Page 293 of By His Vow

“But what kind of father would I be if I tried to convince you to walk away from something that puts that look in your eyes?”

A lump crawls up my throat. I try to swallow it down, but I stand no chance.

I’ve never had this kind of conversation with my father before. I’m not sure how to take it.

“Tatum’s a good girl, King. You could do a hell of a lot worse than her.”

My mouth opens and closes as I try to come up with some kind of answer.

“She wants a divorce,” I blurt, my mouth saying the words before my head realizes I’ve made a decision.

“And are you going to give it to her?” he asks simply, raising a brow in question. “Or are you going to fight for what you really want?”

74

TATUM

Isit in the window of the cafe, staring out at the locals and tourists alike wandering around the village center.

I find the place just as magical as I did as a kid. I swear, people are just happier here. They don’t walk around with what looks like the weight of the world on their shoulders. Instead, they have their heads up and their eyes wide, taking in the beauty that is around them.

It might still only be spring, but as always, the grass is greener, the flowers are prettier, and the fluffy white clouds in the blue sky are cuter. Okay, yeah, it’s still cold as fuck outside, but it’s so beautiful, it’s easy to forget. And really, there is nothing better than curling up in front of the fire.

Being in his arms is better.

I banish that thought as soon as it hits.

I want to say that it’s getting easier to forget about him, about home, but it’s not. With every day that passes, I find myself questioning my decision more and more.

But then I remember that he’s not here.

It’s been over a week since I secretly boarded a plane and hopped across the pond. A week since I’ve seen him, since I’ve spoken to him—or anyone, actually. I’d be stupid to believe it’s because he doesn’t know where I am.

It wouldn’t take a genius to figure out that the first place I’d come to was here. Sure, he wouldn’t know what house I’m staying in seeing as I don’t have access to Aunt Lena’s place, but there are only so many places I can hide in this small village.

But as far as I know, he hasn’t even tried to find me.

It’s been three days since he was served the divorce papers I’d demanded Richard expedite so that I could close this chapter of my life sooner rather than later.

Richard hasn’t heard anything, as far as I’m aware. I haven’t heard anything—not that I’ve turned my cell on, of course. But I’ve been on my emails, and there has been nothing from him.

Lori has emailed me every day letting me know that she’s thinking of me and she misses me. She keeps sending me images of Griz and letting me know what my girl has been up to. It makes me smile as much as it makes my heart ache.

I miss them. Miles too. He’s reached out more than once, begging for me to respond, even if it’s just to let him know that I’m okay.

But I can’t. Not yet. I’m not ready to hear whatever it is he might have to say about my resignation. About the choices I’ve made by walking away from everything.

Lifting my pastry to my lips, I take another bite. It’s flaky and perfect, but I barely taste it.

Everything has been the same the past few days. I may as well be eating cardboard.

I’ve no idea if it’s a symptom that I’m going to have to put up with for a few months, or if it’s just the result the past week has had on my exhausted body.

Some nights I manage to get some sleep; others I just toss and turn, my head spinning a million miles a minute as I freak out over my future.

I don’t need to; I have nothing to freak out about.

I might have kissed goodbye to my trust fund and our apartment, but I have enough saved that we’ll be okay.

---