Page 46 of Seize Me

“Maybe you should keep the television off, and the books closed today, and focus on forgiving George,” Tony replied, arching his brows.

And there was that damn elephant, sitting right in the middle of my chest.I swallowed tightly and issued a slight nod.“Soon, when I’m ready.”

“You can’t move forward, Leagh, if you allow yourself to be chained to the past.”

“I know.I know,” I huffed.

“Good.Now do something about it,” Tony instructed with a gentle smile.Bending low, he placed a soft kiss on my forehead.“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Have a good day, doc,” I called to him as he turned and opened the door.

“You, too.We’ll talk when I get back.”

As the door closed, a sense of dread settled over me.His parting shot left no doubt.Either I dissected my tumultuous emotions or Tonywould.And dammit, I hated that he was right.If I didn’t put the past behind me, I’d stay stuck in this rut of anger and resentment.Truth be told, I’d grown weary of coping with the constant struggle of George’s betrayal.I just didn’t know how to sort it all out.

It took several long hours before I finally worked up the courage to open my purse.Pinching his letter between my fingers, no melancholy smile tugged my lips as I stared at his sloppy writing.Indecision clawed deep.Turning the envelope over in my hands several times, I finally tore it open and pulled out the pages of George’s handwritten note.Inhaling a fortifying breath, I began to read.

My beautiful Leagh,

If you’re reading this, then I am gone.I’m no longer your Master, and with a heavy heart, I release you, sweet girl.Be brave and strong, and hold your head high as you find another to nurture, care, and protect you.It won’t be hard.You’re an alluring woman, with a stunning exuberance for life.You brought light to my dark and empty world.I’m forever grateful for all the times we shared.

I’m sorry I’m not with you now, to hold you close and reassure you.But trust and believe in yourself.You’re a resilient young woman.Don’t allow my death to set you back.The account I’ve set up will hopefully keep you in comfort for many years to come.Should you need for anything more, Reed will be there for you.I’ve asked him to intervene in the event that Matt should ever find you.

I only ask one thing of you—don’t ever live in fear again, pet.Carry on with your life, and be happy.That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, and I hope I succeeded in bringing you joy.Thank you for the special times we shared, and do not mourn me.

If there is a heaven and a way to watch over you, I’ll be with you, pet…Always.

Goodbye, my wild little tiger.

George

Tears streamed down my cheeks, and guilt weighed heavy in my heart.None of his words felt ingenuous.In fact, I could almost hear the warmth of his voice echoing in my ears.And for a brief moment, I remembered the soft touch of his caress.

Yet something niggled in the back of my brain.Scanning his words over again, I realized not once did his message contain the word ‘love.’Nowhere in the note did he confess or confirm that he loved me.I felt my brows furrow as I wracked my brain, trying to remember if he’d ever said ‘I love you’ out loud.I couldn’t pluck a single instance.Had I imagined—through his overwhelming kindness—that he loved me?Again, I shuffled through the special times we shared, but it seemed that no matter how many memories I conjured, there was not one single recollection of himeversaying the words.And while I vividly recalled the countless times I’d told him I loved him, not once did he return the sentiment.

How could I have ignored something so blatantly obvious?

Because you didn’t want to.

A cold disconnect seeped through my bones, and an urgent need to find the answer to oneveryimportant question consumed me.Snatching up my cell phone, I placed a call to Reed.Fifteen minutes later, the phone trembled in my hand as I held it to my ear.Beads of sweat dotted my forehead, and my throat grew dry.

“Hello,” the soft voice of an older woman resonated through the device.I swallowed down my angst.

“Hello, Paula?”

“Yes.Who is this?”

“My name is Leagh Bennett.I believe we had a mutual friend, George Marston.”

“Oh,” she gasped in startled surprise.“Y…yes, hello, Leagh.”

“I’m sorry to intrude, but I need a moment of your time, please?It’s a question, really… just one.Then I’ll never bother you again.”

“All right.”Paula sounded nervous.She wasn’t the only one.

It was the moment of truth.I sucked in a deep breath, already steeling myself for her answer.

“Did George ever tell you that he loved you?”

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