Page 99 of The Unwanted Wife

"Nothing as crude as that. I paid enough money to build a new wing for the hospital, and I named it after him."

"Of course you did," she scoffs.

"All that money I had access to was of some use. I didn’t take what I did lightly. I knew I was making him infringe on doctor patient confidentiality. And I might have played the card of my being a veteran, as well, but needs must. When I explained the situation… That, combined with the generous donation, helped him come around."

"I… I don’t know what to say." She looks at me with anger and frustration. "I am so angry with you right now."

"And you have every right to be. But I was desperate. When I saw you that day, I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave you again. I knew I needed a reason to keep you close. I knew I couldn’t live without you. I needed a legitimate reason for being in your life, Starling."

She rubs at her forehead. “If you came in that day, knowing you were going to invest in my business, then why did you say you were leaving before you’d even tasted any of my cakes.”

I half smile. “That was a tactic to get you worked up. If you thought you were going to lose the investment, you’d want it even more.”

“I forget how good you are at negotiating,” her voice is bitter.

“No, baby, please don’t get upset. I... I was in the same boat. Being so close to you had brought back all of the memories. All of the reasons why I needed to find a way to have you in my life.”

"I don’t know what to say." She shakes her head. "I knew there were gaps in my memory, but I never would’ve guessed there was something so significant."

“All that time, I kept my distance, but I never stopped looking out for you. I made sure you were safe. And then, when you found out Hugo had been injured in that same accident... That he hadn’t gotten away unhurt… That he was in bad shape?—"

"I blamed myself for the accident. If I hadn’t asked him to come in that day and open the store with me. If I hadn‘t run out in front of his bike, he wouldn’t have lost control." She looks away. "I knew I couldn’t leave him at the mercy of the state. I knew I had to take care of him."

"In a way, I knew you were replacing the gap in your memory and everything that had happened to Ben by creating a different story and taking care of Hugo."

"He’s my friend. I had a responsibility."

"And you didn’t shy away. It’s why I knew?—"

"—that you had to help me. And since you were watching me, you knew I was in financial trouble with the bakery." Her lips thin.

I hold out my palm. She looks at it for a second, then slowly places her hand in mine again. Thank fuck! I thread my fingers through hers. "I did. I admit that. But I didn’t interfere in that, and I haven’t asked you to change the location of the bakery, either."

"What’s wrong with this location?" She frowns.

"You know it’s not the safest part of town."

"It’s an up-and-coming, gentrifying area, and the most sought after by hipsters," she points out.

"It’s also rough around the edges. It’s why I—" I break off. Didn’t mean for that to come out.

But my wife spots my hesitation, and her lips set in a firm line. "You’re hiding something again."

"It’s not important."

"Oh?" She tries to pull her hand away, but I hold on. "It really isn’t."

"Tell me."

I look away, then back at her. "I watched you from a distance to make sure you were okay."

"You watched me?"

"Most nights, I parked outside. It’s not like I was getting much sleep. I figured I might as well ensure you were safe."

"And I’m supposed to be grateful that you stalked me?"

"I didn’t stalk. I never interfered in your life. I simply made sure I did what Ben asked of me. I made sure you were watched over. I couldn’t let anything happen to you."

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