Page 102 of When Hearts Surrender

“I was once like you. Trying to rationalize all these deaths in my family…the Grim Reaper hanging over me all my life. But there’s something I never told you before.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. “I was married before, Belle.”

I gasp at the unexpected news—both surprised and appalled at how a surge of jealousy charges through me, at the idea of Maxwell giving his heart away to someone else before.

A heart he doesn’t want to give to me.

“Her name was Sydney, and she was my high school sweetheart.”

He toys with my fingers as he tells me about the girl who befriended him, a guy who was socially awkward. He tells me how she was outgoing, kind, fun, everything he wasn’t, and he was drawn to her energy, even though he knew he probably couldn’t keep up. He explains how they eloped after graduation and how ecstatic he was for thinking he could beat the curse.

Then, he finally tells me how he found out she was in love with Ryland, how Sydney also had a series of random accidents—a fender bender while driving, food poisoning, almost drowning in a swimming pool. He tells me how they had an argument on the family yacht on a stormy night and she fell overboard, drunk, and drowned before anyone noticed.

“I didn’t even know she slipped on the deck. I was so mad at her for her betrayal, for wanting to change me, for not loving me for who I am, just like all the other people, I didn’t even stick around to make sure she made it inside as we headed back to shore.”

Maxwell finally looks up, and I see tears glistening in his eyes. “So no, Belle, I don’t believe in the curse because of stories and superstitions. I believe in it because I’ve lived it before. I’ve touched death, and death has surrounded me. Even though I’ve learned long ago what I felt for Sydney was an imitation of deep love, a puppy love if you will, the curse still descended on her.My love is a death sentence.Don’t you see what I’m trying to tell you?”

I sniffle as I wipe the tears gathered under his eyes. Shaking my head, I say, “They still sound like random accidents to me. Horrible, but accidents, nonetheless. I don’t believe in the curse.” I can’t believe it because the alternative is unbearable.

Because if it’s real, he can never truly give me his heart and my life may be in danger.

Closing his eyes, he leans into my touch. “Over the years, our family had tried circumventing the curse—not getting married, not having kids, but something horrible would always happen, like my grandfather’s younger brother’s entire family perishing when their canoes overturned. Grandfather was trying to outwit the curse by refusing to marry.”

Maxwell takes my hand in his and presses a soft kiss on the back. “Too many accidents to be accidents. Too many deaths. I’ve accepted my role ever since Sydney died. I’m at peace with it. Until…”

You.

He doesn’t say the words, but from the fervent expression on his face, his eyes penetrating, I know that’s what he’s thinking.

“You know, others said the land our mansion lies on is haunted because these are hallowed grounds from an abbey that was destroyed a long time ago. Grandfather Silas never believed in superstitions when he purchased the parcel and built on top of it. Maybe our family was doomed ever since we stepped onto these shores.”

Goosebumps prickle my skin at the mention of Wraithmoor Abbey, and I reach over to the nightstand to grab the vintage locket he gave me.

I dangle it in front of us, admiring the way the gems and metals sparkle under the warm light. “I heard about the abbey. The owner of Wraithmoor Antiquities told me about it.” But I don’t tell him about how I felt a sense of déjà vu that day or how the necklace called to me, even though I’d never seen it before. It still feels too strange to say aloud.

Maxwell opens the locket and traces the words of eternal devotion inside. He’s silent, his breathing heavy, and I turn to face him, finding his eyes glued to the writing, his jaw clenching before releasing.

“Maxwell?”

“I saw this and thought of you—I knew no one else should wear it. That it was somehow meant to be around your neck,” he whispers, his fingers still tracing the writing.

He murmurs, “Upon you, my dearest, my love rests for eternity and beyond, for anything less would be insufferable.”

The words echo between us, a sudden tension heavy in the air. I silently stare at him as his gaze slowly trails up to mine.

He gently takes the necklace from my hand and I hold my breath, my pulse clamoring in my veins. Gently, he brushes my hair to the side and clasps the necklace around my neck.

He touches the locket nestled between my breasts. “Promise me, Belle… Promise me you won’t fall in love with me.”

“But the curse isn’t—”

“Do it for me, then. Please. I’ll take care of you, worship you, give you everything I have, but don’t fall in love with me…for me. And I won’t fall in love with you.”

A piercing pain jabs me in the heart, and I try to fight the sadness creeping in. I know he’s not ready to let go of his beliefs. I know he’s terrified. But it still hurts hearing him say these words to me.

Especially when I find my heart on the verge of being stolen by him.

But I know if I say no, I might not get the slightest chance with him. And so, with a heavy heart and tears prickling my eyes, I knot our hands together, and let the vows I don’t believe in slip out of my mouth.

“I promise to not fall in love with you, Maxwell.”

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