Page 5 of Mine to Worship

Incredulity stares back at me.

“I gave Ellia the impression I fucked Melanie.”

“You broke her trust. Do you have any idea what you’ve caused?”

Guilt shoots up my veins like the most effective venom.

“I know, fuck, I…” The pain slices through me, trumping my anger at him. He and Melanie played us both that night and I was too deep in my hurt to realize it until the damage was done. The image of me with Melanie was planted in her mind like a seed taking root. I stare at my wedding ring and swallow the lump of bitter realization. “I lost her, she’ll never forgive me.”

“Do you love her?”

I push myself up and walk to the floor-to-ceiling window, flattening my palm against it for support. I am a king without his queen. And the kingdom means fucking nothing without her.

“Of course, I fucking do. I married her despite thinking you fucked her, not because I had to.”

He brushes his slacks and props his back against the couch. “You wanted to bind her to you. You never trusted her love for you, because you feel unworthy.”

“I’m screwed up, Brandon, and stop playing shrink.”

“How long will you use your past as an excuse, huh?”

I pierce him with a glare over my shoulder, but this time his face remains blank, empty of any fear. I like this look on him better.

“I have no idea what you’ve been through, what you’ve experienced. I have to process things, too, like finding out you’re my uncle, but Ellia is the best thing that ever happened to you, and it’s up to you to bring her back.”

A bitter sound escapes my mouth. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“You’ll find a way, you always do…”

“I am sorry.”

His hand flies to his chest, his face transforming into fake emotions. “I never thought I’d live to see this day.”

“I regret it already,” I say with forced annoyance, but he deserves the apology. I didn’t mean those words.

He grins at me, easing my conscience. His eyes light up with an idea. “You are supposed to be on your honeymoon.”

“Yes, so?”

“What will everyone think, including those damn papers, if they see you’re here?”

“I don’t care.” I wave it off.

“You do, because you want power and control. And to make sure you don’t do anything stupid, I’ll stay here.”

I shake my head at him. He wants to bond. It’s not that I couldn’t use someone to check on my sanity until I find out where Ellia is. I need to come up with a plan to get my woman back, and that includes all the groveling necessary.

I’ll find you, angel.

Chapter 3

Ellia

The endless rows of trees remind me every day of this place’s allure. The sun peeks through the bouncing leaves, and birds chirp from the branches. I hear the water stream and inhale fresh air. A welcome peace envelops me. It’s been five days, and even though my heart hasn’t come out of the imposed prison of pain, all my other senses are in tune. On the porch, Aunt Esther and I paint. My brush glides over the canvas. Layers of dark greens and grays lie thick on the canvas, a manly face sucking the pinkish air out of the woman’s withering figure.

“This has to stop.” She places her brush on the table where all our utensils lie and turns to me.

“What?”

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