Page 19 of His Collateral Wife

If not for God---

My husband's gaze narrows at my face. "Eden?"

And the man He's chosen for me.

"Thank you," I choke out. "Thank you for saving me---"

"There was no way I'd simply stand by and do nothing when I realized what your father intended," he rejects flatly. "The moment I found out about your father's plans...that was it. That was the turning point for me."

"But you really don't owe me anything---"

"You risked everything to save me. Do you think I don't know that?"

"But it was his fault you were there in the first place."

"Esattamente." Exactly. "It was his fault, not yours---" My husband raises his hand when he sees me about to speak again. "In any case...saving you is not the only reason I married you."

My heart grows numb as I read between the lines.

He thinks I've another purpose to serve because he still believes I'm his father's daughter.

But what will he do if he realizes he's been lied to?

"Why are you crying?"

He's already wiping my tears away with his thumb when I become aware of what's happening.

"Nothing we've talked about changes anything," he says quietly. "I am and will always be on your side. There is nothing I won't do to keep you safe."

I can see now that he means it.

But for how long will those words be true?

Will he still be on my side even when he realizes how worthless I am?

"I can feel you trembling," he bites out. "But I won't know how to help you if you don't tell me what's wrong. What are you still afraid of?"

You.

Because it's true.

And I'm not just afraid.

But terrified.

Of him throwing me away.

"Talk to me, Eden," he urges.

I want to, oh, how I want to.

But there are no words to change my reality.

"Is it because you still don't trust me?"

I shake my head.

"Then talk to me. Please."

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