Page 138 of The Marine

I lead her across the road and back down toCasa de Venice.I find her card and swipe the door open.

It’s like she’s sleepwalking when she sits on the edge of the bed and stares at me. I drag a chair across the room and sit in front of her, taking her hands.

“First things first, you aren’t married.”

The last thing I expect is for her to burst into tears.

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BRIAR

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I’m not married?

As I start to connect the dots after emotions hit me like a ton of bricks, I realize he’s not entirely correct in what he said.

I am still married.

He may not want to believe I am, but I am married.

“Aidan,” I start.

“Kael West doesn’t exist. You can’t marry someone who doesn’t exist.”

I blink.

“So...”

“The marriage license is invalid,” Adian says.

I blink some more.

“Do you understand what I’m saying, Briar? You aren’t married to that asshole.”

I shake my head back and forth and then finally take his hand. “Baby, marriage is more than just a piece of paper.”

He sits back suddenly at my comment.

“What are you trying to say?”

Who did I marry? Who is Kael? A fugitive. My god. And all the things that Aidan said he did.

I feel sick and my brain is whirling with a million questions. But I need Aidan to understand that it's not that simple.

I was married to him. Energetically and emotionally, if not by law.

And until I get the marriage annulled, itistechnically still a marriage.

“I loved him. I don’t love him anymore, but it’s not as simple as just reversing years of marriage.” The good times, the bad times, and all abuse at his hands.

“I know, I know. I do.” He nods.

But he doesn’t.

Despite what I just said to him, the fact that I’m free from Kael begins to unwind in my mind.

I’m free.

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