Page 69 of Trust Me With Forever

Nolan:I already have one possible secret. Trust me, no matter what, this asshole will eventually be alone, jobless, and humiliated.

Amber:That will take too long. But I have a plan to make him disappear. And we’ll never get caught. Say the word, and I’ll put it into motion.

Aunt Lori:Abby, dear, are you all right? Of course you aren’t. But I have lots of hugs waiting for you. Come home and let us stand with you, love.

Beck:Anyone who so much as breathes a word of that video will be kicked out of the winery and banned for life. I don’t care how much business we lose. We have your back, Abby.

Sabrina:Same for anyone coming to my office. I’m sure most of Starry Hills would ban them, too. A lot of people love you here, Abby. More than just us.

Zach:Zane knows people. Former SEALs and green berets who can take care of your ex-asshole problem. Ones who’ll let us beat his ass first, before they make him disappear. Just say the word.

Zane:They won’t kill him, but there are worse things. And he deserves it.

West:I would’ve gone after him already, but Emmy says you need to decide what to do. But I’m up for helping Zane’s friends.

Emmy:Or even just ask Rafe for help, Abby. Please don’t face this alone. We love you.

As I walked the grounds of Lyme Park, I took in the big house in the distance and wished I could enjoy the view. And yet, I kept readjusting my sunglasses and looking over my shoulder, afraid someone would rush toward me and say, “You’re the woman from that CGN video!”

I still hadn’t been able to watch the rest of it. At some point, yes, I needed to know what Travis had said. But right now, I just wanted to forget about everything but the surrounding nature and historical buildings. Oh, and walking briskly to keep warm.

March in Northern England wasn’t exactly balmy.

Zipping my coat up to the very top, I put my hands in my coat pockets and walked toward the building known as the Cage. It was a tall, square building with turret-type towers at each of the corners. There were supposed to be breathtaking views from near the building.

Once I reached it and removed my sunglasses, I looked over the rolling hills of the Peak District. My eyes stopped on the sprawl of Manchester in the distance.

How many people were there watching that video and thinking the worst of me?

The worst of Rafe?

Was he even still there? Or had he rushed home to try and mitigate the worst of the damage? Damage I’d caused.

I’d known this would happen. I’d warned him, too. And yet, I’d wanted so badly to see if Rafe the man was anything like the boy I’d loved.

And now? Because of me, his training facility was in jeopardy, he’d be humiliated, and my ex would win in the end.

If only I could go back in time and warn myself about Travis and his charm.

I had no idea how long I stood there, staring at the city in the distance, before I heard something faint in the wind.

“Abby!”

I frowned, but turned around. A man rushed toward me, slightly limping. He wore sunglasses, but I’d recognize him anywhere.

It was Rafe.

My first instinct was to run away again. And yet, when he removed his glasses and I watched him struggle to reach me, I just couldn’t. Instead, my feet moved, and I walked toward him. When I was close enough, Rafe pulled me into a hug and said, “Thank fuck I found you.”

I should push him away, tell him to leave me alone. And yet, he was warm and comforting and before I could stop it, I clung to him and started crying.

The cries turned into sobs and soon Rafe was holding me close, murmuring words I didn’t hear, and rubbing my back, my arms, my side.

Eventually, I quieted, and embarrassment rushed through me. Why was I always crying around this man?

I tried to pull away, but Rafe only held me tighter. “No. You’re not running away again, Abigail. We need to talk.”

He was right. After raising my head, I steeled myself for Rafe’s rejection and his ending our marriage.

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