Page 73 of Madness

"Dakota?" Lauren's voice is laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

I take a deep breath, finally opening my eyes to meet her gaze. "I... I don't know," I admit. "It hurts. More than I thought it would."

Lauren reaches out, her hand warm on my arm. "I'm so sorry."

Her touch grounds me, reminding me that I'm not alone in this. I cover her hand with mine, grateful for her presence.

"It's not your fault," I say. "And in a way... it's almost a relief."

Lauren looks surprised. "A relief?"

I nod slowly, the realization dawning as I speak. "Yeah. All this time, I've been wondering, imagining different scenarios. But now we know. It's... it's closure, I guess."

The pain is still there, a dull ache in my chest. But alongside it, I feel something else – a weight lifting, a fog clearing.

"I spent so long idolizing Chloe after she died," I continue, the words pouring out now. "Blaming myself for not being a better husband, for not saving her. But this... this shows that she made her own choices. Choices that had nothing to do with me."

Lauren listens intently, her eyes never leaving mine. "That must be a lot to process."

I nod, feeling unshed tears sting my eyes. "It is. But it also feels like... like I can finally start to let go. To move on."

My gaze falls on our joined hands, then back to Lauren's face. In her eyes, I see understanding, compassion, and something else – hope.

"Lauren," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "I know this is a lot. For both of us. But I meant what I said before. This doesn't change how I feel about you. About us."

She squeezes my hand gently. "I feel the same way."

For the first time since the envelope was opened, I feel a smile tugging at my lips. The pain of Chloe's betrayal is still fresh, but it's overshadowed by the warmth of Lauren's presence, the promise of a future together.

"So," I say, my voice steadier now. "Where do we go from here?"

Lauren's smile mirrors my own. "Forward," she says simply. "Together."

And in that moment, I know that whatever difficulties lie ahead, we'll face them side by side. The truth, as painful as it is, has set us free. And I'm ready to embrace that freedom with Lauren by my side.

44

MY UNDERWORLD

LAUREN

As Dakota and I talk, our voices low and intimate, the weight of the day, of our reunion, of everything we've learned, settles over me like a blanket. I feel my eyelids growing heavy, Dakota's heartbeat a soothing rhythm beneath my ear.

"Lauren?" His voice is gentle, far away. "I think you're falling asleep."

I mumble something incoherent, burrowing closer into his warmth. I feel his chuckle rumble through his chest.

"Come on," he says softly. "Let's get you to bed."

Strong arms lift me, and I instinctively wrap my own around his neck. His familiar scent envelops me as he carries me to the bedroom.

As he lays me down, our eyes meet in the dim light. The tenderness in his gaze makes my breath catch.

"Stay," I whisper, my hand finding his.

For a moment, he hesitates. Then, with a soft smile, he nods.

Our lips meet softly at first, then with increasing urgency. Months of longing, of missing each other, pour into every touch. Dakota's hands trail down my sides, leaving goosebumps in their wake. I arch into him, craving more contact.

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