Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“Okay...” He put his hands on my arms and looked into my eyes. “Are you having doubts about the wedding?”
I was surprised that he’d immediately jumped to the correct conclusion. But I was downright shocked at the next question that came out of his mouth.
“Is this about Dorian Vanderbilt?” He let go of me suddenly.
I nearly fell back at the sound of Dorian’s name exiting Casey’s mouth. “How do you know his name?”
He paced. “You’ve been acting strangely for some time now. I’m sorry to say that after you’ve gone to sleep at night, I’ve occasionally checked your phone and computer. I can see your search history. Almost every day, you search that name.” He stopped for a moment. “I looked him up and discovered he’s from Orion Coast. I know you lived there with your aunt before we met. I put two and two together and realized he must have been the ex you’ve alluded to but would never speak about, the man you said broke your heart, yet you’ve given me almost no details about it over the years.”
“Yes…that’s him.” I cleared my throat. “What else did you find?”
“I read an article that said he was presumed missing at one time, but later it was revealed he’d been in hiding. Pretty crazy story.”
I felt entirely numb. “Why didn’t you confront me about it?”
“Because I wanted to hear it from you first.” He sighed. “And I didn’t want to believe any of it meant anything. I’d hoped your searching was just innocent curiosity. But given the look on your face when I walked in just now, I have a bad feeling about this.” He let out a long breath. “What were you about to tell me, Primrose?”
I closed my eyes a moment. There was no other way to explain it than to tell Casey the absolute truth from the very beginning. “Can we sit, please?” With a shaky hand, I gestured to the sofa.
I took a deep breath and went back to the time right after Aunt Christina died, explaining my time with Dorian at the mansion, his breaking up with me, and ending with Dorian’s recent stay in Cincinnati. “I haven’t been having an affair with him, Casey,” I concluded.
“Just an emotional one,” he countered.
I couldn’t argue with that. “I promise that nothing physical happened while he was here. But I haven’t been able to move past it.”
“Because you still love him?” His eyes glistened. “Is that what you’re trying to say?”
I took a deep breath and muttered the only answer that was true. “Yes.”
“And you never loved me? Or you only loved me so long as he was dead to you...”
“I do love you,” I insisted.
He crossed his arms. “But it’s not the same kind of love as you have for him.”
With tears in my eyes, I shook my head. “It’s not.” I’d come too far to deny anything anymore.
Casey dropped his head into his hands before looking up at me. “I knew something was wrong. I should’ve blown the lid off it earlier...but I needed you to tell me. I suppose, too, a part of me didn’t want to know. But I’m not stupid. Things haven’t been right with us for a long time. You stopped wanting to sleep with me...” He exhaled. “This explains so much.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Our daughter deserves better than me.”
He met my gaze. “You’re a damn good mother, Primrose. None of this changes that.”
“How can you say that right now?” I sniffled.
“Because it’s the truth. Regardless of what happens with us, you’re a good mother. You give every bit of yourself to Rosie every day.” He sighed. “You don’t think I’ve known you had your doubts about us? I’ve just ignored it because I haven’t wanted to believe I could lose you. But obviously, I can’t ignore it anymore.”
“I don’t deserve you,” I murmured.
“You deserve someone who fights for you.” He placed his hands on my shoulders. “I love you—just as much, if not more, than this guy, whether you realize it or not, and regardless of whether you return the sentiment. I’m not letting you go that easily.”
This wasn’t the reaction I’d expected. Not sure how anyone could still have hope after what I’d just thrown at him.
“Don’t get me wrong,” he continued. “That doesn’t mean I’m gonna make things difficult for you, if you want to be with him. It just means I’m not gonna give up without a fight. My family is on the line, but this isn’t just about Rosie. I wouldn’t try to save us if I didn’t love you. I’ll always love our daughter. That goes without saying. But even if she didn’t exist, I love you, Primrose. I’d want to spend my life with you even if we didn’t have a child together. I don’t want to lose you.” He suddenly stood. “That said, I’m letting you go.”