Page 125 of The Marine

I’m not the bride.

“Oh. No.” I glance at my dress and shake my head.

But Iamrunning from my husband and from the man I love.

I can’t face Aidan’s rejection.

I can’t face Kael’s dominance and abuse.

I can’t face my mother’s ranting and manipulation.

I can’t face any of them.

I’m so done with it all. I need space to think and decide what I want in my life. Me. I need to hear my thoughts, not anyone else’s.

The driver pulls up atCasa de Veniceand I smile at the building. Happy memories start to fill me, and I know this is the right place to be.

“Thank you.” I tip the driver as I climb out, then walk into the hotel. I’m honestly surprised it’s still here.

I had no other plan, so thank goodness.

“Do you have any available rooms?” I ask the woman behind the desk.

“Let me check.” She taps at the keyboard and then lifts her head, smiling. “We had a cancellation an hour ago, so if you are happy to just stay for three nights, then it’s yours.”

I nod.

I guess she’s thinking the same thing as my taxi driver because of my dress, but I’m not in the mood to explain.

I just want to curl up in a ball and cry.

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AN HOUR LATER I mightnot be curled up in a ball, but Iamsoaking in a tub full of bubbles and have shut out the world. No one knows I am here, and it’s the most peaceful I think I’ve felt in my whole life.

I’m safe.

Temporarily, at least.

I mean, isn’t that what everyone wants? To feel safe, secure, and loved? Some are lucky to be born into a life where they never have to crave it. Many are not.

I don’t know how I’m going to create a sense of security in my world, but I damn well am.

Starting right now.

Day by day I will make the choices to ensure nobody ever hurts me again. Smarter choices. Saying no to anything that even resembles abuse.

Physically or mentally.

I brush my hand over the big white bubbles and let my mind wander. How do I do that without pushing away everyone I love?

I don’t want to shut down and become cold.

That’s not a happy life.

But I need to work out who are the people I can trust. Who the people are that I can’t? It’s not as simple as it seems.

But I’m not going to be a damn victim. Not anymore.

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