Page 97 of All Our Secrets

I hated his truth. He loved Peyton.

“Theo…”

As upset as I was, I truly didn’t want to hurt him. Yes, I was angry with him, but the feeling was mutual. He loved Peyton enough to linger in this world. I hated it, but I saw his affection and wouldn’t pretend he’d been an awful husband to make myself feel better about my love for her. I’d always respected Theodore. It was why I had faced him head-on about Peyton instead of going to her behind his back. I hated that he’d died, but I wouldn’t let it deter me. Nothing could stop me anymore.

“I’m here.”

Theodore froze. “And? I want you gone.”

“I’m here for the long haul, Theo. Until the last drop of life leaves my body.”

He stepped forward. “I can make that happen.”

“I’ll take care of Peyton and your son. You kept my identity from Peyton because you knew how much I cared about her, right? You didn’t want me to see what you saw, so you let me run like a coward. I wish I’d noticed what you were doing back then. Hiding something so big from her… like you were afraid that small detail would change everything.”

At my words, I saw Peyton anew right then. The blush on her cheeks. The way she averted her gaze. The way she gave herself to me in the night. Afraid to embrace me in the light. Her eyes followed me. She’d slipped into my room despite her inner turmoil because she wanted me.Me.“God. If we hadn’t kept it a secret, it would have changedeverything. Peyton would’ve been mine.”

By the fear filtering through the cracks of his façade, twisting his features into pure agony, I knew he understood it too.

“Stop talking.” Theodore shut his eyes. “Just stop.”

“Fuck. I let you stealmywoman.”

“King,” he threatened.

“Do you really want to keep doing this? Scaring her again and again?”

I searched his expression for any sign of remorse. All I found was fury glaring back at me.

“You mean, do I want to be with my family?Yes.I want to communicate with my wife, and if you won’t help me, I’ll find a way on my own.”

“By scaring the daylights out of her?”

“You shouldn’t be here!”

“Even if I hadn’t been here already, she would have called me.”

The coat rack rattled by the door. Every picture on the wall swayed as Theodore balled his hands into fists. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“If I go, they’re going with me.” I looked at the front door, knowing Peyton and T.J. were on the other side. Waiting for me.

“She’s not going to move on with you, King.”

“She will,” I disagreed.

“What about when she learns I’m here too?”

Acid rose in my throat. Old fears threatened to spill out and reveal themselves. I headed up the stairs to pack some clothes before Theodore could see anything projected on my face. I understood how Peyton’s brain worked. Despite her feelings for me, Peyton would stay true to her vows if she learned that Theodore was a ghost. She was too hard on herself.

Where did I fit? What place in her heart did I hold? I had to besomethingto her. Burrowed under her skin like she was mine.

“Don’t touch her,” Theodore called out as I rummaged around the kitchen a few minutes later, trying to figure out what she might need for the baby. “Just stay here with her. Don’t take her where I can’t see her.”

I sighed and dropped the bag near the sink. “I’ll leave it up to her.”

As I walked out, Peyton opened the driver’s side door. I meant to stand there, but she jerked me in. “You’re soaked. Why are you still standing there like a deer in the headlights?”

I smiled at her cuteness. “I literally just got to the door, and you yanked me in here. You didn’t give me the chance.”

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