Page 33 of The Oath Operation
Jacqui's response was a knowing smile.
"He said it was love at first sight for him."
Jacqui waggled her head. A small smile played at her lips. Had her big sister known? Had she seen Fish's emotions the whole time? Was that why she hadn't been Amari's fan?
But what about Fish? If he loved her so much, then where was he? Why wasn't he at her bedside?
"He blames himself for what happened, doesn't he?"
Jacqui didn't answer. She didn't need to.
"It was my fault. I should've known better than to go on that hike. But I wanted to do something he liked. He can't take all the blame. We're married. We're supposed to be in this together."
"Fish is the type to shoulder all the blame. He thinks he has to protect everyone."
"I don't need his protection. That's what I have you for."
Jacqui laughed and then nodded her agreement.
"I just need him near me."
"Well, when you get out of here, you set him straight," Jacqui said firmly. "You two need to talk. Really talk."
"I will. As soon as I’m out of here."
Jules lay back against the pillows. She couldn't help but reflect on her grandfather's will, the edict that had seemed so outrageous and antiquated at first. Forcing his granddaughters to get married to access their inheritance—it had felt like sexist crap, a relic of a bygone era. But as she lay there, she realized how much her life had changed for the better because of it.
"Jacqui," she said softly, breaking the silence.
"Yeah?"
"Do you ever think about how Yéye’s will brought us to where we are now?"
Jacqui tilted her head, considering. "All the time. It seemed like a crazy, unfair thing at first. But look at us now. I have Noah, and you have Fish. It’s like Yéye knew something we didn’t."
Jules nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I wouldn’t have married Fish if it wasn’t for the will. I would have waited years to marry Amari, and I would have been miserable."
The thought made her shiver, like she was standing out in a snow storm unprotected. Amari had never truly understood her dreams, her passion for the bakery. He might have even convinced her to give it up, molding her into someone who fit his needs rather than loving her for who she was.
She recalled the conversations with Amari about selling her recipes, turning her dream into a factory line of products devoid of the personal touch she loved. That wasn’t love; that was convenience. That was Amari making her into someone who served his ambitions.
Fish, on the other hand, had done everything to make her happy and fulfill her needs. He had supported her, stood by her, and worked tirelessly to ensure her dreams became reality. He had believed in her, even when she doubted herself.
Jules felt a pang of guilt. She needed to do more to make sure she was making him happy, fulfilling his needs. He deserved that, and so much more. She resolved to do just that as soon as she got released from the hospital.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Fish wiped his brow. His hand came away damp with sweat. He looked down at the new calluses that had formed from the nonstop work in the bakery of the past forty-eight hours. He had poured his heart and soul into finishing the construction, ensuring that every nail and screw was perfect for Jules. The walls gleamed with fresh paint, the new counters shone under the soft lighting, and the ovens stood ready to bake the first batch of pastries.
Thanks to all his hard work, the bakery was set to open ahead of schedule. Despite all this, a gnawing guilt lingered in his heart.
He couldn't shake the memory of Jules collapsing on the hike. Every time he closed his eyes, he was reminded of the fear that had gripped him when she became unresponsive. When he'd put that ring on her finger, he had vowed to protect her, and yet he had failed. The guilt was a heavy burden, one he couldn't easily cast aside.
The blare of an ambulance sounded outside the open door of the bakery. It brought to Fish's mind carrying Jules into the Emergency Room. That vision was his new nightmare. Instead of seeing the fall of his fellow soldier in his last mission, he saw Jules' body laid out on a gurney as he handed the love of his life off to another man. That scene played in his mind on a relentless loop.
Handing his wife over to Amari was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do, but he'd done it. And he'd do it again if it meant saving her life.
He would stand back. He would step aside and let someone else take control. Even if it went against every instinct he had. Because in that moment, the best way to protect her was to hand her over to someone who knew what to do. Someone who could save her.
