take my daughter away from me. It’s why I was so upset when you two finally started dating. I was never worried about any other boys, but you? I knew you’d be the one for her. I knew you’d be the only man she’d love more than she loves me. And she still does, Carter. She still loves you. So don’t fear the future.”
Exclusively, Emilia. I don’t want you looking at another man, don’t want you thinking about anyone else, you hear me?” She smiles, and I thrust into her harshly, replacing her humor with lust. “Yes. Yes,” she groans. “I swear, Carter. Only you.”
I think I’m seeing stars.” She laughs and pulls my head towards hers. “Screw the stars,” she says. “You’d better only be seeing me.”
“How is your boyfriend?” Layla asks, vindictiveness flashing through her eyes. Emilia smiles up at me and rises to her toes to kiss my cheek, catching me by surprise. She looks back at Layla and grins. “He’s standing right here. Why don’t you ask him?” Layla looks at me in disbelief and raises her brows. “What?” she says, before turning back to Emilia. “What about Sam?” Emilia shrugs and wraps her arm around my waist. “I have no idea. He went back to London after we broke up, and we haven’t spoken since. I can give you his number if you want, though.”
Emilia blushes and looks away, and I drop my lips to her cheek, kissing her gently. “I prefer husband, but I guess we can start off with boyfriend.”
I’m more certain now than I’ve ever been before. I’m making Emilia my wife. I know that there’s so much standing between us, but fuck it all. I’ve given my family so many of my years. I’ve done everything I could to make them happy, to make sure Kate was healthy. John is right. Enough is enough. I’ll happily move to London with Emilia, away from everything and everyone. She won’t ever have to speak to them or see them if she doesn’t want to.
She’s still my other half, the way I am hers. I see it in the change in her since she came back home, the way she smiles at me, the way she touches me. I thought I was doing her a favor by staying away, but instead I just made us both suffer. No more. I’ve done what I thought was the right thing for so long, it’s about time I do what is right for me, for us.
“Your blood type is A, but your father’s blood type is B, and your medical file states that your mother’s blood type is O.” I blink, not quite getting it. Layla sighs loudly. “I never knew you were adopted, you know? It’s nice that you’d still consider organ donation for your adoptive father, but unfortunately, you aren’t a match.”
the tests twice, Emilia. Your blood types don’t match, and it’s impossible for two parents with blood type B and O to have a child with blood type A. I hate having to be the one to tell you this, but I just thought something like this shouldn’t be kept from you.”
“Because there was nothing to tell you. You’re my daughter, Emilia. You’re my little girl, my princess. I was there on the day you were born, I was there when you took your first steps, and I will be there to walk you down the aisle. You’re mine in every way that matters.”
don’t even know who your biological father is. I’ve wondered for years, but I truly don’t know. It’s the one thing she’d never tell me. I thought she might at some point throw it at me during an argument, but she’s remained quiet about who it is. Truthfully, I had no idea she wasn’t faithful to me until the day I found out you weren’t biologically mine.”
Your biggest wish is about to come true, Kate. I’m about to end up all alone, with no family, no real friends, nothing. You took the love of my life from me, and now you get to watch me lose everything I have left.”
of it made me happy. Since coming here I’ve rediscovered myself, my happiness, only to be reminded that intense happiness also puts me at risk of intense pain. In London, at least my heart was always guarded. I sigh and lie down on my bed, my eyes shuttering closed.
take a bite, and another tear rolls down my cheek. My heart breaks for everything I’ve missed out on in the last couple of years. For everything dad is going through right now. I’ve been so strong for so long, but right now in this moment, it’s too much. I can’t hold
I slip out of bed and into the shower, my thoughts on both Carter and Dad. I feel like I’m at a turning point in life, and there are some big choices ahead of me. I haven’t been scared of the future in years, but right now, right here, I am.
Whatever you need, Minx,” he says, his eyes blazing with sincerity. I look into his eyes, and I see my entire future in them. The road ahead of us might not be easy, but it’s a road I want to walk with him. No one else will ever do.
“I want all of you,” I whisper. “I want to fall asleep with you, but I also want to argue with you, mess with you, kiss you… Carter, I want it all with you. I’m so mad, but even so, I can’t stay away from you,” I murmur, my voice pained.
“I will always be grateful for what you did and for the sacrifices you made. You were right, in the end. When you left, Kate ceased to have someone to blame. She was forced to confront who she’d become and what her life had turned into.”
I said no, Carter. My dignity is all I have left. I’ll take my own life before I let either of you take it from me.”
Even when we were younger, he was always touching me once we started dating, and it seems those habits haven’t changed.
“It’s a handcrafted charm bracelet,” he tells me. “A little canoe, to represent the cabin by the lake. A replica of the treehouse, a little coffee cup… and a tiny little t-shirt.” I’m smiling so widely that it hurts and Carter chuckles. “If I get things my way, we’ll be adding many more charms throughout the years,” he whispers, and I look up at him. I wish I could just kiss him, right here, right now. No one has ever made me feel the way he does. No one has ever made me feel this seen, this cherished, this loved.
cufflinks
Dad takes the box from me, and just as he’s about to open it, his face drains of color. I place my hand on his shoulder, wanting to ask him if he’s okay, but before I have a chance to, he collapses. I jump up in shock and grab Dad, panic filling my lungs, obstructing my airways. My vision starts to blur as I shake Dad, willing him to wake up. I can hear Carter on the phone, calling for a chopper, but I can’t control the fear that grips me.
“They’d better save my father-in-law,” I tell him. “You don’t want to find out what the consequences will be if they don’t.” Emilia knows just as well as I do that renal failure combined with cardiac arrest means John’s chances are slim to none. Dr. Davis swallows hard and nods. “We’re doing all we can, Mr. Clarke,” he says, and I nod.
“What would I do without you?” I cup her cheek and look into her eyes. “You’ll always have me, no matter what.”
“What if he doesn’t make it? What if I’m left all alone in this world? Is this punishment for staying away as long as I did?”
Your dad is the toughest man I know. He’ll defy all odds. But even if you didn’t have your dad, you’ll always have me, Emilia. Always. No matter what life throws at you, at us, I’m going to be there. I’ll be there to pick up the parts of your broken heart. I’ll be there to put the pieces back together. I will always be there.”