Page 119 of Unleashed

CHAPTER 25

Igazed out the window from first class, watching the clouds drift lazily below. The steady hum of the plane and the soft snoring of Slade beside me created a bubble of calm, though my mind was anything but peaceful. I’d just woken from a nap, disoriented by the stretch of time that had passed. We were somewhere over the Pacific with hours to go before landing in Maui.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I thought about the day before—my first as a married woman. Mrs. Morgan Abbott. The name felt surreal, like I was living in someone else’s life. Slade Abbott was everything I had wanted. We'd have beautiful children, a comfortable life, and once Keaton handed the company over to him, things would only get better.

And yet... Michael Elliott.

My chest tightened at the thought of him. Why couldn’t I shake him? If I had no doubts about Slade, then why was Michael still lodged in my mind, his words from weeks ago echoing louder than ever? I love you. I’ve never stopped. I clenched my jaw, wishing I could erase that moment. My life had been perfect until Michael came back and shattered it with those words.

I signaled for the flight attendant, my nerves on edge. When she appeared, I ordered a rum and coke. Slade would probably frown, but I needed something to calm me down. My hand shook slightly as I sipped it, the alcohol warming my throat and dulling the edges of my anxiety. By the time Slade stirred awake, I had finished the drink.

His eyes fluttered open, his gaze immediately finding mine. He smiled lazily, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “Good afternoon, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. “Did you get some rest?”

I returned his smile, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “A little. You looked like you needed it more than I did.”

He chuckled, shifting in his seat to stretch. “Yeah, well, I should be tired. My gorgeous wife kept me up all night.” He grinned at me, his eyes full of teasing mischief.

I raised an eyebrow, leaning into his playful mood. “Oh, you’re blaming me now?”

He smirked, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Not entirely, but you definitely played a part.” His voice dropped, the memory of the night lingering between us.

I giggled and leaned in to kiss his cheek, enjoying the moment of lightness. But when I pulled back, his eyes drifted to the empty cup on my tray.

His smile faltered slightly. “Did you have a drink while I was asleep?” His tone was casual, but I could hear the underlying tension.

I shrugged. “Just a coke.”

“Nothing in it?”

I hesitated, my irritation bubbling just below the surface. “Does it matter?”

Slade’s brow furrowed as he shifted in his seat. “I just don’t want you drunk when we land.”

I set my jaw, feeling my pulse quicken. “It was one drink, Slade. Relax.”

His mouth twitched, a crease forming between his brows. “And the champagne when the flight took off?”

“That was hours ago,” I snapped, my patience thinning. “Why are you keeping tabs on everything I drink?”

“I’m just making sure you’re okay, Morgan,” he said, his voice softening. “You know how you get when?—”

“I’m fine.” I cut him off, my words sharp. “Stop worrying so much.”

His eyes searched mine, but instead of pressing, he sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “I’ve seen you drunk, Morgan. It’s not… the best version of you.”

My temper flared, and I could feel the heat rise in my chest. “I’m not drunk, so get off it.” I turned toward the window, staring hard at the clouds, shutting him out.

There was a long silence before he spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. “Morgan.”

I didn’t respond, refusing to look at him. My fingers tightened around the armrest as frustration and guilt warred inside me.

“I’m sorry,” Slade said softly, the sincerity in his voice tugging at me, but I stayed silent.

He exhaled loudly, the sound full of tension. “Please, don’t start off our honeymoon like this. I said I’m sorry.”

I turned my head slightly, still not meeting his eyes. “Stop trying to control me. Is this how it’s going to be?”

His head jerked back as if my words had struck him. “Control you? I’m not trying to control you. I just?—”

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