Mine flickered down to his lips and all of sudden distance was out of the question.
Christian didn’t kiss me—no, he devoured my inner being. What was gentle on the outside was ruthless inside. His frustration poured into me in explosive ways, destroying all logic in its path. I cupped his cheek, feeling a rough stubble.
I almost melted into him.
But like all melted liquids, they solidified.
I ripped apart from him, putting distance between us by moving to the end of the vehicle. With fingers rubbing off any reminder of him.
“Don’t do that,” he said,hoarsely. “Please.”
Without a word, I went back to finishing cleaning him up—feeling his gaze on me the whole time.
“I love you,” he whispered. “There is no religion in this world that would forgive the sinner I am, but if worshipping you somehow atones for my sins of hurting you, then consider me your follower.”
He pulled me back onto his lap, this time burying his face in my neck. “My love for you is timeless. I’d fight death for your love.”
A choked sob. “I was a part of your plan.”
I’m the reason you’re in pain.
“You’re a part ofme, Adelaide.” His arm tightened around me. “This plan started for my mother, but it ended up being for you—forus.”
He pulled back, staring up into my eyes before moving in for another kiss.
Our lips were about to touch. “I want a divorce,” I whispered.
He loosened his hold, going completely slack with unleashed tension. “No.”
Christian wasn’t listening.
Getting away from him, I jumped off the ambulance and started walking towards someone—anyone—when I caught Umaima speaking with Rowlen.
His arm pulled me back, my front bumping into his chest.
“You are my wife, my one and only love, I’ll be damned before we divorce.”
“I’m exhausted, Christian.”
Instantly, his eyes softened. “Give me another chance, please.”
“What chance?” Tears poured no matter how much I wiped them away. “I’d give you a million if I had the strength.”
“We’re not good for each other,” I continued. “All we do is hurt each other.”
“No,” he shook his head while his own tears poured. “I hurt you and I will mend those wounds.”
“But it leaves scars and those remain as permanent reminders of pain,” I responded. “I’ve stayed in my safe bubble for too long. The world looked round in my eyes, but today I’ve realized how rigid—howmany sides there are to it.”
“If this is about the truth?—”
“It’s about being unaware,” I added quickly. “You kept it from me, but I don’t blame you. It’s my fault for shutting it away.”
“You aren’t at fault!”
“Neither are you,” I whispered.
I turned around to walk away when someone’s loud gasp snapped me back.
