Page 88 of Trust Me With Forever

Instead, I’d been tricked into loving a man who’d then manipulated me to get what he wanted. And probably because he enjoyed the control, too.

Not for the first time, I wished I could go back and change the past.

I was so lost in thought that when Rafe’s soft voice came from right behind me, I jumped.

“Abigail. We’ll get him. I promise you.”

My eyes heated. I couldn’t take any more of his kindness right now and something inside me snapped. And even though Rafe didn’t deserve it, I turned and shouted, “How the fuck will you do that?” I waved a hand to the side. “He’s already out there giving interviews, telling the world that I groomed boys to be my lovers, and soon he’ll probably start sharing more pics of me dressed in scanty lingerie, just to prove his point.” I shook my head. “And now that I know I’m not the first one? That he’s tried to smear another woman who didn’t do exactly as he wanted? It’s never going to end, Rafe.” The room blurred as I tried not to cry. “It’s never going to end.”

With a sob, I raced out of the room and through the front door. I needed air, space, to be alone and just cry and cry until I was too tired to do any more.

I had no idea what to do next. But for now, I rushed through the parking lot behind the house and dashed down the gravel road toward the place where I felt the closest to my parents—the apple orchard. Because right now, I needed to remember the happier times to face the coming shitstorm.

I could barely see as I ran, sobbing and stumbling, my heart thudding so loud I could barely hear anything else.

At least until a car revved loudly behind me, followed by Rafe screaming, “Abby!”

I turned around. A car sped right for me. Fast. Just as I expected to be hit, something crashed against my side and I went flying off the road.

The wind was knocked out of my lungs, and it took a few seconds for me to breathe and sit up, the car nowhere in sight.

Then it hit me—I was off the road. Something had pushed me.

Or someone.

I struggled to my feet and looked around. At the sight of Rafe lying still on the ground, my stomach dropped. I cried out and dashed toward him.

No, no, no. Don’t let him be dead because of me. Please, no.

When I reached his body, I knelt down. “Rafe! Rafe! Can you hear me?”

Silence.

My throat closed up, but I tamped down my panic. He was breathing. Just. And if I lost it right now, Rafe might die.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I took out my phone, turned it on and dialed 911. As the operator asked me a series of questions, I gently took Rafe’s hand in mine and willed for him to make it.

Not just so I could apologize for shouting at him. It was more than that.

He’d finally shown me the type of love I’d always wanted, the kind where I could trust him with my life, and there was no way in hell he could die on me now.

I would do whatever it took to save the man I loved.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Abby

Amber:Are you sure you don’t want me to come to the hospital?

Katie:I can come, too!

Me:Thanks, but there’s nothing to do except wait for Rafe to wake up. I’d rather everyone work and act normal for now. It makes me less panicky.

Amber:If you’re sure. But once my shift is over, I’m going to bring you some scones and coffee.

Katie:I’ll go with Amber then. In the meantime, I’ll ask Nolan’s PI to find that CGN woman. I could take her.

Me:As much as I’d like to see it, more important people than me have tried and failed.

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